Wings' Depth the Difference vs. Ducks

DETROIT -- After the Red Wings stopped the Ducks in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Thursday. Detroit forward Mikael Samuelsson said, "Sometimes the stars take each other out a little."

And when the big-name guys cancel each other out, the Wings usually are left in a better position that their opponents, which was the case in Game 7, when Darren Helm, Samuelsson and Dan Cleary provided the final three goals in a 4-3 victory. Jiri Hudler scored the first goal of the night on a power play.

Helm never has scored a goal in the regular season (14 games) but he has four postseason goals, and his breakaway score on Thursday showed off his terrific speed. Samuelsson is a role player, but has a nose for big playoff goals, while Cleary is a grinder. His game-winner with three minutes left Thursday was his first goal of the series.

"Our depth was the key," Cleary said in the dressing room after the game. "It takes a little pressure off all the guys who are always counted on."

Defenseman Nick Lidstrom said, "When you don't have to depend on two lines to score, it really helps the whole team. It's great to see different players step up at different times the whole series."

The Wings' stars, meantime, handled some of the less glamorous duties -- particularly on the penalty kill, where Pavel Datsyuk (no goals in nine games) and Henrik Zetterberg shined. The Wings killed off two two-man advantages, and on one of them Zetterberg blocked two shots by Ryan Getzlaf. Detroit goalie Chris Osgood said that denying the Ducks on the 5-on-3's changed the momentum.

Five of the seven games were decided by one goal, making special teams -- and goaltending -- all the more important. Jonas Hiller was spectacular throughout the series, keeping the Ducks in it even though Detroit routinely doubled up Anaheim when it came to shots. Osgood was back in playoff form, switching it on after a poor regular season.

"That was the best series I've been in since I've coached in the league," Detroit's Mike Babcock said. "For sure the hardest series, most even, the least room, lots of high-end players."

After the game, Anaheim captain Scott Niedermayer, 35, was asked if that was his final game in the NHL and he said it was possible and that he plans to make up his mind soon. Much of the series, Niedermayer was the Ducks' best player, and there's little doubt Anaheim would like him to return.