By Allan Muir, SI.com

1. Tomas Holmstrom, Red Wings: Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly ... and the Dallas defense gotta figure out how to prevent Holmstrom from planting his big Swedish behind in Marty Turco's grill or this could be a real short series. In predictable fashion, Holmstrom was an immoveable object in Game 1, especially on the power play. He made life miserable for Turco, screening him expertly on a pair of goals, one of which the big winger deflected in himself.

2. Niklas Kronwall, Red Wings: He chipped in with a pair of assists, including a power-play point blast that was tipped home by Johan Franzen early in the first that stood as the game-winner. But it was his physical play that helped set the tone for a Detroit effort that left the Stars demoralized. His nasty (and borderline illegal) open ice hit on Antti Miettinen midway through the second is earmarked for an appearance in Don Cherry's next Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em video.

3. Johan Franzen, Red Wings: Another game, another goal. The most prolific scorer of the playoffs used his big body and suddenly soft hands to make it an even dozen in 11 games. Franzen now has scored in five straight postseason contests, tying a Red Wings franchise record set by Gordie Howe. Anyone want to bet that he doesn't break the mark on Saturday?