Red Wings win without C Franzen

May 11, 2008 - 5:05 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Red Wings were without one of their biggest weapons Saturday as Johan Franzen missed the team's 2-1 victory in Game Two of the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars with concussion-like symptoms.

Franzen has been experiencing recurring headaches since early in the conference semifinals against the Colorado Avalanche. The 28-year-old Swede - who is in the midst of a five-game goal-scoring streak - experienced symptoms resembling a concussion prior to Saturday's pregame warmup, prompting Detroit to keep him out of the lineup.

"Yesterday, he was sitting on the table and he said, 'I got a headache and it's worse than it's been,'" coach Mike Babcock said. "Then he said, 'I thought it was the altitude when I went to Colorado. I thought it was just a headache.'

"I was joking with him and I said, 'Whatever wires are crossed, let's keep them crossed, let's keep it going.' Didn't think anything of it. Then he went to see the (doctor). ... We've got to get him checked out by the experts, find out what's wrong or what's right, and then we'll go from there."

The Red Wings' medical staff has recommended Franzen remain on the sidelines until undergoing further testing. He will remain in Detroit while the team travels to Dallas on Sunday for Games Three and Four of the conference finals.

"He's going to see a specialist on Monday," Detroit general manager Ken Holland said. "We believe he got hit in the Colorado series. Finally after Game One, yesterday morning he mentioned to the trainers that the headaches persisted."

Franzen leads the league with 12 goals - also a franchise record - and five game-winners this postseason. He also shares the postseason lead with five power-play tallies and has scored 27 goals in his last 27 games dating to March 2.

"We didn't know about it until this morning," Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom said of Franzen's condition. "He hasn't really told anyone. ... It's a shame when he's been playing so well for us."

"You really feel bad for him," center Kris Draper added. "Just the fact that he was having the time of his life. He was playing such great hockey. He was a big reason why we're in this situation right now. ... We just hope that he can get back and get healthy and get playing again."

The Red Wings have a two-games-to-none lead in the series.