Red Wings Send Avs Packing

Johan Franzen outscored the Colorado Avalanche by himself. His second hat trick in three games fueled the Detroit Red Wings' 8-2 rout last night that completed a sweep of the Avalanche. Franzen needed just 10 playoff games to score 11 goals and break the Red Wings' record for most goals in one postseason, which was held by three players, including Brett Hull.

The Red Wings advance to the Western Conference finals against the winner of the Dallas-San Jose series which the Stars lead 3-1. Thanks to Franzen, this series never was very close or contentious, unlike the other five times the teams met in the postseason, after which the winner went on to win the Stanley Cup three times. The Wings finished 8-0 over Colorado this season. (More Colorado Avalanche stories.)