There’s Quite a Fuhr Over Detroit’s Loss

The longest Stanley Cup drought in the NHL threatens to grow even longer.

Grant Fuhr notched his fourth playoff shutout as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Detroit Red Wings, 2-0, at Detroit on Wednesday night in the opener of their Western Conference series.

“It starts with defense,” St. Louis forward Scott Pellerin said. “We’re just trying to go in there, knock guys around, and see what happens.”

Geoff Courtnall and Pierre Turgeon scored first-period goals for St. Louis, a team that took Detroit to double overtime in Game 7 of the second round a year ago before bowing out. And that was with backup Jon Casey subbing for Fuhr, who was recovering from a knee injury.

“Defense wins playoff games,” said Fuhr, who kept the game puck. “We’re playing good defense right now.”

Game 2 will be played Friday night at Joe Louis Arena, then the best-of-seven series moves to St. Louis for games Sunday and April 22.

“They’re a good hockey club that’s been solid all season long,” Fuhr said. “So we expect their best effort Friday night.”

The Red Wings, hoping to end a 42-year Stanley Cup championship drought, were soundly outplayed in the first two periods, drawing the ire of their home fans. The Red Wings staged a mild rally, outshooting the Blues, 15-6, in the third period, but Fuhr turned away every challenge.

The Blues played the final two minutes short-handed, but Fuhr made a save on Brendan Shanahan’s blast from the top of the slot and turned away another Shanahan shot from near the left post.

Not a single octopus was tossed on the ice. Heaving the octopus is a Detroit tradition that began in 1952, when its eight tentacles symbolized the number of victories needed to earn the Stanley Cup. This year, bowing to league pressure, the Red Wings have banned the animals from the arena.

Colorado 6, Chicago 0--Patrick Roy picked up where he left off in the playoffs last year with a shutout of the Blackhawks for the defending-champion Avalanche at Denver.

The Avalanche, taking advantage of the playoff inexperience of Blackhawk goalie Jeff Hackett, scored four goals in the first period, three in a span of barely seven minutes. Two were scored by Peter Forsberg.

Roy, who also blanked the Florida Panthers in the clinching game of the Stanley Cup finals June 10, has nine playoff shutouts. He ran his scoreless streak to 213 minutes 11 seconds; the NHL record is 248 minutes 32 seconds by Detroit’s Norm Smith in 1936.

Roy also posted his 87th playoff victory, one shy of the NHL record of 88 by former New York Islander goalie Billy Smith.

Dallas 5, Edmonton 3--The Oilers did a good job of slowing down Mike Modano, but they couldn’t stop him when it counted and lost at Dallas, as Modano scored the tiebreaker on a rebound with 2:31 left.

Modano, the Stars’ leading scorer, was held to only two shots before he beat goalie Curtis Joseph to break a 3-3 tie.