Somewhat surprisingly, Lidstrom praises Hawks

Not much fazes Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom.

Not after 17 years in the NHL, six Norris trophies over the last seven seasons as the league's top defenseman, appearances in 10 All-Star Games and most impressively, a key part of four Stanley Cup championships.

So it was a little surprising to hear a glint in Lidstrom's voice when he talked about the prospects of facing the young, rested, upstart Blackhawks following Detroit's physical, seven-game series against Anaheim that ended Thursday with a 4-3 Red Wings victory.

"First of all you're excited about going to the conference finals, knowing you're only one step away from playing in the Stanley Cup Finals," said the Wings' captain, whose 11 points in 11 games leads all defensemen in the postseason. "That brings the excitement back in our team.

"And when you play a good young team - and a fast team - like the Blackhawks, you know you have to be prepared. You know you have to get your emotions under control after a big win and prepare for a tough series again. Having the experience and talent we have on our team, we're able to put (Thursday) night's win and the last series behind us and get ready for another tough one.

"And this is going to be a tough one too."

The 39-year-old Lidstrom, who is averaging over 26 minutes of ice time per game in the playoffs, expects quite a different series from the rough-and-tumble one the Red Wings and Ducks just concluded.

"They're going to come at us with a lot more speed and try to score off the rush," he said. "That's the big difference. Anaheim wanted to play that grind style - get the puck in behind us and kind of grind it out more than the speedy Blackhawks will.

"Anaheim is a veteran team that wouldn't break. They kept going after us. It's a little different look with the Blackhawks. They're a young and hungry team."

But one that hasn't advanced this far in the playoffs in over a decade.

Not a factor to Lidstrom, who sees only a young team on the upswing.

"They've been improving as a team as the season has gone along," he said. "We've had some great battles with them this season - that Wrigley Field game (the Winter Classic) was a great experience.

"They've gained confidence. Their better players have been their young players. And with the way (goalie Nikolai) Khabibulin has been playing, it gives them a lot of confidence.

"I see their team making strides as the season went on and just getting better and better and they're really playing well now in the playoffs."