Detroit jumps out to 2-0 lead in Cup finals

~ Pittsburgh lost both games on the road to open the series.

DETROIT -- The Red Wings found a perfect way to move halfway to a repeat -- beat the Pittsburgh Penguins back-to-back.

So much for Detroit being old, beaten down and needing a break. The Red Wings topped the Penguins 3-1 in Game 2 of the finals Sunday and are two wins from holding onto the Stanley Cup.

Just as they did last year in winning the title for the 11th time and fourth in 11 seasons, the Red Wings took the first two games from the Penguins at home. This year posed a new challenge, sweeping a pair on consecutive nights three days after finishing the Western Conference finals.

"It's hurt us. Don't kid yourself," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "I thought we were exhausted out there. It's amazing what will does for you.

"We found a way to win two games, but we haven't been as good as we're capable of being."

Rookie defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, who watched the Western Conference finale Wednesday night in the dressing room hours after having his appendix removed, scored the tying goal for Detroit in the second period. He missed one game and returned to the lineup Saturday.

"Just a couple years ago, it took people a month to recover," the 25-year-old Ericsson said. "It took me three days."

Valtteri Filppula added the go-ahead tally 6:08 later, and Justin Abdelkader scored his second of the series in the third. The Red Wings left the ice in front of their cheering, towel-waving fans and headed for Pittsburgh with another commanding lead.

Game 3 is Tuesday night, and the odds favor the Red Wings' quest to become the NHL's first repeat champion since they did it in 1997 and '98. Teams that win Games 1 and 2 at home have captured the Cup 31 of 32 times.