Red Wings romp past Avs in Game 7

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings chased Patrick Roy and sent the Colorado Avalanche packing.

Detroit scored on its first two shots and knocked out the Colorado goalie early in the second period as the Red Wings eliminated the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche with a 7-0 victory Friday night in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.

"We thought it would be a 1-0 game, or go into overtime, or be a 2-0 game," Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman said. "We were still thinking after the first period, 'This isn't the way it's supposed to be."

While Roy struggled, Hasek set an NHL record with his fifth shutout in one postseason.

Hasek didn't care that he set a record while helping the Red Wings move a big step closer to the ultimate prize with the largest margin of victory in an NHL Game 7.

"It doesn't mean anything," said Hasek, who sought a trade to Detroit to complete his resume with a Stanley Cup. "It's nice, but I have other goals and they're not about shutouts in the playoffs."

The Red Wings will open the Stanley Cup finals Tuesday night at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Hasek finished strong with 19 saves for his second straight shutout, while Roy allowed four goals in the first period for the first time in his storied 240-game playoff career.

"I didn't have time to feel bad for him," Hasek said. "That can happen to any goalie."

Hasek won his first Game 7 in three chances. Roy and the Avalanche had won their past four Game 7s, including two shutout victories over Los Angeles and San Jose this season.

In a dramatic series highlighted by three overtimes and spectacular play by more than a dozen future Hall of Famers, the Red Wings weren't interesting in adding more drama to one of hockey's best rivalries.

Tomas Holmstrom scored the first of his two goals on Detroit's first shot, 1:57 into the game. Then 80 seconds later, Sergei Fedorov's fluttering slap shot from the left circle got past Roy.

Midway through the first period, Luc Robitaille slipped a shot through Roy's pads. Roy kicked the puck out of the net, skated to the boards to his right, then sprayed water on his face during an ensuing timeout as red-clad fans chanted "Pa-trick! Pa-trick!"

It got even worse for Roy and the Avalanche at 12:51 of the first when the Red Wings took a 4-0 lead on Holmstrom's goal off a a rebound of Robitaille's shot.