"Well, it's a huge thrill for me to get a chance to play in the Stanley Cup. I've played 16 years now. I've never even gotten close to having an opportunity," Drake said. "Just real grateful. Play for a great team, great organization. Couldn't be more thankful right now than I am."

Drake played a big role in the Red Wings' win on Monday, scoring one goal and assisting on another. He joked about the reason for his scoring touch.

"I sat closer to [Henrik] Zetterberg tonight. I made the trainers put me a couple seats down, hoped it would rub off," Drake said while smiling. "Persevere a little bit. A lot of things you always do, like go to the net, crash and bang. It's gratifying to contribute when you can."

His coach Mike Babcock said there is a lesson to be learned from the long, hard road Drake has taken to get a chance to play for the Stanley Cup.

"That's what the kids on our team have got to understand, is you can play in this league for a long time and never get this opportunity," Babcock said. "He's been in a long time. He's been a real good player, played hard, done good things. I couldn't be more thrilled for him."

"I think the first thing is Dallas has done a great job. I've got a lot of respect for Dave Tippett. I think he's a fantastic coach. I think he's one of the best coaches in the league," Babcock said. "Every year their team plays hard and is organized. It's great to see them have playoff success because sometimes, you know, I'm pulling for coaches all the time, and I like to see good guys get rewarded. He's done an excellent job. Happy for that.

"Brenden Morrow to me is what you want leading your team. I like their back end. Good young kids there. Good goaltending. I think they've really improved their team as far as youthfulness. They've got good depth. They're here for the long run. With the kind of job that Tippett does, they're going to be competitive every year. We feel good about beating them."

Brenden hasn't been the same since the last San Jose game. He's basically played on one leg since then," Tippett said. "The shoulder injury, I'm not sure where that's going to get to, but there's a small tear in his shoulder."

"Norstrom has been battling a sports hernia for the whole playoffs. It's phenomenal he can get through that.

"That's the grind of the playoffs. It is so hard. Like I say, the commitment that these players put forth is just phenomenal. Until you've been in that dressing room, seeing guys that after a game, they have a hard time moving their leg or moving their elbow, their shoulder doesn't work, and the next day they show up and say, When do we play again? That's what makes our game great."