DETROIT — The Red Wings are tired, beat up, and just two wins away from hoisting the Stanley Cup again.

Detroit's foil is the same, the defending champion's method a little different.

For the second straight year, the young Pittsburgh Penguins came to Joe Louis Arena to kick off the Stanley Cup finals. And just like in 2008, they're heading home down 2-0. The Red Wings topped the Penguins, 3-1, last night, giving them matching wins on consecutive nights as they pursue a repeat of their title.

"Playing back to backs and saying we'd be up 2-0, we'd be ecstatic," said Chris Osgood, who made 31 saves. "We still believe we can play better and we know we'll have to in Pittsburgh."

Whether the games are spaced out or on top of each other, the Red Wings seem to have all the answers. Detroit can rest today before playing road games tomorrow and Thursday nights.

Sure the Penguins aren't as scared as they were in their finals debut last year, and yes they are younger and were more rested than their championship-laden opponents. And still they couldn't make a dent.

"It's not good," captain Sidney Crosby said, "but at the same time, it shows us our game can be successful. If we keep playing the same way, we're going to come out on the right side of things. We would have liked to have different results, but that's playoff hockey."

The Red Wings are closing in on their 12th title and fourth in 11 seasons despite the condensed schedule.

"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."

Rookie defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, who watched the West finale Wednesday night in the dressing room hours after having his appendix removed, scored the tying goal for Detroit in the second period. He 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.

PITTSBURGH 1 0 0—1

DETROIT 0 2 1—3

First Period—1, Pittsburgh, Malkin 13 (Letang, Guerin), 16:50 (pp).

Second Period—2, Detroit, Ericsson 3 (Hudler, Helm), 4:21. 3, Detroit, Filppula 2 (Holmstrom, Hossa), 10:29.

Third Period—4, Detroit, Abdelkader 2 (Holmstrom, Hossa), 2:47.

Shots on Goal—Pittsburgh 11-9-12—32. Detroit 7-16-3—26.

Goalies—Pittsburgh, Fleury. Detroit, Osgood. A—20,066 (20,066). T—2:27.

STANLEY CUP FINALS

BEST OF SEVEN; HAWAI'I TIMES;

x-if necessary

DETROIT VS. PITTSBURGH

Detroit leads series 2-0

Yesterday: Detroit 3, Pittsburgh 1

Tomorrow: at Pittsburgh, 2 p.m.

Thursday: at Pittsburgh, 2 p.m.

x-Saturday: at Detroit, 2 p.m.

x-June 9: at Pittsburgh, 2 p.m.

x-June 12: at Detroit, 2 p.m.