Bodog Beat

The Detroit Red Wings are a machine that keeps chalking up wins regardless of who is in the lineup. (AP Images)

Detroit routed the Chicago Blackhawks 6-1 Sunday and took a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference final, and they did it without Nicklas Lidstrom.

Rookie Jonathan Ericsson filled in for the six-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, and the defending champions didn't miss a beat.

Still, as well as Ericsson played, Detroit hopes it won't have to replace Lidstrom again in Game 5 tonight with a chance to reach the Stanley Cup final.

Joel Quenneville said his team would wait until today to determine if No. 1 goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin and leading scorer Martin Havlat will be on the ice to help avoid elimination.

Khabibulin has been out since playing the first two periods of Game 3 because of a lower-body injury. He was replaced by Cristobal Huet, who allowed five of Detroit’s six goals in Game 5. Get your NHL odds in the Bodog Sportsbook.