PITTSBURGH (AP) -Brian Rafalski put the Detroit Red Wings a step closer to hoisting the Stanley Cup, scoring a power-play goal early in Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.

The Red Wings got a break on the game's first goal and by killing off a 5-on-3 power play, giving them a 1-0 lead after the first period.

Rafalski's shot went off Pittsburgh defenseman Hal Gill and past goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, whose spectacular performance in the previous game extended the Stanley Cup finals for at least another game.

If necessary, Game 7 will be Saturday night in Detroit.

Darryl Sydor was called for interference in Game 6 and the Red Wings took advantage 5:03 into the game.

Pavel Datsyuk got to the puck along the boards, centered it to Henrik Zetterberg, who set up Rafalski perfectly in the left circle to score on Detroit's third shot of the game.

Rafalksi was 35 seconds away from scoring the series-winning goal Monday night, but his goal was negated when Maxime Talbot scored to force the first of three overtimes and the Penguins staved off elimination. Fleury had a brilliant 55-save effort, including 13 stops in the first overtime and 11 more in the next two in the fifth-longest game in Stanley Cup finals history.

Only the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs have rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the finals to win the Stanley Cup, pulling off the feat against Detroit after losing the first three games.

As it did to seal a loss in Game 4, Pittsburgh blew a chance to score with 5-on-3 advantage in Game 6.

Detroit's Dallas Drake and Kris Draper were called for penalties and the Penguins had two extra skaters for 1:33 midway through the first period. They tested Chris Osgood, but couldn't get a shot past him.

Both goalies made eight saves in the first period.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.