DETROIT — Dan Cleary was close to being an ex-NHL player when the league emerged from the lockout four years ago.

The Detroit Red Wings gave him another shot. The gritty forward took advantage, and the defending Stanley Cup champions are glad he did.

Cleary matched a playoff career high with two goals against the team that drafted him, leading the Red Wings to a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday.

"I came here as a tryout," he said. "They gave me a chance to be a player."

Game 2 is Tuesday night in Detroit.

Cleary was drafted 13th overall by the Blackhawks in 1997, but had just nine points in 41 games before being traded to Edmonton.

"I wasn't in Chicago very long, so no hard feelings," he joked.