Detroit made the most of a late powerplay in the third period to level the Stanley Cup Finals series at 1-1.

Carolina's Martin Gelinos was sent from the ice for slashing with six minutes left on the clock and it took less than 60 seconds for Detroit to hammer home the advantage.

A fierce shot from Niklas Lidstrom, from Sergei Fedorov's lay-up pass, sent the home fans in the Joe Louis Stadium delirious.

And they had barely stopped celebrating when the win was confirmed 13 seconds later as Lidstrom turned provider.

A long pass sent in Kris Draper who bisected Carolina's previously impregnable defence.

Like Lidstrom, Draper beat Arturs Irbe with a powerful wrist shot that beat the goaltender high over his glove - the third time he conceded a high shot in the game.

Stalemate

The game was locked at 1-1 from midway through the first period until Lidstrom, who played a remarkable 34 minutes, 38 seconds - almost eight minutes more than any other player on the ice - made his mark.

Detroit opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal 6:33 into the opening period.

Kirk Maltby took a pass from Draper at his own blueline and went end-to-end, beating Irbe with a high wrist shot from the face-off circle.

But, just like they have so many times in the post-season, the Hurricanes answered back before the period ended on a shorthanded goal at 14:47.

Fredrik Olausson's clearing pass was intercepted by Rod BrindAmour, who went in alone on Dominik Hasek and beat him in front of the goal.

After a scoreless second period and, with the sides locked at a goal apiece, it seemed certain that overtime would be required for the second successive match before Lidstrom intervened.

Carolina failed to take advantage of a late powerplay of their own, and when Bates Battaglia was sent off for charging they played out time, four against four, as tempers became increasingly frayed.

The teams now travel to Raleigh, North Carolina for the third match of the series on Saturday.