The Blackhawks are potentially 20 minutes away from needing help to get into the playoffs.
Detroit leads 2-1 after two periods on goals by Holmstrom and Datsyuk. Frolik got the goal for the Hawks, but Chicago could not answer the back-to-back goals by the Red Wings' veteran forwards.
Chicago got a break with 1:01 left in the period when it appeared that Duncan Keith got his stick up in Johan Franzen's face, causing the Swede to bleed from an area right above his nose. Had Keith been called for a high stick it would have been a double minor because of the blood, but the ref kept his whistle in his pocket.
The buzz in the building has turned into nerves. There is tension. It's pretty palpable now.
If the Blackhawks lose they will need Minnesota to at least take Dallas into a shootout tonight. That's not a scenario anybody here wants to discuss just yet.
Blog Central
Posted On Sunday, 04.10.2011 / 2:09 PM
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer /NHL.com - Red Wings-Blackhawks: A Live Blog
Wings lead after second
Posted On Sunday, 04.10.2011 / 1:47 PM
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer /NHL.com - Red Wings-Blackhawks: A Live Blog
Wings go up 2-1
Detroit was not at all bothered by the Frolik goal. It came right back and scored two in a matter of 62 seconds to take a 2-1 lead into a television timeout with 10:54 to play in the second period.
Tomas Holmstrom and Pavel Datsyuk did the scoring for the Wings.
Holmstrom scored on a short-side slapper from the left circle after he collected a loose puck near the blue line on the left wing side. Blackhawks forward Viktor Stalberg rimmed the puck behind the Wings' goal and it just carried all the way up the boards to Holmstrom. The goal was unassisted.
Datsyuk scored with only one glove on his hand. Bryan Bickell knocked one of his gloves off but Dan Cleary, while falling down in the slot, was still able to chip a pass over to Datsyuk in the right circle and he ripped a shot past Corey Crawford at the 7:58 mark.
Datsyuk clearly was not expecting the puck to come to him, but he is one of the best reactionary players in the game so it's no surprise his instincts allowed him to find it, shoot and score.
Tomas Holmstrom and Pavel Datsyuk did the scoring for the Wings.
Holmstrom scored on a short-side slapper from the left circle after he collected a loose puck near the blue line on the left wing side. Blackhawks forward Viktor Stalberg rimmed the puck behind the Wings' goal and it just carried all the way up the boards to Holmstrom. The goal was unassisted.
Datsyuk scored with only one glove on his hand. Bryan Bickell knocked one of his gloves off but Dan Cleary, while falling down in the slot, was still able to chip a pass over to Datsyuk in the right circle and he ripped a shot past Corey Crawford at the 7:58 mark.
Datsyuk clearly was not expecting the puck to come to him, but he is one of the best reactionary players in the game so it's no surprise his instincts allowed him to find it, shoot and score.
Posted On Sunday, 04.10.2011 / 1:39 PM
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer /NHL.com - Red Wings-Blackhawks: A Live Blog
Frolik puts Hawks up 1-0
Patrick Kane pulled off his best Pavel Datsyuk impression to set the Blackhawks up for the first goal of the game.
Kane curled around the Red Wings net and stripped the puck from Detroit defenseman Brad Stuart in the corner. Stuart fell to the ice and Kane got control of the puck, waited and found Michael Frolik in the high slot. Frolik wasted no time ripping a shot past Jimmy Howard's glove and into the net 5:18 into the second period to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead.
Kane curled around the Red Wings net and stripped the puck from Detroit defenseman Brad Stuart in the corner. Stuart fell to the ice and Kane got control of the puck, waited and found Michael Frolik in the high slot. Frolik wasted no time ripping a shot past Jimmy Howard's glove and into the net 5:18 into the second period to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead.
Posted On Sunday, 04.10.2011 / 1:20 PM
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer /NHL.com - Red Wings-Blackhawks: A Live Blog
Blackhawks, Red Wings scoreless after 1st
Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford are doing their jobs so far as the two goalies have combined for 20 saves, including 10 each, to keep the pivotal game between the Hawks and Wings scoreless after 20 minutes.
The Blackhawks had two power play opportunities but failed to get a shot on goal on either. Their second opportunity, which came when Jonathan Ericsson was called for holding Jonathan Toews at 15:23, was much better than their first but it still didn't have any net results.
Hawks forward Jake Dowell, who had arguably the best scoring chance of the game, finished with a period-high four shots on goal.
Neither team looked tight, which is a good sign, especially with the playoffs starting next week. The Blackhawks have just about everything at stake here so for them to come out and get the jump on the Wings early, not by scoring but with chances and some solid skating, is also a good sign for them.
The United Center crowd, as I've already documented, is very much into this one. They're usually one of the best home crowds in the League, but they've ramped it up today despite the 11:30 a.m. local start time.
On a different, more personal note, kudos to the Blackhawks public relations department for stepping up their game today with the omelette station complete with hash browns, french toast and crispy bacon up here in the press box.
Now that's a way to treat your media.
On to the second period.
The Blackhawks had two power play opportunities but failed to get a shot on goal on either. Their second opportunity, which came when Jonathan Ericsson was called for holding Jonathan Toews at 15:23, was much better than their first but it still didn't have any net results.
Hawks forward Jake Dowell, who had arguably the best scoring chance of the game, finished with a period-high four shots on goal.
Neither team looked tight, which is a good sign, especially with the playoffs starting next week. The Blackhawks have just about everything at stake here so for them to come out and get the jump on the Wings early, not by scoring but with chances and some solid skating, is also a good sign for them.
The United Center crowd, as I've already documented, is very much into this one. They're usually one of the best home crowds in the League, but they've ramped it up today despite the 11:30 a.m. local start time.
On a different, more personal note, kudos to the Blackhawks public relations department for stepping up their game today with the omelette station complete with hash browns, french toast and crispy bacon up here in the press box.
Now that's a way to treat your media.
On to the second period.
Posted On Sunday, 04.10.2011 / 1:07 PM
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer /NHL.com - Red Wings-Blackhawks: A Live Blog
Howard keeps game tied early
The fans closest to the goal thought it was in, but Jimmy Howard knew he had the puck under his toe. Jake Dowell tried to poke the puck over the line twice with just over seven minutes left, but the Wings goalie kept his leg flat on the ice and came up with a huge toe save to keep the game scoreless.
There are just under six minutes left in the first period now. The Blackhawks are outshooting the Red Wings 9-8 and Howard has had to make some pretty sparkling stops to keep it scoreless, but Corey Crawford also had to come up with a dazzler.
Tomas Holmstrom set up Johan Franzen in front for a one-timer from the low slot, but Crawford got back in position in time to make what appeared to be a pad save in his butterfly on Franzen with roughly 10 minutes left in the period.
There are just under six minutes left in the first period now. The Blackhawks are outshooting the Red Wings 9-8 and Howard has had to make some pretty sparkling stops to keep it scoreless, but Corey Crawford also had to come up with a dazzler.
Tomas Holmstrom set up Johan Franzen in front for a one-timer from the low slot, but Crawford got back in position in time to make what appeared to be a pad save in his butterfly on Franzen with roughly 10 minutes left in the period.
Posted On Sunday, 04.10.2011 / 12:54 PM
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer /NHL.com - Red Wings-Blackhawks: A Live Blog
Still scoreless at first TV timeout
There is 13:11 left in the first period and the Wings and Hawks remain scoreless, though Chicago has had the better of the chances.
Jimmy Howard has made two sharp right leg pad saves, the first on Nick Leddy 1:40 into the game and the second on a blast by Duncan Keith at the 4:10 mark.
Chicago failed on its first power play attempt. It didn't even get a shot on goal as the Wings had a clear kill with Tomas Holmstrom in the box for a delay of game at 1:44.
Jonathan Toews, who is centering a line with Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa, has stayed on late after two shifts and created chances with Patrick Kane each time. Kane is skating with Michael Frolik and rookie Ben Smith.
The crowd is really into it here, as to be expected. At the end of the TV timeout they showed Mr. T himself on the big videoboard and they went nuts for him. Mr. T. (B.A. to you A-Team fans) is wearing a Blackhawks jersey.
Jimmy Howard has made two sharp right leg pad saves, the first on Nick Leddy 1:40 into the game and the second on a blast by Duncan Keith at the 4:10 mark.
Chicago failed on its first power play attempt. It didn't even get a shot on goal as the Wings had a clear kill with Tomas Holmstrom in the box for a delay of game at 1:44.
Jonathan Toews, who is centering a line with Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa, has stayed on late after two shifts and created chances with Patrick Kane each time. Kane is skating with Michael Frolik and rookie Ben Smith.
The crowd is really into it here, as to be expected. At the end of the TV timeout they showed Mr. T himself on the big videoboard and they went nuts for him. Mr. T. (B.A. to you A-Team fans) is wearing a Blackhawks jersey.
Posted On Sunday, 04.10.2011 / 12:36 PM
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer /NHL.com - Red Wings-Blackhawks: A Live Blog
Pregame sets the tone
As soon as the lights went off and the Blackhawks opening video montage, complete with the fantastic stitching of the Blackhawks' logo, started blaring through the arena the crowd stood up and started roaring.
Yeah, this isn't just your average regular season game.
The fans got quiet as they watched the video, as they always do, but when the Hawks came streaming onto the ice one by one with Metalica's "Enter Sandman" blasting through the arena the place absolutely erupted. They went nuts for Corey Crawford and the rest of the Hawks starting lineup, including Niklas Hjalmarsson, Brian Campbell, Jake Dowell, Fernando Pisani and Byran Bickell.
The soldout crowd got louder and louder as anthem singer Jim Cornelison performed the National Anthem in front of the scorer's table.
There are very few venues in North America that get amped up for an anthem like United Center does for a Blackhawks game.
It's time to drop the puck. The crowd is ready. Are the Wings and Hawks?
Let's find out.
Yeah, this isn't just your average regular season game.
The fans got quiet as they watched the video, as they always do, but when the Hawks came streaming onto the ice one by one with Metalica's "Enter Sandman" blasting through the arena the place absolutely erupted. They went nuts for Corey Crawford and the rest of the Hawks starting lineup, including Niklas Hjalmarsson, Brian Campbell, Jake Dowell, Fernando Pisani and Byran Bickell.
The soldout crowd got louder and louder as anthem singer Jim Cornelison performed the National Anthem in front of the scorer's table.
There are very few venues in North America that get amped up for an anthem like United Center does for a Blackhawks game.
It's time to drop the puck. The crowd is ready. Are the Wings and Hawks?
Let's find out.
Posted On Sunday, 04.10.2011 / 12:17 PM
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer /NHL.com - Red Wings-Blackhawks: A Live Blog
Howard vs. Crawford
As expected, Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard is getting the start today opposite Corey Crawford, who will be making his 27th straight start for the Blackhawks.
Howard was victimized three times on six shots in the first 8:45 of Friday's game in Detroit, but he also made some dazzling saves to keep the deficit somewhat manageable.
Howard was victimized three times on six shots in the first 8:45 of Friday's game in Detroit, but he also made some dazzling saves to keep the deficit somewhat manageable.
Posted On Sunday, 04.10.2011 / 11:59 AM
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer /NHL.com - Red Wings-Blackhawks: A Live Blog
Feel the buzz
As the building fills up, the big videoboard above center ice is showing the Blackhawks playing their customary soccer game, a new time-honored tradition that goes on outside of nearly every dressing room in the NHL.
Every media member here spent the morning trying to figure out all the possible clinching scenarios for the Blackhawks and where they could wind up playing. I was just in a conversation with two members of the Chicago Tribune and a Blackhawks' PR member discussing the merits of Anaheim, where the Hawks will be headed if they are able to beat the Wings today.
Of course, we were all putting the proverbial cart before the horse. The Red Wings will have their say against the Blackhawks today and could decide who they play in the first round of the playoffs, either Phoenix or Nashville.
If Detroit wins the Predators will be coming to Hockeytown this week. If the Blackhawks win, the Coyotes come to Joe Louis Arena.
Chicago could end up as high as fifth or as low as ninth at the end of the day.
"There are four scenarios," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said this morning. "The fourth one is not a good one. So, let's take care of business."
So much on the line here at United Center this afternoon.
The scoreboard clock reads under 20 minutes now, so the teams should be on the ice for warmups soon. Fans are lining along the glass to try to get a glimpse of their favorite players. There is a buzz.
"Anything can happen," Quenneville added. "We still control our own destiny. We're still trying to get to where we want to get to. We'll know at the end of the day."
Every media member here spent the morning trying to figure out all the possible clinching scenarios for the Blackhawks and where they could wind up playing. I was just in a conversation with two members of the Chicago Tribune and a Blackhawks' PR member discussing the merits of Anaheim, where the Hawks will be headed if they are able to beat the Wings today.
Of course, we were all putting the proverbial cart before the horse. The Red Wings will have their say against the Blackhawks today and could decide who they play in the first round of the playoffs, either Phoenix or Nashville.
If Detroit wins the Predators will be coming to Hockeytown this week. If the Blackhawks win, the Coyotes come to Joe Louis Arena.
Chicago could end up as high as fifth or as low as ninth at the end of the day.
"There are four scenarios," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said this morning. "The fourth one is not a good one. So, let's take care of business."
So much on the line here at United Center this afternoon.
The scoreboard clock reads under 20 minutes now, so the teams should be on the ice for warmups soon. Fans are lining along the glass to try to get a glimpse of their favorite players. There is a buzz.
"Anything can happen," Quenneville added. "We still control our own destiny. We're still trying to get to where we want to get to. We'll know at the end of the day."
Posted On Thursday, 03.03.2011 / 12:25 PM
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer /NHL.com - Countdown to the Playoffs
No easy road for Hawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are finally looking like a solid playoff team, but while their six-game winning streak has allowed them to leap from 11th to fourth in a matter of a few weeks, they are still not even close to being out of the woods. Their 76 points is only three more than the ninth-place Ducks and 10th-place Predators. The Wild are just four points back in 11th.
The rest of the Blackhawks' schedule is statistically the most difficult in the League. Their opponents have an average winning percentage of .586 and of Chicago's 18 games remaining, only 11 are on the road. San Jose's remaining opponents also have a .586 winning percentage, but the Sharks will play 12 of their final 18 games on home ice.
Let's break it down for the Blackhawks:
Record against teams left on schedule: 12-10-3
Games vs. Western Conference playoff contenders: 8
Games vs. teams ahead of them in Conference standings: 4
Games vs. Eastern Conference playoff contenders: 6
Games vs. teams with more than 76 points: 8
Biggest challenge: Three games left against Detroit
Biggest challenge II: Two games left against Tampa Bay
The rest of the Blackhawks' schedule is statistically the most difficult in the League. Their opponents have an average winning percentage of .586 and of Chicago's 18 games remaining, only 11 are on the road. San Jose's remaining opponents also have a .586 winning percentage, but the Sharks will play 12 of their final 18 games on home ice.
Let's break it down for the Blackhawks:
Record against teams left on schedule: 12-10-3
Games vs. Western Conference playoff contenders: 8
Games vs. teams ahead of them in Conference standings: 4
Games vs. Eastern Conference playoff contenders: 6
Games vs. teams with more than 76 points: 8
Biggest challenge: Three games left against Detroit
Biggest challenge II: Two games left against Tampa Bay
NHL.TV™
NHL GameCenter LIVE™ is now NHL.TV™.
Watch out-of-market games and replays with an all new redesigned media player, mobile and connected device apps.
LEARN MORE
Watch out-of-market games and replays with an all new redesigned media player, mobile and connected device apps.
LEARN MORE
NHL Mobile App
Introducing the new official NHL App, available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones and tablets. A host of new features and improved functionality are available across all platforms, including a redesigned league-wide scoreboard, expanded news coverage, searchable video highlights, individual team experiences* and more. The new NHL App on your tablet also introduces new offerings such as 60fps video, Multitasking** and Picture-in-Picture.
*Available only for smartphones
** Available only for suported iPads
*Available only for smartphones
** Available only for suported iPads
-
AFFILIATE SITES
AHL › AIHL › ECHL › ELITE (UK) › SPHL › USHL › Aussie Hockey › NHL Alumni › NHL Officials Association › -
PLAYER SITES
Craig Anderson › David Backes › Nicklas Backstrom › Aleksander Barkov › Brendan Gallagher › Mike Green › Scott Hartnell › Duncan Keith › Anze Kopitar › Torey Krug › Henrik Lundqvist › Evgeni Malkin › Brad Marchand › Carey Price › James Reimer › Alex Steen › Anton Stralman › P.K. Subban › Thomas Vanek › Henrik Zetterberg › -
RETIRED PLAYERS
Dave Bolland › Martin Brodeur › Pavel Bure › Patrik Elias › Mike Fisher › Josh Harding › Matt Kassian › Olie Kolzig › Jamie Langenbrunner › Georges Laraque › Brad Richards › Denis Savard › Marty Turco › James Wisniewski › -
COMMUNITY
Hockey is for Everyone › Hockey Fights Cancer › NHL Green › Future Goals › -
TERMS
Terms of Service › Privacy Policy ›AdChoices › Online Transmission Policy › Copyright Policy ›
-
FUN STUFF
Fantasy Hockey › NHL Shop › NHL Rbk store › NHL Learning Center › Video Rulebook › NHL Awards › -
ABOUT
FAQ › Contact Us › NHL.TV Support › NHL Network › SiriusXM NHL Radio › History › Marketing Partners › Jobs › CBA › Site Map ›
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.