RECAP: Blackhawks Shutout by Red Wings in Third Preseason Game

In their second straight game against the Red Wings, the Blackhawks were shutout for the first time this preseason on Saturday night, 3-0.
Alex Stalock made his second appearance in preseason action and made 32 saves off 35 shots. He held Detroit scoreless through the first and second periods before allowing three goals in the third as Detroit took the exhibition victory.
"[Stalock] gave us a real good chance," head coach Luke Richardson said after the game. "And I know he hasn't played a lot in the last year. So, I'm sure that's a confidence builder for him. You look at the game at the end of the game when it was three-to-nothing, but he gave us a chance all game."

MAINTAINING PRESSURE

The Blackhawks started the game off by outshooting the Red Wings and staying in Detroit's zone, but things began to take a turn after the second period.
One of the main differences in the game Jonathan Toews pointed out was maintaining the puck during five-on-five chances.
"It's a turnover and we spend a shift in our zone," Toews said. "It's just five guys that need to support each other better and then build some momentum and things will go better. Especially at home we need to find ways to make it harder to play against us and it's little things we can improve on or change a lot of things."
Turnovers along the blue line would keep the Blackhawks from their own scoring chances and allowed the Red Wings to take the win.
"I think we took the foot off the pedal and played casual and turned pucks over, especially around their blue line, and even our blue line and not getting it out," Richardson said. "That costs us extra time in the D zone. And it's exactly what I said, if you spend too much time in the D zone, especially second period, you end up just dumping it out because you're tired."

PENALTY KILL IMPROVES

The Blackhawks penalty kill unit held the Red Wings scoreless on four power play opportunities, the second straight game Chicago denied the Detoirt advantage.
Richardson described keeping skilled players like Detroit's Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin under control as a crucial part of maintaining momentum on the kill.
"Our penalty killing was very aggressive," Richardson said. "I thought we did a great job up ice and in zone. It wasn't perfect, but when you can put them on the run a little bit, skilled players don't like to be under pressure. They like to have full control on the power play and zip around and we're just not going to sit back and do that."

UP NEXT

The Blackhawks will travel to Milwaukee, Wis. tomorrow to host the Minnesota Wild in the Home Away From Home Series, pres. by BMO. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.