Red Wings Top Blackhawks Again, This Time In OT.
Once again Chicago put forth a tremendous effort only to see their effort come up short. The Detroit Red Wings once again defeated the young Blackhawks 3-2, this time in an overtime thriller. This was a tight game all the way through from start to finish. With just over seven and a half minutes to go in the 3rd period Blackhawk forward Jonathan Toews scored his second goal of the game tying the score at 2-2. Into overtime they went where Detroit took advantage of a bad Chicago line change creating a three on two into the Chicago zone. Jiri Hudler took the puck in, passed it to Valtteri Filppula who dropped it back for Mikael Samuellson who then beat Blackhawk goalie Nikolai Khabibulin on the short side. For Samuellson, it’s the third straight playoff game in which he’s scored a goal and his second straight game-winning goal. He has now equaled his playoff total from last season in nine fewer games. The OT win gives the Wings a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals. Detroit’s two other goals were scored by Brian Rafalski and Daniel Cleary. Cleary scored for the third straight game, following up on his two-goal performance in Game 1 and his series-clinching goal against Anaheim in the conference semifinals.
The series now shifts back to the windy city where the Blackhawks will look to regroup and try to get back into this series. Chicago is going to need their fans positive energy to pull out a victory. One thing is clear, however good Chicago plays, Detroit plays just a bit better. It must be frustrating for the young Hawks.
Dating to the last time they faced each other in the playoffs in 1995, the Red Wings have won four straight playoff OT games against the Blackhawks. Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom’s assist on Rafalski’s goal was his 116th in the playoffs, moving him ahead of Steve Yzerman and into first place on the Red Wings career list. He tied Larry Robinson for fourth among defenseman on the NHL list. Lidstrom played in his 227th playoff game, moving into a sixth-place tie with Robinson among defenseman.
May 20th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Detroit was a tired hockey team that took the ice yesterday against a young energetic Chicago team. The Red Wings seem to be the opportunists that take advantage when given the opening. The Red Wings played just well enough not allowing the Hawks to bury them . The Wings seem very sluggish most of the game,but stellar goal tending by Cris Osgood kept them in the game as he only allowed 1 goal on 19 shots in the 1st period and that on a power play. Chicago has been playing good,winning type hockey ,but have no wins against Detroit in the series and are now down 2-0 in games. Hopefully for them they will regroup at home for their next 2 games to even the series.
May 20th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
The Red Wings experience will prevail. The youth of the Hawks can only get them so far. Even just watching the Wings puck handling and passing is less frantic and focused.