Tag Archives: Valtteri Filppula

Detroit draws even: Disjointed Blackhawks effort leads to 4-1 Red Wings victory in Game 2

By Brad Gardner

Three days after the Chicago Blackhawks took a 4-1 victory in Game 1 of their second round playoff series against rival Detroit, the Red Wings responded in kind with a 4-1 win of their own to even the series. Henrik Zetterberg assisted on two goals for Detroit as the visitors handed the ‘Hawks their first home loss of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Red Wings’ tight-checking game didn’t give the Blackhawks nearly as much room to operate as they had in the latter stages of the first game. The puck possession time favored Detroit, and even when the Hawks were able to get a shot on goal, they did not challenge Jimmy Howard too much. The Red Wings goalie made 19 saves on only 20 shots, the lowest total for the Blackhawks in the playoffs.

Corey Crawford made 26 saves on 30 shots and did not look as sharp as the Blackhawks had come to expect of him in the playoffs. Read more »

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Hayes, Kruger lead Toews-less Hawks over Detroit

By Brad Gardner

The Chicago Blackhawks managed to keep their win streak alive against the rival Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night at the United Center, despite playing without captain Jonathan Toews. With Detroit entering play riding a six-game winning streak of their own, it was the home team that held onto a 2-1 lead to pick up their fourth consecutive win.

Corey Crawford started his fourth game in a row and allowed just one goal for the third straight game. He faced Jimmy Howard in net for the Wings, making his first start since missing time to a broken index finger. Both goalies loomed large in this one, but Crawford was able to spoil Howard’s comeback and earn his fourth win in as many starts.

Marcus Kruger put the Blackhawks down a man in just 34 seconds into the game with a tripping penalty in the offensive zone. Crawford was able to handle Detroit’s first few opportunities, including a shot from Jiri Hudler through traffic. Dave Bolland picked up the rebound but whiffed on the clear. The puck eventually found Valtteri Filppula at the right circle and he was able to wrist one past Crawford far side to put the Wings up 1-0 just 2:22 into the game. Read more »

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Hawks lose lead late, then OT, 3-2 to Red Wings – Patrick Sharp leaves game with upper-body injury

By Jon Fromi

The Chicago Blackhawks lost their fourth game in a row since the start of the New Year, falling to the Detroit Red Wings in overtime by a score of 3-2.

An early lead fell by the wayside in the closing minutes in a game that was not without its share of controversy. Also noteworthy was the lack of Patrick Sharp for the last two periods as Detroit evened up the season series at a game apiece.

Chicago got on the board early via the power play, breaking a 0-for-15 slump with 3:35 gone in the opening period. Marian Hossa collected the puck off of a Dave Bolland faceoff win and got the puck to Nick Leddy. Leddy returned the favor and Hossa threw the puck toward the net. Bolland sent the rebound off of Nicklas Lidstrom’s skate and past Ty Conklin to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead.

Seconds later, Hossa got another scoring play started, bringing the puck into the Detroit zone and putting a shot on goal. In the ensuing battle behind the net for the puck, Michael Frolik tipped a loose puck to the face off circle. Sharp gathered it in, skated to the front of the net, and slapped the puck past Conklin for a 2-0 Blackhawks advantage less than five minutes into the game. Read more »

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