The Chicago Blackhawks extend their winning streak to 4 games after defeating the Detroit Red Wings by a final score of 2-1.
Chicago captain Jonathan Toews (upper-body injury) missed tonight’s game as well as Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk who underwent minor knee surgery (out 2-3 weeks).
The Blackhawks were playing on their heels to begin the game after an early tripping penalty by Marcus Kruger. Dave Bolland took a puck to the face during the penalty kill and failed to clear the puck out resulting in a Red Wings power play goal by Valtteri Filppula.
Chicago had plenty of opportunities in the second period, including two breakaways from Michael Frolik and Patrick Kane in which Jimmy Howard stopped them both.
However, they did, in fact, come away with at least one goal in the period. It was Jimmy Hayes standing alone in front of the net as the puck trickled past Howard and flushed home by Hayes to tie the game at 1.
But Jimmy Hayes, the number one star of the game, wasn’t done. Less than 2 minutes into the third period, Hayes circled around the net and fed a leading Marcus Kruger who took a couple whacks at the puck and finally connected on the last one that put the Blackhawks up 2-1, and that turned out to be the game-winner.
Corey Crawford had another outstanding performance stopping 31 of 32 shots and faced 8 shots on the penalty kill. In his last 4 games, he has only allowed 5 goals and has posted a .955 save % along with a 1.25 GAA.
The power play remains scoreless in their last 30 tries, but their penalty kill is now 15-for-16 in their last 6 games.
Marian Hossa was credited with a remarkable 4 takeaways which led all skaters and it wasn’t even close.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Blackhawks stay home on Thursday night as they welcome the Dallas Stars in town; puck drop at 7:30pm CT!