Blackhawks vs. Red Wings Final Score: Detroit Stuns Chicago to Take 2-1 Series Lead
By Josh Hill
The Chicago Blackhawks are the best team in hockey but it’s starting to look like that was merely statistical. After two rough games against the Red Wings, Chicago finds themselves in a steep 1-2 hole and are watching their Stanley Cup dreams slip from their fingers and into the laps of Detroit. The Blackhawks have no dropped two straight games and it’s looking like winning Game 4 in Joe Louis Arena might be a taller task than initially thought.
Chicago was in a hole to begin with as after scoreless first period, Corey Crawford allowed both Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller to score on him to give the Red Wings a 2-0 lead. Patrick Kane narrowed the lead in the third period but the dagger was thrust into the Blackhawks when Pavel Datsyuk clinched things soon after.
Now down a game to the Red Wings, the Blackhawks need to get introspective and think about what they’re doing wrong to allow Detroit to beat them up the way they are. Detroit bruised the Hawks in Game 2 which helped them control the game and despite acknowledging that they needed to play more physical, the Blackhawks failed to match Detroit’s intensity in Game 3 and are paying the price in pride.
The series is far from over though, as the Blackhawks aren’t a team to start shoveling dirt on just yet. They’re statistically the best team in hockey and they have no quit — at least we hope.
As for the Red Wings, it appears they’ve found a way to beat the Blackhawks and it has fans in Detroit very excited. No one gave the Red Wings that good of a chance against the 2-seeded Anaheim Ducks and not only did they beat them but they’re starting to drag the Hawks behind the shed as well.
Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena and it’s only then that we’ll find out of Detroit truly controls this series or if they’re just catching the Blackhawks napping and have now awoken a sleeping giant.