Is that better, Dallas?--Red Wings 4, Blackhawks 3

by Casey Richey on Apr 10, 2011 2:42 PM CDT in Game Recaps

Now that was Red Wings brand hockey. After a disappointing 4-2 loss against the same Chicago Blackhawks at home on Friday, the Red Wings showed up for today's game and it might be the difference for the playoff hopes of two teams.

Johan Franzen had the best chance for the Red Wings in the first period off a centering pass from Tomas Holmstrom, but Corey Crawford stretched his right leg out in time to stop the shot.

After a 1st period with no scoring, the two teams combined for three goals in the 2nd period. Michael Frolik scored the first goal of the game at 5:18. Brad Stuart "lost an edge" while in possession of the puck and Patrick Kane picked it up, centered it to Frolik and Frolik beat Jimmy Howard to the glove side for a 1-0 Chicago lead. The Red Wings answered just 1:38 later as a horrible pass from Viktor Stalberg went out of the Chicago offensive zone and up to Tomas Holmstrom. Holmstrom ripped a slapshot past Crawford to the near post to tie the game. Pavel Datsyuk put the Wings ahead 2-1 a little bit over a minute later after a Todd Bertuzzi shot was stopped. Dan Cleary picked up the puck and put it to Datsyuk and he put it past Crawford for his 23rd of the year.

The second period was wild, but it set up an even wilder third period. Follow the jump for the rest of the game, analysis and video.

Drew Miller scored early in the 3rd period to push the lead to 3-1 for Detroit. Valtteri Filppula put a pass across to Jiri Hudler on the rush and Hudler went past the goalline before putting it back in front to the trailing Drew Miller. Miller got his stick on the puck as he was getting checked into the goal to score his 10th goal and his second in as many games.

With Tomas Kopecky screening Jimmy Howard, Brent Seabrook's shot from the point went past Jimmy Howard for a one-goal game. At 8:11 of the the third period, Dan Cleary scored the eventual game-winning goal, set up by a great play by Todd Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi finished his check on Niklas Hjalmarsson and got the puck, skated off the boards and dished to Cleary. Cleary beat Crawford for a 4-2 Detroit lead and his 26th goal of the season.

Duncan Keith scored shortly after to bring the Blackhawks back within one goal. Jonathan Ericsson went to the penalty box late in the game

The Red Wings win means that they will face the Phoenix Coyotes (again) in the first round. The Chicago Blackhawks will play the waiting game as a win in regulation or OT (no SO) by the Dallas Stars will eliminate the Blackhawks.

:: ANALYSIS AND RANDOM STATS ::

That was great, gutsy win by the Red Wings heading into the playoffs. There's a lot that the Wings can take from this game going forward. Let's see if they actually do take that into the first round of the playoffs.
There's a birthday present for you, Petrella.
I like how everything related to this game is "Chicago _______", "Blackhawks _________", not "Detroit ________" or "Red Wings_________". I know they're the team jockeying for playoff positioning, but bloody hell.
Edzo is atrocious to listen to when it's a Blackhawks' game that he's broadcasting. I liked how incredibly quiet he got after the final buzzer sounded.
I hate to do this, but if that's Tomas Holmstrom instead of Tomas Kopecky, it's not a goal.
The Wings did an excellent job of playing physical today, outhitting the Blackhawks 35-15 including 4+ from Franzen, Bertuzzi, Stuart and Abdelkader. Abdelkader might hear from the NHL after his hit on Seabrook but at most it should be a fine.
Corey Crawford must feel horrible giving up a slapshot goal to Tomas Holmstrom. I'm sure Viktor Stalberg feels worse for having a centering pass that goes out of the zone...
Brad Stuart logged 27 minutes of ice-time, only Duncan Keith (28:18) had more. Stuart had 3:37 of shorthanded TOI, Keith had 0--as did every Blackhawk...
Pavel Datsyuk had some absolutely incredible displays of stickhandling in today's game. I think he's getting geared up for the playoffs and it was great to see him get a goal. Datsyuk had 7 shots on goal
I still am shaking from that game. I'm sure the Stars are too.

:: VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS ::

Poll

Who was the Red Wings' Player of the Game?

Pavel Datsyuk

169 votes

Jimmy Howard

32 votes

Dan Cleary

24 votes

Other (Write-in)

9 votes

234 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 56 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I hate to do this, but if that’s Tomas Holmstrom instead of Tomas Kopecky, it’s not a goal.

Which is slightly concerning. Though that was a good goal and a heck of a screen.

Brad Stuart logged 27 minutes of ice-time, only Duncan Keith (28:18) had more. Stuart had 3:37 of shorthanded TOI, Keith had 0—as did every Blackhawk..

Yeah, nothing on the slew foot by Kane and nothing when Franzen got high sticked. They did do a good job with the confab to correct the bad icing call though.

Datsyuk’s dangles were absolutely sick. Would have been nice to bury one of those 3rd period opportunities, but that’ll come in the playoffs.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Apr 10, 2011 2:51 PM CDT reply actions

Awesome game

This is how to end the regular season. If the playoffs are like today’s game, we might be ok.

Go for it

by DetroitSports on Apr 10, 2011 2:54 PM CDT reply actions

Much better, thank you.

by iHorses on Apr 10, 2011 2:55 PM CDT reply actions

Datsyuk POTG

I think he’s been struggling lately (by Datsyuk standards anyways) since he came back from the hand injury—losing the puck, making bad passes, trying and failing to stick-handle through the defense. Today, I saw the Datsyuk I know and love again.

by RedPandaAlex on Apr 10, 2011 2:57 PM CDT reply actions

^ Yes

by wingsluver4ever on Apr 10, 2011 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Despicable game by the refs.

Can they make it any more obvious who the refs wanted to win?

by GOREDWINGSGO on Apr 10, 2011 2:58 PM CDT reply actions

Datsyuk

I don’t understand him. In a good way.

by exzilium on Apr 10, 2011 2:59 PM CDT reply actions

Your team's

gonna go deep. Rematch with Phoenix is gonna be a good matchup.

Coconuts go.™

by eightyseven on Apr 10, 2011 3:04 PM CDT reply actions

Go Dallas

Wonder if Chicago is taking down their billboard with Kane holding the cup yet? Can’t stand this team. Go on their SB nation site and see what kind of fans they have. I for one couldn’t be happier that we were the team the made them have to watch a hockey game at six tonight. GO DALLAS What you say Hawks fans? Bye Bye

by katiebarthedoor on Apr 10, 2011 3:06 PM CDT reply actions

^ this too

by wingsluver4ever on Apr 10, 2011 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow

Now that I’ve had time to come down, that was an amazing game. Obviously none of us wants to see the Hawks in the playoffs, but they gave it everything. Unfortunately for them, it came down to their depth players not being as good as the Wings’ depth players (a trend that stayed with them all season). We all questioned whether they had the guys to sustain a long playoff run, and now it’s not even clear whether they’ll get a chance to prove us wrong.

Winging It In Motown

@Amerinadian19

by Amerinadian on Apr 10, 2011 3:10 PM CDT reply actions

very hard choice for me.

jimmy played very well and earned his doughnuts, and normally i always vote for him if he’s on the list because he’s my fella. but i just can’t justify voting anyone over datsyuk for that game. he was amazing. a. mazing. i had chills. lots and lots of chills.

by Papusica on Apr 10, 2011 3:13 PM CDT reply actions

Voted Datsyuk, but Cleary is a close second.

That was a great game. That is the effort it will take to go somewhere. If the boys come out with intensity anywhere near that level, Lidstrom will have a ring for the thumb.

by Brion on Apr 10, 2011 3:17 PM CDT reply actions

^ this three

Dats sure was looking like his pre-injury self, but so was Cleary…helleva job of veteran leadership out there, along with Lids, today.

Just sorry that Nick had to end the season in minus…voters shouldn’t hold so much stock in it and look more at how awesomely he has played this year….great by 25 year old standard, let alone 41 this month.

by wingsluver4ever on Apr 10, 2011 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

So I missed yet another game to work on getting a house ready to rent out. Yay. Anyway, did we look like we were in playoff mode yet? We were without Hank and Kronwall, I know, but was there a sense of purpose for the others? We’ve been missing it lately.

Also… is Ozzy back yet? I really have been out of the loop lately. I feel almost naked without my Wings dosage.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Apr 10, 2011 3:19 PM CDT reply actions

ozzie's not back.

he did, however, recently declare that he wishes to return next season. so that’s interesting. the game started off a little meh, but about halfway through the 1st the wings picked it up and never looked back. they mostly played like a team possessed by the ghost of lord stanley. it was a great, great game.

by Papusica on Apr 10, 2011 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

So is Ozzy ruling himself out for playoffs then? Or deciding to ride along as the third goalie?

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Apr 10, 2011 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions

that was unclear.

the last i heard was holland indicating it’d be joey and ozzie indicating he was interested in it being him. it was confusing :P.

ah, here is an article: article

by Papusica on Apr 10, 2011 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Abdelkader might hear from the NHL after his hit on Seabrook but at most it should be a fine.

Would honestly not be surprised if he got a couple games for it. I would also have exactly two things to say about that:

1) he deserved it
2) so did Erat.

by J.J. from Kansas on Apr 10, 2011 3:23 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed on both counts. He got his arm up and may have to sit for one or two.

Which sucks, because he’s one of the guys we need to go out and set the tone in game 1.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Apr 10, 2011 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions

hahahahaha

so true about edzo. He certainly shut the fuck up at the end of that game. He shouldnt be allowed to do national blackhawk games. Either that, or Ken Daniels should be hired by NBC to do the Red wing playoff games.

by Eric @ PRBU on Apr 10, 2011 3:25 PM CDT reply actions

At least he came clean on the officiating

Even if it was more of a slip than an intended indictment.

by Krononymous on Apr 10, 2011 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions

that just goes to show that we're not being paranoid :P.

even they notice it.

by Papusica on Apr 10, 2011 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions

mwhahahaha

no power ploays all game and we still beat those scumbags….GO STARS!

LETS GO RED WINGS!

2011 will be the year....better be....

Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."

by TuLoRocks2008 on Apr 10, 2011 3:47 PM CDT reply actions

Power plays?

We don’t need no stinkin’ power plays.

by Krononymous on Apr 10, 2011 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions

bring on the Yotes and the Doan face again!

LETS GO RED WINGS!

2011 will be the year....better be....

Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."

by TuLoRocks2008 on Apr 10, 2011 4:15 PM CDT reply actions

starting a bail fund

for whoever of the phoenix contingent will be partaking in cephalopodic flinging.

by Papusica on Apr 10, 2011 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow, i wasn't able to make it but it sounds like an awesome game was played..

I love that the Wings got 0 powerplays… just like the nhl to do that.. too bad suckers, Wings rule.

by kylegroombridge on Apr 10, 2011 4:53 PM CDT reply actions

is there any newer ATDHE website or something?

the two newer ones from a few months back don’t play shit anymore? wtf

LETS GO RED WINGS!

2011 will be the year....better be....

Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."

by TuLoRocks2008 on Apr 10, 2011 5:02 PM CDT reply actions

vipstand.me

by wingsluver4ever on Apr 10, 2011 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Even Doc and Enzo..

noticed the refs were giving a lot of time for the Blackhawks to get some rest in between faceoffs near the end of the game so Joel Q. didn’t have to use his timeout. Plus no PP’s for the Wings.

by Da Soo on Apr 10, 2011 6:17 PM CDT reply actions

Can I Ask

Why does the Hawks blog refer to the Wings as scum? Doesn’t that bother you?

Blueshirt Banter - "The Worlds Greatest Entertainers"
Pinstripe Alley - "The Kings of the Ring"
The Phinsider - "As Long as we finish ahead of the Jets, the season is a success"

by The Last Shall Become First on Apr 10, 2011 7:00 PM CDT reply actions

Because it’s easier than typing out Second City’s Ultimate Masters 20 billion times a season.

Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen

by Robocop on Apr 10, 2011 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions

It's an old thing

Just like SLGT’s rallying cry “Fuck Detroit”

Doesn’t bother me nearly as much as Detroit seems to bother them.

by J.J. from Kansas on Apr 10, 2011 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions

jealousy

esp the Blues fans who say shit all the time…once a loser always a loser

LETS GO RED WINGS!

2011 will be the year....better be....

Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."

by TuLoRocks2008 on Apr 10, 2011 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions

It's weird

If it were a Detroit/Colorado type rivalry, I’d get it, but it’s not. The only thing that bothers me about it is that it comes off the lowest level of creativity. Scum would never become a mainstream nickname for the Wings like the Evil Empire has for your Yankees.

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Apr 10, 2011 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Was a little pissed off at first...

but then Second City’s Ultimate Masters came along…

by bharatwaj5 on Apr 10, 2011 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Same...and agree

by wingsluver4ever on Apr 10, 2011 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Dallas couldn't get it done....

so Hawks are in…can only imagine the [undeserved] celebration over at SCH…lost but still get in…I can hear all the “scum” comments from here.

by wingsluver4ever on Apr 10, 2011 7:42 PM CDT reply actions

they should be thrilled their team was out-losered by dallas.

somebody get the champagne.

if that was my team, i’d be mad. champagne only after angry destruction. but i am a red wings fan- i have high expectations.

by Papusica on Apr 10, 2011 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions

A lose-lose today from Chicago-Dallas doesn't bother me

Game 7 situations for both teams and they both choked.

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Apr 10, 2011 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions

How quickly the tides turned

right after that game.

From embarrassment and reminscing to “We got this round / team’s overrated / JQ>AV / LOLuongo”

Coconuts go.™

"Things may come to those who wait,
but only what’s left behind by those who hustle."

by eightyseven on Apr 11, 2011 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Hawks are weak sauce...

While I hate to see Hossa slide into the playoffs, it’s probably better that they get in as they’ll likely take the Vancouver series deeper than Dallas would have. Is Z a lock for game 1?

by MCBATX on Apr 10, 2011 8:07 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

True....

Hope they beat the crap out of each other in a long, hard fought, very physical 7 game series.

by wingsluver4ever on Apr 10, 2011 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions

word has it z's out for the start.

by Papusica on Apr 10, 2011 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions

So, how much more blood does Franzen have to lose before we get a 4 minute penalty?

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Apr 10, 2011 8:15 PM CDT reply actions

Let me see..from the threads I figured something was amiss with the calls again?

a quart…maybe he needs to vomit blood on the refs…?

by bharatwaj5 on Apr 10, 2011 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions

He let flow from his forehead down his face, in/out of his mouth for effect

But apparently, high sticking is ok after the whistle. It would have been Keith in.

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Apr 10, 2011 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions

If he doesn't pass out from profuse blood loss

it’s not enough.

Coconuts go.™

"Things may come to those who wait, but only what’s left behind by those who hustle."

by eightyseven on Apr 12, 2011 1:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Missed the game...was stuck at Ikea picking out shit that I will never use the rest of my life

Punch me in the nuts and serve me a milkshake…the Stars cannot overcome a pesky/vociferous Wild team. That must have sucked….On the bright side..we won and was nice to see that the rather mundane NHL highlights had some Datsyuk dangles..

I really like the PHX/DET match…two very good teams…..will be a very good series..

by bharatwaj5 on Apr 10, 2011 8:17 PM CDT reply actions