Come To Think Of It: Blackhawks Take Game 3 Despite Losing Havlat

With their backs against the wall (or should we say the boards?), the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in overtime to take Game 3 of the Western Conference final.

But the concern for the Hawks has to be the health of Martin Havlat, who left the game in the first period, following a hit by Detroit's Niklas Kronwall.

Kronwall drove Havlat to the ice while Havlat's head was down, trying to find the puck near the boards. He stayed down for several minutes and seemed dazed as he was helped off the ice.

The play resulted in a five-minute interference penalty and a game misconduct on Kronwall. But it was hardly a fair exchange. Havlat had been the Hawks leading scorer during the regular season.

The play marred an otherwise exciting victory for the Hawks, who once led 3-0. Patrick Sharp scored on a rebound 1:52 into overtime for the game-winner. It was Sharp's second goal of the game.

Things got tense as Detroit scored three goals in a 4:23 span late in the second period to tie the game at 3-3.

Hawks Coach Joel Quenneville made a goalie change at the start of the third period, with Cristobal Huet taking over for Nikolai Khabibulin. It wasn't clear why the change was made. Did he pull him or was he sick?

The Red Wings played without star center Pavel Datsyuk, who had a sore foot after being hit with a puck in Game 2.

Game 4 is Sunday at the United Center, where the Hawks need to tie the series. They may have to do it without Havlat and Khabibulin, come to think of it.