Bleacher Report - Detroit Red Wings

5 Keys for the Red Wings to Win Game 2

Garrett Kolodziej — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:37:46 -0400

On Wednesday night, the Detroit Red Wings began their Western Conference semifinal series with their longtime rival and Original Six companion Chicago Blackhawks.

Coming into this series, it was likely improbable that the Red Wings would squeak out the series win against the Hawks. Their play against the Ducks in the previous round was encouraging, but Anaheim's top players have a different skill set compared to Chicago's tenacious tandem.

The Chicago Blackhawks were the best team in the League this year. Chicago started their abbreviated season with a 21-0-3 record, setting a new NHL record. It took the Hawks 25 games to lose their first game of the season, and they actually had a small slump thereafter.

All of the regular-season dominance by the Hawks was irrelevant now. Game 1 took place and started out pretty slow.

Damien Brunner tied the game up at one apiece after Marian Hossa buried his fourth goal of the postseason at 9:03 of the first.

From this point on, the Hawks found their game legs and peppered Jimmy Howard all night long. He made incredible saves all night, but the defense made no effort to help him.

The Wings dropped Game 1, 4-1. Game 2 is on Saturday, and the Red Wings are hoping to erase the bad memories from their sluggish series opener.

Here are five things they need to ensure to help tie the series.

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Red Wings vs. Blackhawks: Why Detroit Is Already Desperate for a Win in Game 2

Nicholas Goss — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:49:00 -0400

The Detroit Red Wings lost another Game 1 on Wednesday night when they were beaten 4-1 at the United Center by the rival Chicago Blackhawks to open their Western Conference semifinals series.

With two off days to prepare for Saturday's Game 2 in Chicago, the Red Wings are under a lot of pressure to even the series and not go back to Joe Louis Arena needing a victory to avoid an 0-3 series deficit.

When Detroit lost the opening matchup of its first-round series against the second-seeded Anaheim Ducks, the team responded with a resilient overtime victory in Game 2 to steal the home-ice advantage. The Red Wings went on to win the series in seven games, but that probably wouldn't have happened without a Game 2 victory that put pressure on the Ducks.

Getting another important victory won't be as easy against Chicago as it was in the previous round. The Blackhawks are 8-2 in Game 2s since the start of the 2008-09 season, and in that same time frame, they have only lost one series when winning the second game (2012 first round vs. Phoenix).

Not only does Detroit need to win at least one game in Chicago to reach the Western Conference finals, protecting home ice isn't going to be easy since the Blackhawks had the best road record in the NHL this season at 18-4-2.

Chicago was 2-0 in Detroit this season (5-0 overall, including playoffs) with a 2-1 shootout victory on March 3 and a convincing 7-1 win on March 31.

The Blackhawks also haven't lost in regulation in their last 11 games (7-0-2) in Detroit, and since the team's roster has not undergone too many major changes over the last two years, most of Chicago's players have plenty of experience playing in front of a raucous crowd at Joe Louis Arena.

Another reason why the Red Wings must win Game 2 is to slow down the momentum of this Blackhawks team, which is now 5-1 in the playoffs and has outscored its opponents 21-8.

Chicago defeated the Minnesota Wild in just five games in the first round without giving maximum effort, but this team took its game to another level on Wednesday with a complete performance against the Red Wings, including a 31-9 shot advantage over the final two periods.

The Blackhawks are just starting to hit their stride in the postseason, and once they start to get on a roll, it's incredibly difficult to beat them. This team has shown on several occasions throughout the year that it's capable of dominating opponents for lengthy periods of time. The Blackhawks had four winning streaks of four games or more during the regular season, which started with an NHL record 24-game point streak.

Chicago also didn't lose more than two games in a row all season, which proves that there is no lack of a killer instinct on this team. Head coach Joel Quenneville does a tremendous job of making adjustments from game to game, and even when his team wins, he always finds areas that need improvement so his players don't get complacent.

The Blackhawks have shown a remarkable ability to win games consistently in 2013, and if the Red Wings lose Game 2, they would have to take four of the last five games in this series to eliminate their rivals.

Detroit doesn't have the talent or depth needed to win that many games against Chicago in such a short amount of time, especially when two of the final three games of this series are at the United Center, where the Blackhawks were 18-3-3 during the regular season and 4-0 in the playoffs. This is why the outcome of Game 2 is so important to the Red Wings' chances of making this series competitive.

NHL teams that win Game 1 in the second round go on to win the series 68.8 percent of the time, which means the Red Wings already have their work cut out for them going into Game 2.

If Detroit fails to even the series at a game apiece before Game 3, it's hard to imagine the Red Wings being able to mount an impressive comeback against a Blackhawks team that plays just as well on the road as it does at home.

Nicholas Goss is an NHL Lead Writer at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter. Nick was a credentialed reporter at the 2011 Stanley Cup Final and 2012 NHL playoffs, and he is also a credentialed writer at the 2013 NHL playoffs in Boston.

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3 Biggest X-Factors for Detroit Red Wings in 2nd Round of NHL Playoffs

PJ Sapienza — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:24:42 -0400

There is no doubt that the Detroit Red Wings face a tough challenge in the second round of the playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks. They are, by far, the underdogs in this series.

The Blackhawks were second in the league in scoring and first in defense. After a slow start, the Red Wings were able to finish fifth in defense but only ranked 20th in goals.

The great thing about sports, though, is that previous stats do not matter and they do not play the games on paper. The Red Wings will be able to play it out on the ice to see if they can pull off the upset.

Of course, team leaders Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Jimmy Howard will need to shine in this series. However, for them to win, they will need those second-level players, the “X-factors,” to rise up to help the team win.

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NHL Playoffs 2013: Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks Schedule and Preview

Eric McKelvie — Tue, 14 May 2013 07:40:02 -0400

The Detroit Red Wings versus the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s a second-round series in the 2013 NHL playoffs that marks the end of an era.

The Red Wings are set to move to the Eastern Conference next season, meaning this could be the last time these Original Six rivals meet in the postseason for a very long time. The Blackhawks hold an 8-7 edge over the Red Wings in playoff series wins.

The only teams that have faced each other more in NHL history are the Bruins and Canadiens.

The seventh-seeded Red Wings come in as heavy underdogs in this series, having barely beaten the Anaheim Ducks in seven games. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, had little trouble defeating the Minnesota Wild in five games.

Will the Red Wings pull off another upset, or will the Blackhawks move one step closer to their second Stanley Cup in four years?

Stats courtesy of NHL.com.

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Detroit Red Wings' Keys to Win 2nd-Round Playoff Series vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Isaac Smith — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:28:21 -0400

The Detroit Red Wings will take on the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Wings come in as obvious underdogs, qualifying for the playoffs on the last day of the regular season and clinching the No. 7 seed in the process.

They've already pulled off one upset this playoff season, so how do they pull off another one?

Here are seven keys to victory in the Red Wings' second-round series against the Chicago Blackhawks.

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Red Wings Playoff Schedule 2013: Complete TV Info and Guide to 2nd Round

Ryan Rudnansky — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:20:46 -0400

The last time the Detroit Red Wings faced the Chicago Blackhawks, they sent them home packing, going on to the Stanley Cup Final after a 4-1 series victory.

Of course, that was in 2009, and this is now.

The Blackhawks scored the most points in the NHL this season (77) en route to the Western Conference's No. 1 seed. They finished off the regular season going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.

The Red Wings, on the other hand, secured a playoff spot in the last game of the regular season.

But Detroit's thrilling 4-3 series win over the No. 2 seed Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the playoffs gives the team hope. The Red Wings proved that they could defy the odds after emerging with four one-goal victories in the series.

Of course, Chicago played like the No. 1 seed that it is against the Minnesota Wild in the first round, winning the series in five games. Chicago's offense (averaging 3.4 goals per game in the playoffs) will surely test Detroit's defense. Chicago's defense also allowed a minuscule 1.4 goals per game against the Wild.

Chicago won all four regular-season matchups. The Blackhawks won three of those games by one goal. Their matchup March 31 at Joe Louis Arena was a 7-1 thrashing.

Here's a look at the Red Wings' second-round schedule, complete with players to watch below.

When: May 15 - May 29 (if necessary)

Watch: NBC Sports, NBC, CBC

Live Stream: NHL.com

(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (7) Detroit Red Wings (via NHL.com)

Game	Home Team	Date	Time	Network
1	Chicago	Wednesday, May 15	8 p.m.	NBC Sports, CBC
2	Chicago	Saturday, May 18	1 p.m.	NBC, CBC
3	Detroit	Monday, May 20	7:30 p.m.	NBC Sports, CBC
4	Detroit	Thursday, May 23	8 p.m.	NBC Sports, CBC
5*	Chicago	Saturday, May 25	TBD	CBC
6*	Detroit	Monday, May 27	TBD	CBC
7*	Chicago	Wednesday, May 29	TBD	CBC

Players to Watch

Pavel Datsyuk, C, Red Wings

Pavel Datsyuk led the Red Wings with 49 points during the regular season (15 goals, 34 assists). He notched seven points (two goals, five assists) in the first round. He was huge for the Red Wings in Game 6 against Anaheim, notching three points (one goal, two assists) in the 4-3 overtime victory.

Detroit ranked 19th in goals per game during the regular season. Datsyuk's playmaking ability is a crucial part of keeping them in games.

Henrik Zetterberg, C, Red Wings

Henrik Zetterberg was second on the team with 48 points during the regular season (11 goals, 37 assists). He led the team with eight points in the first round (three goals, five assists). Seven of those points came in Games 5 through 7, displaying the veteran's savvy.

Zetterberg is another guy who has to step up in the second round for the Red Wings to oust the Blackhawks.

Corey Crawford, G, Blackhawks

Corey Crawford has been sensational thus far in the playoffs, allowing 1.32 goals per game and saving 95 percent of shot attempts. In the last two games of the series against the Wild, he stopped 46 of 47 shot attempts, effectively putting a stranglehold on Minnesota's offense.

Crawford was also spectacular during the regular season, saving 92.3 percent of shot attempts (tied for fifth in the NHL).

Patrick Sharp, C, Blackhawks

Patrick Sharp notched six points (five goals, one assist) during the first round, tied for the team lead. All of those points came in the final four games of the series.

Sharp only had 20 points during the regular season, but the 31-year-old has turned it on in the playoffs.

Patrick Kane, RW, Blackhawks

Patrick Kane didn't do a whole in the final two games of the series against the Wild, but the 24-year-old has the talent to simply take over games.

During the regular season, Kane racked up 55 points (23 goals, 32 assists), fifth in the NHL. He finished up the regular season with four points in his last two contests.

Kane needs to be accounted for at all times. He can be a devastating playmaker.

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Report Card for Detroit Red Wings' 1st-Round Playoff Series

PJ Sapienza — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:36:53 -0400

The Detroit Red Wings were able to take down the higher-seeded Anaheim Ducks in seven games. They were outscored in the series and had to win two games on the road, but they were able to get the wins that they needed.

The Red Wings will now move on to play the Chicago Blackhawks in what will be a difficult series.

The grades are based on a combination of issues. Obviously performance is a major factor, but the player’s role on the team and expectations are taken into consideration beyond the pure stat line.

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Detroit Red Wings: Justin Abdelkader Stepping Up at the Right Time

Franklin Steele — Sun, 12 May 2013 23:13:07 -0400

Throughout the 2013 NHL season, Detroit Red Wings fans were filled with various emotions. Nicklas Lidstrom had just retired, Zach Parise and Ryan Suter had chosen the Minnesota Wild over the Winged Wheel and there was some concern that this may be a team on the decline.

One of the most prominent confusions among the Red Wings faithful was the curious case of Justin Abdelkader on the top line.

Coach Mike Babcock went to Abdelkader on the first line early after Mikael Samuelsson injured himself and wasn't able to hold up his spot alongside Pavel Datsyuk. Twitter was afire during early-season games about how Abdelkader wasn't a top-line forward.

He wasn't fast enough to keep up with Datsyuk. He wasn't smart enough to make the plays happen. He didn't have the finishing touch.

For the most part, those tweeters and early detractors were right. Abdelkader did not appear to belong on a top NHL line alongside Datsyuk. Yet Babcock stuck with the combination, and his patience has been paying off since the midpoint of the season.

Abdelkader started finding ways to use his wrecking-ball mentality to open up a little space for Datsyuk.

You'll see it every game if you pay attention: Datsyuk takes the offensive zone, then slams on the breaks and hesitates. While the defenders scramble to cover the All-World Russian highlight machine, Abdelkader blows right by them and gets to the net just in time to pick up a rebound from Datsyuk's slipper wrister from 50 feet out.

Or as Datsyuk pulls his classic stop-'n'-gos in the corner, Abdelkader posts up in front of the net, screening perfectly for a dangerous bad-angle shot on net.

Chemistry is everything in hockey, and sometimes it takes some time to develop. Babcock showed why he is one of the best coaches in the NHL by sticking with Abdelkader and Datsyuk when it didn't pay immediate dividends.

The duo has been a terror against the Anaheim Ducks during the first round. Abdelkader has been a disruptive force, scoring timely goals and hitting everyone in his path while Datsyuk just continues to do what he always does.

Now, during the most important time of the year, Abdelkader appears fast enough. He is playing smart enough and has developed enough of a scoring touch to belong on the Red Wings' top line—if for no other reason than his channeling his inner Tomas Holmstrom on every shift.

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NHL Playoffs 2013: Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Ducks Game 7 Preview

Eric McKelvie — Sun, 12 May 2013 07:47:54 -0400

Puck drop for Game 7 between the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks is set for Sunday at 10 p.m. ET from the Honda Center. It’s the first series of the 2013 NHL playoffs to go to a seventh and deciding game.

The 2007 and 2008 Stanley Cup champions have played a highly entertaining series, which has featured plenty of offense from both sides.

Here’s a look at how the first six games played out.

Game 1: Red Wings 1 at Ducks 3

Game 2: Red Wings 5 at Ducks 4 (OT)

Game 3: Ducks 4 at Red Wings 0

Game 4: Ducks 2 at Red Wings 3 (OT)

Game 5: Red Wings 2 at Ducks 3 (OT)

Game 6: Ducks 3 at Red Wings 4 (OT)

This is the second straight series between these two teams to go to Game 7. The Red Wings won 4-3 at home in the seventh game of their 2009 Western Conference semifinals series. And, should Sunday's game be tied at the end of regulation, this would become just the third series in NHL history to feature five overtime games.

Howard and Hiller

Neither goaltender has stood out through six games.

Jonas Hiller holds a slight edge in the series with a .919 save percentage, 2.37 GAA and one shutout, compared to Jimmy Howard’s .906 save percentage and 2.86 GAA.

Howard struggled in Game 2, giving up a couple bad goals as the Wings blew a three-goal lead before winning in overtime. He had some trouble in Game 3 as well, but has been much better of late.

Hiller has been more consistent, but he hasn’t been able to bail the Ducks out when they needed it most, in overtime. All three Detroit wins have come in the extra frame.

Zetterberg and Getzlaf

The two captains continue to deliver in the playoffs just as they did throughout the shortened season and will likely play a crucial role in Game 7.

Henrik Zetterberg leads the Red Wings with seven points (two goals and five assists) while Ryan Getzlaf is tied with Kyle Palmieri atop the Ducks scoring list. Both players have three goals and two assists for five points.

Zetterberg continues to play a solid game at both ends of the rink, generating turnovers and creating chances on offense. His biggest moment came in Game 6, when he scored the overtime winner.

Getzlaf has done much of the same, but has struggled in the face-off circle, winning just 30 percent of his draws. He made a significant impact in Game 3, scoring a short-handed goal which gave the Ducks a 2-0 lead and all the momentum.

Look for both players to play well over 20 minutes in Game 7.

Team Performances

The key for Detroit will be limiting defensive zone mistakes and turnovers. Howard can only take so much of the blame when the players in front of him miss opportunities to clear the puck or make poor plays around the net.

Anaheim needs an offensive surge from its big-name players. Corey Perry has yet to score and has just two assists, while Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne have combined for just two goals. It’s hard to imagine Palmieri and Bonino continuing to produce at their current pace, meaning it's time for others to step up.

As for special teams, the Red Wings and Ducks have performed similarly to this point. The Red Wings' power play is operating at 26.1 percent and the Ducks at 28.6. Of course, that means their penalty kills have struggled. The Red Wings sit 14th in the playoffs (71.4 percent), while the Ducks are 13th (73.9 percent).

Both teams have failed to play well for a full 60 minutes in this series. That, or a remarkable goaltending performance could very well be the difference come Sunday evening. Otherwise, expect a game consistent with the first six.

High scoring and entertaining, but with a few dumb mistakes by both teams.

Prediction: Red Wings 4, Ducks 3 (OT)

Stats courtesy of NHL.com.

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