Red Wings vs Blackhawks Game 7: Road Victory Will Propel Chicago to Win at Home

It's been a contentious series between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference semifinals, but the Blackhawks' Game 6 victory in Detroit will ultimately push them to a date with the defending champion Los Angeles Kings.

To give you an idea of how close this series has been, both teams have averaged 2.33 goals per game, while allowing 2.33 goals per game. Each team has also captured a game on its opponent's home ice.

But not only only did the Blackhawks post a 4-3 victory in Detroit on Monday, they did so resoundingly, scoring three goals in the third period to stun the Red Wings.

Talk about momentum heading back to Chicago for Game 7.

Barry Melrose said on ESPN 1000 on Tuesday, via ESPNChicago.com:

"

I think Chicago with this emotion and with this momentum playing Game 7 in Chicago has the advantage, that can all change with a big play by Pavel Datsyuk or Henrik Zetterberg, but Chicago has every opportunity now to finish this series at home and go onto the next series.

"

Indeed, Datsyuk and Zetterberg will likely have to be outstanding for the Red Wings to pull it off in Chicago. Emphasis on "outstanding." While Datsyuk posted an assist in the Game 6 loss, he also posted a plus-minus of zero, exemplifying his lack of impact. Zetterberg didn't even manage a point, posting a plus-minus of minus-one.

It's not going to be easy. Chicago went 18-3-3 at home during the regular season.

Detroit was able to post a 4-1 victory in Chicago in Game 2. A big part of that was the Red Wings' aggressiveness. They out-shot the Blackhawks, 30-20. That aggressiveness was there in Game 6, but it has to continue. 

Beyond Chicago's momentum, it's also worth noting that the Red Wings played a seven-game series against the Anaheim Ducks, while the Blackhawks finished off the Minnesota Wild in five games. It's quite possible that the Red Wings could be tired and slowing down a bit.

The Red Wings have had a wild run, certainly commendable given not many people gave them a chance against the Blackhawks, but the loss on home ice will come back to haunt them.