Repeat of Last Year: Detroit Beats Chicago, Advances to Stanley Cup Finals

Just as I predicted, the Detroit Red Wings have taken the Western Conference series in five against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chris Osgood had to be sharp in the opening minutes of the Detroit Red Wings’ final win against the Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Then, the tide changed.

Chris Huet was faced with a few good shots and tremendous pressure. The Hawks were not able to get organized on their first power play, and the Wings were able to contain them in the last six minutes of the first period, with Henrik Zetterberg playing a stellar role.

Detroit out-shot the Blackhawks 21-9 in the first and 46-31 in total. Save for the superb performance of Cristobal Huet, the Wings might have been ahead a couple of goals entering the third. 

As I’ve said before, Chicago had to stay disciplined and out of the penalty box if they were to have a chance of winning. Alas, they did not listen to my advice, taking 18 penalty minutes to Detroit’s eight.

The Hawks came out with a little more jump-start in the opening of the second. However, things got testy at the twelve minute mark and a few penalties were meted out. The Red Wings kept Chicago in check, and again I reiterate, the Hawks will kill themselves in the penalty box.

One cannot say enough about the play of both goalies. Huet had to replace Khabibulin in relief, and he played like he had been there all series. With 77 shots on goal, one has to give a lot of credit to Osgood and Huet. There was no score at the end of the second period, despite offensive pressure.

Marian Hossa played a marvelous game, but headed off to the dressing room and it didn’t appear as though he would be back.

At the 6:08 mark of the third, Dan Cleary found the net. Huet didn’t have a chance on the redirect from the point, and the Wings were up 1-0. 

At the other end, Osgood robbed the Hawks of a goal at the eleven minute mark. Then, on a beautiful individual rush from Patrick Kane, the Hawks were back in it as he scored on a world class backhand with seven minutes left.

The Hawks came on strong in the last two minutes, coming close to scoring two or three times. Jonathan Toews gave it all he had, and did everything but score. With twelve seconds on the clock, Marian Hossa and Johan Franzen combined and nearly ended the series, but an incredible save by Huet took this game to overtime.

However, reality struck in overtime. The Blackhawks put up a better defense against the disciplined Red Wings than I expected, while the Red Wings gave up the puck more than I expected.

Detroit really put on the power in OT, and Darren Helm’s goal ended the game and the series. Just as I predicted – in five, Momma Gouche.