It's not a death blow by any means, but the Chicago Blackhawks are firmly behind the eight-ball, and they have all the pressure on them.Tuesday night, a huge mistake by Chicago defenseman Brian Campbell set Detroit up for a game-winning goal. The overtime marker by Mikael Samuelsson put Detroit up 2-0 in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals.
Chicago's defeat can't be solely placed at Campbell's feet. However, his turnover at the Detroit blue line did launch the Wings' game-winning three-on-one. It wasn't a very good turnover. A cardinal sin against a good transition team like Detroit is not getting the puck deep. It burned Chicago on a Dan Cleary goal in the second period that gave Detroit the lead, and it scorched them in overtime.
Instead of making the easy play to get the puck in deep, Campbell tried to move it across the blue line for a scoring chance. He had nowhere to go, but clearly didn't realize that.
The Blackhawks -- as a whole -- played much better in this game than they did in Sunday's opener. They generated some consistent pressure on Chris Osgood. They were also able to crank up a forecheck at times, making sure Detroit's defenders had to work to move the puck up the rink. Chicago also took much better care of goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, allowing him to see more shots and giving him a chance to make saves and control rebounds.
That said, it wasn't enough. Osgood was up to the task most of the time, only letting in two goals by captain Jonathan Toews. While the Blackhawks were improved, they still made too many mistakes, including Campbell's gaffe that led to the winner.
If Chicago is to get back in this series, they have to find a way to be at least half as good as they're letting Detroit be at getting bodies in front of the opposing goaltender. At times, it appeared that part of the Blackhawk game plan was to let Tomas Holmstrom take up residence in front of Khabibulin. While this only burned Chicago for one goal on the night, it can't possibly strike anyone as a good way to defend against the Red Wings. While Chicago got some guys to the net, it wasn't nearly as effective, and Detroit was more diligent in putting up a fight against the tactic.
With a 2-0 series lead, Detroit can now take firm control, but they'll have to wait an extra day. Game 3 is Friday night at what will be a wild United Center in Chicago.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-19-2009 @ 11:27PM
sel4more said...
I am a diehard B'Hawks fan, but they just got schooled twice in Detroit on what it takes to be a Stanley Cup Champion. Take your man out of the play, finish the checks, get the puck in deep on a change EVERY TIME!!!
They (Hawks) may not win this year, but we'll have our day sooner than later!!!
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5-20-2009 @ 12:14AM
bm92b said...
What's so special about Alexander Semin?
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5-20-2009 @ 12:32AM
Michelle said...
I'm am a die-hard REDWINGS fan (since 97') and I just want to say, I think that the Redwings have been outstanding....I predict Redwings vs. Pens in finals (game 6 Redwings win!!!)
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5-20-2009 @ 1:12AM
rwing said...
Hey Bennet....you said the Hawks wouldn't hand us 2 goals the rest of the series. Well, they did tonight and we burned your blue line for 2 goals. BIG mistake in OT...ONE GOAL, right Bennet??...and WE got it in OT when Sammy made no mistake and SMASHED IT HOME for the GWG. And "Danny Boy" Cleary gets another one. JUST LOVE IT!!!! GO WINGS IN GAME 3!!!!
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5-20-2009 @ 6:33AM
toddsworld05 said...
get your brooms ready!! fukn A !
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5-20-2009 @ 9:40AM
wstreps said...
The charismatic Blackhawks in the finals would have been great for hockey. That would have been a great sports story. Created some excitment.
The league had better prey the Pens make it. Nobody outside of Detroit cares about the Red wings. Their a team with no personality. Even hockey fans are bored with them.
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5-21-2009 @ 10:42AM
Pasko said...
The Red Wings have more fans than any other hockey team. Lots of times during Wings road games there are more Wings fans in the stands than there are fans for the home team.
Besides, the Blackhawks totally suck.
5-20-2009 @ 10:01AM
ridgeo said...
The Red Wings always lead the league in dives. When will the refs start calling these girls for acting?
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5-20-2009 @ 10:28AM
jlachief said...
you knuckleheads who hate the Wings only hate them cause your team can't do the things these very talented Euros do and resort to rollerderby tactics to stop them with Bettmans complicity!!!!!! Another CUP for the guys wearing RED!!!!!!!
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5-20-2009 @ 10:29AM
John said...
lol ridgeo, you mean like the dive the Hawks player took to draw the 5-3 call? He wasn't moving, yet as soon as he saw a stick near his skate, he falls down. And @ wstreps, that's why Detroit has more fans that don't live in their market right, because no one cares about them? I just love reading comments from jealous fans of teams that can't hang with the Wings.
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5-20-2009 @ 11:20AM
Michael said...
I read an article today that says the redwings team apparel is the most sold hockey apparel the article compared the wings to the new york yankees of hockey. ...yet no one out side detroit cares huh hmmm... that logic sounds pretty thin to me. Go wings.(in five)
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5-20-2009 @ 11:22AM
Hod said...
Looks like it is going to be a good hard spanking for the Hawks.
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5-20-2009 @ 11:29AM
Hod said...
Start packing up your gear for the season Blackhawks. It's Over for you!
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5-20-2009 @ 11:30AM
Hod said...
The Pressure is on!
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5-20-2009 @ 11:32AM
wingnutdnt said...
GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!!! Thank-you OZZIE!!!!!!!!!
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5-20-2009 @ 12:07PM
patriciadee92 said...
No one care for the Red Wings outside of Detroit????? Huh????????? I am a loyal Buffalo Sabres fan and I should be routing for the Blackhawks as Brian Campbell was a great player for the Sabs a couple years ago. Also, Patrick Kane is from Buffalo and he's a awesome young hockey player! But, my second favorite team in the NHL is the Detroit Red Wings! They have more class, talent, skill and intelligence then any team in the NHL. I predict they will wint he Cup again this year! Go Wings!
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5-20-2009 @ 1:55PM
Ed said...
Patriciadee92-About the only thing I would agree with you is that probably have more skill than other team. Have you even bothered to watch the "young" Pens? That team is loaded with talent but short on experience. And I'm not sure where you get the 'Wings have more class (Huh), talent and intelligence (another huh) that any other team. Wherein lies your experience to proclaim all of this outside of the fact that they are your second favorite team. Nice try! I think they are the best team but for different reasons than you.
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5-20-2009 @ 2:42PM
thetrutheh said...
in over 40 years of following hockey. i had never seen a blackhawks fan ever sing the praises on the wings. i saw the one a die hard blackhawk fan make and almost fell off my chair. guess the rivalry has not gotten back to the level it was. but by the looks of their team it won't take long.
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5-20-2009 @ 9:04PM
rwing said...
To wstreps....No disrespect intended, but I think the "prey" you are referring to is spelled pray...as "to address a prayer to a deity". And if I might ask, which hockey team is blessed to have your allegiance, which they must feel is simply divine?? As far as your comment that no-one outside Detroit cares about the Red Wings, I can only say that the country of Sweden must, because if I'm correct, it took all but 1 hour to sell out 2 games the Wings are playing there, and also what prompted YOU to comment on this article??? As far as the comment about personality, it appears that you are just as deficient in that quality as you are in your hockey "knowledge"...and that is rather BORING.
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5-20-2009 @ 10:53PM
wstreps said...
It's exciting for the hometown when the team keeps winning. For the rest of the world it's not very interesting especially when it involves a very plain brown wrapper team like the rwings. For all the talent they have their not a very interesting team. They might be the least interesting team to ever win a cup.They don't have anyone who can make a headline. Some of the ranting homers fail to understand just how dull the rwings are. They remind me of parents showing off pictures of their kids thinking that it's entertaining.
A Blackhawks / PENS final would be great. A match up of exciting young stars. Chicago winning would be the biggest hockey story in decades.
The wings against anybody .. who cares anymore. They have stacked team it's boring when the favorite keeps winning especially a lifeless squad like the rwings.
Maybe the Pens can attract some interest if they make it.
I can't imagine how sad it will be if it turns out to be a Carolina / rwing final.
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