Perhaps it was fitting that the Red Wings' first goal on Sunday came short-handed. After all, Detroit was without two significant contributors from the get-go in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.Hart Trophy finalist Pavel Datsyuk missed his second game with an ankle injury, while Norris Trophy finalist Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit's captain and one of the great defenders in league history, was an unexpected scratch with a lower-body injury. The Wings, also without Kris Draper, shrugged off their missing men and cruised 6-1 at Chicago to take a three games to one lead in the series with Game 5 set for Wednesday at Detroit.
Datsyuk and Lidstrom are mainstays on the penalty kill, but with Henrik Zetterberg in the box in the first period, Marian Hossa provided Detroit's first goal from the left side on a pass from Val Filppula. It was the first of two goals for Hossa, who took over with two of Detroit's stars out of action. Filppula had two assists and a goal, that line creating numerous opportunities for the Red Wings. Zetterberg scored two goals, both on power plays.
The young Blackhawks unraveled in the second period, committing several foolish penalties, and high-priced goalie Cristobal Huet, making his first start of the playoffs with Nikolai Khabibulin out with a lower body injury, continued to be a disappointment for Chicago. He gave up four goals and was yanked before the second intermission, replaced by Corey Crawford for the end of the second period. Huet returned for the final period, and with the Red Wings up 5-1, Detroit's backup goalie, Ty Conklin, gave Chris Osgood a breather.
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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: Adam Burish #37 of the Chicago Blackhawks checks Daniel Cleary #11 of the Detroit Red Wings into the glass during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 24, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Daniel Cleary;Adam Burish
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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: Chicago Bulls Ben Gordon shows his Blackhawks support by shooting the puck during the second period break at Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Detroit Red Wings on May 24, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ben Gordon
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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: Henrik Zetterberg #40 of the Detroit Red Wings comes back to the bench to celebrate after scoring the fifth goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 24, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Henrik Zetterberg
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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: Marian Hossa #81 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates with his team after scoring the fourth goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 24, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marian Hossa
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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: Patrick Kane #88 and Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks hug after Toews scores against the Detroit Red Wings during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 24, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jonathan Toews;Patrick Kane
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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: Johan Franzen #93 of the Detroit Red Wings chases after the puck as Brent Seabrook #7 of the Chicago Blackhawks slides into him from behind and Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews #19 follows, during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 24, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jonathan Toews;Brent Seabrook;Johan Franzen
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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: Detroit Red Wings celebrate after scoring the fourth goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 24, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: Marian Hossa #81 of the Detroit Red Wings hugs Niklas Kronwall #55 after scoring the fourth goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 24, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Niklas Kronwall;Marian Hossa
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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 24: Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings wait in position for the puck next to Detroit goalie Chris Osgood #30 during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals of the of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 24, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Osgood;Niklas Kronwall;Dustin Byfuglien
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Chicago Blackhawks, some looking at the scoreboard, sit on the bench during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Western Conference finals Sunday, May 24, 2009, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
AP
It will be an extremely tall order for the Blackhawks to fight back from this, considering the Red Wings' superior poise and depth, both demonstrated so clearly Sunday.
Detroit's second goal came with 20.7 seconds left in the first period during a 4-on-4, when Johan Franzen bulled across the line and ripped in a shot from the right circle, putting it through Brian Campbell's legs and past Huet high stick side. Early in the second period, Filppula stuck on a Hossa rebound after another give-and-go.
Chicago's lone score came from Jonathan Toews on a rebound during a power play at the 16:07 mark of the second period, but the Wings answered immediately, Hossa powering down the right side, crossing in front of the net and sliding a shot past Huet. Chicago became frustrated, Detroit wound up with a 5-on-3 and Zetterberg capitalized to make it 5-1.
Nik Kronwall, who knocked Martin Havlat out of Game 3 with a crushing hit, was booed like a Pronger throughout much of the early going. Havlat played in Game 4, but he came out after a hit by Brad Stuart early in the second period.
Standout rookie Kris Versteeg, 23, was called for two chippy penalties after Detroit pulled away and he drew a game misconduct with five minutes remaining.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-24-2009 @ 7:16PM
Pasko said...
Stick a fork in the Blackhawks. Joel Quennevile is clueless about what to do next.
Reply
5-24-2009 @ 7:33PM
John said...
Real classy game Hawks, and all your coach can do after the game is blame the refs for his team getting their asses handed to him. Totally pathetic performance, especially from Campbell, who backed up all his threats by being on the ice for just about every Wing's goal, loser.
Reply
5-24-2009 @ 8:00PM
patriciadee92 said...
YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Total domination, enough said.
Reply
5-25-2009 @ 7:14AM
rwing said...
Thanks for your kind words also. The Wings sure put on a clinic today didn't they?? Would REALLY like them to win the Cup this year too...would bring back a very precious memory for me. My Mom was an avid and long-time fan of the Wings. She remembered the production line of Howe-Lindsay and Abel. I lost her in September, and MISS GREATLY her sweet, gentle and TRULY good-hearted soul. And she had PATIENCE UNTOLD in spite of her many maladies...was in her early 80's, but didn't look a day over 65. She also gave much to those around her, which reminds me of a quote. It is: "The fragrance remains in the hand that gives the rose". She gave MANY roses, and the world is better for her having been in it. Last year, we swung our playoff towels around and cheered the Wings on together when they won the Cup...so doing it again would bring back that special memory. Well, she went out a Champ, and like the Wings, had alot of CLASS...a quality that I sense you also possess. Boy, again I made this a tad longer then I intended. Just one more thing....how about Danica Patrick coming in 3rd in the Indy 500??!!?!! Way to go Danica!!!!....must have humbled some of the guys behind her, Huh?? Anyway, will be rooting for your team too in the future. Take Care and again Best Wishes to you.
5-25-2009 @ 12:24PM
patriciadee92 said...
Thanks RWING. You have a wonderful way with words! I'm sorry to hear of your loss! I too just lost a amazing 84 year old aunt who was one of the kindest people in the world! She too had alot of class and was very generous to the people she loved! They will be missed........... Have a wonderful Memorial Day and let's hope the Wings can finish off Chicago on Wednesday! I would love to see the Pens and the Wings face off for another Stanley Cup final. Malkin is on fire and Crosby is always a force (like Zetterberg) so it will be a challenging and exciting series. Take care my friend - and GO WINGS!
5-24-2009 @ 8:19PM
plaudenbach said...
Curious how quiet the Hawks fans are tonight... Did we get a rude awakening?
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5-24-2009 @ 10:33PM
IRISH said...
NEVER SEND A BABY TO BUY THE BEER!
Reply
5-25-2009 @ 12:19AM
qongquest said...
the game the blackhawks should have been able to win. not. finally, an easy win for the wings. we need to be reserved for now. we don't know if osgood will be ready for the game on wednesday, we don't know if datsyuk, lidstrom and draper will be back. the wings schooled the blackhawks in game 4 and it was fun to watch. blackhawk fans did a claude lemieux and did the turtle. what can they say??? the series is not over yet. when we win the series, don't expect most blackhawk fans to have much class. it just not in their make-up. but you can bet they won't whine like the flyer fans.
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5-25-2009 @ 3:09AM
Josh said...
I don't think Osgood left injured (I haven't heard anything about it, at least). It just seemed like smart coaching from Babcock. Put your star netminder away from the increasingly violent Blackhawks for the final 20 minutes and save him from a possible injury. The game was already decided when the second period ended so why keep him in there? And on top of this, as was mentioned in this article (may have been the Dynasty one. Not sure), this gives Conklin 20 minutes of gametime in case we need to call upon him in one of the next, at max, 10 games. Coming out with Conklin instead of Osgood just seemed like Babcock being on the top of his game.
5-25-2009 @ 12:47AM
rwing said...
GREAT GAME all the way around. JUST LOVE IT, OH LOL!!! GO WINGS IN GAME 5!!!!
Reply
5-25-2009 @ 1:58AM
jshedl10411 said...
There going to fire Quenevelle from Chicago, and he knows it. He is a LOOSER of a coach and has proved that at Colorado and St Louis.
Reply
5-25-2009 @ 1:10PM
wstreps said...
It was a black Sunday for hockey. Another nationally televised game that was a complete bust. The mundane business as usual Red Wings in the finals is the last thing the NHL needs. No stars , no charisma , no fun to watch. Its not their fault its just the type of team they are. Teams staying on top are cool when they have personality's and create controversies . The Penguins , Oilers . Super Mario , The great one , The brawling Islanders etc...
Some teams have players that make you want to watch. Exciting ! Some teams win but come off like robots . Boring !
Last years final was one of the least entertaining six game series imaginable. It was a very bland sports event.
I'm a hard core hockey fan but I might join the rest of US and not watch the finals this year.
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5-25-2009 @ 1:45PM
Carter Family said...
You really don't know what you're talking about do you? But I'm sure you'd pick a fight with a nun just to play the devils advocate. How are those sour grapes tasting anyway now that your team is out of it? Saying that a well oiled machine like the Wings is boring to watch just goes to show you must prefer to watch amatetur curling over hockey anyways. You might want to change your pillow cases, those tears you keep shedding must be never ending...
5-25-2009 @ 1:15PM
bash37 said...
The hawks had a bad game. Big deal. For all of you saying Joe q will be fired, GET A CLUE. If the wings see the pens don't complain when the darling of the east get all the calls.
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5-25-2009 @ 2:04PM
ILUVTOPARTY said...
Hey...BlackHawks fans,don't worry..you guys got a
chance on WED.'S nite game....maybe !!....it could
be WORSE....just imagine if Mike Vick was playing
in the NHL and playing for the Blackhawks...
Reply
5-25-2009 @ 3:29PM
qongquest said...
without the refs, the blackhawks get swept. the problem, any intelligent hockey fans can tell that the refs want the pens in the finals, and that must mean they will be favoring the pens in a series against the wings. hopefully hossa shows the pens why he left the pens for the wings despite bad calls by the refs against detroit.
Reply