Red Wings Take Western Conference

The Detroit Red Wings have hoisted the Stanley Cup 11 times in their history and this year, they're going to have the chance to do it for the 12th time. Wednesday night they defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in overtime, winning the series in five games. In the Finals the Wings will face the Penguins and for the first time since the Oilers and Islanders did it in 1983 and 1984 the Stanley Cup finals will be a repeat of the previous season.

Despite missing Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom due to injury, the Wings closed out the Hawks on their home ice at the Joe. The scoreboard doesn't paint a clear picture of the game, either. If not for Hawks netminder Cristobal Huet, overtime likely would not have been necessary.

Red Wings 2, Blackhawks 1 (OT): Recap | Box Score
Red Wings Win Series 4-1

For much of the game, and especially in the first period, it seemed like Huet was the only Hawk who came to play. He stopped 21 shots in the first period alone en route to allowing two goals and making 44 saves. It was in stark contrast to Game 4 when Huet allowed five goals and was pulled for Corey Crawford who hadn't played in an NHL game all year.

Huet kept the Hawks in the game long enough so that Patrick Kane could show why he is one of the best young players in the game today. Despite facing a barrage and getting outplayed even when they had the man advantage -- in large credit to Detroit's Darren Helm -- the Hawks were only down one in the third when Kane took the puck and flew up the right wing side. He evaded the defense and put a highlight reel backhander past Chris Osgood, the netminder's only blemish on the night. The goal forced overtime, but the Hawks demise would be swift and decisive.

This was Detroit's night from start to finish. They looked like the defending Cup champions and not only that, ones who knew exactly how to close out a series. They jumped on the Hawks early and didn't let off the pedal. Huet frustrated them all night but they simply kept plugging away and totally outworked Chicago up and down the ice.

The Wings now move on to face the Penguins in the Finals, the same team that they defeated in six games last year. The series will start this Saturday at 8 PM ET in Detroit.

Latest NHL Images

DETROIT - MAY 27: The Detroit Red Wings celebrate with their fans along the boards after Darren Helm scored the game-winnning goal in overtime for a 2-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Five of the Western Conference Championship Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 27, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

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DETROIT - MAY 27: Henrik Zetterberg #40 (R) of the Detroit Red Wings recieves the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl from NHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Jim Gregory after the Red Wings won 2-1 in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Five of the Western Conference Championship Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 27, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Henrik Zetterberg;Jim Gregory

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DETROIT - MAY 27: Head coach Mike Babcock of the Detroit Red Wings answers questions from the media at a press conference after their 2-1 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Five of the Western Conference Championship Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 27, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Babcock

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DETROIT - MAY 27: Goalie Chris Osgood #30 of the Detroit Red Wings answers questions from the media at a press conference after their 2-1 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Five of the Western Conference Championship Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 27, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Osgood

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DETROIT - MAY 27: Dave Bolland #36 of the Chicago Blackhawks falls over the top of Brian Rafalski #28 the Detroit Red Wings as Rafalski controls the puck during Game Five of the Western Conference Championship Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 27, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dave Bolland;Brian Rafalski

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DETROIT - MAY 27: Andrew Ladd #16 of the Chicago Blackhawks sets up in front of the goal against goalie Chris Osgood #30 of the Detroit Red Wings during Game Five of the Western Conference Championship Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 27, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andrew Ladd;Chris Osgood

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DETROIT - MAY 27: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates with the puck against Valtteri Filppula #51 of the Detroit Red Wings during Game Five of the Western Conference Championship Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 27, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patrick Kane;Valtteri Filppula

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DETROIT - MAY 27: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on against the Detroit Red Wings during Game Five of the Western Conference Championship Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 27, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patrick Kane

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-27-2009 @ 11:12PM

mseepsbobp said...

The following announcement from the article above seems a bit premature!!!!!

Red Wings 2, Penguins 1 OT: Recap | Box Score
Red Wings Win Series 4-1

5-28-2009 @ 8:00AM

jayandtiti said...

it's gonna be a great series. just what hockey needed, 2 great teams again, this year a little older a little wiser and more equipped Penguins team to go against probably the best hockey team of the last 12 years. Detroit cannot be denied but i'm a Pens fan and i'm thinkin upset, Detriot looks tired and beat-up and the pens just seem to be comming on, the pens finally have other players to score points other than Crosby and Malkin, but it's all on Fluery, if he can stop the insane amount(or rather most of the) shots flying at him we might have a chance. Let's Go PENS!!! Take another trophy back to Pittsburgh. 2 champs 1 year that's something to be proud of!

5-28-2009 @ 8:06AM

also...thanks NHL for starting the series this weekend instead of a week from now, keep the teams fired up and in the zone it makes for better hockey, although i think if Detroit loses fans will be up in arms saying the NHL set up the Pens for success by pushing the series up instead of giving the wings a week off to heal up. the boo-hoo's will be out if their red-wings lose,looking to make any excuse and rationalization for losing

5-28-2009 @ 8:33AM

abschnitker said...

Will be a great series can't wait for this one will just have to see what happens Detroit is just so smart and don't panic but the pens are young and hungry with alot of talent also I belive in the wings but win or lose it should be an awsome series

5-28-2009 @ 8:35AM

tinman7seven said...

RED WINGS RULE!!!!!!!

5-28-2009 @ 9:22AM

shummey327 said...

GO PENS!!!!!

5-28-2009 @ 10:36AM

wstreps said...

Lasts years Pens / Wings final with the exception of game 5 was a very lack luster event.

Detroit wins but they have no drawing power. Win or lose no one is interested in a team that has no stars or drama. Last years final was overshadowed by some bum street fighter. In an event put on by a fly by night organization that went under after two shows. That says it all.

Crosby is suppose to the face of the NHL he will have to shine . Nobody cares about guys like Henrik Zetterberg .

5-28-2009 @ 11:12AM

jamrockuno said...

Let's go red wings!

5-28-2009 @ 12:47PM

ChiTownSportsFan09 said...

Yes, the Red Wings won this time, but I am very optimistic about the Hawks' future.

Why? Two words.... Rocky Wirtz.

Every move he has made since taking over the organization looks like it has been the right one. He's bringing back the old legends. Televising games. Chicago is excited about hockey again.

I have no doubt that as long as he's around, the future will be bright for the Hawks.

InsideChicagoSports.com has a very interesting piece on Rocky and how Ricketts should be following his example.

Definitely worth a read.

http://insidechicagosports.com/2009/05/19/tom-ricketts-need-only-look-ro...

5-29-2009 @ 4:19AM

dannknee said...

The requested page could not be found.

I'd like to read the article if ya can link me. I'm a Detroit fan but in a demented way like the idea of Chicago being good. It's a lot more fun to have competative games than walk overs.

For a long time there, our record was inflated because of all the bad teams in our division. People would think we choked because we lost to a Calgary team that had 20 points less than us. The reality was they had a brutal division & only a few less wins than us. I'd like to see the Norris Division (yea, I know) be strong from top to bottom. Our regular seasons might not look as impressive. Come playoff time we'd have less travel, the away games would be on at reasonable times, & there's be a lot more spice in the rivalries.

So while I'd still like to stay on top of the conference, I hope that it's our division that has the top contenders.

This might be cold, but the best thing that happened to Chicago hockey was Bill Wirtz dying. Now if only Gary Bettman would die, the NHL could maybe enjoy a Blackhawk type resurgance.

5-28-2009 @ 4:23PM

thetrutheh said...

well, its up to hossa to show the pens why he left them to come to detroit. bet pen fans will give it to hossa everytime he touches the puck. most of us wing fans only remember the how much the pens whined throughout the finals last year. from their coach to crosby. the big difference this year is that its a different coach. the pens had better hope that the wings are not healthy cause that is the only way they can win other then cheating refs.

5-28-2009 @ 9:26PM

IRISH said...

Pittsburgh had another great year but it's THE END OF THE LINE!...The cup STAYS in HOCKEYTOWN!

5-29-2009 @ 8:42AM

wha wha...lemme get your binky....there they are already crying about "cheating refs" most of the ref's that will be officiating the Stanley Cup are great, seasoned ref's that have been doing what they do longer than most players have been playing. "they moved the series up a week!" that's the nhl setting up the pens for a win by not letting the red-wing heal since they're all beat up. you can't get over this year's pens team is better than last years, there is more than just Crosby and Malkin this year, Boucher, Kennedy, Fedotenko, Gonchar, Guerin, Orpik, Satan etc.... you jhave already started complaining and rationalizing the possibility detroit may lose. like i said detroit cannot be denied but your fans are crybabies, it's on the Goalies, and the men on the ice not the ref's.

5-29-2009 @ 10:24AM

cactowns said...

The Penguins are more than Malkin and Crosby. The supporting cast is very strong and everyone seems to be on the same page. I'm wanting the Penguins to win, but the Redwings are the Redwings. They are an excellent organization that has done a lot of things right. Regardless of who wins this series (I'm taking the Pens in 6)it will be a hotly contestly one.