The Chicago Blackhawks Defeat The Detroit Red Wings 4-1

Mar 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) is defended by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) and center Riley Sheahan (15) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Blackhawks were coming off of their worst game of the season. The Blackhawks had been sliding recently. They lost to the Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators. Coach Quenneville was not happy with their effort this week and let them know it. The Blackhawks trail the Avalanche in the Central Division.

Meanwhile the Detroit Red Wings are in a dog fight for the final playoff spot. The Red Wings are in danger of not making the playoffs for the first time since 1990. The Wings have been riddled with injuries this season. Their two stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are out with injuries.

The Blackhawks got one of their stars back  in Marian Hossa tonight and Hossa was the difference! Hossa finished with one goal and two assists on the night.

Here is the period recap:

1^st period: The first period had a great tempo and the Blackhawks spent most of the period in the Red Wings zone. The Blackhawks outshout the Red Wings 11-5; however the period ended knotted at zero.

2^nd period: The Blackhawks got on the score sheet with a slap shot from Nick Leddy. Marian Hossa and Ben Smith were credited with assists. It was Leddy’s 7^th goal of the season.  Detroit answered the Leddy goal late in the second period with a Gustav Nyquist goal. The Nyguist goal deflected off of every Brent Seabrook limb before going into the goal.

The Blackhawks started building more momentum very late in the period. Patrick Kane fed Duncan Keith who put the puck on net. Ben Smith was fighting hard in front of the net and put the puck past Jimmy Howard. Smith was falling down as he scored. The Smith goal came with 14 seconds left in the second period. After two periods the Blackhawks led 2-1.

3^rd period: In the third period Hossa took over. After a two penalties between Andrew Shaw and Luke Glendening of the Wings, both sides were forced to play four on four hockey. A Red Wing defenseman lost a streaking Hossa, Patrick Sharp hit with a great pass and Hossa buried the shot. The Blackhawks led 3-1.

Hossa was not done yet as the Blackhawks were on the penalty kill late in the third period. Hossa pick pocketed a Red Wings defenseman and found Jonathan Toews who dangled his way to the net. Toews beat Howard to put the Blackhawks up 4-1.  The Toews goal broke the Red Wings hope for overtime and the Blackhawks won 4-1.

Corey Crawford stopped 19 of 20 shots in the Blackhawks victory. Everything was not great as Brandon Saad left the game and did not return.

NEWS AND NOTES:

• Marian Hossa returned after missing 5 games with an upper body injury.
• After the game it was announced that Brandon Saad has an upper body injury. He will re-evaluated on Monday.
• Jonathan Toews continues his hot streak. Toews has scored 7 goals since March 1^st. He also has one assist during that time.
• The Blackhawks received some great news as Prospect Teuvo Teravainen Finnish season has ended.  There is no word on when/IF he will join the Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks will face the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday March 18^th in a 2010 Finals rematch.

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LET’S GO HAWKS!