The Chicago Blackhawks Tame The Minnesota Wild 4-1.

May 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) celebrates with left wing Bryan Bickell (29) after defeating the Minnesota Wild in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2: The Chicago Blackhawks vs. the Minnesota Wild

The Chicago Blackhawks came into Game 2 riding high after their 5-2 Game 1 victory. Patrick Kane was spectacular in the third period scoring two goals that put the game away. The Blackhawks had a two nothing lead into the third period. The Wild continued to show their resilience and tied the game midway through the third period. Kane then went off taking on three defenders and beating Illya Bryzgalov with a high shot. Game 1 went to the Blackhawks after the Kane goal.

Game 2 was a different story. Here is the period recap:

1^st period: The first period was very slow and mostly uneventful. The Blackhawks got seven shots on net while the Wild only has two on net. The only event of the first period was Marian Hossa receiving a stretch pass Bryan Bickell. Hossa put a great shot on net but it was turned away by Bryzgalov. Luckily the Captain Jonathan Toews was there to put in the rebound for the period’s lone goal. After one period, the Blackhawks led 1-0.

2^nd period: The second period was full of offensive pushes by both the Blackhawks and Wild. The Wild pushed hard to start the period, doubling their shot total. The Blackhawks pushed back midway through the period. The United Center faithful did get upset when Jeremy Morin was punched several times by Cody McCormick with no penalty called. The Blackhawks did go on the power play late in the second period. The Blackhawks generated some good chances but could not score. Right after the power play ended Bickell found Brandon Saad with the pass. Saad put the puck net Bryzgalov to put the Blackhawks up 2-0. Saad had been working hard all game and was finally rewarded with a goal. The period ended with the Blackhawks leading 2-0.

3^rd period: The third period began with a Wild major push. The Wild cut the Blackhawks lead with a goal from Cody McCormick two minutes into the third period. The third period the Wild controlled most of the play in the Blackhawks zone. The Blackhawks survived the Wild surge in the third period. The Blackhawks got an insurance goal from Bickell to increase the lead! Bickell’s goal was setup by a sweet pass from Hossa. Bickell nearly missed on the previous shift but did not let it bother him and scored on very next shift. Saad put in an empty netter to end the Wild hopes on the afternoon. The Blackhawks win 4-1 and take a 2-0 series lead.

NEWS and NOTES:

• Jeremy Morin got his first start of the playoffs. Morin had one shot on goal in 5:42 of ice time and a plus/minus of -1.
• Kris Versteeg returned to the lineup. Versteeg played 8:56 with two shots and a plus/minus of -2.
• This victory was Joel Quenneville 800^th victory including regular season and post season play.
• The Blackhawks are 16-2 at home in the playoffs in their last 18 home playoff games.

The series moves to the Xcel Energy center on Tuesday May 6^th at 8:00pm. The game can be seen on CNBC.

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