The Blackhawks gave it their best efforts, but in the end, Detroit’s methodical and tactical offense ended up giving them all they needed to take a two game lead in the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday night at the Joe. An overtime goal from Mikael Samuelsson ended the Hawks’ hopes to split the first two games in Detroit, and put the defending Cup champions in very good position to take a shot at claiming the title once again.
Jonathan Toews got the scoring going with a power play goal that ricocheted in off of a Detroit defenseman’s skate in the first, but Detroit got a powerplay opportunity about four minutes later, and Brian Rafalski snuck a wrist shot through traffic off a faceoff to beat Khabibulin and tie the game. In the second, Daniel Cleary stretched his goal streak to 3 with his 3rd goal of the series, putting the Wings up by one going into the 3rd period.
In the 3rd, Toews planted himself in front and got his stick on a shot from the point, deflecting it past screened goaltender Chris Osgood. There were plenty of chances for both teams to take the lead in the waning minutes of the game, but both Osgood and Khabibulin proved to be up to the challenge.
In overtime, after some good play at both ends, Brian Campbell coughed the puck up at the blueline and the Red Wings went down on a 3-on-1. Jiri Hudler rushed the puck up one side and sent it across the slot to Valtteri Filppula, who was in an excellent shooting position. Khabibulin was forced to guard against his shot, which left Samuelsson’s side of the net wide open. A quick drop pass and a one-timed shot later, the Red Wings were pouring over the boards to celebrate their win with their teammates.
The Blackhawks’ powerplay goal stretched the Red Wings’ streak of games with a powerplay goal allowed in the postseason to a record-tying 11 games. Game 3 will be in Chicago on Friday night.