Game Recap - Chicago Blackhawks @ Detroit Red Wings - 5/20/2013

For the second straight game, the Chicago Blackhawks did not show up for all 60 minutes against the Detroit Red Wings. After a reasonably solid first period, Detroit came out swinging in the middle frame, and the Hawks simply stopped trying until the late stages of the 3^rd.

Corey Crawford was one of only a handful of players to actually show up tonight for Chicago. Crawford stopped 27 of 30 Red Wings shots, many of them quality scoring chances while surrendering goals that he cannot be held accountable for. On Detroit’s first goal, Gustav Nyquist beat both Leddy and Seabrook on a beautiful play, and then exhibited great patience to open up the near side on the tight angle and buried the puck. The second goal came off of a Michal Rozsival turnover when he was unable to clear the puck. This then led to a shot, rebound, and eventually a goal, despite a valiant attempt by Johnny Oduya to try and pull the puck off the line. The third goal was due to Rozsival getting beaten to the outside, which was then followed up by a rifle of a shot off the stick of Pavel Datsyuk.

There are a number of factors that led to the Blackhawks’ loss tonight. It might be argued that Andrew Shaw's waved off goal could have swung the momentum back in the Blackhawks' favor, but as it is, it did not count, and the Blackhawks could not muster another goal. Chicago was being outplayed for the majority of the game, starting with play in the faceoff circle. Detroit has been a longtime master of controlling the puck and dictating the play, and that is evident with Detroit winning 55% of their offensive zone faceoffs as well as nearly 57% of their defensive zone draws. Michal Handzus and Andrew Shaw were the only two Blackhawks with faceoff percentages above 50%, sporting a 63% and 64% success rate, respectfully. Dave Bolland had the lowest percentage of any regular centerman, winning only 31% of his draws.

The Blackhawks powerplay also needs to find some life, with another empty-handed effort this evening, going 0-4 on the man advantage.  Detroit also came up with the advantage in hits, 28-22. The Blackhawks tried to become more physical as the game went on, but they need to find ways to do that without taking bad penalties. Chicago ended up taking five penalties in the 3^rd period alone, including a misconduct penalty on Andrew Shaw.

This series is far from over, but from the looks of it, Detroit is definitely in the heads of the Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews is showing frustration, and it is trickling down through the entire lineup. There need to be some changes come game 4, as Dave Bolland and Michal Rozsival should both sit out, and Jamal Mayers and Sheldon Brookbank should be inserted into the lineup. The added size and grit as well as the fresh legs should give the Blackhawks a much-needed boost as they attempt to tie this series on Thursday night.

Potential Thursday Lineup

Saad – Toews – Hossa

Sharp – Handzus – Kane

Bickell – Shaw – Stalberg

Frolik – Kruger – Mayers

Keith – Hjalmarsson

Seabrook – Leddy

Brookbank – Oduya

Crawford