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Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period at the United Center on January 22, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) |
Chicago would have to continue working through the motions as COVID-19 protocol hit their lineup. Detroit caught the same problems with Filip Zadina going on the list. In their first game on the road this season, they’ll try to increase to a two-game winning streak against a slumping Original Six team. The Blackhawks had yet to record a win, having been on the road for the first four games. With the chance to begin anew at home, they’ll try to turn it around and dictate the home ice.
Detroit got a terrific start from the faceoff with Tyler Bertuzzi striking a shot at Blackhawks netminder Kevin Lankinen. It helped produce further scoring chances but after the first six minutes, they couldn’t get one in. Neither did Chicago who trailed with five shots, challenging Thomas Griess. Later on, at 13;15, the Blackhawks earned a power play on Valtteri Filppula turning a player around and getting called for holding.
It was a mistake that Detroit regretted as Chicago scored on the man advantage in their last four games. Kane made it five as his stick got a piece of the puck for his third of the season. The Red Wings earned a power play shortly afterward but watched it killed with Chicago’s PK blocking the shooting lines in their zone. They spent the remainder of the period going after the Red Wings defense that had them outshooting 12-10.
Detroit opened the second period with another power-play but watched the Blackhawks battled them from possessing and second chances near the crease of Lankinen. Full strength returned with Chicago regrouping the offense to increasing their pressure. Unfortunately, Kane got called for unsportsmanlike conduct after he tried to fake a stick injury. Detroit nearly saw a short hander happen but the defense and Griess closed the door.
It all went south as Detroit caught a penalty, bringing things to 4 on 4. While they avoided letting the Blackhawks score on a short power play, they didn’t stop a drive from Calvin De Haan. The Chicago defenseman fired from the far end, scoring his first, giving the Blackhawks a commanding 2-0 lead. Bertuzzi tried to get the Red Wings on the board but found himself cut off by Lankinen who was running a shutout more than halfway through the game.
Three was not a charm for Detroit as a chance with the man advantage went empty with special teams not converting. The remaining four minutes saw the Red Wings adding more shots on net but unable to end their scoreless result through two periods. Detroit outshot Chicago 12-5 while doing very well on the faceoff, but needed a bigger statement than their fight for the puck.
Chicago took point in the third period, firing away at Griess with four shots and Detroit notching one. The Blackhawks got more time to add further shots in the Detroit zone with their fourth power play. With the ice open, Kane set up teammate Andrew Shaw with a one-timer into the right of Griess to make it 3-0. It was the team’s second power-play goal of the night, showing how strong the special teams' action was.
Desperate to make a response, the Red Wings tried to be something together. A goal from Dylan Larkin at 12:22 ended the shutout for Lankinen but kept them far from leveling the game. Chicago made it clear that they were going to win at home, responding with a goal while shorthanded. Mattia Janmark scored Chicago’s fourth goal of the night while notching his first with the team. It marked the end of an early slide for the Blackhawks and when the horn sounded ending regulation, it was the sound of defeat for Detroit.
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