Detroit Red Wings

7:30p ET, Joe Louis Arena Detroit, MI TV: NBCSN, CBC, RDS Radio: 97.1 The Ticket Blackhawks Blog: Second City Hockey Detroit Red Wings Tickets Smooch my fart-hole, haters. Brendan Smith scored the winning goal in Game 2. Love him or hate him. He's not going anywhere. And, if the Red Wings are going to advance past the best team in hockey they're going to need the kids to do exactly what Smith did. Step up. If I'm the Chicago Blackhawks, I don't think I'm worried yet. No need to panic, but maybe a tiny bit of concern. Chicago is still the better team, but man, the Wings took it to them. Detroit has planted a little, tiny seed of doubt in the back of Chicago's mind. Now it's up to the best players and the kids to water that seed and allow it to grow. Biggest take away from Game 2? Confidence. Now the Wings know they can beat the Hawks in a big game. They know they can do it on the road. The kids know what it takes and they weren't just along for the ride. Hell, they were driving the bus at times. Smith is only going to get more confident and better. Damien Brunner continues to score and lead the 3rd line. Jakub Kindl looks like a whole new player. The kids keep growing and the stars keep leading the charge. You couldn't ask for it any other way. Jonathan Toews is already crying about the refs and the big, tough, mean Red Wings. Captain Serious isn't supposed to get rattled. Time to knock him around some more tonight. Get in his head. Take the Hawks off their game. We're the underdog, but we're not a typical underdog. We're an underdog with a rich Stanley Cup history with players that have been there and know what it takes. Nothing to lose. Everything to gain. Chicago knows that. They know what the Wings can do. Let's turn up the heat some more and continue this unfathomable Western Conference farewell tour. The Expected Lineup Johan Franzen - Pavel Datsyuk - Justin Abdelkader Valtteri Filppula - Henrik Zetterberg - Daniel Cleary Gustav Nyquist - Joakim Andersson - Damien Brunner Patrick Eaves - Cory Emmerton - Drew Miller * Niklas Kronwall - Jonathan Ericsson Brendan Smith - Kyle Quincey Carlo Colaiacovo - Jakub Kindl * Jimmy Howard (starting) Jonas Gustavsson Scratches: Ian White, Brian Lashoff, Jordin Tootoo, Mikael Samuelsson and Todd Bertuzzi Injuries: Danny DeKeyser (thumb) and Darren Helm (back) BLACKHAWKS PLAYOFF MATCH-UP RED WINGS 5-2 Record 5-4 3.14 (4th in NHL) Goals Per Game 2.56 (9th in NHL) 1.71 (2nd) Goals Against Per Game 2.89 (11th) 16.7% (10th) Power Play % 18.8% (9th) 100.0% (1st) Penalty Kill % 73.3% (14th) Patrick Sharp (6 goals) Goal Leader 2 tied with 4 goals Patrick Sharp (10 points) Points Leader Henrik Zetterberg (10 points) The Red Wings are 36-40 (W-L) all-time against the Chicago Blackhawks in the postseason. Chicago has won 8 of the 15 series between these clubs. Last time these two teams met in a Game 3 in the postseason was May 22, 2009. Chicago won 4-3 in overtime. Detroit came back from a 3-0 deficit. Some guy named Nicklas Lidstrom scored along with Cleary and Ericsson. Of course, Sharp scored the winner in the extra period. Howard is 1-5 with a 3.38 GAA and .886 SV% all time in Game 3's during his postseason career. That's not very good. He's also 0-5 all-time at home and 0-2 in overtime. Ouch. Prediction: Detroit wins 3-2 (OT). Let's Go Red Wings.

Are the Red Wings a legitimate Stanley Cup contender now that they're among the final eight teams left in the playoffs? At least one local columnist believes so.

Red Wings News Babcock knows one thing about Brunner: "He scores" - The Macomb DailyI can hear it right now: "He shoots, he scores! Damien Brunner! Detroit Wiiins!" Workhorse Howard gives Wings chance - Detroit Red Wings - News He is the ONLY reason we are still alive. Zetterberg and Datsyuk have been great but considering all the chances our various opponents have had, we are in this thanks to Howard and him only. Detroit Red Wings clicking after season of figuring identity - NHL Perfect time for a Stanley Cup run! Red Wings' Damien Brunner enjoying first taste of NHL playoffs | Toronto SunHopefully this is just the beginning. Brendan Smith: A Tale Of Two Players - Octopus Thrower On one side he have a turnover machine and on the other he have a cool, rough, skilled player. With one win down, Detroit Red Wings know they can't let up vs. Chicago Blackhawks | Detroit Free Press Just 3 more to go. Just 3 more! Drew Miller provides more depth in return to Detroit Red Wings lineup for 4-1 win vs. Chicago | MLive.comDrew Miller really is a good and underrated player for the Wings. Great PKer and can chip in some offense too. Jonathan Toews will see a lot more of Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg as series shifts to Detroit | MLive.comToew's will be so distracted by seeing his mom in the crowd that it won't matter who he faces (head over to Silent Verbal's fanpost to understand). Babcock In A Talkative Mood | The Malik ReportBabcock interview. What they're saying: Red Wings vs. Blackhawks | The Detroit News What some writers are saying about the Red Wings-Blackhawks series after two games. Young Red Wings continuing to improve | TSN They get better by the minute. NHL News Sweden takes gold on home ice at World Championships | ProHockeyTalkHeja Sverige!!! Team USA wins bronze in a shootout at World Championships | ProHockeyTalk'Merica Baby! Sticking with Crawford | Red Wings FrontNot too surprised. Chicago as a whole sucked on Saturday. Bruins steamroll Lundqvist, Rangers with 5-2 victory in Game 2 | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! SportsA Bruins vs. Penguins ECF match-up seems very likely at this point. Quenneville says Stalberg ‘likely playing’ in Game 3 | ProHockeyTalkHe's out of the dog-cage it seems. Watch Providence Bruins and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins brawl during AHL playoffs (Video) | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! SportsThere are so many more brawls/fights in the AHL. I love it! Report: No supplemental discipline for Quick’s abuse of officials | ProHockeyTalkIt's because it is Quick. Had it been me they would have suspended me for life. 2013 NHL Mock Draft: The Next Ones Memorial Cup Edition | The Hockey WritersI can't see how Colorado does not select Jones. I know that MacKinnon is probably the best player in the draft but if you look at Colorado's lineup, they don't need forwards (Landeskog, Duchene etc.) they need defenseman. NHL’s awesome ‘Playoff Sounds of Round 1′ video is your ‘24/7’ fix | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports"It's Comin' Jimmy" - Bobby Ryan. The definition of dirt. Ottawa’s Karlsson: ‘I’m not playing the way I want to’ | ProHockeyTalkI said it before and I will say it again. He made a mistake by returning so early. Sharks fined $100,000 for Torres suspension comments | TSN Crazy right? 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs nightly GIF recap: We may have an unhealthy fascination with Darryl Sutter - SBNation.comGIF's, GIF's, and more GIF's! Strong playoff run serves as coming out party for Sharks C Logan Couture - The Hockey News I think that he has been a known superstar for a while now. Eric Staal has third-degree MCL sprain, will be ready for 2013-14 season - SBNation.com Good news for the Hurricanes that he will be back in time for the next season. Rangers’ goaltending a concern? ‘We know what Henrik is,&rsquo

Many Red Wings have grown this season, including the entire third line of Gustav Nyquist, Joakim Andersson and Damien Brunner, as well as defensemen Brendan Smith and Jakub Kindl.

The Wings won a big game in Chicago on Saturday afternoon to tie the series at 1-1. The next two games are in Detroit and if the Wings fans can get under Chicago's skin, they have a chance at the upset. You know what we say around here when it comes to hockey, "Its not the regular season, but rather the playoffs that count." And its not unusual for a #8 seed in hockey to make it to the Cup Finals. How many times in the past twenty years have the Wings finished with the best record and #1 seed only to be knocked out in the first round? Well turnabout is fair play I say. Do you guys agree that a new generation of Red Wings legends are being born in these playoffs? The Wings won a big game in Chicago on Saturday afternoon to tie the series at 1-1. The next two games are in Detroit and if the Wings fans can get under Chicago's skin, they have a chance at the upset. You know what we say around here when it comes to hockey, "Its not the regular season, but rather the playoffs that count." And its not unusual for a #8 seed in hockey to make it to the Cup Finals. How many times in the past twenty years have the Wings finished with the best record and #1 seed only to be knocked out in the first round? Well turnabout is fair play I say. Do you guys agree that a new generation of Red Wings legends are being born in these playoffs?

Detroit's captain seldom is talked about for Selke Trophy consideration as the league's top defensive forward, but there is no one the Red Wings would rather have matched up against the opposition's best player, like the Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews.

DETROIT – Everywhere Chicago’s Jonathan Toews went on the ice, Henrik Zetterberg was right there alongside of him. Detroit’s captain pestered, harassed and hounded Toews all through Game 2 and it helped the Wings even their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series with the Blackhawks on Saturday. And you could sense Toews’ frustrations after the game. “They were tougher on the puck and there was a lot of hooking and holding you couldn’t really go out there and skate with the puck,” Toews said after the game. “We’ve just got to be scrappier. We’ve got to find a way to get through that stuff and find our way to the net. We weren’t really battling for position out there.” Zetterberg did not read or hear of Toews’ comments after the game. “It’s real tight games,” Zetterberg said. “(There are) a lot to battles out there. He’s one of the best players in the league. He has a really good work ethic, a lot of skill. We’ve got to be ready for him (Monday).” Chicago did out hit Detroit, 36-26, in Game 2. “I think they’re a confident team whether they win that game or not,” Chicago forward Patrick Sharp said. “They know what they’re capable of doing and we know what they’re capable of doing. I think it works both ways. As far as pushing anybody around, I feel like we can be just as physical and it’s going to be a good series the rest of the way.” The Wings had a 43-24 advantage in hits in Game 1. Seeing Zetterberg have a little extra in his game come playoff time isn’t anything new for the Wings. “This time of year, he comes and he competes,” goalie Jimmy Howard said Sunday afternoon at Joe Louis Arena. “Most nights, he’s the best player on the ice. No different from (Saturday), the way he was all over Toews the whole game, shutting him down.” “He won the Conn Smythe, he knew how to play then,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “He’s a fierce competitor. His stats show he’s scores better at playoff time. He’s normally a slow-starter in the league, this is the first time he hadn’t been a slow-starter.” Toews was held off the scoresheet in Game 2, while Zetterberg assisted on two of the Wings’ four goals. “Jonathan Toews is a real good player,” Babcock said. “I’ve coached him. He’s immensely tough, he works hard and he knows how to play. He’s an Olympic champion, a Stanley Cup champion, a world junior champion. I would expect that he’s going to play hard in the series, I didn’t think he didn’t play hard (in Game 2) though.” Babcock made a concertize effort to have Zetterberg on the ice every time Toews stepped out. During one shift in the third, Zetterberg looked around while on the ice and couldn’t spot Toews and went immediately for a line change. “No matter who we’re playing against, their top guys, I thought it was easier on their top guys than it was on our top guys and I think that’s something we’ve got to look at,” Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. Although Zetterberg wasn’t credited with a hit in Game 2, he did his best to try and get a body on Toews as much as possible. “I’m sure it’s going to be just as physical as it’s been the last two games,” defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. “Toews is one of the best players in the league and he comes and he brings it every night. That’s going to be a tough battle.” Zetterberg leads the team with 10 points this postseason. “I don’t think it was really physical the last game,” Zetterberg said. “I’m pretty sure both clubs have played more physical games than we did in Game 2. “You can’t just focus on Toews,” Zetterberg continued. “That line with (Brandon) Saad and (Marian) Hossa is a good line. You’ve got to play them as a five-man unit, got to be aware where everyone is. Their D jumps up in the play, so it’s not just one player, you have to focus on everyone.” The Wings expect the Blackhawks to push back in Game 3 Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena. “He’s stepped up so big for us,”

DETROIT – One mustn’t be a Blackhawks’ fan to appreciate the hair-raising excitement of being inside Chicago’s United Center during the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” before a Stanley Cup playoff game. There’s a reason that the 19-year-o...

DETROIT – Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said he’s not going to change goalies after dropping Game 2. “We’re fine with Corey (Crawford) right now,” Quenneville said. “I like the way he’s played. He’s played very strong for us all year. (He had an) excellent first round and a real good start to this series.”

DETROIT – When Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock talks about Damien Brunner he always finds a way to fit in two words, “he scores.” Babcock is correct. Brunner netted his fourth goal of the postseason in Detroit’s 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 Saturday afternoon. “He wants the puck and he scores,” Babcock said. “Anybody who wants the puck and plays with the kind of speed he has is valuable. He’s going to get better just because he’s going to get bigger and stronger, he’s going to learn the league more. He’s better defensively already. We think we’ve got a good player.” The goal ties him for the team lead in the playoffs with Johan Franzen. He’s also second on the team, tied with Pavel Datsyuk in points, with seven. “He’s a sniper,” defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. “That’s what he’s been doing all along for us, all season long. We’re happy to have him. He finds a way to get goals.” And Sunday’s goal was one where he just skated through the slot and redirected in soft, floating shot from the point by Jakub Kindl. “I really don’t think he has a clue what’s going on,” goalie Jimmy Howard said. “I don’t think he understands the realm of things, of what could possibly happen here as the playoffs unfold. He’s in a good mood every single day. He comes to the rink with a smile on his face and when he’s out there he’s doing the right things. He’s going to the net. When you’re out there and competing like he’s competing, pucks go in for you.” Brunner also netted the Wings’ lone goal in Game 1 and would have had a second one, but Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook was able to whack his shot out of midair to keep it from crossing the goal line. “He’s a smart player, he’s scored a lot of goals in his career, he keeps doing it,” forward Henrik Zetterberg said. Zetterberg has known Brunner the longest in the locker room after playing with him in the Swiss National A league during the lockout. “I saw that he was a good player,” Zetterberg said. “He’s really good offensively. He still has some to learn defensively. But when you start playing in the system, you start learning that and I think he’s been improving all year. “He’s strong on his stick, he’s strong when he battles for the puck,” Zetterberg added. “I think he improved a lot in protecting the puck. In (Switzerland) you don’t have to protect the puck that much in the offensive end, but I think he’s become a lot better since he came here.” Brunner’s first season in the NHL has had its share of highs and share of lows. In the third period of Game 3 in the Wings’ opening series with Anaheim, Brunner had the puck stripped away by the Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf at the end of a long shift, just as a Wings power play was about to expire, and it led to Anaheim’s second goal in a 4-0 victory. In Game 4, Brunner followed up a rush by Gustav Nyquist and banged home the game winner in a Wings 3-2 win in overtime over the Ducks. “It’s a new experience, also the travel, going back and forth and playing every other day,” Brunner said. “We got used to that already during the season so that helped a little bit. But it’s fun. It’s intense and all the fans are into it so it’s a lot of fun out there.” Brunner also seemed to hit a wall during the regular season as well. After getting off to a torrid pace with 10 goals in his first 19 games to start the season, Brunner went 15 games without scoring a goal. He also found himself a healthy scratch one game during the slump. Since Babcock took Brunner off one of the top two lines, it has seemed to re-engage his forward and now that third line, which is rounded out by Nyquist and Joakim Andersson, is flying. “Obviously I’m happy that the puck’s bouncing for me right now,” Brunner said.