SenShot
Fansided

Chicago Blackhawks Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Minnesota Wild

By Jared Crozier

facebooktwitterreddit

May 2, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Bryan Bickell (29) celebrates his goal with left wing Brandon Saad (20) during the first period of game one of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Bryan Bickell scored twice and added an assist as the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks scored a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild Sunday afternoon.

Brandon Saad had the other two Chicago markers and Corey Crawford was good but not busy in making 18 saves as the Blackhawks held fast on home ice.

Jonathan Toews opened the scoring 11 minutes into the first period, cashing in a rebound after Ilya Bryzgalov had turned aside Marian Hossa‘s breakaway attempt.  Hossa was sent in alone on a nice pass from Bickell.

Bickell picked up a loose puck along the boards after he missed a pass from Saad, and returned the pass and Saad walked into the middle of the slot and put a wrist shot top shelf to double the lead with less than a minute left in the second.

More from Playoffs

As the Chicago Blackhawks looked to avoid the recent curse of the two goal lead, Minnesota got on the board at the 2 minute mark of the second when Cody McCormick took a short drop pass from Clayton Stoner and wristed a shot past Crawford.

Chicago played a lock-down game in the third period, allowing just 4 shots on goal as the Wild couldn’t get the equalizer.  Bickell made it a two goal lead firing a shot over the shoulder of Bryzgalov with less than 3 minutes left and then Saad finished it off with the empty netter to allow the Chicago Blackhawks to head to Minnesota with a 2-0 series lead.

Home/Playoffs