May 18, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) makes a save as defenseman Kyle Quincey (left) clears the puck away from Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad (20) and center Jonathan Toews (19) in the first period of game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The visiting team outplayed Chicago in large parts in the first  period and each teams were given the opportunity to score with the man advantage but neither were capable to do so. Slightly before Detroit were awarded a power play the Hawks were given the 1-0 lead after a Patrick Kane goal. This period was the period in which both goaltenders were busiest, but Corey Crawford‘s team was the one ahead after the first period.

The Wings were patient after knowing they outplayed the Hawks and it paid off as they scored 4 unanswered goals. Jimmy Howard was perfect after allowing the only goal he allowed in the first period.  The Wings managed to take a 2-1 after two, courtesy of Damien Brunner and Brendan Smith.

In the third period the Wings continued to apply pressure to the top seed in the West and managed to put the game out of reach for the team out of the Windy city, as Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula scpred the last two goals for Detroit. Brendan Smith was credited with the game winning goal but it was Henrik Zetterberg was the one to stepped up, as the Wings captain was the one who controlled the game.

SENSHOT 3 STARS

1. Henrik Zetterberg
2. Damien Brunner
3. Brendan Smith

As the first period started it appeared that maybe the Wings might be able to compete against this very strong Hawks team but as the game went on you could really tell they were over matched by the Hawks play. At about the second period it was apparent that the Hawks were much stronger, controlling large parts of the game and getting way more opportunities than the Wings. The shots finished heavily in the Hawks favour ending 42-21, the wings were doubled up. The score may show 4-1 which is still a fairly dominating score, but you have to imagine what the score would be had it not been for jimmy Howard.

May 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) makes a save against Chicago Blackhawks center Patrick Sharp (10) during the third period in game one of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Red Wings 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

GAME RECAP

At the 9 minute mark the Hawks were awarded the first power of the night on a hooking call. The Hawks would capitalize on a nice pass from Jonathan Toews to Marian Hossa who would make it 1-0 courtesy of the power play. A couple minute later Damien Brunner would follow up his own shot off of Corey Crawford and bang him in rebound to equalize the score at one.

In the second period there was no scoring but the Hawks limited the Wings to just 5 shots and manged to shoot 17 of their own, creating many chances. Jimmy Howard was perfect in stopping all 17 shots in this frame, keeping his team in it and giving them a chance to come out in the 3rd period and win the game.

Unfortunately for the wings that was not the case, as they were once again heavily out shot 19-9 and the Hawks managed to score on their chances this time around. Johnny Oduya was the first to score in the third, on a nice shot in the top corner to put his team up 2-1. About 3 minutes later Marcus Kruger would made it 3-1, his second of the playoffs, as the wheels began to fall off for the Wings. Patrick Sharp would seal the win with an empty net goal, to make this game a 4-1 final.

SENSHOT 3 STARS

1.  Patrick Sharp – 3 points, 7 shots
2. Johnny Oduya – GWG, 4 shots
3. jimmy Howard – 38 saves