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Blackhawks falter in 2-1 loss to Red Wings

Posted on by Matt Lucas

The Blackhawks’ winning streak ended at four games with a 2-1 loss to the last-place Red Wings on Friday at Little Caesars Arena.

Chicago went 0-for-3 on the power play and allowed a power-play goal for the first time in four games.

After Detroit’s Tyler Bertuzzi and Robby Fabbri scored, Patrick Kane scored his team-leading 31st goal of the season for Chicago (31-29-8), which failed to gain ground in the Western Conference wild-card race.

Corey Crawford made 23 saves in his eight straight start, and the second game on back-to-back nights.

Chicago rookie defenseman Adam Boqvist did not play after participating in warmups due to a right wrist injury. Dennis Gilbert, who was recalled on an emergency basis earlier in the day, slotted into Boqvist’s spot with Duncan Keith on the top pairing. Nick Seeler went in for Lucas Carlsson, who was placed in concussion protocol.

How it Happened

Chicago’s best scoring chance of the first period came on the first shift of the game. After extended defensive zone time for the third line of Alex DeBrincat, Kirby Dach and Drake Caggiula, DeBrincat passed the puck on a 2-on-1 to Caggiula, who gave it right back to DeBrincat, but Jonathan Bernier made an incredible save with his right toe:

The Blackhawks didn’t connect on passes in nearly all areas of the ice and were credited with three turnovers in the first period. It felt like a lot more than just three.

Additionally, Detroit owned puck possession in the opening period with a 58.1-percent Corsi-For and fired five high-danger scoring chances on Crawford, which included a double tip that looked it was certainly going to squeak in.

Like in the first period, Detroit looked like the better team for most of the middle frame.

Bertuzzi took a one-timer from Dylan Larkin near the boards and scored from the slot for a 1-0 lead 20 seconds into the second period. A defensive breakdown by Caggiula and Dach led to Bertuzzi being open.

Fabbri made it 2-0 with a power-play goal from the slot.

It was evident that things were just not clicking for the Blackhawks and they were even denied by the post on a rebound shot from Dach that looked like it was going to get Chicago back in the game.

The game got a bit feisty and Chicago gained some momentum to end the period.

Jeremy Colliton threw out a line of Brandon Saad- Jonathan Toews – Patrick Kane and it produced nearly immediately. On a 3-on-2 rush, Toews fell as he rushed the net, but was able to scoop the puck back out front to Saad, who made a touch pass to Kane to cut the deficit to 2-1 at 18:55.

Chicago came out flying to start the final frame, but Bernier made a few quality stops to keep the lead 2-1 for the Red Wings.

At 11:19, the Blackhawks got a golden opportunity to tie the game on a power play, but failed to convert against Detroit’s 30th-ranked penalty kill unit.

This was a game the Blackhawks needed to win heading into Sunday against Central Division-leading St. Louis, but they didn’t show up until the third period and now they sit six points back of Vancouver and Winnipeg in the Western Conference wild card race.

Game Charts

Three Stars

1. Tyler Bertuzzi (DET) – One goal, three shots

2. Jonathan Bernier (DET) – 32 saves

3. Patrick Kane (CHI) – One goal, six shots

What’s next?

The Blackhawks host the Blues at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at United Center.

Talking Points