Detroit Red Wings visit Chicago Blackhawks - NHL Preview
The Detroit Red Wings face a resurgent Chicago Blackhawks side on Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago.
Detroit are having a great season topping the Western Conference table with 84 points, two ahead of the chasing Vancouver Canucks.
The Red Wings have maintained their lead at the top thanks to a brilliant six game winning run. Detroit has won seven of its last nine games and in their current form, it would take a special performance from their opponents to end that streak.
With a consistent run of results and a replacement goaltender Joey MacDonald who is performing every bit as good as the injured star Jimmy Howard, confidence in Detroit is at its peak.
The Blackhawks have their work cut out for them.
Chicago ended a disappointing run of nine losses on Thursday, February 16th with a 4-2 win over Eastern Conference leaders New York Rangers and followed it up with two big wins over Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues to build up a three
game winning streak.
Now they will face their toughest game yet with the visit of Detroit to the United Center.
The Blackhawks are sixth in the Western Conference with 71 points, trailing the Red Wings by 13 points.
Red Wings (41-17-2, 84 pts)
Detroit’s performances keep on improving with each game and in their current devastating form it is really hard to see them losing.
However, the Red Wings do have an Achilles heel and it is their poor record on the road. Detroit’s road record stands at a poor 15-15-1 and it is the main reason they find themselves just two points ahead of the Vancouver Canucks.
Detroit faced the San Jose Sharks on Sunday winning the game 3-2 to continue their brilliant form at home ice.
They will now look to bring some of that same ruthlessness on the road starting with Chicago on Tuesday.
Blackhawks (32-21-7, 71 pts)
The Chicago Blackhawks have bounced back impressively from their nine game losing run. They are now on a three game winning run and will look to take advantage of Detroit’s problems on the road to continue this run.
The Blackhawks defeated St. Louis Blues on Sunday, 3-1.
Chicago went down 1-0 in the first period but bounced back in the third with three goals from Duncan Keith, Dave Bolland, and Marian Hossa.
"We learned a lot in that losing streak and brought those lessons to this game," defenseman Duncan Keith said. "We were able to play a patient game and win it."
Predictions
Detroit Red Wings have struggled at home and Chicago have an impressive 20-6-4 record. It will be a tough game but this time the Blackhawks may well come out on top.
It will not be a high scoring game as both teams are good on defence.
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