Blackhawks Daily: ‘Hawks Do Fading Red Wings a Favor

The Chicago Blackhawks have seen the Detroit Red Wings twice this season. Detroit won both games by a combined score of 8-3, including a 5-1 drubbing at Little Caesars Arena. Most hockey fans will remember Patrick Kane’s overtime winner in his first game back at the United Center forever.

When watching those games, many assumed that the Red Wings were a lock for the postseason. They very much are not after a brutal month of March. The Red Wings lost to the Florida Panthers in a shootout on Saturday and they are 3-5-2 in their last ten games, including a four-game losing streak. In March? The Red Wings slumped to a 3-9-2 mark.

Detroit is 36-30-8 on the season which is good for fifth in the Atlantic Division. They are two points behind the Philadelphia Flyers who are currently hold the final Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. For the young Red Wings to make a move, they’ll need to play almost perfect hockey to close the season.

The Blackhawks did the fading Red Wings a favor by blasting Philadelphia 5-1 Saturday night, sending the Flyers to their fourth straight loss. But Detroit can’t rely on that fortune forever.

For a team whose fans still toss the octopus on the ice–a symbol of the eight wins needed to win a Cup in the 50’s, these next eight games will make or break Detroit’s playoff dreams.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• Drew Commesso made an incredible save while playing for the Rockford Ice Hogs Friday night. It’s another encouraging sign for
• Hawks fans–Vinnie reminds by using the New Jersey Devils as an example of why not to rush rebuilds
• It is never too soon to look at the upcoming NHL Draft. Macklin Celebrini is amazing but the Chicago Blackhawks are sure to get a great player between the second and fourth spot
• Cole Guttman, Frank Nazar, and Nick Lardis headline impressive prospect postseason performances. Michigan plays tonight for a chance at the Frozen Four.

Hockey Now Network Playoff Focus

• Philly Hockey Now: The Philadelphia Flyers suffered yet another terrible loss to a team that they absolutely should have been able to defeat–putting more pressure on its playoff push.
• Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche locked up their playoff berth with a huge win over the Nashville Predators on Saturday night.
• Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pittsburgh Penguins, who were starting to get hot, dropped the ball against a much worse Columbus Blue Jackets team. The playoffs are looking bleaker and it will fire up the “to rebuild or not rebuild” argument
• Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins, who already clinched, put together a solid shootout win on Saturday night.

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