alled timeout to settle things down.The opening seconds with Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, and Patrick Sharp set the tone. A hardworking shift in the corner to the right of goalie Jimmy Howard led to a goal 27 seconds into the game when Brent Seabrook pinched from the point for his eighth of the year. Sharp and Hossa had the assists but Toews did most of the hard work.A few minutes later, Ben Smith scored his first career goal when Patrick Kane poke-checked a puck away from a Wings player in the Detroit zone. Smith grabbed it in the slot and scored top shelf on Howard. Two and a half minutes later, Brian Campbell was fed a puck out of the corner by Michael Frolik and skated around Howard for an easy goal and the 3-0 lead.The Hawks dominated the first period.
He surprised everyone. The Chicago Blackhawks' leading scorer, Patrick Sharp, had only just begun skating again after injuring his left knee seven games ago. Instead of easing his way back in for a weekend game or two, Sharp jumped right back into the playoff atmosphere getting 19:37 of ice time in the Hawks' 4-3 overtime win.[I was] little rusty, he said. It was a good start. Hopefully better on Friday.Sharp assisted on Marian Hossas controversial reviewed goal but limped off after one on-ice collision. He missed a power play but returned to take regular shifts and led the Hawks with seven shots and four hits. Hes clearly not 100 percent. If this was game 40 would he have played?Game 40? Ahh, probably not, Joel Quenneville said. He had a good jump to his game and brought a lot of spirit and energy to our game as well. Leddy on targetWith Blackhawks defensemen seemingly getting shots blocked often this season,John Madden Red Jersey, two attempts Nick Leddy got to the net were huge. Hossa scored off the first one while the second got through plenty of traffic for his fourth goal of the season.Trying to get more shots, Leddy said. I got lucky on a couple of them and one happened to go in.Joel Quenneville said Leddy has picked up his game over the last two nights showing his patented patience with the puck. It was Leddys first multi-point night of his career.Slappers Marcus Kruger was a healthy scratch after playing under eight minutes on Tuesday in Montreal. The Hawks 20 shots in the second tied a season high for one period. They also had 20 in the third period in Montreal on Tuesday. The Hawks win coupled with the Anaheim Ducks victory eliminated the Calgary Flames from playoff contention. The quote: I didnt think it was in. Hossa thought it was a 50/50 toss up. It went our way, - Patrick Sharp, on the Hossa goal held up by review.
Sixteen teams make the playoffs in the NHL, and as of Saturday night, 15 have clinched the right to play on next week. The final playoff berth will be determined Sunday and its going to the Chicago Blackhawks or the Dallas Stars. That much we know. Were the only team playing all 82 with a huge purpose behind ‘em, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said after a short practice Saturday. That has to be our focus. We havent had an easy game all year so we dont expect one more.[+] EnlargeJonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesIt's all come down to the last day of the season for coach Joel Quenneville and the Blackhawks.The Detroit Red Wings didnt exactly make it difficult in Game 81, and judging from their tone,http://www.blackhawksofficialjersey.com/shop-by-players-andrew-ladd-jersey-c-95_97.html, theyre going to change that come Sunday afternoon at the United Center.Listen, we havent played well for a while here consistently, Wings forward Dan Cleary said after Fridays 4-2 defeat. Weve got to find a way. Weve got a big game Sunday and weve just got to come out and try to have some good steps and have some good periods and get ready for [the] playoffs.But the Hawks are at home, where they should feel the playoff atmosphere that will undoubtedly be in the building. They havent always used the home crowd to their advantage, though Wednesdays win over the St. Louis Blues was fan-driven after a favorable call by the officials.Its our job to use them because theyre just going to be looking for an excuse to get excited and its our job to get them going right away, Jake Dowell said.Slow starts at home have been the norm as often as fast ones this season. Most players agreed this isnt a game you want to have to play in comeback mode. That leads to tight play, which leads to mistakes.Weve played a lot of big games this year, especially the last little stretch, goaltender Corey Crawford said. Its nothing new for us. Its a lot better deciding our own fate instead of worrying about someone else.The only difference: This one has a win-or-go-home mentality, much like a postseason Game 7. The Hawks do have a chance to back in if they lose, but theyre not hearing any of that.If we play like we did Friday,Jonathan Toews Red Jersey, we have a good chance of taking care of business, Brian Campbell said. I know Dallas is going win their game. We have to take care of our business.As for nerves, theres no avoiding them no matter how many big games theyve been through.Im sure Ill be a little nervous, Crawford said. Friday was a little nervous going into the first period. Thats only n