Chicago came into the game having lost last night 1-0 against Anaheim and in a fight with Minnesota for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Red Wings made the unpopular decision to sit Anthony Mantha for a game but also welcomed back Jimmy Howard to the lineup. It did not start out well as Chicago got an early lead but the Red Wings dug in, found their game and on the backs of their top line beat the Blackhawks 4-2 in Chicago’s last trip to the Joe.
First Period
The game started like too many games have for the Wings this season, some back and forth early on and an early 1-0 deficit.