DETROIT, Michigan -- The Detroit Red Wings held off early and late pushes by the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday night en route to a 3-2 victory. It was the first win of the three-game old season for the Red Wings.
Chicago carried the play early, outshooting the Wings 12-7 in a scoreless first period and getting the game's first goal in the second.
The 'Hawks opened the game's scoring when Patrick Sharp tipped a pass from Kris Versteeg past Detroit goalie Chris Osgood just 1:23 into the middle frame.
Momentum shifted to the Red Wings several minutes later when Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart led the team in killing a long five-on-three.
Just past the game's midway point Nicklas Lidstrom put Detroit on the board, bouncing a cross-ice pass off the skate of a Chicago defender and past netminder Cristobal Huet with the Wings on a power play.
Kris Draper converted on a bouncing puck turnover at the Chicago blue line with 3:45 left in the period to put Detroit out in front. Draper coralled the puck on the right wing and ripped a shot into the top of the net.
Just 1:34 later the Red Wings were up by a pair when Johan Franzen tapped home a loose puck behind Huet on a power play. Pavel Datsyuk had fired a shot from the right wing that deflected off of a screening Tomas Holmstrom to slip past Huet.
Versteeg added a power play goal with 9:36 remaining in the third to pull Chicago to back within one but the 'Hawks couldn't close the gap, even after outshooting Detroit 15-4 in the final frame and ending the game on a power play and with an empty net.
Chicago outshot Detroit 34-23 on the night. Osgood made 32 saves while Huet stopped 20 shots.
The Red Wings scored on two of their five power play opportunities. The Blackhawks converted once in as many chances with the extra attacker.
Notes: Detroit newcomer Brad May - signed to a one-year deal earlier in the day - made his debut with the team. He fought Radek Smolenak midway through the first period.
3 minutes in and Maltby gets called for hooking.
Killed off the penalty. There's not much to say right now. Neither of the teams are getting a huge advantage over the other.
May got in a fight and took the guy down. That wasn't very long at all.
Well Brad May's night didn't last long. Good fight though.
Scoreless after the first period.
Hawks get the first goal. Crap.
Draper goes to the box for hooking.
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Survived through the 5 on 3!
Huge kill on the long five-on-three.
On the Cleary cross-check... How many times do you see that exact thing happen to Homer in front of the net but no call is made?
Lidstrom gets a goal! Wings tie it up!
We'll take 'em coming off the opposition's skate, they all count the same. 
Draper finishes! 2-1 !!!
Seeing-eye shot by Draper. Wow.
If Gatorade hadn't invented a sleeve with a strap on it, that goal by Draper would have knocked it loose.
Holmstrom got that one?
Up by two now
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Replay shows Franzen.
I was just ready to complain about the Wings passing the puck too much and the patience pays off.
What's with these Yaldo Eye Center commercials? I miss Dr. Rahmani.
What's with these Yaldo Eye Center commercials? I miss Dr. Rahmani.
What on Earth's a 'yaldo'? I haven't seen it! I've been muting the commercials.
To me Yaldo sounds like the yokel version of Where's Waldo.
Man, after the first I was getting a little worried, but then again, we are a better team in the 2nd and 3rd. Now let's just hold onto that lead and we will be back in business. I'm glad to be back to watching the Wings I'm used to.
It looks like to Babcock, Dr. Fil will forever remain as "Fill-a-pool-a"
Holy Christ, Osgood just came up big.
Hawks get a goal on the powerplay. Lame.
Goddamnit. Ericcson hurt out there, Wings scrambling all over, 'Hawks score.
Aww f*ck, Chicago power play.
Finally, a win! I can sleep peacefully.
Held 'em off! Wings win!
*SIGH* we held our line....GO WINGS!
Chris Osgood
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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