The Red Wings met the Chicago Blackhawks for the second time in 2 weeks, trying to replicate the outcome of the last game. The Wings, unfortunately, lost the game 5-1 not being able to generate goals from their scoring chances.

The Chicago Blackhawks took early possession of the game not allowing the Red Wings any chances. The lead was taken by the Blackhawks scoring three goals in the first period, all within 9 minutes and 9 shots. Alex De-Brincat, Anthony Duclair, and Vinnie Hinostroza scored for the Blackhawks. Jimmy Howard was pulled and Petr Mrazek put in. Throughout the first period, the Wings had some good scoring chances but couldn’t capitalize.

Red Wings had an early scoring chance in the second period, deflecting the puck off the goal post. During a Chicago play around the Wings net both Mike Green and Anthony Duclair went tumbling into the net, Green got out but Duclair was stuck behind Mrazek. Having Duclair stuck behind Mrazek had a potential goal for the Blackhawks quickly waved off by the referees. Andreas Athanasiou had a breakaway, getting tied up with the defensemen. De-Brincat scored his second goal of the night giving the Blackhawks a 4-0 lead. Niklas Kronwall took an interference penalty late in the second, the Wings successfully killed off the penalty not allowing the Blackhawks any chances.

The third period had a lot of back and forth play between the Wings and Blackhawks, no team having a good scoring chance. Tomas Tatar got a hocking penalty making the Wings shorthanded for the second time in the game. Athanasiou had a breakaway during the penalty kill but couldn’t get it past Forsberg. Artem Anisimov tripped Martin Frk which lead to the Wings first goal of the night scored by Anthony Mantha. The momentum did not shift towards the Wings after Mantha’s goal even with Mrazek sitting on the bench, allowing for a 6th skater. The game ended with Alex DeBrincat scoring on the empty net and getting his second career hat trick.

The stats show that play throughout the game was evenly matched. However, watching the game the Wings were being outplayed by the Blackhawks not allowing the Wings out of their end and minimizing their scoring chances.

Today’s MVP is Anthony Mantha, he had 4 shots on net and scored the only goal for the Wings.

After the All-Star Weekend, the Red Wings are facing the San Jose Sharks at Little Caesars Arena on the 31st January 2018.