Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 2
Marian Hossa and defenseman Brent Seabrook collected a goal and an assist apiece and Corey Crawford turned aside 26 shots as the Chicago Blackhawks moved closer to a postseason berth with a 4-2 road triumph over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday in a battle of Original Six rivals.
Ben Smith netted his first career NHL goal, blue-liner Brian Campbell also tallied and Patrick Kane notched a pair of assists as Chicago (44-28-9) remained tied with the Anaheim Ducks for seventh place in the Western Conference standings.
Seabrook opened the scoring 27 seconds into the contest after skating in on the weak side and tapping in Patrick Sharp's brilliant centering feed on the doorstep.
Smith doubled the advantage exactly six minutes later after Kane forced a turnover in the offensive end. Smith alertly collected the puck and wristed it under the crossbar for his first tally in five NHL games.
Campbell gave the Blackhawks a 3-0 lead just over 2 1/2 minutes later with his fifth goal of the season and first in 12 contests.
The offensive onslaught was enough for Crawford, who even picked up a secondary assist on Hossa's goal. The 26-year-old Montreal native overcame Drew Miller's tally with 22 seconds left in the second period to cruise to his fourth career win in five meetings (4-1-0) against the Red Wings.
Tomas Holmstrom scored with 80 seconds remaining in the third period and Jimmy Howard finished with 25 saves for Central Division champion Detroit (46-25-10), which has dropped seven of its last 10 games (3-5-2).