With a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night, the Detroit Red Wings punched their ticket into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and as a prize, they received a matchup with the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks.
11:05 am UPDATE: The series will begin at the United Center at 7pm on Wednesday night, according to the NHL.
We’ll have plenty of coverage of the series in the coming hours and days, but for now, we’ll take a look back at how the season series played out between the two teams:
January 27th: Hawks 2, Wings 1 (OT)
The Blackhawks showed off their dynamite penalty killing unit in this game, killing off all six power plays the Wings had. Corey Crawford stopped 29 shots en route to the victory, and defenseman Nick Leddy scored the game winning goal in overtime.
March 3rd: Hawks 2, Wings 1 (SO)
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Crawford stood tall in net once again, stopping 32 saves in a winning effort. He was aided by Patrick Kane, who not only scored on a sick top-shelf snipe late in the game but also scored the only shootout goal for the Hawks to secure victory.
March 31st: Hawks 7, Wings 1
In the only blowout in the season series, the Hawks utilized three goals within the first four and a half minutes of the game to cruise to an easy victory. Brandon Saad and Dave Bolland both scored twice in a laugher.
April 12th: Hawks 3, Wings 2 (SO)
In the final regular season game between the two teams as Central Division rivals, the Hawks used yet another late third period goal, this one by Jonathan Toews, to force overtime. Saad ended up scoring the game winner in the shootout, and Crawford made 27 saves in the win.
