Western Conference Semifinal: 1) Chicago Blackhawks VS. 7) Detroit Red Wings

Welcome to the post for the semifinal series between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings in the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. This post will act as a reference for the entire series.

Game 1: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Jimmy Howard for Detroit and Corey Crawford for Chicago. Chicago was first to score in the first period with a Marian Hossa power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp. Detroit tied it on a Damien Brunner goal, his third of the playoffs, assisted by Gustav Nyquist and Jonathan Ericsson. The Blackhawks gained the lead in the third period with a Johnny Oduya goal, his second of the postseason, passed from Sharp and Patrick Kane. Chicago added on as Marcus Kruger scored his second of the playoffs, with the help of Dan Carcillo and Nick Leddy. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-1 with a Sharp empty net goal, his sixth of the postseason, via Niklas Hjalmarsson. The three stars were given to Sharp, Hossa, and Oduya. The Blackhawks begin the series leading 1-0.

Game 2: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Jimmy Howard for Detroit and Corey Crawford for Chicago. Chicago began in the first period on a Patrick Kane goal, assisted by Michal Handzus and Patrick Sharp. Detroit tied it in the second period with a Damien Brunner goal, his fourth of the postseason, thanks to Jakub Kindl and Joakim Andersson. The Red Wings took the lead with the second of the playoffs by Brendan Smith, courtesy of Henrik Zetterberg and Daniel Cleary. Detroit added on in the third period when Johan Franzen netted his fourth of the postseason, with the help of Jonathan Ericsson and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings won it 4-1 on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his second of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Zetterberg. The three stars went to Brunner, Zetterberg, and Kronwall. The series heads to Michigan tied at 1.

Game 3: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan. In goal: Corey Crawford for Chicago and Jimmy Howard for Detroit. Detroit got going in the second period on a Gustav Nyquist goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Damien Brunner and Joakim Andersson. The Red Wings added on as Drew Miller scored, with helpers from Patrick Eaves and Cory Emmerton. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Patrick Kane goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Duncan Keith. Detroit answered with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, his third of the postseason, guided in by Johan Franzen and Brendan Smith. This made it 3-1, the final, with Howard (39 for 40 in saves), Miller, and Niklas Hjalmarsson getting the three stars, while any point earner could take the third slot. The Red Wings now have a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan. In goal: Corey Crawford for Chicago and Jimmy Howard for Detroit. Detroit struck first in the second period with a Jakub Kindl power play goal, powered by Carlo Colaiacovo and Johan Franzen. The Red Wings wrapped it up at 2-1 with a Daniel Cleary empty net goal, his third of the postseason, set up by Valtteri Filppula. The three stars were awarded to Howard (28 save shutout), Kindl, and Crawford (25 for 26 in saves). The Red Wings have pushed the Blackhawks to the brink with a 3-1 series lead to take with them on the road.

Game 5: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Jimmy Howard for Detroit and Corey Crawford for Chicago. Chicago led off in the first period as Bryan Bickell scored his fourth of the postseason, assisted by Patrick Kane and Michal Handzus. Detroit tied it in the second period with a Daniel Cleary goal, his fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Henrik Zetterberg. The Blackhawks took the lead back on a power play goal by Andrew Shaw, his second of the postseason, powered by Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Chicago extended the lead with a Jonathan Toews power play goal, set up by Marian Hossa and Keith. The Blackhawks added on in the third period as Shaw scored his second of the game and third of the playoffs, fueled by Viktor Stalberg and Michal Rozsival. This produced the 4-1 final, with the three stars being given to Shaw, Toews, and Keith. The Red Wings still lead the series 3-2.

Game 6: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan. In goal: Corey Crawford for Chicago and Jimmy Howard for Detroit. Chicago opened with a first period goal by Marian Hossa, his fifth of the postseason, a power play goal powered by Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. Detroit tied it on a Patrick Eaves goal, assisted by Drew Miller and Brendan Smith. The Red Wings took the lead in the second period with a Joakim Andersson goal, fueled by Jakub Kindl. The Blackhawks retied it in the third period as Michal Handzus potted the puck, with a lone assist from Niklas Hjalmarsson. Chicago took the lead with a Bryan Bickell goal, his fifth of the playoffs, guided in by Toews and Hossa. The Blackhawks extended the lead as Michael Frolik converted a penalty shot for his third of the postseason, which he was credited with after a Carlo Colaiacovo infraction. Detroit got one back late on a Damien Brunner goal, his fifth of the playoffs, set up by Pavel Datsyuk and Daniel Cleary. This only made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Bickell, Hossa, and Andersson, while Toews gets an honorable mention. This series will be concluded with Game 7 in Chicago, and is currently tied at 3.

Game 7: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Jimmy Howard for Detroit and Corey Crawford for Chicago. Chicago started in the second period on a Patrick Sharp goal, his seventh of the postseason, passed from Marian Hossa and Michal Handzus. Detroit tied it in the third period on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Gustav Nyquist and Daniel Cleary. The Blackhawks won 2-1 in overtime as Brent Seabrook scored, with a lone assist by Dave Bolland. Seabrook, Howard (33 for 35 in saves), and Crawford (26 for 27 in saves) were named the three stars. The Blackhawks win the series 4-3 and will play the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference Final.

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