After Duncan Keith opened the game's scoring, the Red Wings deposited 4 unanswered goals to defeat the Blackhawks. Not counting the empty netter, all other tallies by Detroit were due to unforced errors and poor play recognition.
The first goal resulted from a misplayed blocker save by Kevin Lankinen, the second resulted from Connor Murphy not monitoring the penalty box as the PP ended, and the third resulted from allowing the eventual goal scorer to pinch without hindrance.
Although the Hawks lost, the Predators fortunately did as well which allowed Chicago to stay within striking distance of Nashville being 4 points behind for the 4th seed in the Central Division with one game in hand.
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Starting Lineup
The starting lineup with Nikita Zadorov and Ian Mitchell returning from being a healthy scratch and in AHL development, respectively:
#Blackhawks projected lineup vs. Red Wings:
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 15, 2021
DeBrincat-Dach-Strome
Hagel-Suter-Kane
Kubalik-Kurashev-Hinostroza
Connolly-Kampf-Carpenter
Zadorov-Murphy
Keith-Kalynuk
Stillman-Mitchell
Lankinen
Subban
The countdown to puck drop is officially on.@budlight | #CHIvsDET pic.twitter.com/oJlzEvevOt
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 15, 2021
Scoring Recap
1st Goal: Keith (1-0)
The Cat serves up a slick dish for Duncan Keith!
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 16, 2021
DYK? Alex DeBrincat has 19 points in 13 games against the Red Wings. @NBCSChicago | #CHIvsDET pic.twitter.com/1B3mTwUqGa
2nd Goal: Stecher (1-1)
Stecher's first of the night! 💥#LGRW pic.twitter.com/ajM3vHAIb2
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 16, 2021
3rd Goal: Vrana (1-2)
There it is, @VranaJakub's first as a Red Wing. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/5n9R4hqjUi
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 16, 2021
4th Goal: Stecher (1-3)
.@Vladdy18, @dekeyser5 and @troystecher connect on a beauty! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/3FiejgGiPC
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 16, 2021
5th Goal: Rasmussen (1-4) EN
(No video available)
Michael Rasmussen put the game away burying an empty netter in the remaining minute and a half of regulation.
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Game Notes
FINAL: Red Wings 4, #Blackhawks 1
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 16, 2021
Shot attempts: 61-43 CHI
Shots on goal: 28-25 DET
5-on-5 scoring chances: 28-21 DET
5-on-5 high danger chances: 9-6 DET pic.twitter.com/cfjWafhdJp
The Red Wings amassed an impressive 24 shot blocks while the Blackhawks mustered only half a dozen. Those stymied shots by Detroit made a difference as Chicago had the edge on shot attempts by a margin of 18.
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Player Notes
Ian Mitchell
Despite a few mishaps here and there, Mitchell had a solid return to the Blackhawks lineup with his defensive play. Not vacating his assignments, he chased the puck less and maintained better positioning.
Riley Stillman
Known as a heavy-hitting defensive defenseman, Riley Stillman lived up to his reputation by using his physicality to separate opponents from the puck and throwing his body around more than in his Hawks debut.
Wyatt Kalynuk
Continuing to trend upward, Wyatt Kalynuk consistently gained inside positioning defensively while also being magnetized to the net as he habitually reset there. He led all Chicago D-men with 4 shots on goal.
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Rockford Updates
Welcome, Champ: We have signed 2021 NCAA champion Carson Gicewicz through the 2022-23 season. https://t.co/xGNUDXhUMh pic.twitter.com/oNEevPGWRo
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) April 15, 2021
Gicewicz is yet another NCAA free agent added to the Rockford mix along with Dylan McLaughlin, Chris Wilkie, Mitch Fossier, and Cam Morrison (he was at least drafted just not signed by the Avalanche).
While diamonds in the rough are always possible, the likelihood that Gicewicz becomes a viable prospect for the Blackhawks is low. Until proven otherwise, he is strictly minor league depth.
Just watched Carson play a handful of games in the NCAA Tournament and Hockey East playoffs- he's a big, strong guy who plays north south heavy hockey, and has a nack for scoring around the net. Not a bad guy to get into your mix in the @NHLBlackhawks organization. #Blackhawks https://t.co/jI1mII3Aw6
— Colby Cohen (@ColbyCohen36) April 15, 2021
See you on the boards!