Third-period Comeback Lifts Red Wings over Blackhawks

The Detroit Red Wings scored twice in the third period to earn a 2-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday night. It was their fifth win in as many games.

Henrik Zetterberg and Robert Lang were the Detroit goal-scorers. Zetterberg’s goal was his first point in ten games, ending the young star’s surprising drought.

Zetterberg’s goal came 3:09 into the final period. Tomas Holmstrom whacked the puck on net several times from the top of the crease before Chicago netminder Brian Boucher sprawled out to knock the puck away. It came straight to Zetterberg, who put it back into the net before Boucher could get fully back into position.

Lang scored 3:10 later when a seemingly-innocent shot from the slot deflected off of defenseman Adrian Aucoin and past Boucher.

The Blackhawks had opened the scoring with 6:16 remaining in the first period when a streaking Radim Vrbata found Rene Bourque wide open to the right of Detroit goalie Chris Osgood. Verbata threaded a pass through and Bourque was wide open to put it home.

The Red Wings’ power play continued to struggle, going without a goal on five chances, including a long 5-on-3 in the second period. Their penalty kill was perfect on three tries against.

Osgood made 21 saves on 22 Chicago shots while Boucher stopped 27 of 29 shots against.

The Red Wings return to the ice on Saturday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets.