Red Wings Lose Howard, Kindl, Game

The Detroit Red Wings had a hat trick of losses Sunday afternoon. Defenseman Jakub Kindl left the game in the first period with what the team called an upper-body injury. Goaltender Jimmy Howard did not take to the ice for the second period with an unspecified lower-body injury. Then the remnants of the team dropped a 2-1 decision to the Chicago Blackhawks.

The loss was the first of the season at Joe Louis Arena for Detroit backup goalie Joey MacDonald and ended his personal winning streak at seven games. He has lost both games in which he’s appeared but did not start.

The Blackhawks opened the game’s scoring on the power play, just 3:17 in. Patrick Sharp’s shot from just in side the left point deflected off Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall’s skate and past Howard to give Chicago the early 1-0 lead.

Kronwall answered back for the Red Wings at 6:03 of the period. Darren Helm gained the Blackhawks’ zone, jumping around Patrick Kane before circling back as the teams completed line changes. Kronwall stepped up to the blue line to take a pass from Helm and rifle a shot past netminder Ray Emery.

With 1:19 left in the second period, the Blackhawks capitalized on a Detroit turnover to score what would be the game-winning goal.

Wings’ defenseman Brad Stuart had the puck behind his own net when he sent a soft pass that was picked up by Sharp. Sharp sent it to the front of the goal to Kane, who outwaited a sprawling MacDonald and slipped a shot past him.

The Red Wings would be unable to even things up, even in the game’s final minute with MacDonald on the bench for an extra attacker.

Detroit finished the game scoreless on four power play attempts, while Chicago scored on one of their three tries with the man-advantage.

Howard stopped four of the five first-period shots he faced in the Detroit net before MacDonald took over to stop 12 of 13 Chicago chances. Emery made 23 saves on 24 shots.

The Red Wings’ next game will be Tuesday when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers.

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Both Howard and Kindl are listed as day-to-day by the Red Wings… Detroit was already without forwards Pavel Datsyuk (knee) and Patrick Eaves (concussion), as well as defensemen Nicklas Lidstrom (ankle) and Jonathan Ericsson (wrist)… Forward Chris Conner did not play and was sent back to the Grand Rapids Griffins following the game, having been called up in case Todd Bertuzzi was unable to go.