John Niyo: Red Wings are winning mind game with Blackhawks

There are so many questions that still need answering at this point it's hard to know where to start. Or where and when this'll all finish for Detroit and Chicago in their last wild West showdown.

Wings' injured Darren Helm aches to return but suffers setback

Helm was expected to be the Red Wings' third-line center before injuring his back in the weight room just before training camp began in January this lockout-shortened season.

What pressure? Red Wings enjoy the ride in playoffs

Fun. They all talk about it, especially around the playoffs. Hockey players and coaches seem to think that the best thing they can do, strategically, is to "just go out and have fun." What do they mean?

Red Wings' third, fourth lines add up to success vs. Blackhawks

While the top lines for the Red Wings and Blackhawks have played even in the first three games of the series, the bottom two lines is where the Red Wings have had a clear edge, particularly during Monday's 3-1 victory.

Blackhawks in need of a wake-up call

Only two times during the regular season did the Blackhawks lose back-to-back games in regulation. Three games into the Western Conference semifinals, the Blackhawks find themselves in the same position, with the Red Wings holding a 2-1 series lead.

Tuesday's NHL roundup: Sharks knot series with Kings

Brent Burns helped San Jose jump off to a fast start with his second goal of the postseason and the Sharks tied their second-round series against Los Angeles at two games with a 2-1 victory over the Kings in Game 4 on Tuesday night.

Video: Talking Red Wings -- at 100-plus mph

IndyCar driver Simona de Silvestro was on Belle Isle, giving media members rides around the race course. So when hurtling around curves at speeds in excess of 100 mph, what better time to address a touchy subject?

Bob Wojnowski: Red Wings hitting Blackhawks like they mean it, grab series lead

If it moved, the Red Wings hit it. If it bounced, they chased it. The Blackhawks kept passing and pressuring, and the Red Wings kept pressing and pressing, slamming bodies and pursuing pucks.

Avalanche mum on report Patrick Roy may be next coach

Roy's younger brother, Stephane Roy, posted a Facebook note late Monday night saying his brother would be the new coach. Stephane Roy later told The Denver Post: "They're discussing the final details of an arrangement."

Gregg Krupa: Underdog Red Wings look like top dogs in taking 2-1 lead

Well, what do you think of the Red Wings now? Clear underdogs in consecutive series in the Stanley Cup playoffs, they took a 2-1 lead on the mighty Blackhawks on Monday, with a big 3-1 win, having already dispatched the Ducks.

Red Wings Jakub Kindl seized chance when it came

This is the way Jakub Kindl envisioned it. Hours from the start of a critical game, he's playing an important role ... As a regular.

Second-period flurry powers Red Wings to 2-1 lead in series

Goals 31 seconds apart by Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller in the second period and Pavel Datsyuk's key tally in third period Monday propelled the Red Wings to a 3-1 victory.

Jonathan Toews continues to miss the mark for Blackhawks

Chicago captain Jonathan Toews insists he's not going to be bothered by the fact that through eight playoff games, he has yet to score a goal.

Red Wings penalty killers go distance in Game 3

They seemed like they were on the ice forever, and the Blackhawks kind of were. The Blackhawks had a power play near the start of the second period Monday, and though they didn't score, they continued to control the puck.

Viktor Stalberg returns for Blackhawks, is denied key goal

After watching their Western Conference semifinals series with the Red Wings go from what appeared to be a breeze to a battle almost overnight, the Blackhawks were looking for more speed headed into Game 3 on Monday.

Wings, Blackhawks on heat alert despite The Joe's rep for excellent ice

It was a common refrain around Joe Louis Arena on Monday as the Red Wings and Blackhawks prepared for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals: The ice in Detroit is among the best in the league.

Red Wings gird for 'response' from Blackhawks in key game tonight

After crushing the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 Saturday in Game 2, the Red Wings entertain the Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena on Monday night expect a different Chicago team from the one they played Saturday afternoon.

Wings' Damien Brunner sees big hockey gains in native Switzerland

There will be plenty of dinners to pay off in the days ahead for forward Damien Brunner. You see, Brunner's native country of Switzerland was defeated Sunday in the finals of the world championships by Sweden 5-2.

Viktor Stalberg returns, looking for mismatches in Red Wings' defense

Viktor Stalberg will be back in the lineup after sitting out the first two games as a healthy scratch. The only question just hours before faceoff, however, was who was coming out of the lineup.

Bob Wojnowski: Once-grizzled Wings proving youth is served in postseason

In between the hyperbolic extremes, the Wings are finding rejuvenation and balance, and a whole lot of energy. They come churning into Joe Louis Arena tonight brimming with possibilities that keep growing, and you can bet the crowd will be amped.

Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg's leadership is understated, but undeniable

Zetterberg is traversing one of the toughest seasons a captain of the Red Wings has faced, arguably in decades.

Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk reaches semifinals of 'NHL 14' cover vote

Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk defeated Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul in the quarterfinals of fan voting to be featured on the cover of the EA Sports video game "NHL 14."

Damien Brunner finds a home on Red Wings' third line

With four goals in the playoffs, and goals in both games in this series against Chicago, Brunner has been a key figure for the Red Wings offensively. The line of Brunner, Joakim Andersson and Gustav Nyquist has been a revelation.

Game 3 keys: Wings' Howard vs. Blackhawks' Crawford an intriguing subplot

Keep an eye on the goaltending matchup between Jimmy Howard and Chicago's Corey Crawford. Howard was sharp in Game 2, and though certainly not peppered with shots (only 20), he made a key stop when needed.

John Niyo: Red Wings get under the Blackhawks' skin -- and right back in the series

They found their legs. And then they used them. Again and again, shift after shift, the Red Wings did, pulling together until they'd pulled even, skating away with Game 2 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

What they're saying: Red Wings vs. Blackhawks

What some writers are saying about the Red Wings-Blackhawks series after two games.

Saturday's Game 5 in Wings-Blackhawks series starts at 8 p.m.

Saturday's Game 5 of the Red Wings-Blackhawks Western Conference semifinal series will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time. The game is in Chicago and will be televised by NBC.

Niklas Kronwall's younger brother captains Sweden to 9th world hockey crown

Staffan Kronwall, 30, captained Team Sweden, which became the first team to win the world title on home ice since the Soviet Union in'86. Vancouver's Henrik Sedin had two goals and an assist in the gold-medal game win over Switzerland.

Sunday's NHL playoffs roundup: Sens beat Pens in 2nd OT

Ottawa —Colin Greening wore six stitches on his left cheek, and a wide smile, after Ottawa's double overtime playoff victory against Pittsburgh.

Red Wings dominate Blackhawks to tie up series

The Red Wings had 30 shots on net and limited Chicago to 20 on Saturday. That was a reversal from Game 1 (42-21 Chicago edge), as was the fact the Red Wings were the stronger team as the game progressed.