John Niyo: Wings' Jimmy Howard accepts big money for starring role without ego

Afterward, as reporters peppered Jimmy Howard with questions inside the Red Wings' dressing room, the goaltender deflected them all with ease, too. He talked about confidence, but steered clear of cockiness.

Wings' Mike Babcock drives players to succeed with one priority: winning

He spent a good part of the time perusing the scoring sheet and seeming unimpressed. But then he was asked if he still felt the Red Wings "have accomplished nothing" so far in the series.

Red Wings brace for raucous Chicago crowd, fired-up Hawks

the way the Red Wings see it, if they can get off to a good start and keep the crowd somewhat under control, their chances for success tonight in Game 5 are that much better.

Ted Kulfan: Ten questions about Wings-Hawks series: Abdelkader answers the call

Here are 10 questions many fans have asked about heading into either the end of this Western Conference series — or beginning of the next one.

Blackhawks are befuddled by lack of scoring

How does the leader of the best team in hockey explain the Blackhawks being shut out for the first time in 57 games and a once-magical season suddenly coming within 60 minutes of disappearing?

Friday's NHL roundup: Penguins beat Senators, advance

James Neal had a hat trick and the Penguins finished off the lifeless Ottawa Senators 6-2 on Friday night in Game 5 of the Eastern conference semifinals to take the best-of-seven series 4-1.

Bob Wojnowski: Wings one win away from once-implausible feat

This is being decided in the toughest areas of the ice, in front of the net, in their relentlessly grinding effort. And make no mistake about this — it's also being decided in the head.

Column: Red Wings leave Blackhawks gasping, grasping

How does Jonathan Toews, leader of the best team in hockey, explain the Blackhawks being shut out for the first time in 57 games and a once-magical season suddenly coming within 60 minutes of disappearing?

John Niyo: Red Wings have Hawks on ropes, and on brink of elimination

There was the Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg, casually holding the hockey stick of his captain counterpart, Chicago's Jonathan Toews. And Zetterberg simply refused to let go, even after the whistle blew and the referee skated in to separate the two players.

Special teams key in Red Wings' Game 4 victory

One of the main storylines in the Red Wings 2-0 victory in Game 4 was their penalty killers continuing their dominance over the Blackhawks power play. The Red Wings turned away all three Blackhawks power plays.

Gregg Krupa: Red Wings match Blackhawks hit-for-hit to take command

There was much talk before this game, including from coach Joel Quenneville, that the first 10 minutes would be important, especially for the Blackhawks. But the Red Wings were with them every step of the way.

Blackhawks' penalty kill gets nicked at crucial juncture

Through eight playoff games, the Blackhawks were 29-for-29 on the penalty kill. They made it 30-for-30 midway through the second period of Game 4 before Jakub Kindl scored to give the Red Wings all the offense they needed.

Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford outdone only by Wings' Jimmy Howard

After giving up seven goals in consecutive losses, there were some murmurs Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville might be contemplating pulling goaltender Corey Crawford headed into Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against Detroit on Thursday.

Thursday's NHL playoffs roundup: Rangers stave off elimination with OT win

Chris Kreider deftly steered in a pass from Rick Nash 7:03 into overtime, and the Rangers stayed alive in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

Red Wings take 3-1 series stranglehold

The Red Wings are now one victory away from eliminating the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks from the NHL Western Conference semifinals after defeating Chicago, 2-0, Thursday.

Game 4's three stars: Wings' Jimmy Howard shines brightest in win

Jimmy Howard, Corey Crawford and Jakub Kindl stood out above the rest as the Wings' took a 3-1 lead in the series with the Blackhawks.

Blackhawks feeling confident entering Game 4 vs. Red Wings

As the Chicago Blackhawks entered the third period Monday trailing the Red Wings by two goals, coach Joel Quenneville decided his team needed a change.

Carlo Colaiacovo relishing Red Wings' playoff run

"The people here live and die their hockey," said Colaiacovo, who signed a two-year, $5 million contract Sept. 14. "They're real passionate and the arena itself, you just walk into the arena and you get the feel and smell of tradition."

Red Wings affiliate Griffins making playoff run of their own

The future certainly looks good for the Red Wings. Their minor league affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins are in the Western Conference finals in the American Hockey League.

Bob Wojnowski: The time is now for Red Wings; goalie Jimmy Howard could hold key

Now we find out how tight and real it is, how frustrated the Blackhawks truly are, how much higher Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Jimmy Howard can raise their games. The Red Wings are gathering confidence and the Blackhawks are gathering themselves.

Red Wings draw on faceoff savvy to fuel postseason run

The Red Wings, in fact, clearly have dominated the battle in the faceoff circle during the series, winning more than 50 percent each game. "It is important because you want control of the puck," Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg said.

Gregg Krupa: Red Wings must rev up power play to seize series stranglehold

They generate scoring chances against a penalty kill that is perfect, 29-for-29 in the playoffs. But they must convert. It is a crucial issue in Game 4

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.

NHL roundup: Penguins take 3-1 series lead over Senators

Sidney Crosby, Chris Kunitz (Ferris State) and Pascal Dupuis also scored for Pittsburgh, and Tomas Vokoun made 30 saves. Down 2-1 after the first period, the Penguins scored twice in a 40-second span early in the second and added four goals in the first 10 minutes in the third.

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?