Marian Hossa Beats Red Wings With OT Goal

Marian Hossa came back to haunt the Red Wings again.

The former Detroit forward ripped a slapshot past goalie Joey MacDonald 51 seconds into overtime to help the Chicago Blackhawks take a 3-2 win in Detroit. Hossa spurned the Red Wings before last season to sign with the Blackhawks, where he helped Chicago to its first Stanley Cup in 49 years.

Hossa’s goal came on a 4-on-3 power play after Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg was called for hooking Patrick Kane with three seconds left in regulation. It may have actually saved a point for the Red Wings, as Kane would have had a clear shot at a regulation winner if not for the contact.

Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook sandwiched goals around a Nicklas Lidstrom tally in the first period for the Blackhawks, who moved into seventh place in the Western Conference. If the playoffs started today, Detroit and Chicago would meet in the first round.

Zetterberg evened the score at 2-2 a little over two minutes into the third period, banking a shot off a Chicago player and past goaltender Corey Crawford.

The Red Wings played most of the game with only 11 forwards after Todd Bertuzzi was ejected for elbowing Ryan Johnson five minutes into the game. Bertuzzi backed into Johnson on a check, catching the Chicago forward with his right elbow. Bertuzzi was given a five minute major and a game misconduct. The play will likely be further reviewed by the league and could result in a suspension.

Red Wings, Blackhawks Duel In Central Division Showdown

The Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings enter tonight's matchup at Joe Louis Arena a little beat up.

Detroit will be without starting goaltender Jimmy Howard and forward Pavel Datsyuk tonight. Howard was injured on Saturday when Toronto's Joffrey Lupul fell on his shoulder and Datsyuk has been out since last week when he was injured by Columbus' Rick Nash.

Chicago will be missing scoring forward Patrick sharp and checking liner Dave Bolland. Sharp might not be available until the playoffs and Bolland is out indefinitely with a concussion.

Nevertheless, Detroit got some good news today when it was announced that Johan Franzen will return to the lineup after missing four games with a groin problem. Franzen's presence gives Detroit enough forwards that Drew Miller will be a healthy scratch tonight. Franzen is expected to play on a line with Justin Abdelkader and Todd Bertuzzi.

Joey MacDonald will start in net in place of Howard and Grand Rapids call up Thomas McCollum will serve as backup. Howard expects to miss only one game after spraining his shoulder.

Detroit and Chicago are both locked in the tight Western Conference playoff race and need a win tonight to improve their chances. Chicago is clinging to the final playoff spot by one point over Calgary and two points over Dallas, while Detroit enters the game tied with San Jose at 97 points for the West's second overall seed. The Red Wings' lead in the Central Division has also withered to five points over Nashville.

Players to Watch

Jiri Hudler, Red Wings: The little guy scored the winner against Toronto on Saturday and has really improved his game after a dreadful start to the season.

Marian Hossa, Blackhawks: The former Red Wing anchors the Blackhawks' second line along with former Detroit forward Tomas Kopecky. Both have been a thorn in the Red Wings' side; Kopecky had two goals in his last game against Detroit and Hossa has 12 points in 18 career games against the Wings.