The Blackhawks helped keep their playoff hopes alive as they took the first of three end of season meetings with the Detroit Red Wings on Monday evening on the road. The win will help the Hawks gain a bit of space over the ninth place Calgary and tenth place Dallas. Anaheim, one point ahead in seventh place, had a late game against Colorado.
Marian Hossa scored the game winning goal against his former team less than a minute into overtime on a Hawks power play. The Hawks’ remarkable March run has turned a season that started with four down months into a likely return to the playoffs. Both of the other goals for the good guys were scored in the first period, a lead that held up until the beginning of the third.
Early in the game, Ryan Johnson was elbowed in the head by Detroit’s Todd Bertuzzi, a hit that earned a five minute penalty. Johnson was checked for a concussion but cleared to play later in the game.
The Hawks continue their road swing with a 6:30 P.M. game tomorrow night at the Boston Bruins.