Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Marian Hossa scored a goal and assisted on
two others in his return to Chicago's lineup, helping the Blackhawks beat the
Detroit Red Wings, 4-1, at United Center.
Hossa missed five consecutive games with an upper-body injury he suffered
against Pittsburgh at Soldier Field on March 1. The Blackhawks went 2-3-0 in
his absence and snapped a two-game losing streak on Sunday.
"(Hossa) changes the look and complexion of our team game. He made a big
difference tonight," said Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville.
Ben Smith had a goal and one assist for Chicago, which continues to trail
second-place Colorado by one point in the Central Division.
Duncan Keith collected two assists, giving him 300 for his career, and Corey
Crawford earned the win with 19 saves.
Jimmy Howard stopped 26 shots for the reeling Red Wings, who have lost five of
their last seven games but are still positioned just outside the Eastern
Conference's playoff picture.
Nick Leddy's blast from the left point on a power play staked Chicago to a 1-0
lead at 8:44 of the second period.
Gustav Nyquist tied it on a Detroit power play, beating Crawford on a shot
that deflected in off the skate of Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook with 4:50
remaining in the middle stanza.
The Blackhawks took a 2-1 lead into the second intermission after Smith
chipped in a rebound while falling down with 14 seconds left.
Hossa made it 3-1 during 4-on-4 play at 6:33 of the third period, accelerating
down the right wing and firing a wrister behind Howard, and later set up
Jonathan Toews for a short-handed tally.
A takeaway by Hossa triggered a 2-on-1 rush and he dished to the Chicago
captain, who scored on a backhander with 2:10 remaining.
"I thought we were in a good situation after two," Red Wings head coach Mike
Babcock said. "We were set up and we let it slip away."
Game Notes
Quenneville picked up his 699th win as an NHL head coach ... Blackhawks
forward Brandon Saad left the game with an upper-body injury.
