Posted by Pierre LeBrun
DETROIT -- Dan Cleary had the province of Newfoundland rocking yet again tonight after he scored his fourth goal in three games. With Marian Hossa, Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom still in scoring slumps, Cleary has become a go-to guy on that big line with Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg.
His breakaway goal at 14:06 of the second period gave the Wings a 2-1 edge in a close and evenly played game through 40 minutes. Interestingly, Cleary's goal again came against the Hawks' top defensive duo of Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith, who have been victimized on four goals in the series. Ouch. So far, Detroit is killing Chicago in the matchup of top blueliners with Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski winning that one in a landslide.
Still, the Hawks are in this one.
The shots were 25-22 for Chicago after two periods, and deservedly so. Patrick Kane, held shotless in Game 1, is tied for the team lead with three shots on goal through 40 minutes, and he's been much more noticeable. He whistled a wrist shot just wide midway through the second period.
The Hawks also have been more able to lay the body, with Andrew Ladd hammering Franzen early in the period, which stunned the Wings star for a few minutes. Cam Barker also pounded Hossa off the glass later in the frame.
If I'm Hawks coach Joel Quenneville, I'm telling my young players in this intermission to hang with it, that they're playing well and it's only a matter of time before they tie it.
If I'm Wings coach Mike Babcock, I'm telling my guys the next goal could be a backbreaker if Detroit scores -- not just for the game but for the series.
Should be a heck of a third period. More from me after the game!
ESPN.com Stanley Cup playoffs blog
