Jonathan Ericsson News

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.

Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, top, yells his team during the first period of Game 1 of a the Western Conference semifinal against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, May 15, 2013.

Goals by role players Nyquist, Miller help Wings take control in period No. 2, go up in series, 2-1 Wings win Game 3: Freep writers react: Detroit Free Press writers Helene St.

Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard makes that save as Chicago's Andrew Shaw flies in during Monday's game at Joe Louis Arena.

The Detroit Red Wings' penalty killers were gasping for air by the time they got back to the bench early in the second period Monday.

A sampling of what was said following the Detroit Red Wings' 4-1 victory Saturday over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal playoff series: Mike Babcock on home ice: "I don't know if that makes any difference whatsoever.

Zetterberg chipped in two assists and played a gritty, relentless overall game to lead the Red Wings to a 4-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks that ties up the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal 1-1. "Maybe sometimes it doesn't show as well, but he's doing the hard work every night for us," said Detroit defenseman Jonathan Ericsson.

Witnesses in southwestern Virginia say a car has driven into a crowd at a parade.

Nobody on the Red Wings played particularly well in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Blackhawks, but few seemed to take the abuse on social media and network airwaves like defenseman Brendan Smith.

Johnny Oduya celebrates after scoring one of the Chicago Blackhawks' three third-period goals in Wednesday's 4-1 Game 1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

Much more skilled, talented, and every bit as good as their league-best record would indicate.

Now comes the tough part. That would be explaining why Chicago will advance past its longtime Original Six rival.

Henrik Zetterberg's two-goal performance in Game 6 and his two stellar shifts - including scoring the first goal of the game, which got the lead and set the tone in Game 7 - were most valuable for the Red Wings.

After battling until the final day of the regular season to make it into the playoffs, the Detroit Red Wings were not simply satisfied with being there.

Little has separated the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks in a series full of suspense in which the momentum has shifted back and forth and the teams have alternated wins.

The game winning goal from Anaheim's Nick Bonino flies past Detroit's Joakim Andersson, goalie Jimmy Howard, and Brian Lashoff in overtime.

Datsyuk had a tying goal, Zetterberg had a team-high eight shots on net, and the Red Wings rode their leaders to a 3-2 overtime victory, evening the series at 2. Datsyuk scored a goal and was credited with four hits and three shots, with a plus-one rating, in 25:07 of ice time.

MAY 04: Jonathan Ericsson #52 of the Detroit Red Wings checks Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 4, 2013 at Joe Lewis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Detroit lost Game 1 in Anaheim, 3-1, on Tuesday, with the third Ducks goal going into an empty net.

Zac Rinaldo is beloved by Philadelphia Flyers fans for being a rough-and-tough winger that sets the pace with his physical play.