The stars shined in Chicago on Sunday night as the Blackhawks beat the Wild 4-1. Corey Crawford mixed in 30 saves, giving his team a 2-0 series lead. The Wild leave Chicago with a playoff loss for the eighth straight game.
Game 2 had a much different start than the opening game in the series. The first period was played tight as neither team surrendered anything on the scoreboard.
For a while it looked like the second period would be another defensive battle. Minnesota entered the game with the league’s best power play and looked to do damage midway through the middle frame against a struggling Hawks penalty kill.
Chicago had other ideas when Johnathan Toews scored his third career playoff 
shorthanded goal. Marian Hossa caused a Brian Suter turnover and skated into the zone with no Wild to be found. Toews’ shot was initially saved by Devin Dubnyk, but it bounded off the knob of his goalie and into the net.
“The first goal today was going to be a big goal and of course short handed just extenuates that point,” said Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville.
The Blackhawks used another Minnesota turnover to double their lead. Duncan Keith stole a Tomas Vanek pass and found a wide open Patrick Kane at the opposite blue line. Kane took the perfect pass and methodically launched a wrist shot over Dubynk making it a 2-0 game.
A late penalty against Chicago allowed the Wild to start the third period on the man advantage. Jason Dumba made it a 2-1 game when his shot deflected of Corey Crawford’s glove and into the top of the net.
Minnesota shot themselves in the boot with a terrible line change. Teuvo Teravainen stripped Jordan Leopold at the red line and sent Patrick Sharp into the zone alone. As the Wild scrambled to get back into the play, Sharp deposited a high riser over Dubnyk’s shoulder, giving Chicago back a two-goal lead.
Mistakes played a huge role throughout the game for the Wild, something their coach was perplexed about.
“We didn’t make the mistakes,” said Mike Yeo. “I don’t what team played that game tonight, but it wasn’t us.”
Kane added an empty net goal to seal the victory. Chicago improved to 28-0-0 when leading a game after two periods.
Despite being down two games, the Wild are not out of it. They faced the same predicament in last year’s opening round against the Colorado Avalanche.
“I still feel like we’re going to win the series and I’m sure our team does to,” said Yeo.
Chicago may be a slightly different caliber of an opponent when leading 2-0 in a series. The Blackhawks have won the last 14 time when taking the opening two games. They could just be hitting their tride and playing their best hockey of the season.
“I think it was our best game all the way around,” said Quenneville.
The series will shift to St. Paul on Tuesday night. Game 3 will drop the puck at 7:00 p.m. Central Time inside the Xcel Energy Center.
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