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Chicago Mon Jan 28 2013
Blackhawks' Unbeaten Streak Continues
The Chicago Blackhawks are on a roll, having started this lockout-shortened season a perfect 6-0. Win number six came last night against the hated Detroit Red Wings, on the heels of defenseman Nick Leddy's overtime shot past Jimmy Howard in the extra stanza. Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford, the game's number-one star, came up huge, stopping 29 of 30 shots, thus taking his season record to 5-0 and dropping his goals against average to 1.78.
The Blackhawks looked sharp in the first period, while the Red Wings stumbled around the rink, looking to fill the void left behind by future Hall-of-Famer Nicklas Lidstrom, who announced his retirement back on May 31. Duncan Keith got things started early for Chicago in the first period with his first goal of the season. Johan Franzen tied things up in the third, with the Blackhawks beginning to show signs of fatigue. Then, with 2:15 left in overtime, Leddy finally ended the game with his shot to give the Blackhawks the 2-1 win.
There's certainly a lot to be excited about with this team, especially since it has never started a season with six straight wins in its 87-year history. An even-keeled Patrick Kane, the comeback of Marian Hossa, and a deep bench has this team being compared to the one which hoisted the Cup after the 2009-'10 season. Coach Quenneville's team will hit the road, this time on a six-game venture, starting this Wednesday at Minnesota.
Reaching the league's all-time best start of 10-0 ('93-'94 Maple Leafs and '06-'07 Sabres) seems like a stretch, but certainly isn't out of reach. For now, it's time for some much-needed rest before a long road trip, and the final seven-eighths of the season.