The Chicago Blackhawks will look to take advantage of their home turf and got up 2-0 against the Detroit Red Wings Saturday at 1 pm ET.
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Via ESPN:
The Blackhawks used a dominant final two periods to beat the Red Wings 4-1 on Wednesday night, shutting down Detroit's leading trio of Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. Datsyuk played more than 21 minutes, but was held without a point and did not attempt a shot after he had two goals and five assists in the first round against Anaheim.
Datsyuk's struggles against the Blackhawks are nothing new. He didn't have a point in four regular season games versus Chicago and also failed to register a shot in the final two. Combined with the opener, Datsyuk has now gone almost exactly 60 minutes of ice time without putting a shot on night against the Blackhawks.
"He's going to be a top player in this series. We know that. They know that," forward Patrick Sharp said after Chicago practiced on Friday. "It's just hopefully we can contain him in some way."
Datsyuk had 15 goals and 34 assists in 47 games this season, helping Detroit reach the playoffs for the 22nd straight season. The three-time Selke winner also tied Toews for the NHL lead with 56 takeaways and won 55 percent of his faceoffs.
The 34-year-old Russian center, who was selected in the sixth round of the 1998 draft, is way more than just an offensive wizard.
"He can come out of nowhere and steal the puck from you and make a play, and before you know it, it's in your net," Toews said. "He's as skilled as they come on both sides of the puck and obviously a tough guy. You've got to go out there and try to outwork him every shift, because it's tough to outclass him any other way."
