The Detroit Red Wings might not have needed their stars for the last two games against the Chicago Blackhawks, but they’ll surely need them come Saturday when they go for their second straight Stanley Cup.

The Red Wings, easy winners in Game 4, had a much tougher go-around in Game 5 against Chicago goalie Cristobal Huet– replacing injured Nikolai Khabibulin– to win 2-1 in overtime and advance to face the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second straight year, per the Detroit Free Press.

Detroit overcame the absence of Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom with goals from former Blackhawk Daniel Cleary in the third period and from Darren Helm four minutes into overtime.

Patrick Kane broke a series scoreless streak with a goal with seven minutes left in the third period, but the Blackhawks could not muster any more offense, especially without Marty Havlat.

Red Wing fan are heading out to seafood stores everywhere to stock up on octupus:

1. 
   NeverGraduate There is no team in any sport as historically dominant as The Detroit Red Wings. Argue that. 28 May 2009 from web
2. 
   Echoes_of_Lotus OH YEAH!!!! Red wings and penguins for the cup, should be a good series!! 28 May 2009 from Twitterrific
3. 
   ernestde Yeah Red Wings! Time to repeat!! 28 May 2009 from TweetDeck
4. 
   markusegger Brave effort by Chicago tonight, taking the Red Wings to overtime for the 3rd time in 5 games. Hat’s off, but the Wings deserve the win. 28 May 2009 from web
5. 
   MarieB987 Looking forward to rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup rivals – Detroit Red Wings V Pittsburgh Penguins. Go Wings!!!! 28 May 2009 from web

Chicago, despite the loss, was beyond happy with the turnaround the Blackhawks’ program demonstrated this year, capturing many hearts in the process:

1. 
   LarzCRM Three cheers for the Blackhawks & Bulls for giving us exciting, better-than-expected seasons!!! Cubs, Sox… you’re up next… #fb 28 May 2009 from web
2. 
   grantbachman *sigh* nice try Blackhawks. But still, what a 2 year turnaround! #fb 28 May 2009 from Twidget
3. 
   AndrewRoffe Thank you Blackhawks for a magical season! 28 May 2009 from web
4. 
   LegitBallin Goodbye 2009 Chicago Blackhawks. If nothing else, you restored my faith in the NHL. WHITE SOX WORLD SERIES, BABY! 28 May 2009 from txt
5. 
   SFIrish Lamenting the loss of the Blackhawks to the Redwings. They made it much farther than I thought they would. 28 May 2009 from web

Chicago's Brent Seabrook and Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg skate past each other after the game

(Twitpic by @misizjackson)

Tweet This Post