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National Hockey League
Chicago 2, Detroit 0
When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Referees: Dan O'Rourke, Furman South
Linesmen: Tyson Baker, Libor Suchanek
Attendance: N/A

Philipp Kurashev scored a highlight-reel goal and goaltender Kevin Lankinen posted his first NHL shutout as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the host Detroit Red Wings 2-0 Wednesday night in a nationally televised Original Six matchup.

Alex DeBrincat, a native of the Detroit suburb of Farmington Hills, added an empty-net goal with 57.5 seconds remaining as the Blackhawks swept the two-game series and improved to 7-1-1 in their past nine games. Chicago won the series opener 3-2 Monday night in overtime, the fourth game in its last five to head to bonus time.

Lankinen, a 25-year-old rookie from Finland, made 29 saves to improve to 7-2-3 in 12 starts this season.

Kurashev scored on the power play at 12:03 of the second period.

After Lankinen settled the puck, Duncan Keith skated it out of the Blackhawks' end and passed to Kurashev at center ice. Kurashev, a 21-year-old rookie who was a fourth-round pick in 2018, drove past teammate Dominik Kubalik at the Detroit blue line and then faced three defenders in his path.

Kurashev veered slightly to his right and split Detroit's Jon Merrill and Troy Stecher on his way to the net. Kurashev faked to his backhand before he drew the puck back to his forehand and slipped it between the pads of Red Wings goalie Jonathan Bernier.

Bernier stopped 24 of 25 shots to keep Detroit in the game.

The Red Wings, who had their first two-game point streak of the season snapped, had their best opportunity to score with about five minutes left. Christian Djoos skated in from the left wing and deked Lankinen, with the goalie falling to the ice well out of the net, but the puck rolled past the goal line, leaving Djoos no option but to pass it in front of the net. Detroit's Bobby Ryan found the puck among a maze of legs but slid a backhander off the right post.

The Blackhawks improved to 4-0 against Detroit this season, with four more games remaining against their Central Division rivals.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Chicago   Detroit
Alex DeBrincat 1 Points N/A
Alex DeBrincat 1 Goals N/A
Patrick Kane 1 Assists N/A
Philipp Kurashev 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Kevin Lankinen 1.000 Save Percentage Jonathan Bernier .960
Kevin Lankinen 29 Saves Jonathan Bernier 24
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Chicago 26 2 1-3 3-3 8 15
Detroit 29 0 0-3 2-3 8 32
Upcoming Games
  • Detroit will play their next game at home against Florida. The Red Wings have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .308 after a loss.
  • Chicago will play their next game on the road against Carolina. The Blackhawks have a W/L % of .625 after a win and .444 after a loss.