BLACKHAWKS-RED WINGS GAME 7 PREVIEW

Situation/TV: The No. 1 Chicago Blackhawks and No. 7 Detroit Red Wings are tied 3-3 in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal going into today’s Game 7 in Chicago (8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network). The winner plays the Los Angeles Kings, winners of the other Western semifinal Tuesday.

Story line: The Red Wings claimed a 3-1 series lead, but the Blackhawks have won the last two games to regain home-ice advantage. They haven’t met in a Game 7 since 1965.

Goalies: The Red Wings’ Jimmy Howard (7-6 record, 2.49 goals-against average and .923 save percentage) vs. the Blackhawks’ Corey Crawford (7-4, 1.78, .936). Maybe you give an edge to Howard because he just won a Game 7 in the last round on the road against the Anaheim Ducks.

Who’s hot: Blackhawks LW Bryan Bickell has two goals and is plus 3 in his past two games. He has five goals in this postseason, and he’s only a few weeks away from hitting the jackpot as an unrestricted free agent.

Who’s not: Blackhawks D Nick Leddy is minus 3 over the past five games.

What the Red Wings need to do: 1. Less panic and more poise in the defensive zone. The Red Wings have made too many coverage mistakes in the past two games. 2. Keep the traffic clear in front of the Detroit net. Howard has been good in the series, stopping what he has seen. 3. Be perfect on the penalty kill and be even better on the power play. This Game 7 might be decided on special teams.

What the Blackhawks need to do:

1. Release the hounds. The Blackhawks need to start the night at full gallop to get the crowd into the game. 2. Own the third period. The Red Wings try to downplay their goal disparity in the third period, but the truth is they have been outscored badly in those final 20 minutes. The forecheck in the third period should be relentless. 3. Remember who’s boss. The Blackhawks had the NHL’s best record this season. They should play with a swagger.

Fun fact: The Blackhawks haven’t lost a Game 7 at home since the Montreal Canadiens came from behind to beat them 3-2 and win the 1971 Stanley Cup Final. The Blackhawks led 2-0 at one point in that game, but the Canadiens’ comeback was triggered by Jacques Lemaire scoring a goal against Tony Esposito on a shot from center ice.