Brendan Smith News

Detroit Red Wings defenceman Brendan Smith takes a shot from Chicago Blackhawks centre Michal Handzus during Game 4 of the NHL Western Conference semifinal in Detroit, May 23, 2013.

Not just because of the young players thriving on the Red Wings roster, but the fact the minor league affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins are in the Western Conference finals in the American Hockey League.

May 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Dave Bolland scuffles with Detroit Red Wings left wing Justin Abdelkader during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center.

Brendan Smith was elbowed in the face by Andrew Shaw. Daniel Cleary went face-first into the crossbar after a push from Brent Seabrook.

Chicago a In case they weren't aware already, the Chicago Blackhawks now know they're going to have to earn it if they want to get past Detroit.

Henrik Zetterberg and the Detroit Red Wings are hoping for a better showing today in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Singled out by most analysts and fans for a subpar Game 1, Smith scored the eventual winning goal Saturday in the Red Wings' 4-1 victory over the Blackhawks that evened the best-of-seven series at a game apiece.

Brendan Smith netted the game-winning goal late in the second period, part of a four-goal burst which lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks to even this Western Conference semifinal at one game apiece.

In Game 4 against the Ducks, they scored two - one by Brendan Smith to tie the game at 1-1 and one by Pavel Datsyuk to tie the game at 2-2 and send the game to overtime.

Nobody on the Red Wings played particularly well in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Blackhawks, but few seemed to take the abuse on social media and network airwaves like defenseman Brendan Smith.

No two teams have met more times in the NHL 's regular season. Next to the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens , it is the most frequent matchup in the league's history.

Well that sure was fun wasn't? The Blackhawks rolled to a 4-1 Game 1 victory over the rival Red Wings in front of a raucous United Center crowd.

Pavel Datsyuk takes part in the Detroit Red Wings morning skate prior to Game 1 against the Chicago Blackhawks after being named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Award for a record sixth straight year.

This group of Blackhawks - including Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook - has never beaten the Detroit Red Wings when it truly counted.

The Detroit Red Wings' Game 7 victory over the Anaheim Ducks Sunday means they'll get to square off with one of their longtime foes for the final time in the Western Conference playoffs.

But there's no time to dwell on that, not with a Game 7 looming in Anaheim on Sunday against the Ducks.

The Anaheim Ducks had a chance to eliminate the Detroit Red Wings and advance to the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith clears the puck away from goalie Jimmy Howard as Anaheim Ducks winger Bobby Ryan looks on in Game 6 Friday.

Red Wings' Daniel Cleary on playing through pain: Red Wings forward Daniel Cleary talks about big hit from Daniel Winnik in Game 5. Video by HELENE ST.

Henrik Zetterberg made certain the Detroit Red Wings' playoff streak did not end during his first season as captain by leading a late-season charge in which the team won what amounted to four elimination games.