On the same day at the Preakness Stakes, the Blackhawks were off to the races early against the Detroit Red Wings.

Unfortunately, much like a race horse, they were spent for the afternoon after the first initial sprint, and got out-skated and out-worked the rest of the game.

Patrick Sharp got a breakaway late in the third. After getting Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard to commit to defending him, Sharp passed it across the ice via Michael Handzus to Patrick Sharp. Howard lunged across the goal, but couldn't stop the Blackhawks sniper making it 1-0, 5:55 into the first.

Detroit was committed to defense after a poor showing in game 1, and displayed better pas...

There was a feeling in the building that the first round series vs. the Wild lacked. It was an energy that was nearly palatable, fueled by the rivalry that is the deepest in the NHL: tonight's game marked the 800th between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings, the most between any two teams in the league.

The two teams looked near-equal in the first. Chicago looked like they were getting their game feet back under themselves after nearly a week off; while Detroit was still fresh off their series vs. Anaheim. Shots on goal were nearly even; the Blackhawks gave the Red Wings two power plays while only gaining one of their own; and the two teams got out of the period tied a...

With Pittsburgh beating Ottawa 4 - 1 and Los Angeles beating San Jose 2 - 0 last night, The Checking Line: Isles Edition will take a look into the other two semifinal series. (Photo Credit: Torch Creative)

In what could be a preliminary look at the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Detroit Red Wings for the last time during the regular season this year. In their previous three meetings the Blackhawks have prevailed in all of them.

The previous encounters between these teams have been classic tight defensive tilts that could have swung either way. Their last meeting however, was a complete whitewashing by the Blackhawks when they won 7-1 at the Joe. This will provide sufficient motivation for Detroit to come out flying coupled with the fact that they are still fighting for their playoff lives.

Detroit is currently in t...