DETROIT – Jimmy Howard sat in front of his locker for nearly 25 minutes Wednesday morning, settling in as one of the reasons the Detroit Red Wings hold a 2-1 edge over the Blackhawks in the Western Conference semifinals.

CHICAGO – A simple switch by the Blackhawks that sent Patrick Sharp to the top line and Brandon Saad to the second line has earned at least one vocal supporter.

CHICAGO – Everything started so well.

DETROIT – Jonathan Toews always expects himself to be at his best, but throw the Blackhawks captain into a scoring drought that has lasted seven playoff games and the pressure to get the offense going only grows.

DETROIT – Oh, it seemed like such a sucker bet, didn’t it?

TAKING THE TEMPERATURE

CHICAGO – Here’s what I know about ice: It’s a few million years older than I am. It reduces swelling. It’s a pain to scrape off of my windshield.

CHICAGO – The Swede has been freed.

CHICAGO – Mike Babcock looked like a walking advertisement for Sprite as he strolled out of the Detroit Red Wings’ victorious locker room Saturday and entered a room filled with reporters.

CHICAGO – Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews absorbed all kinds of physical punishment Saturday during a 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Marian Central graduate and Comcast SportsNet Chicago freelance reporter Jen Lada finds herself in the midst of hockey euphoria with the Blackhawks pushing for their second Stanley Cup in three years. Lada manages a busy media life while also being a full-time mom, which, despite proving to be a difficult balancing act, continues to bring Lada fulfillment.

CHICAGO – Let’s say you play for the Blackhawks.

CHICAGO – Dave Bolland chuckled at the question about his gruff leader.

CHICAGO (AP) — If you want to stop a Pavel Datsyuk, Jonathan Toews or Patrice Bergeron, it helps to have a Pavel Datsyuk, Jonathan Toews or Patrice Bergeron.

CHICAGO – In 446 career games that have included more than 8,500 minutes of ice time, Patrick Kane has been tempted to drop his gloves and pound an opponent with bare fists.