May 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) gives up the game-winning goal to Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (not pictured) in overtime in game seven of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. The Blackhawks won 2-1 to win the series four games to three. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

As it turns out, having the Chicago Blackhawks down is a long way from having them out. The Detroit Red Wings surprised many in the hockey world by taking a 3-1 series lead, but they failed to put the top-seeded team in the West away twice going into Wednesday night and an emotional Game 7 in the Windy City.

The Hawks had to pass some more gut checks, including the emotional turmoil of another questionable disallowed goal and the wringer that is a Game 7 overtime. But Brent Seabrook was able to finally put away the Red Wings by scoring 3:35 into the extra period and sending Chicago into the Western Conference finals, where they will face the Los Angeles Kings.

No doubt most Backhawks fans will feel they had to score the game-winner twice. With the game tied a 1-1 coming down the stretch, defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson found himself unguarded trailing the play to rip a hard shot past Jimmy Howard with only 1:47 left in the third period.

Yet the officials quickly waived the goal off, and after a brief conference, it was revealed that matching minors on Kyle Quincey and Brandon Saad for roughing well behind the play were the cause. It was an unfortunate break for the hosts, and the call was widely panned by both the fans at the United Center and (with less profanity) by the announcers and analysts on TV.

The Red Wings got the best of the scoring chances during the ensuing four-on-four, which bled into overtime by just a few seconds. But the finish came at even strength a few minutes later, when a big hit along the boards dislodged the puck and left it for Seabrook to pick up. He skated into the Detroit zone and unleashed a snap shot that changed direction off the skate of Niklas Kronwall and flew over the glove of Howard.

It would have been hard to blame the Detroit netminder even if there had been no deflection, as he made 33 saves and kept the Red Wings in the game after the Blackhawks took the lead early in the second period. A three-on-one ended with an excellent pass from Marian Hossa to Patrick Sharp, who gave Howard no chance in scoring his seventh of the postseason.

As they had in almost every game of the series, Howard and opposite number Corey Crawford took turns denying every chance for the rest of the middle frame. But the Red Wings came out of the second intermission with plenty of momentum, and they cashed in quickly as Gustav Nyquist faked shooting before passing across the crease for an easy conversion by Henrik Zetterberg at the 0:26 mark of the third period.

That was all the scoring there would be until the false and real game-winners. In the end, the Blackhawks proved why they were the best regular season team in the NHL, dealing with the only adversity they faced in 2013 with the hearts of champions.

As for the Red Wings, though losing in overtime of Game 7 always stings, it will be important to remember that just a few weeks ago, they were scrambling just to make the playoffs. No one would have given them much of a chance to beat Anaheim and take Chicago to the limit, so the near future of this squad has to look a bit brighter than it did in April.

The game was over when…

Seabrook scored and there were no penalties behind the play. It was a shock to see that shot beat Howard glove side, one made more understandable (though no less depressing) when the slow motion replay highlighted the accidental deflection. See kids? Always put the puck on net, as you never know what might happen.

The unsung Red Wings hero was…

Quincey, and not only for taking the most timely penalty in recent memory. He’s rightfully reviled for his screw-ups, but he couldn’t be faulted for his effort in Game 7, dishing out five hits and blocking several shots.

May 18, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith (2) celebrates with teammates including Henrik Zetterberg (40) after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period of game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Redemption was the front page story of today’s game…at least for one of the teams playing. The Detroit Red Wings gave as good as they got from the Chicago Blackhawks in game 1 and traded a 4-1 victory back to them at the United Center. Several players who were much maligned or just plain sucked earlier in the postseason turned in remarkable performances. Brendan Smith turned in a goal and three shots tonight after playing the goat for much of the last series, Valtteri Filppula scored a highlight-reel goal and had 18:05 of ice time in which he was -NOT- a liability unlike the past few games, and Johan Franzen finally showed some of the playoff fire he’s famous for, after coming into the game with 3 goals and a -7 rating in 8 games. The team that looked like it could have been swept after game one came out and outplayed, outpossessed, and outshot (30-20) a Chicago team that looked surprised by the intensity of Detroit’s play.

The tilt didn’t start off as well as it ended, however. Chicago came out of the gate into the first period dominating and hemming Detroit into their own zone. The Zetterberg line in particular was heavily outmatched by Chicago’s trio of Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, and Brandon Saad. However, it was the second line of Patrick Sharp, Michal Handzus, and Patrick Kane that made Detroit pay. Brendan Smith mishandled a clearing attempt and fell over at Chicago’s blue line, which resulted in a 3-on-1 against – sigh – Kyle Quincey. Cleary attempted a backcheck and did a good job of blocking Sharp’s original pass, but the puck bounced off him and right to Handzus, who fed it over to Kane who made the score 1-0 with his first playoff goal in over two years.

Despite looking invigorated from being scored against, Detroit wasn’t able to equalize until the second period, from a deflection courtesy of Damien Brunner off a Jakub Kindl point shot; Kindl made a great play to keep that puck and send it toward the net – he’s finally starting to show the maturity and patience with the puck that everyone expected when the Wings drafted him 19th overall in 2005. Kindl wasn’t the only recent first round pick to shine in the second period though; Brendan Smith stepped in to join a rush at the end of the period and tapped in a Zetterberg pass to put Detroit ahead by 1 going into the third period.

Thankfully, Detroit’s third period fortunes seem to have turned, as they continued to dominate the game at both ends of the ice and wound up with two goals for and none against to show for it. The first one came off the stick of Johan Franzen, who showcased his beautiful snap shot with a blast that rocketed over the glove of Chicago goalie Corey Crawford. The Mule can be as dominant as any player in the league when he gets angry, so hopefully the ire of that game 1 loss doesn’t leave him for game 3 on Monday. Goal #2 came from another underachieving forward in Valtteri Filppula, who scored an amazing highlight reel goal from his knees to cap off scoring at 4-1. Good game.

But where does this leave Detroit?

The Wings have essentially nullified Chicago’s home ice advantage by defeating them so thoroughly at the United Center, but they absolutely NEED to win both games at home if they want to take this series. I highly doubt Chicago will play this badly again at home, so it’s imperative that Detroit takes advantage of being at home while they still can. Tonight was a big step though, as the team showed that they can stick with and dominate the apparently-superior Hawks.

Thanks for reading, and go Wings! Follow me on twitter: @dzkefalas