Red Wings rolling against Blackhawks with Howard outplaying Crawford in 2 straight victories

DETROIT – Jimmy Howard is a big reason the Detroit Red Wings are on a roll.

Howard has held top-seeded Chicago to only one goal in two straight games, lifting seventh-seeded Detroit to a 2-1 series lead. He is 4-1, and is averaging two goals against and 34-plus saves since the Red Wings trailed second-seeded Anaheim 3-2 in the first round.

Chicago’s Corey Crawford has given up a combined seven goals over the last two games after allowing one goal in the first period of the series opener.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville says Crawford has been fine and doesn’t seem to be inclined to put Ray Emery in net for Game 4 on Thursday night.

Crawford won five of his first six games in the playoffs and shut out Minnesota once.