Blackhawks–Red Wings rivalry

The Blackhawks–Red Wings rivalry is a historic rivalry in the National Hockey League (NHL) between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. Prior to the 2013–14 league-wide divisional realignment, it was the most intense rivalry in the Central Division during the post-lockout era. The clubs began playing each other in 1926–27, during the inaugural season for both franchises, and have faced each other in more regular season games than any other two clubs in NHL history; only the Bruins–Canadiens rivalry exceeds them in total games played when Stanley Cup playoff games are included.

History

The series began on November 24, 1926, when the NHL's two fledgling Midwest teams met for the first time. In the matchup, the Detroit Cougars (the club was eventually renamed Red Wings in 1932) earned a 1–0 victory against the Chicago Black Hawks (the team name was compounded to Blackhawks in 1986) at the Chicago Coliseum. In that game, Frank Frederickson of the Cougars scored the only goal with five minutes remaining in the third period, assisted by defenseman Hobie Kitchen, and goaltender Hap Holmes recorded the first shutout of his rookie season. It was the first win in Detroit franchise history, and the first loss in Chicago franchise history. Chicago's first Stanley Cup was later won against the Red Wings in 1934, when winger Mush March scored a goal in a double-overtime game, the first-ever Stanley Cup-winning overtime goal in the history of the NHL.