Chicago Blackhawks right wing Ben Smith, left, and right wing Jimmy Hayes (22) celebrate Smith’s goal as Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall watches during the second period of an NHL preseason hockey game Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
CHICAGO (AP) — Patrick Sharp and Ben Smith scored 1:09 apart late in the second period, Corey Crawford made 19 saves, and the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks opened the preseason with a 2-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.
Crawford, who played every minute of Chicago’s playoff run, stayed in for the entire game.
Detroit’s Jonas Gustavsson, expected to back up Jimmy Howard this season, stopped 21 of 23 shots in two periods. Jared Coreau turned aside all 11 Chicago shots in the third.
Chicago’s lineup included 14 members of the championship team, but captain Jonathan Toews sat out (lower body).
Red Wings forward Johan Franzen had been scheduled to play on a line with newcomers Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss, but missed the game due to a sore hip flexor.
Sharp opened the scoring with 3:23 left in the second on a quick wrist shot from the slot. Smith made it 2-0 on a deflection of Jimmy Hayes’ long shot.
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