The top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks asserted their will over the Detroit Red Wings, dominating play on their way to a 4-1 win in the first game of their second round playoff series. While the game was tied through two periods, Chicago outshot Detroit 41-21 overall (broken down 23-12 through the first two periods and 18-9 in the third). Blackhawks LW Patrick Sharp delivered a strong all-around performance adding an empty net goal to a pair of assists, finishing a plus-2, and registering a game-high seven shots on goal. Sharps line, with linemates Patrick Kane and Michal Handzus, also had the best possession numbers for the Blackhawks. Sharp had six goals in 28 games for the Blackhawks during the regular season and now has six goals in six playoff games. The worst possession numbers for Detroit belonged to Henrik Zetterberg, Valtteri Filppula, Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson. Blackhawks D Johnny Oduya scored the winning goal and was plus-3. Oduya had three goals in 48 regular season games and now has two in six playoff games. Red Wings C Pavel Datsyuk was held without a shot in 21:20 of ice time. The Blackhawks didnt assign a specific line to defend Datsyuk, so he saw a lot of the top two units, the defence tandem of Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson spent most of the night matched up against Datsyuk. There was only one game all season through 55 games (48 regular season plus seven playoff games) in which Datsyuk played more yet was still held without a shot on goal. That game was April 12, in a 3-2 loss at Chicago. Blackhawks C David Bolland returned to the lineup and played 11:36 in his first playoff action. He had four shots on goal and picked up slashing and roughing minors during a run-in with Red Wings RW Justin Abdelkader who, incidentally, had a game-high eight hits. Detroit outhit Chicago 43-24 but, in a game in which they were so soundly outshot, that indicates a lack of puck possession more than a decidedly more physical approach. It may not come as a surprise that the Blackhawks won the first game of the series on home ice, but the ease with which they did it against a very good Detroit team was most impressive. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Custom Erik McCoy Jersey . Batiste, who briefly signed with the Eskimos in 2006, has spent time with several NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. Ethan Greenidge Jersey .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. http://www.customsaintsjersey.com/custom-max-unger-jersey-large-1232e.html . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Custom Saints T-shirts . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Thomas Morstead Jersey . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety.The year of 2016 was a memorable one for Northern Ireland and Niall McGinn is hoping the next 12 months can be equally unforgettable. Michael ONeills players returned to club duty on Wednesday and will next be back together under the Northern Irish banner in March for a World Cup Qualifier with Norway in Belfast. Northern Ireland were beaten 3-0 by Croatia in their international friendly on Tuesday evening Although they concluded the calendar year with a 3-0 defeat to Croatia, the preceding months brought success not seen for years by The Green and White Army, who followed their nation at a major tournament for the first time since 1986 at the Euros in the summer. There is no reason why we cant make it a great year too, McGinn said.I think the spirit in the squad is obviously high, the players are playing well and the momentum is still there.Weve always played well at Windsor Park over the years so we want to keep that going with an important game in March, hopefully we can get three points from that. Northern Ireland manager Michael ONeill has urged his squad to keep the feelgood factor going Last Fridays 4-0 home triumph over Azerbaijan lifted ONeills team into second but Norway, the Czech Republic and the Azeris themselves will have designs of finishing directly behind world champions Germany.dddddddddddd.The group is obviously tough and if we get to March and win that game it will definitely set ourselves up nicely, added McGinn, who was bestowed the honour of captain-for-the-night against the Croatians on his 50th international appearance. Captain Steven Davis has rejected claims theyre favourites to finish behind Germany in their World Cup qualifying group We just want to keep the momentum going - the most important thing was to win that game on Friday and weve done that.Weve played Germany and Czech Republic away so the most important thing is getting as many points as we can from these home games coming up.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: N Ireland latest N Ireland fixtures N Ireland stats Table ' ' '