NHL: Chicago 4, Detroit 3 (OT)

CHICAGO, May 22 (UPI) -- Patrick Sharp scored his second goal of the game 1:52 into overtime Friday, giving Chicago a vital 4-3 victory over Detroit in the Western Conference finals.

The Blackhawks let a three-goal lead disappear in the second period, but fought back to cut their series deficit to 2-1. Chicago will try to even things up when it hosts Game 4 Sunday.

Chicago appeared in complete control as the game neared the final five minutes of the second period, but before the stanza was over Detroit had tied it on goals by Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski and Jonathan Ericsson.

Blackhawks goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin was replaced at the end of the second period by Cristobal Huet and he was perfect the rest of the way while stopping six shots.

Sharp opened the scoring for Chicago midway through the first on the power play, Andrew Ladd added a goal 65 seconds later and Samuel Pahlson tipped in a shot by Duncan Keith during the opening minute of the second period.

Chris Osgood then settled down and made 26 saves, but he could not stop a quick shot from Sharp in overtime that left Detroit with a 3-3 road record in these playoffs. The Red Wings have lost only one post-season game at home this year.

Chicago and Detroit are meeting in the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. The Red Wings are two victories away from having a shot at their second straight Stanley Cup title.