NHL: Detroit 3, Chicago 1

DETROIT, May 20 (UPI) -- Jimmy Howard stopped 39-of-40 shots Monday, backstopping Detroit to a 3-1 win over Chicago and a 2-1 lead in its Western Conference semifinal series.

Howard was especially tough down the stretch, turning aside 16-of-17 shots in the final period as the Blackhawks struggled to notch the equalizer after going down 2-0.

Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart in the second period for a two-goal Red Wings lead, but Chicago's Patrick Kane cut the deficit to one with a tally 4:35 into the final period.

Moments later, Chicago's Andrew Shaw appeared to have tied the contest but his goal was waved off due to goalie interference.

Pavel Datsyuk then netted an insurance tally for the seventh-seeded Red Wings, who took control of the best-of-seven series.

Corey Crawford made 27 saves for the top-seeded Blackhawks, who will attempt get back into the series in Thursday's Game 4.