| First meeting | November 24, 1926 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | November 9, 2025 |
| Next meeting | December 13, 2025 |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 837 |
| All-time series | 415–321–84–17 (DET) |
| Regular season series | 377–278–84–17 (DET) |
| Postseason results | 43–38 (CHI) |
| Largest victory | DET 12–0 CHI December 4, 1987[1] |
| Longest win streak | CHI W13 |
| Current win streak | CHI W1 |
| Postseason history | |
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TheBlackhawks–Red Wings rivalry is a historicrivalry in theNational Hockey League (NHL) between theChicago Blackhawks andDetroit Red Wings. Prior to the2013–14 league-wide divisional realignment, it was the most intense rivalry in theCentral Division during the post-lockout era. They represent the two largest metro areas in theMidwest and are only separated by a 280-mile stretch of road, mostly covered byI-94. The clubs began playing each other in1926–27, during the inaugural season for both franchises. These two clubs have faced each other in more regular season games than any other two teams in NHL history, only theBruins–Canadiens rivalry exceeds them in total games played when Stanley Cup playoff games are included.[2]
The series began on November 24, 1926, when the NHL's two fledgling Midwest teams met for the first time. In the matchup, theDetroit Cougars (the club was eventually renamed Red Wings in1932) earned a 1–0 victory against the Chicago Black Hawks (the team name was compounded to Blackhawks in1986) at theChicago Coliseum. In that game,Frank Frederickson of the Cougars scored the only goal with five minutes remaining in the third period, assisted by defensemanHobie Kitchen, and goaltenderHap 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 firstStanley Cup was later won against the Red Wings in1934, when wingerMush March scored a goal in a double-overtime game, the first-ever Stanley Cup-winning overtime goal in the history of the NHL (though not the first in the history of the game, asDan Bain accomplished this feat in January 1901 for theWinnipeg Victorias to bring them their secondStanley Cup).[3][4]
During the 26-year period where the NHL hadonly the Original Six, both teams were controlled by the Norris family. PatriarchJames Norris owned both franchises, until his death in 1952 split the rivals between his sons – the elder son,James was a co-owner of the Black Hawks along withArthur Wirtz, while his brotherBruce inherited ownership of the Red Wings. In1961, the Black Hawks led byBobby Hull andStan Mikita broke 23 years without a title by defeatingGordie Howe's Red Wings.[5] On a visit toOlympia Stadium in Detroit in the 1960s, Hull was heckled by three Red Wings fans who eventually climbed the glass and dangled their arms over it before he hit them with his stick.[6]
Starting in1970–71, the Blackhawks realigned to theWest Division while the Red Wings remained in theEast. In1981–82, they were reunited in the reconfiguredNorris Division, which was renamed theCentral Division in 1993 after the NHL revamped its alignment naming protocol.[3] Seven of the ten largest hockey crowds in Chicago'sUnited Center were for Blackhawks–Red Wings games.[7]
In the1985 Stanley Cup playoffs the two teams faced off in the division semifinals as the Blackhawks complete a three-game sweep. Two years later, in the1987 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Red Wings got their revenge in a four-game sweep in the division semifinals. In1989, the Blackhawks defeated the Red Wings in six games. In1992, the Blackhawks again defeated the Red Wings with another sweep in four games en route to the1992 Stanley Cup Final. In the1995 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks in five games in the conference finals en route to theStanley Cup Final.
Games between the Blackhawks and Red Wings were most notable forfighting.Bob Probert andStu Grimson played for both teams and fought each other frequently.Bill Gadsby also played for both teams. Fans had much animosity for each other, with Blackhawks fans chanting "Detroit sucks!" in every game.[7] Chicago nativeChris Chelios was booed upon his return to the United Center as a Detroit player in 1999,[7] and former Red WingMarian Hossa earned the same response in 2009 at theJoe Louis Arena as a Blackhawk.
In the2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, the two teams faced off in the Western Conference finals with Red Wings winning the series in five games en route to the2009 Stanley Cup Final. In the2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, the teams faced off against each other in the playoffs for the 16th time, and have played over 800 games against each other.[8] The Blackhawks won the series 4–3 after trailing 3–1 en route to their fifthStanley Cup.
As a result of the realignment before the2013–14 NHL season, the Red Wings moved to theEastern Conference'sAtlantic Division, joining fellow Original Six teamsBoston Bruins,Montreal Canadiens andToronto Maple Leafs in the division, as well as theNew York Rangers in the conference (Rangers are part of theMetropolitan Division). Chicago stayed in theWestern Conference'sCentral Division, ending the rivalry between the two teams after almost 90 seasons. Both the Red Wings and Blackhawks only meet twice every season by virtue of being in opposite conferences, and now can only meet in the postseason if both advance to theStanley Cup Final, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHL temporarily realigned the divisions, regardless of conference allegiance, for the2020–21 NHL season in order to cut down travel, with Detroit and Chicago, sharing a division (the Central) for the first time since the 2012–13 season, resuming their rivalry for at least one season for a total of eight games. In the2021–22 NHL season, the league reverted to its 2013–20 alignment.
On February 25, 2024, the Blackhawks retired Chris Chelios' no. 7 ahead of a game with the Red Wings. That night also markedPatrick Kane's first appearance in Chicago's United Center as a visiting player. In a rare peaceful moment between the two rivals, Kane was a given a standing ovation by the home fans as a tribute to his major contributions in the Blackhawks' 2010s Stanley Cup dynasty. Kane later scored the game-winning goal in overtime and got another standing ovation.[9]
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