The Red Wings have killed off nine straight Blackhawks' power plays heading into tonight's Game 5 at the United Center and helping to give Detroit a 3-1 series lead over the No. 1 seeded Chicago team.
The Blackhawks haven't converted on a man advantage since winning the opening game of the second-round series. "I think we've been able to do some good things, disrupt them up ice and make it hard for them," defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "We know that they're so talented, all they need is once chance and the puck's in. We've been able to do a good job there, I think." The hot streak on penalty kills coincided with the return of left winger Drew Miller (broken thumb). He entered the series for Game 2, giving the Wings three options on the fourth line to use as penalty killers, in Miller, Patrick Eaves and Cory Emmerton. As Kronwall put it, "Millsie getting back in the lineup's been huge for us."

Drew Miller's goal 8:20 into the second period turned out to be the game winner in Monday's 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Miller's goal wasn't nearly as pretty as some of the others scored Monday night, but that doesn't make it any less important. The gritty winger charged the net and swatted home the rebound of a Patrick Eaves shot only 30 seconds after Gustav Nyquist made it 1-0 for Detroit. Miller also logged a shift of 3:15 early in the second period, most of which was spent in the defensive zone and started with the tail end of a Blackhawks power play.

Coach Mike Babcock was very pleased to have Drew Miller back in the lineup.
Miller was out of the Detroit lineup since April 20 with a hand injury before returning Saturday. "I've got three penalty killers now on the fourth line," Babcock said. "Millsie knows how to play in all positions and he can really skate and get on the forecheck. He's not a big man but he's got a great stick and knows how to play, and so he makes us a much better team." Miller's return to the lineup bumped Todd Bertuzzi to the press box.

Drew Miller logged 12:07 minutes on Saturday in his return from a hand injury.
"I felt good," said Miller. "I was ready to go for sure, I skated a lot, and I felt fine, didn't have any issues." He had a shot on goal and a blocked shot. He also helped the Red Wings kill penalties in their 4-1 victory.

Drew Miller (hand) will return to Detroit's lineup on Saturday.
Miller said on Friday that he wasn't 100%, but he felt good enough to play. This will be his first game since April 20.

Drew Miller (hand) believes he's ready to return to the Red Wings' lineup.
"I wouldn't say it's 100% percent, but I wouldn't say it's far off," Miller said. "I think I can play. I'm comfortable with it. I thought practice today was the big step to see how it was. I got through practice and I felt fine and everything, I had no pain. I feel like I was able to perform what I need to perform to be able to play. As far as I'm concerned, I'm available." Miller had four goals and eight points in 44 regular season games. Consider him probable for Game 2 on Saturday.

Drew Miller's broken hand won't require surgery and he's hoping to return during the playoffs should the Red Wings qualify and advance deep.
"I'm pounding the calcium and Vitamin D," Miller said. "Hopefully, I can be back on the ice and skating and be in the weight room to do as much as I can to be ready. Hopefully, we get in, and then I'll do as much as I can to help out and get back as soon as I can." He expects to need at least four weeks to recover.

Detroit forward Drew MIller suffered a broken hand in the first period of Saturday's shootout loss to the Canucks and will miss the remainder of the season.
It's a tough break for Miller despite the fact he has struggled this season, scoring only four times in 44 contests. He's a bigger loss for the Red Wings than he'll be for fantasy teams.

Drew Miller won't return to Saturday's game because of an upper-body injury.
Miller played just 2:44 before leaving against the Canucks. He has eight points this year.

Drew Miller has been playing on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula.
Miller gets a top-six role with the Red Wings struggling with some injuries and the demotion to the press box of Damien Brunner. He has two goals in the last three games with one coming on the power play.

Drew Miller is in the final year of a two-year contract.
Miller will make $850,000 which will be pro-rated due to the shortened season and went over to Scotland to play during the lockout where he scored 15 goals and added 15 assists in 23 games. "This is a big year for myself," Miller said. "I'm up for a contract after this year. I want to give myself any advantage I could to come in and be ready to go when hockey did start. I hope that it pays off. "It's something that I can look back on and say I'm really happy and glad I went over there and spent that time over there." Look for bottom-six minutes for Miller this season and for him to sign a similar contract.

Drew Miller's lockout stint with the Braehead Clan in the UK Elite Ice Hockey League is projected to end after this weekend.
He has recorded 14 goals and 14 assists in 22 games, but will return to North America after playing in two more outings with the NHL lockout looking like it could end shortly. Braehead thanked him for his presence in the lineup on their website.