Sharp snaps shootout shortfall

DETROIT - Even the best goal scorers can struggle in the glare of a shootout.

Just ask Patrick Sharp.

While he is tied with Jonathan Toews for second on the team in goals with 16, Sharp was 1-for-6 in shootouts before connecting Sunday in the fourth round to give the Blackhawks a 4-3 win over the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.

Sharp had tried dekes, shots and backhanders - mostly without success.

"In the past, I just did too much thinking, that's it, too many moves," Sharp said. "It's late in the game and the ice, even though they clean it off, it's still not great ice. It's best to go down there and get a quality shot off. That's what I was thinking today and the play just opened up."

Needing to score to win the game, Sharp came down quickly on Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard, made a small move right and fired a shot into the top of the net.

"I wanted to get a good shot off, that's for sure," Sharp said. "It just seemed the closer I got to the net, the goaltender was out a little bit so I had some decent speed and went around him. I just wanted to shoot first and worry about making a move later."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville uses Sharp in the fourth spot after Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. Quenneville hasn't thought about moving Sharp out of the cleanup four-hole despite the winger's struggles in shootouts.

"We have confidence in him," Quenneville said.

Showing respect: The Hawks have won three in a row from the Red Wings, lead the season series 3-1 and moved 16 points ahead of them in the Central Division standings.

All of that means nothing to Patrick Kane right now.

"I still think they're the team to beat until proven otherwise in the playoffs," Kane said.

Fight card: Kris Versteeg's first-period fight with Patrick Eaves was the second of his NHL career.

Versteeg's first scrap was with Kyle Turris of Phoenix on Dec. 7, 2008. Versteeg fought five times in the American Hockey League during the 2007-08 season.

The fight with Eaves was a wild one, with both players landing good shots.

"That was a good fight," Joel Quenneville said. "I think everybody doesn't mind watching the odd fight here and there. It was a couple guys that don't engage a lot, but it was very entertaining."

Make it happen: The Detroit News reported Sunday the possibility of the Red Wings and Pistons becoming partners to build a new arena in downtown Detroit.

Joe Louis Arena, the Red Wings' home since 1979, is one of the most run-down arenas in the NHL with good sightlines being its only saving grace.

The newspaper reported the Wings are facing more than $10 million in structural repair at Joe Louis this summer and that owners Mike and Marian Ilitch have not renewed their lease beyond this season.

Tip-ins: Duncan Keith's assist on Patrick Sharp's second period goal gave him 44 points, tying his career high set last season, with 33 games still to play. - Dustin Byfuglien and Brent Sopel both returned to the game after leaving briefly with injuries. Sopel, who appeared to hurt his left arm or shoulder, will be re-evaluated today in Ottawa.