Duncan Keith slashed Jeff Carter right in the neck during the second period of Tuesday night's Game 3 in Los Angeles. Keith was retaliating after Carter slashed his stick. The play did not seem incidental, but Keith was later seen apologizing to Carter, after Carter returned from receiving stiches in the dressing room. Keith claimed after the game that "it was an accident" and he "was glad to see that [Carter] came back." There is no word on whether Keith will have a disciplinary hearing before Game 4, but even if he does, most are speculating that he is unlikely to be suspended.

Duncan Keith played 25:05 in Sunday's Game 2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Keith didn't register a point like in Game 1, but he did lead the Hawks in ice time yet again, Keith is averaging 24:36 per game this postseason, which is more than three minutes per game than any other Chicago skater. Keith also finished Sunday's win with a plus-2 rating and two penalty minutes.

Duncan Keith had the primary assist on Marian Hossa's game winner Saturday. Keith's blast from the point was tipped in by Hossa to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead in the second period and that's the way the game ended. Keith now has a goal and 10 points in 13 playoff games and a plus-five rating.

Duncan Keith was one of several veterans to address the Blackhawks' locker room in between the second and third period Monday night. It's not clear what was said, but it clearly worked. The Hawks were trailing 2-1 after two periods and appeared to be 20 minutes away from their season ending. However, Chicago scored three times in the first 10 minutes of the final period, including one goal less than a minute into the frame. We imagine there will be another conversation or two prior to Wednesday night's Game 7.

The Chicago Blackhawks ended a long power-play drought with not one, but two, goals with the man advantage in their 4-1 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings in Game 5 of their playoff series Saturday night. It was satisfying particularly to point man Duncan Keith. Keith's shot from the point - the Hawks' sixth shot attempt of the series- finally gave the Blackhawks' power play its long-awaited payoff when his slap shot was deflected by Shaw past Howard for a tie-breaking goal with 6:52 left in the second period that ultimately made the difference in the Hawks' 4-1 victory over the Red Wings on Saturday night at the United Center. ''That's what we need,'' Keith said. ''[Shaw] made a nice tip there. But more than that he's in front of the net. It's the screen that we need. It's not rocket science. it's keeping it simple, moving the puck and taking what they give you. We did that tonight. I don't know why we haven't been able to do that before.'' Shaw's goal broke a streak of 13 scoreless power-play opportunities - a spate of futility that was worse than the numbers indicated.

Duncan Keith was able to take some positives out of Detroit's 3-1 win on Monday. "We probably had one of our better game of the playoffs (Monday)," Keith said. "Even though we lost, I think we're going to take some confidence away from this game. I know it's a tougher situation down 2-1, but we just got to go in with the right mentality the next game." Chicago has been given plenty of time to reflect on that defeat, given that Game 4 won't be until Thursday. Keith assisted on Chicago's lone goal on Monday and has six points in eight playoff games.

The Chicago Blackhawks head onto the road and into Joe Louis Arena for Game 3 Monday where they are 7-0-1 in the last three seasons. This record has occurred in the regular season and the Blackhawks have played well again this season on the road as they outscored Detroit 9-2 in winning both games in the Motor City. "We''ve played in that building a lot but everything that happened in the past is in the past," Duncan Keith said. "We're worried about the big game tomorrow. It's going to be tough, whether it's in Joe Louis, the United Center, or wherever. We know it's going to be tough."

Duncan Keith missed Friday's practice, but is still expected to play on Saturday. This might be a sign that Keith is playing through an injury, but he's been averaging 23:31 minutes per game in the postseason. With that in mind, it wouldn't be the least bit surprising if the Blackhawks simply felt that he would benefit more from a day off than another practice.

Duncan Keith has played well alongside Niklas Hjalmarsson since the duo were paired up over a month ago. Keith had played with Brent Seabrook for most of the last nine seasons but coach Joel Quenneville wanted to change the pairings so Seabrook got a new partner in Nick Leddy while Keith and Hjalmarsson were matched up. "I played with 'Hammer' one time," Keith said Saturday. "We were joking around about that. I think it was one game in San Jose, so that's once out of (all or parts of) six seasons, but we played good together that game. For me it's easy to play with him. He chips the puck out, gets it in, it's real simple. I think the fact he likes to stay home allows me the confidence to get up in the play, knowing he's gonna be back. It's not that hard. You just read off of each other. Defense is one position where it's all about positioning."

Duncan Keith logged 23:57 minutes on Tuesday despite a severe lack of sleep. Keith went to Chicago for the birth of his son and then flew back to Minnesota for Game 4 on Tuesday. He said after Chicago's 3-0 victory that he hadn't gotten any sleep since Monday morning. "I might sleep until the next game," he remarked. He finished the game with a plus-two rating, two shots on goal, and two blocked shots.