DeBrincat's hat trick propels Blackhawks past Red Wings

DETROIT -- Alex DeBrincat had his second NHL hat trick and an assist, and the Chicago Blackhawks ended a four-game losing streak with a 5-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday.
The 20-year-old, who grew up in suburban Detroit, also had a hat trick in a 7-3 victory against the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 27. He's the first Blackhawks rookie with multiple hat tricks since Steve Larmer in 1982-83.

"I got a lot of good bounces tonight, but it feels great to do that in front of my family and friends," DeBrincat said. "I never got to play at Joe Louis Arena; that would have been great, but this is a great place to play."
WATCH: [All Blackhawks vs. Red Wings highlights]
Anthony Duclair had a goal and two assists in the first period for Chicago (23-19-7).
"There are some nights where you have a lot of opportunities and nothing goes in, and then you have nights like tonight where you get rewarded," Duclair said.

Anton Forsberg made 23 saves in Chicago's first win since Jan. 12, a 2-1 victory against the Winnipeg Jets.
"It's been a long time since we've won a game, so this feels pretty good," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "I thought we did some good things in the last couple games without getting a win, so maybe we've turned a corner of sorts."
Petr Mrazek made 17 saves for Detroit (19-21-8) in relief of Jimmy Howard, who allowed three goals on nine shots.
"We can take a few days off for the All-Star break, but we've got to be ready to win games when we get back," Mrazek said. "We saw what (the Colorado Avalanche) did with that 10-game winning streak, so we know it is possible."

The Red Wings are 2-5-1 in their past eight games, including a five-game losing streak at home (0-4-1).
"Our home record isn't good enough, which means we have to try to win every game on the road," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "That's tough to do."
The Blackhawks took control with three goals in the first 8:47.
DeBrincat gave Chicago a 1-0 lead at 3:19 with his 15th goal of the season. His shot from the high slot hit Niklas Kronwall's stick and deflected past Howard.
Duclair made it 2-0 at 5:43 when he took a pass from DeBrincat and beat Howard with a wrist shot for his 10th goal and first with Chicago after being traded from the Arizona Coyotes on Jan. 10.

Vinnie Hinostroza kept the puck on a 2-on-1 break with Duclair and put a wrist shot past Howard to make it 3-0 at 8:47.
Howard was pulled after Hinostroza's goal, the shortest start of his NHL career. Howard has allowed 14 goals in four straight losses.
Blashill started Howard after Mrazek played Monday and Tuesday.
"I thought Petr was fine Tuesday night against New Jersey, and if he had been great, he would have started tonight," Blashill said. "Over the course of the season though, Jimmy has outplayed him."
DeBrincat made it 4-0 at 11:31 of the second after a give-and-go with Jonathan Toews.
Anthony Mantha ended Forsberg's bid for his first NHL shutout with a power-play goal at 16:09 of the third period.

DeBrincat completed the hat trick with an empty-net goal at 19:41, and saw several hats hit the ice despite being a visiting player.
"I think those were from my family and some friends that didn't tell me they were coming," he said. "I don't think most of the fans wanted to throw their hats."

Goal of the game

DeBrincat's second goal at 11:31 of the second period.

Save of the game

Forsberg's glove save against Martin Frk at 15:32 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Hinostroza's goal at 8:47 of the first period.

They said it

"I'm getting a little more ice time, but I'm also getting the chance to play with two great players in Anthony (Duclair) and Jonathan (Toews)." -- Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat
"We had too many guys who weren't ready to go when the puck dropped. That's unacceptable, and it is on me. I have to have the guys ready." -- Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg

Need to know

DeBrincat is tied for fifth in NHL rookie scoring with 32 points (17 goals, 15 assists). … Howard played at least 14:14 in each of his previous 422 NHL starts.

What's next

Blackhawks:At the Nashville Predators on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TVA Sports, NBCSCH, NHL.TV)
Red Wings:Host the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; FS-D, NBCSCA, NHL.TV)