DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings got much younger this year, rebuilding with rookies and prospects pushed onto the ice. For much of the lockout-delayed season, it didnt look good for them. The storied franchise used to chase Stanley Cup titles with key players in their late 30s and 40s such as Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull and Larry Murphy. Not anymore. As the Chicago Blackhawks are now finding out, the Red Wings are much better than they were during the regular season thanks to an improved cast of inexperienced players. "Weve had great growth from within, I think the most since Ive been in the National Hockey League for sure," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said Sunday. "That may be because we have a different type of team. We got a whole bunch of kids, so we have a chance for growth." Red Wings rookie Brendan Smith scored the winning goal Saturday in Detroits 4-1 win at Chicago that tied the series 1-1. The top-seeded Blackhawks won the opener by the same 4-1 score. "We knew they were going to come back and play much better than they did in Game 1," Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. "Obviously, we didnt quite match the effort." When the puck drops Monday night in Detroit for Game 3, Toews hopes his team is ready to bounce back. "Theres no time to waste in this series," Toews said. "We know going into their building its even more difficult." It will be even more challenging for Chicago if Toews cant produce as he did in the 48-game regular season. Toews had 23 goals, tying Patrick Kane for the team lead and trailing just four players in the league. However, he is struggling to score for a third straight post-season. Toews is in an eight-game playoff slump that dates to last year. He has just three goals combined in three postseasons since scoring seven goals to help Chicago win the Cup in 2010. He had seven goals the previous post-season -- his first -- when Detroit eliminated the Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals. Henrik Zetterberg had a lot to do with holding Toews without a point in Game 2, an accomplishment that didnt surprise Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard. "Most nights, hes the best player on the ice," Howard said. "No different from (Saturday), the way he was all over Toews the whole game, shutting him down. Were going to need that for the whole series." The Red Wings would also benefit if their inexperienced players figure out a way to avoid fading into the background. Before Smiths go-ahead goal on Saturday, first-year player Damien Brunner and rookie Gustav Nyquist also scored winning goals this post-season -- in overtime against Anaheim. Teammate Joakim Andersson ranks among rookie scoring leaders. The 27-year-old Brunner, too old to be a candidate for the Calder Trophy given to the rookie of the year, has followed up a 26-point regular season with four goals in the playoffs to match Johan Franzen for the team lead. He also has three assists. Calder finalist Brandon Saad has only one assist in seven post-season games for the Blackhawks. The 20-year-old forward had 27 points during the regular season. Brunner has insisted it doesnt bother him to be out of the running for the Calder, and sounded even more thankful on Sunday that he waited to make the jump from the Swiss League. The 5-foot-11, 184-pound forward was banged around on the ice quite a bit and had growing pains off it, dealing with a lot of travel after his longest trip last year was a 2 1/2-hour bus ride. "You kind of think its not that big of a deal when you come over, but after a couple trips and the hours you lose, especially when you come back home, its tough," Brunner said. "Its really tough." While Babcocks job behind the bench was tougher this year than it had been the past seven seasons with veteran-filled rosters, he relished the opportunity to lead the young Red Wings. "Its the most fun Ive had coaching in a couple years, by far, just because we have a real enthusiastic group," Babcock said. "At the start of the year, we werent a good team. We all understood that, but we buckled down and we got better. Its been fun for us. If you would have asked me before the playoffs, I wouldve told you the same thing. Then suddenly you have a little success in the playoffs -- and its more fun." Discount Nike Shoes China . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Cheap Air Max From China . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. http://www.cheapshoesnikechina.com/ .Y. -- Canadas Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse have another World Cup gold medal after winning the two-women bobsled race on Saturday in Lake Placid, N. Cheap Air Jordan From China .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week. Clearance Nike Shoes . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. DAVIE, Fla. -- Center Mike Pouncey has been ruled out of the Miami Dolphins game Sunday against San Francisco with a hip injury that has forced him to miss five other games this year.Left tackle Branden Albert is doubtful because of a dislocated left wrist. Laremy Tunsil is questionable due to a shoulder injury, and hell likely replace Albert if hes available. Tunsil was limited in practice for the third day in a row Friday.Pouncey and Allbert both missed last weeks game, and Tunsil departed in the first half, leaving the Dolphins with a patchwork offensive line as they earned their fifth victory in a row.dddddddddddd.?Anthony Steen?will start in Pounceys place.ESPN Staff Writer James Walker and The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '