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It’s not time yet for the Hawks or their fans to panic. When, or if, they lose a game on home ice, then there is something to be seriously worried about.
That said, Jason Zucker’s goal in OT yesterday was clearly one of the turning points in this series. Instead of going up 3-0 with a virtual stranglehold, the Hawks now hold a 2-1 lead and Minnesota has made it a series.
There was a lot of debate in the aftermath of the game yesterday about Corey Crawford. Both sides of the argument hold merit: Crawford was good enough to help the Hawks get to OT and, once there, he fell back into his bad habit of giving up a soft goal at absolutely the worst time.
Before I weigh in on that—this, I know: until Ray Emery is 100% healthy, Crawford is what the Hawks have. There will probably be more overtime games and Crawford needs to get it together and keep it there.
What the Wild are doing well is forcing the Hawks out to the perimeter. Even during the stretches—especially in the first period—where the Hawks dominated, they moved the puck around the perimeter, got off one good shot with zero net presence or follow up, and Minnesota cleared the zone.
And this is the same prescription Phoenix followed last year. The Hawks need to get a lot greasier, commit to getting pucks deep, banging Minnesota defensemen and going hard to the high traffic areas. The pretty stuff generally works once you wear the other team down.
But let’s now explore the what ifs of a healthy Ray Emery.
One playoff loss is not the end of the world. If Crawford can lock it down and the Hawks beat the Wild in 5-6 games, then there is no need to change.
But this is the second time in this series where Crawford has given up an inexcusably soft goal in a one-goal game, and the fourth time in the last two years. I wrote a blog a few weeks ago where I said the Hawks should make Emery the top goalie for the playoffs—and then Emery tweaked his hip (unofficially)—and the point was moot.
Crawford’s issue is between his ears.
He can make highlight reel saves all game and then kill you with a massive brain cramp when the game is on the line.
So if Emery becomes able to play, it certainly seems worth examining whether he can carry this team—or help carry it. Because that’s the difference between these two. Emery is mentally tougher. And mental toughness matters at this time of year.
Some other things I know:
Barring an epic San Jose self-immolation, the Vancouver Canucks are done.
So assuming the Hawks do make it out of the first round, one major obstacle is gone. But another (San Jose) looks to have taken their place.
The most entertaining playoff series thus far has to be Ottawa-Montreal, and the Sens are on the way to fulfilling my prediction that they would win.
In Game 4 of this series, we see how much character and guts Montreal has—as they were beaten in every respect yesterday. Lost in all the fights and (Senators) scoring yesterday? Craig Anderson, 33 saves on 34 shots.
Finally, I will have a preview blog for Game 4 of the Chicago-Minnesota series tomorrow. Yesterday, I didn’t feel the Hawks lost the game so much as Minnesota imposed their will and won it. Kudos to them and head coach Mike Yeo.
Although the Hawks were outshot, it seemed to me that while the Wild controlled a lot of the action, so did the Hawks, especially in the third period. In the end, Josh Harding gave up two goals, but no soft third goal. Game Minnesota.
Just like last year's first round, where the argument was made the Hawks would not have reached OT without a stellar effort by Crawford—then OT happened. Mike Smith was the better goalie. Is Crawford being marginally outplayed by Harding? Fair question. And one that Crawford still has the time—and the net— to answer in his favor.
But certainly, many other Hawks need to elevate their games.
Nick Leddy and Niklas Hjalmarsson need to be more responsible around the Hawk net, Hawk forwards need to stop trying to be the Globetrotters from the opening horn. That works . . . in the regular season. Not so much the playoffs.
Work. Sacrifice. Pound.
And simply, Crawford needs to be better—he can not give up any more of the soft goals that add a crooked number to the scoreboard and drain the will out of a team.
All I have for now,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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