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After losing three straight playoff games, the Blackhawks won one last night, in double overtime, taking Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals 5-4 in double overtime.
So there are a couple of bits of good news for the Hawks and their fans this morning: first, that the Hawks are still alive (obviously) in this series, down 3-2. And second that they might have come up with enough of an answer in game 5 to give themselves a shot to make this a 7-game series, with the finale back on home ice.
I'm not the first writer/blogger to say it, probably won't be the last, but the new line combination of Andrew Shaw centering Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad was simply outstanding last night. The line combined for 9 points and +10 in the game. Saad, especially, was dominant.
Joel Quenneville finally found the right lines to slow the Kings down, keep pressure in their end, and force them to think twice and defend.
Game 5 wasn't a fluke. The Hawks have a shot now.
That said, Game 5 was close and if the Hawks are to win Game 6 (much less Game 7) those will likely be close contests.
Corey Crawford, the hero of the St. Louis and Minnesota series respectively, simply needs to play better for the Hawks to have a shot. While he made 40 saves, some very good, Crawford's pads and glove have been leaky, and he's been fighting the puck for a few games now.
The newly cobbled second line (Shaw's) will need to continue to put the pressure on, because not only were they good last night, it seemed to open things up a bit for all the Hawk lines.
And the Hawk defense needs to be better (it was somewhat so last night), especially around their own net.
That's all I have on a sleepy Thursday morning.
Back tomorrow with a preview of Game 6.
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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