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Chicago Blackhawks Blogger •
From 'The Untouchables', 1987:
Malone: You said you wanted to get Capone. Do you really wanna get him? You see what I'm saying is, what are you prepared to do?
Ness: Anything within the law.
Malone: And *then* what are you prepared to do? If you open the can on these worms you must be prepared to go all the way. Because they're not gonna give up the fight, until one of you is dead.
Ness: I want to get Capone! I don't know how to do it.
Malone: You wanna know how to get Capone? They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. *That's* the *Chicago* way! And that's how you get Capone. Now do you want to do that? Are you ready to do that? I'm offering you a deal. Do you want this deal?
Ness: I have sworn to capture this man with all legal powers at my disposal and I will do so.
Malone: Well, the Lord hates a coward.
Among the nicer things posted on this blog since the start of the Western Conference Finals, has been the sentiment expressed by Red Wing fans, recognizing and appreciating the style of play between these two teams.
Well, though the (generally) respectful dialogue between the teams ' fans is definitely worth continuing, that particular recognition needs to end if the Blackhawks are to have any chance to win this series.
In yet another great article by Tim Sassone in yesterday's Daily Herald, Adam Burish was quoted as essentially saying the Blackhawks played the Red Wings' game in losing 5-2 on Sunday in Game 1. And not their own.
And he's absolutely correct. The Hawks will not win track meets with the Wings. Period.
It's certainly arguable they have the speed and individual skill to do so, with players like Kane, Toews, Versteeg, Campbell, Sharp, Keith and Havlat. But they don't have the discipline or rigid systems, offensively and defensively, to compete with the Wings playing that way. And that's why they lost Game 1.
And now they know it. Not only Burish, but Coach Joel Quenneville, Captain Jonathan Toews and other players have cited the need for the Blackhawks to play their game.
And while those less familiar with the Blackhawks might feel they are simply the "Red Wings Lite," and not capable of another type of play, they are mistaken.
When the Blackhawks are at their best, they generally start games with intense pressure on teams in their own end. Granted, that's easier said than done.
The Blackhawks do it through a great forecheck, where their unusual combination of large forwards with speed comes into play. They can also play dump and chase (though one gets the sense the Versteegs and Kanes would prefer not to) as well as anyone. Again, forward speed and size is an advantage for the Hawks here.
Then, they use their strength down low to control pucks, where Jonathan Toews, Dustin Byfuglien, Troy Brouwer, Ben Eager and even Dave Bolland and Marty Havlat excel. Their d-men pinch to contain the puck and dump it back low. They jump passing lines to stifle breakouts. Byfuglien, Eager, and/or Brouwer park in front of the net, and the puck goes on net a lot. It's not the pretty game a lot of casual observers expect from the Hawks. It's work.
And it works for the Hawks. When they commit to it.
Everyone marvels at the Hawks' stretch transition game. Which can be lethal. But I would argue that only works when they establish the above style of play first. As they did in both the Calgary and Vancouver series.
That is the Chicago Blackhawks true identity — though even they themselves might not fully realize it yet. And it does remain to be seen if they can establish that game versus a team like the Wings.
But that, in this series, is the Chicago Way. To the Finals. The only way they can defeat the Wings.
Now, the Hawks know the challenge. Can they rise to it?
JJ
Malone: You said you wanted to get Capone. Do you really wanna get him? You see what I'm saying is, what are you prepared to do?
Ness: Anything within the law.
Malone: And *then* what are you prepared to do? If you open the can on these worms you must be prepared to go all the way. Because they're not gonna give up the fight, until one of you is dead.
Ness: I want to get Capone! I don't know how to do it.
Malone: You wanna know how to get Capone? They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. *That's* the *Chicago* way! And that's how you get Capone. Now do you want to do that? Are you ready to do that? I'm offering you a deal. Do you want this deal?
Ness: I have sworn to capture this man with all legal powers at my disposal and I will do so.
Malone: Well, the Lord hates a coward.
Among the nicer things posted on this blog since the start of the Western Conference Finals, has been the sentiment expressed by Red Wing fans, recognizing and appreciating the style of play between these two teams.
Well, though the (generally) respectful dialogue between the teams ' fans is definitely worth continuing, that particular recognition needs to end if the Blackhawks are to have any chance to win this series.
In yet another great article by Tim Sassone in yesterday's Daily Herald, Adam Burish was quoted as essentially saying the Blackhawks played the Red Wings' game in losing 5-2 on Sunday in Game 1. And not their own.
And he's absolutely correct. The Hawks will not win track meets with the Wings. Period.
It's certainly arguable they have the speed and individual skill to do so, with players like Kane, Toews, Versteeg, Campbell, Sharp, Keith and Havlat. But they don't have the discipline or rigid systems, offensively and defensively, to compete with the Wings playing that way. And that's why they lost Game 1.
And now they know it. Not only Burish, but Coach Joel Quenneville, Captain Jonathan Toews and other players have cited the need for the Blackhawks to play their game.
And while those less familiar with the Blackhawks might feel they are simply the "Red Wings Lite," and not capable of another type of play, they are mistaken.
When the Blackhawks are at their best, they generally start games with intense pressure on teams in their own end. Granted, that's easier said than done.
The Blackhawks do it through a great forecheck, where their unusual combination of large forwards with speed comes into play. They can also play dump and chase (though one gets the sense the Versteegs and Kanes would prefer not to) as well as anyone. Again, forward speed and size is an advantage for the Hawks here.
Then, they use their strength down low to control pucks, where Jonathan Toews, Dustin Byfuglien, Troy Brouwer, Ben Eager and even Dave Bolland and Marty Havlat excel. Their d-men pinch to contain the puck and dump it back low. They jump passing lines to stifle breakouts. Byfuglien, Eager, and/or Brouwer park in front of the net, and the puck goes on net a lot. It's not the pretty game a lot of casual observers expect from the Hawks. It's work.
And it works for the Hawks. When they commit to it.
Everyone marvels at the Hawks' stretch transition game. Which can be lethal. But I would argue that only works when they establish the above style of play first. As they did in both the Calgary and Vancouver series.
That is the Chicago Blackhawks true identity — though even they themselves might not fully realize it yet. And it does remain to be seen if they can establish that game versus a team like the Wings.
But that, in this series, is the Chicago Way. To the Finals. The only way they can defeat the Wings.
Now, the Hawks know the challenge. Can they rise to it?
JJ
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