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The stage is set for an epic clash at the sunset of the old NHL Central Division.

Game 6 of the Hawks-Wings Western Conference Semi-Final is basically for all the marbles. The Wings win, the Hawks break out the Callaways. The Hawks win, and force a Game 7 back in Chicago with all the momentum and home ice in their favor.

On paper, this game looks like it should be a win for the Wings. They've been dominant on home ice thus far in the series, and now their backs are to the wall.

One of those factors could be an advantage (home ice and last change), the other probably not (both teams have their backs to the wall, and, it can be argued, moreso for the Hawks).

Detroit head coach Mike Babcock had really no answer in Game 5 for the Hawks' juggled lines, which featured Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane reunited with Jonathan Toews for really the first time since 2011, when that was one of the best lines in the NHL, and a power line of Marian Hossa, Michal Handzus and Bryan Bickell. But with the last change, he will have more flexibility to match up as he would like.

Regardless, and in reality, I think the Hawks have a very good chance to win this game. And here's why:

1) It's all about Detroit's defense

In the Hawks' fairly dominant game 1 and Game 5 wins, they put maximum forecheck pressure on the Wings' defense and it paid huge dividends. Toward the end of Game 5, the entire Wing lineup looked very tired and Niklas Kronwall took what appeared to be a fairly serious shoulder injury. The new Hawk lines, especially the two mentioned above, are cobbled together to maintain offensive zone pressure. Both Handzus and Toews are 55% or better faceoff guys. Few players jump clearing passes better than Hossa or Sharp, as evidenced in Game 5 especially.

2) Kronwall isn't 100%, maybe not close to it.

In spite of the fact he took a ten second shift after getting demolished by Bryan Bickell (on a clean hit), and sat on the bench the remainder of the game, Kronwall was clearly in serious distress. Kronwall is a tough cat as far as pain goes evidently (and kudos to him for that), and he is going to play somehow, some way in game 6, unless his arm is falling off. But the last thing master mindgamer Mike Babcock wants is for the Hawks (or a possible WCF opponent) to smell blood in the water with his best defenseman. So all those buying the claims Kronwall is "OK' coming out of Detroit, caveat emptor. There is almost zero chance Babcock or the Wings are going to say anything but that—regardless of the severity of the injury. At least two Hawk forwards are playing with injuries that will require surgery in the offseason. Is the team talking about it? Fat chance.

3) The Hawk fourth line

It wasn't discussed much after Game 5, but Quenneville had the new fourth line of Marcus Kruger, Dave Bolland and Michal Frolik out against Pavel Datsyuk and Justin Abdelkader quite a bit in game 5. Bolland took a dumb penalty late in the game, but he Abdelkeder-ed Abdelkader—he got under his skin. If Joel Quenneville can get this line out against either Datsyuk or Zetterberg with some regularity, it's a plus for the Hawks as all three of these forwards are proven excellent defenders with a lot of energy. Even Datsyuk looked very tired toward the end of Game 5.

4) If there is momentum, the Hawks have it

They didn't just win Game 5, they dominated. Likely the Wings are going to come out with a lot of jump—guaranteed in fact—in game 6. The challenge for the Hawks is not to give up the first goal or two. Withstand the surge, but also skate hard from the word go and let their speed, and probably fresher legs at this point carry them as the game wears on. A few more big hits like those delivered in game 5 would not hurt the cause either.

This is what hockey is all about. Can't wait,


JJ

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