|
Poised (In Net) For The Kill |
|
|
|
|
|
Bounces. Officiating. Special teams versus 5 on 5 play. Matchups.
Nonsense.
The Chicago Blackhawks have their Western Conference quarterfinal series in a virtual stranglehold for one big reason. A 6’6” reason, to be precise.
They have had the best goalie in the series thus far.
Scott Darling stopped 50 pucks last night. Many were effortless pad or stick saves. But Darling also makes it look awfully easy, with minimal to no wasted movement, solid rebound control, and some pretty amazing pad saves for a guy his size.
You can argue that things might be different if the Nashville Predators had the services of Shea Weber (and/or Mike Fisher). But to do so is almost insulting to the remainder of Nashville’s outstanding young defense corps.
I become more impressed with the depth of quality, young players for the Preds with every passing game—especially on the blueline, where you want it to start on a championship club. And maybe the Hawks have more firepower upfront. But these games are awfully close; the Hawks are just getting better goaltending, with the exception of Game 2, where Corey Crawford replaced Darling.
And they’re getting some big goals at big moments. Brandon Saad’s third period tally to tie the game last night, and of course, Brent Seabrook’s typical playoff overtime heroics. But Seabrook’s goal probably doesn’t happen without Bryan Bickell blotting out the sun in front of Pekka Rinne.
That’s “Playoff” Bryan Bickell, the one with DirecTV, the guy Hawk fans were hoping (if not praying) would show up.
He has. No, he’s not really scoring like he did in the previous two years’ playoffs, but he is a physical force, delivering a lot of huge hits that are having an effect and creating space and time for teammates.
Someone else has shown up as well. His name is Antoine Vermette. Who picked a good time to have his best game as a Hawk. In the latter stages of the game, you saw Vermette centering Bickell and Patrick Kane, and suddenly Kane seemed to be finding some room to operate. Bad sign for the Preds, good for the Hawks. I would expect to see this line again in game 5.
Other positives for the Hawks last night:
Duncan Keith, 46 minutes of ice time and mostly rock solid up and down the ice.
Johnny Oduya. Strong. That Hjalamrsson kid? 37 minutes mistake free TOI.
Marcus Kruger and Andrew Desjardins. Not just pesky and tough to play against, but dangerous at times.
Michal Rozsival. The Three-Wheeled Jewel Shopping Cart was pretty solid up and down the ice—in his way.
Marian Hossa. 36 years old, still one of the top 4-5 players on the ice, maybe the best up and down the ice, and noticeable all game long.
No one, and nothing, is giving this series to the Hawks, assuming it ends the way it appears it might, with a Hawk win in say 6 games. They are winning it because they’re good enough, with Kane still not over 90%, from the net out against a very talented (especially on the blueline) team.
And thanks to a true Cinderella story, better so far in net.
This series is not over, but the Hawks are in a very good position this morning to take care of business and move on.
All for now, Game 5 Preview next.
Check out Hockey Streams. See NHL, AHL and CHL streamed in HD right to your computer, tablet or gaming device for a small donation: http://www.hockeystreams.com/ref/51981
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»