It's the same narrative that's played out through so many playoff series over the last several seasons.
The Blackhawks will stagnate and struggle through games 1-4 of a series, Joel Quenneville will make some adjustments and turn the tide dramatically in Chicago's favor.
But it's never seemed quite so dramatic as it has in this first round series vs. the St. Louis Blues.
After Game 4, when the Hawks went down 3-1, many lamented the questionable personnel decisions made throughout the season and the offseason prior by GM Stan Bowman and Quenneville. it would be mercurial, if not hypocritical, to say now everything's changed.
But two moves Bowman did make, and two players acquired on those moves who have played their way into Quenneville's favor, have once up big in games 5 and 6: Richard panic and Dale Weise.
Panik, last night's first star, bears all the earmarks of an effective NHL power forward. he has a few rough edges to his game but he is improving almost game by game and was a force last night. Acquired from Toronto for Jeremy Morin, Panik may go down as a big-time steal for Bowman. The price for Weise was higher—a good young center in Philip Danault—but you have to give to get.
Before settling in and really finding an effective age last night, the Hawks made a few huge mistakes early on and stoked the Blues to a 3-1 lead. Granted, the Blues are a very good team and they are going to get their chances and goals.
But by inserting, then re-inserting Panik on Jonathan Toews' line, Quenneville has hit on something, Panik's speed and disruption are something that has been missing on Toews' left flank since the departure of Brandon Saad last summer. And it probably isn't hurting (the Hawks anyway) for Panik to also deliver a few gigantic hits.
The line of Marcus Kruger, Marian Hossa and Andrew Ladd has been outstanding at both ends of the ice.
And the defense was good enough in the second and third periods last night.
So what does this all bode for Game 7. I expressed before Game 6, that if the Hawks won and could force Game 7, the smart money would be on them. I still believe that, perhaps a bit more. Judging by some comments from Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo prior to game 6, I think there is a degree to which some of the Blues could be accused of a bit of overconfidence prior to that game. That has to have changed.
This is not the same Chicago team that struggled mightily in Games 1-4. Brian Elliott is back to human.
Chicago has won road Game 7's before.
And the Blues have to have the "here we go again" feeling.
Nor, however, should the Hawks or their fans assume victory in St. Louis. It will be a battle for sure. The Blues will leave it all out on the ice. The Hawks still have a couple of weaknesses that can be exploited. Just remember the feeling at the ned of the first period last night.
But what a series. And what a Game 7 it should be.
I'll be back with more before then.
JJ
FOB (good peeps, good reads)
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