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“Nice use of weasel words, JJ.…
Well, seriously, it is a “may… as opposed to a “will.… If the Blues win tonight, then yes, the series hinged on Game 4. They go back to St. Louis with a 3-1 lead and a stranglehold on the series the Hawks are unlikely to escape from.
If the Hawks win, well then they’ve just maintained serve, and it’s a best of three, with two of those games in St. Louis.
But I will submit, if the Hawks win convincingly, gain some confidence and momentum, then their chances are very good for Game 5 in St. Louis—the same arena where they nearly won Games 1 and 2.
Corey Crawford came up huge in his Game 3 shutout. He will probably need to do so tonight.
There’s good news and bad news when two of your best players are Ben Smith and Sheldon Brookbank. But let’s focus on the good news, those guys are contributing hugely while everyone waits for Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad’s luggage to arrive.
David Backes might return from concussion symptoms tonight for St. Louis. The dual X factors are if he returns and how well he plays.
Having blogged this Hawk club since 2009, there are few players outside maybe Alex Burrows who this group of Hawks seem to get their hate up for more than Backes. The point being, I doubt the Hawks will show him any mercy or special consideration—beyond lighting him up if given the chance.
So Backes, if he plays, will have to contend with any lingering symptoms he might have—and the need to be constantly aware of red sweaters around him.
The Hawks conversely, need to keep their emotions in check if Backes plays. There are many other ways they can get burned beyond the Blues captain.
This should be a great game. Back with a recap tomorrow.
JJ