Blackhawks Game #2- Wake Up Call or Warning Sign?

May 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) celebrates after a goal by center Jeff Carter (not pictured) past Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) during the third period in game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks lost Game #2 by giving up 6 unanswered goals last night so was this loss a Wake up call or a Warning sign for things to come in the Western Conference Final against the Los Angeles Kings.

First let’s look at the Wake up call aspect, this to me is total garbage but a necessary excuse coming out of the Blackhawks media blitz after Game #2.  It’s the Western Conference Final why on earth would you need a wake up call? It’s also against the Kings who won the Cup two years ago not a new up and coming team in the first round of the playoffs.

Another aspect of the wake up call is that the playoffs as a whole have been a struggle rather than cruise control.  It took an overtime breakaway goal in St. Louis by Jonathan Toews to put away the Blues in the first round, and a nice break and goal by Patrick Kane in overtime in the Twin Cities to put away the Wild.  There hasn’t been a sweep or an easy series yet for the Hawks so there was no reason to ever “fall asleep at the wheel” last night.

Lastly, you are playing for history! The Hawks have a chance to become the first team to win back to back Stanley Cups since 97 & 98 and you even had Wayne Gretzky calling the Hawks a potential dynasty if they win so was it too much press clippings that put them in a stupor last night? I understand the use of the phrase Wake up call but it is too deep into the playoffs, and too much at stake for the Hawks to have fallen asleep last night.

On the other hand you have this as a warning sign for things to come.  Does this just tell you that the Hawks for some reason haven’t been able to put together a consistent 60 minute game for most of the season and in the end this is what will be put on their tombstone?

The Kings are not going away and to be honest they don’t play their best hockey until they have three L’s in their loss column (throwing out the 3rd period last night).  You can’t start drinking without hearing someone say don’t break the seal, but that’s what it looked like last night for Corey Crawford once one soft goal got by him it was bonanza of goals! Will 2012 Crawford reappear after last night or will the Crawford that bounces back show up in LA.  Did last night put whispers in the back of heads or is it just a blip on the radar to history?

Will the Hawks dream of repeat end because of Jonathan Quick stopping a 2 on 1 and everyone blaming that or will the Hawks man up and finally win a Game #3 on the road? What do you think about last night?

Wake Up Call

or

Warning Sign??

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