May 18, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) in the third period of game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center. The Red Wings won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

In the Chicago Blackhawks’ 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in game 2 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals, Jonathan Toews didn’t have anything nice to say about the officiating crew.  According to Toews, the Red Wings got away with several hooks, grabs, and clutches against Hawks players throughout game 2, and were never called for several of them, and the Hawks were seemingly called for every one of those gestures throughout the game.  Toews said that the calls from the referees were not going “both ways”.

During game 2, the Blackhawks were charged with 5 minor penalties, while the Red Wings were called for 3.  Other teams throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs have also complained about the quality of the officiating.  It’s easy to forget that hockey is a fast game, and calls will always be missed, but often times referees will make-up for it, and hand out a softer penalty to the opponent of the team who, was on the wrong end of a missed call.  When several penalties go uncalled for, and are not made up, it can be the most infuriating thing for a player, especially one on the losing end of the game.  Toews was obviously frustrated by the loss, and feels had some of the infractions from Detroit had been penalized, the game may have played out differently.  We’ll never know for sure.

It’s easy to see why Toews was upset, the team he is captaining in the playoffs, lost a home game that they were expected to win, and could have put the Hawks in a very comfortable position for the rest of the series.  More Power Plays for the Hawks would have most likely changed the final outcome of the game.  We also have to remember that no matter what, the referees are humans, and with that human element comes human mistakes.  Those mistakes will always be there, but maybe not always as seemingly one-sided looking, but sometimes that happens.

The frustrating loss, and the non-calls on several Detroit penalties may alter the complexion and outlook on this series for the Blackhawks.  They will undoubtedly be more charged up, and more angry to start game 3.  It will surely be interesting, so stay tuned.

Dec 14, 2011; St. Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville during the second period against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The personal and team accolades for the regular season keep rolling in for the Chicago Blackhawks.  Along with Bruce Boudreau of the Anaheim Ducks, and Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators, Blackhawks head coach, Joel Quenneville was named a finalist to win the Jack Adams Award.

The Jack Adams Award is awarded to the head coach who has been recognized for contributing the most to his team’s success, amongst all of the other coaches in the NHL.  So, basically “Coach Q” is up for Coach of the Year.  Quenneville previously won the Jack Adams Award in 2000, when he was head coach of the St. Louis Blues.  “Coach Q” has the most career wins as a head coach, amongst all active coaches in the NHL, with 660 (regular season) victories, which has him ranked 6th all-time in that category.

Congratulations, Coach Q!

One thing you can count on is Coach Q would happily lose this award in exchange for another Cup!

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Apr 12, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) celebrates scoring a goal against Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (not pictured) during the third period at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in the shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Along with Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins, and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings, Jonathan Toews has been announced as a finalist to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL forward who demonstrated the most skill, in the defensive aspect of hockey.

This is the second time Toews has been nominated for the Selke Trophy, and it is coming off of the heels of a very argubale Hart Trophy nomination snub.  The first Selke nomination came in 2011, when the award eventually went to Ryan Kessler of the Vancouver Canucks.  Toews is likely nominated for obviously his excellence on the defensive side of the game, as well as his time on the Blackhawks Penalty Killing unit, but most likely for his absolute excellence in the Faceoff circle.  Let’s face it, the best defense is when you eliminate any need for it, at least immediately after the puck drop.

The last Blackhawk to win the Selke Trophy was Centerman, Dirk Graham, back in 1991.  Coincidentally, that was the last season the Hawks won the President’s Trophy, excluding this season, obviously.

Congratulations, Jonathan and hopefully he can bring home the trophy in Vegas, this summer!

Feb 13, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Phillips (4) defends his net as Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) looks to shoot the puck during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Penguins had to battle the New York Islanders much harder than most expected, as their series against them went through 6 hard-fought games.  The Ottawa Senators, on the other hand, barely had to battle at all, it seemed, in their series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Series schedule-

Game 1-Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center Tuesday May 14 6:30pm NBCSN

Game 2-Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center Friday May 17 6:30pm NBCSN

Game 3-Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place Sunday  May 19 6:30pm NBCSN

Game 4- Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place Wednesday May 22 6:30 pm NBCSN

Game 5- Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center Friday May 24 6:30pm NBCSN

Game 6-Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place Sunday May 26 TBA CBC

Game 7-Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Place Tuesday May 28 TBA CBC

The Penguins:  

 Arguably, there isn’t a team with as much firepower as the Penguins, in the NHL.  Having said that, the Penguins are not invincible.  The Islanders put up a mighty fight, in what was supposed to be a quick and easy series for the Penguins.  Marc-Andre Fleury was the starting goaltender for Pittsburgh going into their series with the Islanders, but by the end of the series, it was Tomas Vokun, as the feature goaltender.  Although there’s a goalie controversy, the Pens’ can light the lamp like no other, with guys like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.  Pittsburgh’s scoring depth is as good as it gets, and will be the reason they win this series, if they do.

The Senators:

The Senators practically had the opposite kind of first round the Penguins did.  Ottawa was a 7th seed, matched up against the #2 seeded Canadiens.  You would have never known it, by watching the action on the ice.  The Senators physically bullied and outmatched the Canadiens to a 4 game sweeping upset.  The Sens scoring depth is far from a strength.  The top 6 is lead by veteran, Daniel Alfredsson, who will be counted on to provide most of the scoring, as well as be a leader to the young makeup of the Ottawa forwards.  The Senators’ defensive core, with it’s physical style, plus the offensive blue-line production from Erik Karlsson is their biggest strength, especially when combined with the goaltending of Craig Anderson.  

Prediction:

A almost perfect matchup, when considering each teams weakness and strengths make for an interesting yin/yang matchup.  The Senators will put a lot of pressure on the Penguins scoring core, but in the end, the elite scoring depth from the Penguins is unparalleled and should prove to be too much for the Senators potent defensive game, when it’s all said and done.

Pittsburgh wins the series in 7 games.

What is your prediction?

May 9, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) is congratulated by center Jonathan Toews (19) for scoring a goal against the Minnesota Wild during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks won the game and the series over the Minnesota Wild, with a 5-1 blowout, as they advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Wild challenged the Hawks to a track meet in the first period, and although they put up a mighty fight, they ultimately lost.  The Hawks pushed back the Wild assault with some masterful Penalty Killing, especially from Michael Frolik, the Blackhawks PK artist.  At 15:39 of the first, Marian Hossa buried a set-up from Jonathan Toews to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead that would last through the end of the first.

The second period was far less evenly matched than the first period.  The Hawks came out flying, as if they wanted to end this series from the drop of the puck to open the second period.  Even though the Wild got on the score board with Torrey Mitchell’s goal, that goal was sandwiched between the offensive onslaught that was the Blackhawks second period.  Three minutes into the second, Marcus Kruger scored his first career playoff goal, on a beautiful wrap-around.  A few minutes later, Marian Hossa added his second goal of the night, and his 3rd of the series overall.  After Hossa’s 2nd goal, that was all Minnesota coach Mike Yeo would tolerate from goaltender Josh Harding, who was not 100% healthy to start the game, as he as pulled in favor of rookie, Darcy Kuemper.  Mitchell’s goal gave the Wild life and hope, but it was short-lived as Andrew Shaw squashed any momentum the Wild had gained, making it 4-1 Hawks, and it would stay that way to the end of the period.

The Hawks did what they had to do in the third period, and then some.  All the Hawks needed to do was keep the Wild at bay, and just ride out the final 20 minutes onto the next round of the post-season.  They did that, and Patrick Sharp added his team-leading 5th goal of the post-season to make it 5-1 Hawks, and that’s how it would be as the Blackhawks went on to win the game, as well as the series.

Notes-

Jonathan Toews tallied his first playoff point of the year with his assist on Marian Hossa’s first goal

Corey Crawford stood on his head all night, and kept the Hawks alive during the first barrage of shots from the Wild.

Bryan Bickell continued his physical play with a bone-crushing hit on Tom Gilbert.

This is the first playoff series win for the Blackhawks since the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals.

The Blackhawks have earned some much deserved rest, as they wait to find out who they will face in the second round of the playoffs.

May 7, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; The Chicago Blackhawks celebrate against the Minnesota Wild following game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight the Chicago Blackhawks have a chance to officially eliminate the Minnesota Wild from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and advance to the next round.  A win tonight, would obviously been in the Blackhawks best interests, but there is a great advantage to winning a playoff series in such a quick fashion.

1.  Injured players get extra time for their wounds to heal.

Dave Bolland and Ray Emery have been unable to suit-up and play for the Hawks thus far in the playoffs.  While it doesn’t seem like Emery would have played anyways, due to the exceptional play from Corey Crawford, coach Quenneville would definitely feel more comfortable having the experienced Emery, who had a fantastic season backing up Crawford, instead of Henrik Karlsson, who only has 26 games of NHL experience.  

As for Bolland, the fact that he has missed all of the first round of the series thus far, is eerily similar to the 2011 playoffs, when he missed the first 3 games of the series against the Vancouver Canucks. All eerie similarities stop there, however.  In that series, the Hawks were down 3 games to none, and Bolland’s return sparked a remarkable, yet ill-fated come-back, where the Hawks lost in overtime of game 7.  This time, the Hawks are very distant from the desperation they felt in that series.  Bolland is one of those players that seemingly comes alive in the post-season, no matter how his regular season was.

The Hawks would very much welcome both players returns, but there is no rush at the moment, and a a few extra days off rather than playing more games against the Wild, would be perfect for the Hawks and both players recoveries.

2. A breather for the players logging huge minutes, every night.

You could almost call this the Duncan Keith factor.  Players like Keith, who are often on the ice for nearly 30 minutes per game, would welcome any extra rest to catch their breath for the next series.  This also includes any player that has a bruise or any light injury(that we are unaware of) that could be a hindrance, or turn into something worse.  These such injurys would have a little extra time to heal, and that could go a long ways for the Blackhawks playoff success.

3.  A little extra rest gives the Blackhawks a possible jump on their next opponent.

Along with a chance for the Hawks to catch their breath, a little extra time dealing with putting the Wild away, means a little extra time to practice and prepare.  We won’t know who the Hawks next opponent will be until the rest of the Western Conference playoff series wrap-up and the tournament has re-seeded.  The only team that has already advanced to the next round is the San Jose Sharks, who swept the Vancouver Canucks.  The Sharks are doing what the Hawks would like to start doing very soon, which is rest and work out internal kinks.  Until the Hawks know for sure who their next opponent will be, game planning will have to wait, but that doesn’t mean they can’t work on some internal game planning, like the Sharks are doing.  While the Sharks are no doubt catching a breather, they are also practicing, staying game-ready, and working on improving themselves as much as they can in this time of luxury.  We can all agree that the Hawks Powerplay unit is full of kinks.  If the Hawks can defeat the Wild tonight, they will be able to catch that breather, as well as practice and work on their lackluster Powerplay.  Say, the Hawks do in fact defeat the Wild tonight, and use the extra time off to work on fixing their hibernating Powerplay, and let’s say they actually do fix it.  Then, they would have productively used their earned time off to gain an edge over their next opponent.

This is no way, shape or form meant as a way to jinx the Blackhawks and their still on-going series against the Wild.  Nor is this disrespecting the Wild’s slim, but real chances of coming back in this series.  This article is meant to point out the possible huge, hidden opportunity gained with a Hawks win/series victory, tonight.

May 3, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Patrick Sharp (10) shoots the puck against Minnesota Wild center Kyle Brodziak (21) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Wild 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Sorry ahead of time, for nitpicking the Chicago Blackhawks, who are off to a mighty fast start in the Playoffs, with a quick 2-0 lead in the series over the Minnesota Wild.  While there is very little to complain about with a team being as successful as the Hawks have been thus far, there is one area that needs some work.  The Power Play.

The Blackhawks Power Play has been quite a mystery the past couple of seasons.  In the 2011-2012 season, the Blackhawks were ranked a dismal 26th in Power Play percentage in the NHL.  This season, the Hawks slightly improved to a still disappointing 19th best in Power Play percentage.  The reason the struggles on the man-advantage is such a mystery is because the Hawks boast arguably the best roster of offensive fire-power in the NHL.  A Power Play that features guys like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, and Patrick Sharp sounds about as good as can be, on paper.  For some reason, the results have been disappointing in recent years.

Now, in the two games played in the series against the Wild, the Hawks are 1 for 7 on the Power Play thus far.  Yes, this is an extremely small sample size, but the fact that the Power Play isn’t a colossal advantage to the Hawks, is rather irritating.  Of course, in game 2 it wasn’t even needed, but the Hawks still went 0 for 4 on the man-advantage.  Marian Hossa’s goal in game one was in fact a Power Play goal, but it came at the end of a poorly executed Power Play for the Hawks.  I know, results are all that matter, but this anomaly of Power Play mediocrity became ridiculous a long time ago.  What could and should be a tremendous advantage for the Hawks is in actuality a dud of a weapon that could possibly turn itself into an Achilles heel for the Hawks.

While no one should be anywhere near any sort of panic-button, obviously.  This is an area that really should improve.  While it is a small sample size in the midst of great success so far, it is one of the only areas of concern for the Blackhawks.  Minnesota’s Penalty Kill unit was ranked 15th during the regular season, so they are beatable, and the Hawks should be beating them on the man-advantage more than they have so far.  By beating them, I mean: generating quality scoring chances, fluid passing, and NO puck chasing.  It can happen, and it should.

Right now though, the Hawks are up 2 games to none on the Wild, and that’s all that really matters.

Finally!  Some hockey with some real meaning and with something seriously at stake!  Fans of the Chicago Blackhawks have been spoiled worse than a little kid visiting their grandparents for a weekend.  The Hawks have lead the league from the first game of the season all the way to the last.  In the playoffs however, anything can happen, and for the first time in a while, a legitimate sense of urgency has returned.

That sense of urgency is felt all around Blackhawks nation, and is significantly amplified while in attendance of a playoff game!

It must be said that watching a hockey game at on television is completely different than watching one in live-action at the stadium.  On television, you have the luxury of commentators analysis and a viewpoint that’s always zeroed in on the action.  That’s cute and all, but there is a gigantic abstract, unquantifiable element that hockey seen on television cannot capture.  This element completely overtakes you, when you’re in attendance, and it completely absorbs you in a playoff game.   Live-action hockey is felt, as well as seen.

The Hawks anthem singer, Jim Cornielison, is well-known for his stirring rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, before the puck-drop of Hawks home games.  The crowd goes crazy, and you know the story.  This night, game one of the first playoff series of the tournament for Lord Stanley’s Cup, was different.  The noise from the crowd was absolutely deafening.  There was enough energy flowing through the United Center to power the rest of Chicago.  The urgency of something at stake for the Blackhawks was back, and combined with the nearing possibility of the return of the Stanley Cup to the Windy City was enough to send the crowd into pandemonium.

During the game, the feeling of frustration from every bad pass, every missed opportunity, every stupid penalty from the Hawks, and the lone Minnesota Wild goal was transferred directly to the crowd, as every groan was in total unison.   During the first intermission, as the Hawks trailed the Wild 1-0, there was an eerie silence around the United Center.  It was almost hard to believe that this was the same place where the Star-Spangled Banner of epic proportions took place, less than an hour earlier.  I suppose sustaining that much energy through the whole night ma have eventually caused the ice to melt, so the intermissions work as a time to exhale and recharge for the next period.

As the second period was underway, the energy was building it’s way back up t where it was, when Marian Hossa, evened the game at 1-1, resulting in the crowd eruption and the blaring of Chelsea Dagger, the radioactive pulse of the crowd had returned, as well as some optimism.

The energy for the rest of the game caused every fan in attendance to plant themselves at the very edge of their seat, as the tension of knowing the just how big the ramifications of the next goal would be.  As the tensions pulsated through the crowd, it was reaching it’s breaking point as the game was headed to nearing it’s second overtime.  In retrospect this tension was a wonderful way for me to forget about the horrors of me having to wake up and prepare for school in matter of hours.  This throbbing tension amongst the collective 22,000+ people in attendance was relieved in the form of an explosion of positive endorphins, as Bryan Bickell  gave the Hawks the win and a 1-0 series lead over the Wild.  It wouldn’t have surprised me if every collection of glass in the U.C shattered at that very moment.

While it’s easy to say how great live playoff hockey is, it will always be an ill-fated attempt to convey precisely what it’s like to be there. The only way to actually understand this article, would be to attend a playoff game personally, and only then will you get what I’m talking about.  It’s an unsharable, yet unbelievable experience.

Let’s Go Hawks!!!

Mar 28, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Chris Stewart (25) knocks the puck away from Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) during the first period at the Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

#4 St. Louis Blues Vs. #5 Los Angeles Kings

Season Series: Kings Swept the Blues (3-0-0)

Series Schedule

Game-1 Los Angeles at St. Louis, Tuesday April 30th 7:00 PM CT

Game-2 Los Angeles at St. Louis, Thursday May 2nd 8:30 PM CT

Game-3 St. Louis at Los Angeles, Saturday May 4th 9:00 PM CT

Game-4 St. Louis at Los Angeles, Monday May 6th 9:00 PM CT

Game-5 Los Angeles at St. Louis, Wednesday May 8th(If necessary)

Game-6 St. Louis at Los Angeles, Friday May 10th(If necessary)

Game-7 Los Angeles at St. Louis, Monday May 13th(If necessary)

Blues

The St. Louis Blues will have to win by playing their game: Tight defense, superb goaltending, and enough scoring.  All 3 of those factors are required for the Blues to go anywhere in the postseason, when one of those compnents is missing, the Blues will struggle mightily to win hockey games.  The Blues boast size up front, with the likes of captain David Backes, Chris Stewart, and Patrik Berglund.  The Blues will rely heavily on these 3 forwards to light the lamp for them, throughout this series.  The Blue’s defensive core is lead by Alex Pitrengelo, Barret Jackman, and Roman Polak.  The Blues will look for Brian Elliot to continue his phenomenal close to the season in the crease.

Leading Scorer- Chris Stewart 18G 18A 36PTS

Goaltender- Brian Elliot 14-8 2.28 .907%

X-Factor- Brian Elliot, can he continue his dominant play into the post-seaon?

Kings

The defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Los Angeles Kings, have the tools to repeat, but are the tools too dull?  The Kings are deep at the center position with the likes of Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, and Dustin Brown.  All play fantastic two-way hockey. The Kings are also stacked on the blueline with superstar Drew Doughty who can score as easily as any forward.  Reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Jonathan Quick has had a forgettable season, overall, following off-season surgery.

Leading Scorer- Anze Kopitar 10G 32A 42PTS

Goaltender- Jonathan Quick 18-13 2.45 .902%

X-Factort- Can Jonahthan Quick regain his Conn Smyth winning form?

Prediction- Blues will advance in 7 games.  The Kings will be close to form, and put up a mighty fight, but the improved/improving Blues will prove to be too much for the defending champs. 

Apr 12, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (65) moves the puck in against Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) and goalie Jimmy Howard (35) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s easy to forget about the key “role” players on an NHL team, especially the when that team is the  Chicago Blackhawks, a team stocked full of superstar caliber talent as well as any team in the league.  However, the NHL is a league that requires more than just superstar talent to make a team a championship team.  The NHL is a league that requires a supporting cast for it’s stars, and Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Patrick Sharp and Brent Seabrook will rely on their supporting cast that includes Andrew Shaw, Michael Frolik, and Dave Bolland, to end up with Lord Stanley’s Cup come June.

The most important of the supposrting cast would have to be Dave Bolland.  Hawks fans will remember how Bolland has seemingly come to life in the playoffs the past several seasons, regardless of how he played during the regular season.  Bolland has played an integral role as the center on the checking line that has shut down lines featuring the likes of(most famously) Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin, as well as Joe Thornton.  “The Rat” will need to regain his health before he is able play with the nerves of Zach Parise‘s top line for the Minnesota Wild.  The Blackhawks will face a steep challenge in defeating the Wild if they are to do so without Bolland’s presence.

Andrew Shaw was very much missed during the chunk of last year’s playoff series against the Phoenix Coyotes while he was serving a suspension.  Shaw has a knack for scoring the “dirty” goals, as opposed to the highlight reel goals that Hawks fans are accustomed to seeing from Patrick Kane, and the rest of the stars.  Dirty goals from guys like Shaw can have a demoralizing, back-breaking effect on an opposing team.  Opposing teams expect the stars to light the lamp, but it’s a heartbreaking disappointment to a team when they allow a goal to a player like Andrew Shaw, a player who can also play physical and adds an edge of toughness to his game.

Enough can’t be said about the stellar play from Michael Frolik, this season.  One of the Blackhawks greatest strengths this season has been their stingy Penalty Kill, and Michael Frolik has arguably been the Hawks most effective Penalty Killer this season.  If the Hawks PK unit can continue it’s stinginess into the Post Season, they will be at a tremendous advantage against most teams.  It’s hard to imagine the PK unit being anywhere near the success level that it reached this season, without the help of Michael Frolik.  

Unlike the NBA, a league that is hopelessly dependant on superstar talent to lead a team to glory, the NHL is a two-way sport that requires superstar talent as well as the more workman like players, to bring home trophys, and the Blackhawks are very much a two-team in those regards.