May 23, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) watches as the puck flies in the air in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings in game four of the second round for the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Right out of the box Joel Quenneville threw a monkey wrench out there for the Red Wings with massive line changes. Michal Handzus was the game starter with Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp.  The line changes were designed to win faceoffs and maybe free up Jonathan Toews.  The changes seemed to put some life into the Hawks in the first period with the defense jumping up making plays and creating a bunch of Red Wings turnovers.  The Hawks weren’t able to capitalize on any of the chances, turnovers, or stretch passes that seemed to slow down the neutral zone trap that Detroit was using very effectively for the Red Wings.  Toews had a 2 on 1 that was denied by Jimmy Howard and Sharp received a stretch pass that was turned away by Howard.  The Hawks had a small shots on goal lead 12-10 but were only 9-24 from the faceoff circle.  The one thing that looked to work in the first period was having Byran Bickell with Toews and Patrick Kane to put big hits on Henrik Zetterberg and whoever else was on the ice with him during the scoreless first period.

The second period was something Hawks fans have never seen before as Jonathan Toews took three straight minor penalties, and in the middle of the three of those penalties the Red Wings scored the first goal of the game when with :01 second remaining on the extra man advantage Jakub Kindl got one past Corey Crawford.  It was apparent that Toews had lost his cool with the constant pressure by the every player on the Detroit roster.  The Hawks had their chances but never could get it by Howard.  The shots were tied 22-22 after 2 periods but 1-0 on the big board. The question is will this Hawks team respond with one period left to avoid a 3-1 hole in the series. Toews lost his mind and killed all the Hawks momentum they had built up in the first period.

The Hawks pushed hard but when they needed their stars to step up or a role player to step up but in the end of this game no one showed up.  Brandon Saad got in and was hooked setting up a penalty with 4:46 left in the game but the Hawks served up their worst powerplay of the season.  Jimmy Howard stopped every thing he saw which ended up being 25 shots. In the end the Red Wings put in an empty netter to finish off the Hawks 2-0.  The Hawks are now pushed to the brink down 3-1 and will have to pull it all together in Chicago Saturday night.

-The Hawks were o for everytime they tried a stretch pass.

-Handzus playing anywhere is not a good idea.  If you want to shake it up Saturday put someone young in. Pirri, Smith, Morin, Hayes??

-This had to be the worst game I ever seen the Captain play.

-So much for not getting the Sharks and having to play the Red Wings like everyone wanted, Babcock is outcoaching Quenneville by a mile.

-The Hawks didn’t lose in regulation in 24 straight to start the season so them winning three straight though a large task isn’t impossible.

-The Hawks were shut out for the first time all season and lost three straight for the first time all season.

-The Hawks 30-30 perfect penalty kill ended in the 2nd period.

-See You at Game 5 from the United Center, puck drops at 7pm

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May 10, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Al Sobotka swings an octopus that was throw on the ice before game six of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Detroit Red Wings and the Anaheim Ducks at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Game #4- Chicago Blackhawks vs Detroit Red Wings (Wings lead series 2-1)

Game Time-7pm

TV- NBCSN

Preview- The Red Wings dominated Game #2 and then caught a bunch of breaks in Game #3 and to their credit took full advantage of those breaks to take control of the series 2-1.  Pavel Datsyuk has controlled the face-off dot and threw in a pretty sick game clinching goal in Game #3 to boot.  The Wings have been very defensive minded against the Hawks in the Mike Babcock chess match with Joel Quenneville.  The suspect Detroit defense has been stellar especially against the Hawks captain Jonathan Toews.   To help the defense out has been Jimmy Howard who has been stellar in both Detroit wins.  The Wings defense has clogged up the neutral zone while giving Howard clean sight lines for Hawks shots.  Detroit has a shot to take a strangle-hold on the series with a win tonight.

The Hawks after game three were introduced to someone they haven’t met this season that goes by the name adversity.  The Hawks came out of the gates flying right to the President’s trophy.  Now is the time for guys to step up and prove that this is the Chicago Blackahawks team with the heart of a champion and not some weak Vancouver Canuck knock off that can win regular season games only to crack under the Cup playoff pressure.  The Hawks stars need to step up and step up quickly and yes for a rare occasion we are talking about the Captain Jonathan Toews who still has a goose egg on the scoresheet behind his name with goals scored in eight playoff games.  One Hawk that looks to be on the verge of a huge breakout is Brandon Saad who had a great Game #3 and could finally have the his mojo back for a big Game #4.

Prediction-The Hawks come out flying and take control of this game early and tie up the series with a 3-1 win, even though there will be entirely too many stupid octopus thrown on the ice.

What is your prediction?

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May 22, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) reacts to goal scored by Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby (87) in the third period in game four of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Scotiabank Place. The Penguins defeated the Senators by a score of 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Only one game last night, but there are three tonight? Great Scheduling NHL!!

Pittsburgh Penguins-7 Ottawa Senators-3 (Penguins lead series 3-1)

With the contest tight heading to the third period, the Penguins explode for three third period goals to blow the game wide open in Ottawa to take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to the Steel City.  Captain Daniel Alfredsson after the game gave his team the bizarre no confidence rating saying that the Pens are too deep a team to beat.

(Senshot) (Ottawa Sun) (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

The Ottawa Senator coach Paul MacLean  had one of the shortest and best post game press conferences ever! (NHL.com)

Tonight’s Playoff Action

Boston Bruins at New York Rangers 6pm (Bruins lead series 3-0)

The Bruins look to complete the sweep and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. will the Rangers push back or quietly head to the golf course?

(Causeway Crowd) (Boston Globe) (Blue Line Station)

Chicago Blackhawks at Detroit Red Wings 7pm (Red Wings lead series 2-1)

The Blackhawks look to avoid a 3-1 deficit and tie the series up and head back to Chicago while the Red Wings will try top push the Hawks to the brink where nobody thought they would be pushed to.

(Hockee Night) (The Committed Indian) (Octopus Thrower)

San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings 9:30 pm (Series tied 2-2)

The home team has held serve in all four game so far. Will the Sharks break serve  in LA or will Jonathan Quick defend home ice?

(San Jose Mercury News) (Rink Royalty)

May 18, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (right) celebrates with center Patrick Sharp (left) after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period of game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Blackhawks face Detroit in Game #4 down 2 games to one in their building which would suggest the Hawks are in trouble.  The Hawks are in need of a win to tie up the series and with a win the world would be put back in order.  Here are my top five  reasons why the Hawks win tonight.

1. Jonathan Toews Period.  This is the longest playoff drought of his great young career and after getting pushed around in Game #2 he was close several times in Game #3 including a goal post to scoring his first goal of the playoffs.  The Captain is the reason the Hawks had such a great regular season and he is the reason the Hawks are going to win Game #4.  He may not score a hat trick tonight, but the former Conn Smythe trophy winner will finally announce his arrival and turn the tide back in favor of the Blackhawks with a huge productive game tonight.

2. The Bounces will Even Out.  The bounces have not gone the way of the Hawks.  It almost feels like someone at Buffalo Wild Wings is hitting the extend button to make sure this was a long series (maybe NBC)  Bounces and goal posts have a way of evening out in a seven game series that’s why the Stanley Cup is the greatest trophy to win.  This isn’t March Madness when it’s one and done.  The bounces and bad calls can’t go against the Hawks for seven games.  The Hawks hit three posts and deflected out that won’t happen again tonight.

3. The March to the box ended Monday night.  The Hawks will not take another stupid penalty again this series.  Yes, there will be penalties on the Hawks but there will not be anymore Andrew Shaw stupidity in Game #4.  The Hawks have been a very disciplined team that avoided the box during the season and after two days off with the coaching staff in their ears,  they know they cannot kill momentum in Game #4 by continuing to take stupid penalties. There is no award at the end of the playoffs for most penalty kills so let’s stop looking at how many in a row we have killed off and just stay out of the box.

4. Sense of Urgency Will Be Skyhigh. The Blackhawks with their backs to the wall can be the most exciting team in the NHL to watch.  During the streak a couple of times they played at a fever pitch and came out on top with their urgency at an all time high. One of those times was the game against Detroit down 1-0 late in the third and with everyone playing fast Viktor Stalberg stole the puck and got it to Patrick Kane for the tying goal.  This team needed adversity to see what it was made of and in Game #4 with their backs to the wall for really the first time all season long they will come out with an all-time amount of urgency and be  flying all over the ice to notch the victory.

5. Patrick Kane always rises to the top when the chips are down.  As much as I think the Captain will break out tonight, Patrick Kane is on a two game goal streak and is always dangerous when the chips are down for the Hawks.  In 2010 when it looked like the Nashville Predators where about to take a 3-2 series lead to Nashville he scored the game tying goal to tie the game and get it to overtime for the eventual Marian Hossa winner.  In the Cup clincher, the Hawks gave up a late 3rd period goal and the momentum was with the Philadelphia Flyers when in overtime Kane scored the greatest Hawks goal in my lifetime.  Kane has magic on his stick when it looks like things are at its worst for the Hawks and he always seems to do something unforgettable.  It is the first time it’s look grim at all this season for the Hawks so look for Kane to become a superhero again tonight.

The Red Wings are not going to lay down tonight, but the Hawks will find a way to bring the series back to Chicago 2-2 and for me it’s starts with 19 and ends with 88 and I’m sure there will be some 81 sprinkled in for good measure.  This team has the heart of a champion and it will be on full display tonight!

What is your #1 reason why the Hawks will win Game #4?

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May 21, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks acknowledge fans after the win against the Los Angeles Kings in game four of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Los Angeles Kings 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Last Night’s Playoff Action

Boston Bruins-2 New York Rangers-1 (Bruins lead series 3-0)

Taylor Pyatt gave the Ranagers the lead at home going into the third period but it was enough as the Bruins score twice including the Daniel Paille winner to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.

(Causeway Crowd) (New York Post)

San Jose Sharks-2 Los Angeles Kings-1 (series tied 2-2)

Logan Couture power play goal in the second period provides the difference as the Sharks even the series with two straight home wins.  Antti Niemi makes 22 saves to help preserve the victory.

(Blades of Teal)(San Jose Mercury News) (LA Times)

Tonight’s Action- Only 1 Game! (TV Listings)

Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators (Penguins lead series 2-1)

The Senators look to tie the series up with a home win while the Penguins are looking to make this a short series with a road victory before the series heads back to Pittsburgh.

(Sen Shot) (Ottawa Sun) (Pens Labyrinth) (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

No need to panic!! The series is only 2-1 (Picture courtesy of themainwire.com)

I totally understand the reasons why Chicago fans are already pushing the panic button after only three games of the Western Conference Semi-final series. With Detroit winning two straight games and taking a 2 games to 1 lead the Blackhawk faithful have starting to lose faith and punching the panic button.  Yes, many, too many of our teams have let us down throughout the years from the late 80′s Bears to Bartman Cubs to even last years choke job by the White Sox in the last week of the season.  This is only three games in, so the series is just beginning and here is some reasons why it’s not time to panic.

1. Detroit has played almost perfect hockey.  The Detroit game plan has been perfect and well-played in Games #2 and #3 playing defensive hockey with just enough sprinkling of offense.  The Red Wings playing a Nashville type man back defense has been frustrating for the Hawks offensive stars, but let’s not forget the Hawks were down 2-1 to the Predators in 2010 and were struggling offensively against a goalie playing great until they figured out how to beat the defensive set up and took the series 4-2.

2. The bounces haven’t gone the Hawks way- The Hawks had a goal waved off that shouldn’t have been and in Game #3 they hit the goal post three times.  A glass half empty fan would say that this is a sign that they are destined to lose the series, but I see it as a fact that the bounces are about to change in favor of the Hawks.

3. The Hawks haven’t lost three straight games all year.  This team has found a way to stop any kind of negative roll all year long from the opening bell until now. There is no reason to think that the Hawks are not going to break this two game losing streak Thursday night and start another one of their long 2013 winning streaks.

4. Captain Serious Will Turn The Tide- Jonathan Toews has been a fraction off for 9 games now but history says this will change and change real quick. Yes, he’s playing his mirror image Pavel Datsyuk and the Red Wings best defensive pairing, but Toews doesn’t have a Gold Medal, Conn Smyth Trophy and his name on the Stanley Cup without being a great star player that will lead the Hawks to Victory.

Yes, the first three games didn’t go as planned but the extra day off will give the Hawks time to regroup, organize, and attack the Red Wings in game 4 and calm the panic in Blackhawk Nation.

What do you think? Are you still far removed from the panic button? I know I am!

For more Blackhawks conversation or updates follow us on Twitter @Blackhawk_Up or Like us on Facebook at Blackhawk Up.

May 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Joakim Andersson (63) and Chicago Blackhawks center Dave Bolland (36) battle for the puck in the third period in game three of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Last night’s only game

Detroit Red Wings-3 Chicago Blackhawks-1 (Detroit leads 2-1)

The Red Wings catch a break when a very bad call on Andrew Shaw allows for the ref to signal no goal.  The Hawks never scored after that point and now trail in the series.

(The Committed Indian) (Hockee Night)

Tonight’s Action

Boston Bruins at New York Rangers 6:30 pm (Bruins lead series 2-0)

The Bruins have dominated the series to this point but this is when Henrik Lundqvist takes over…right?

(NHL) (Causeway Crowd)

Los Angeles Kings at San Jose Sharks (Kings lead series 2-1)

Will the Sharks carry the overtime momentum into Game #4 and tie the series up at 2?

(LA Times) (San Jose Mercury News)

The Hawks didn’t bring the first period momentum on the ice in the second period.  Michal Rozsival had a period he would like to forget.  He was terrible which started in the first period and carried over on the Red Wings goals that were scored  31 seconds apart. First Gustav Nyquist scored on a great one on one move followed by Drew Miller crashing the net and all of a sudden a game the Hawks were dominating they were now trailing 2-0.  The game was still called tight but the Hawks were unable to convert on any of their powerplays.  Jimmy Howard was solid throughout the two periods.  One thing the Hawks couldn’t do was win a faceoff against Pavel Datsyuk in their own end which hurt all of their powerplay chances.

The Hawks came out flying in the third period when Patrick Kane put one in for a 2-1 Wings lead off a nice pass from Duncan Keith. The Hawks looked to tie the game up when Stalberg threw one in front and it went in off Shaw but somehow Shaw was called for goalie interference even though there was no contact. This by far was the turning point of the game. Minutes later after the no goal Datsyuk put one high on the stick side past Crawford to put the score 3-1 Red Wings.  The problem with the game is that the refs made a difference in the game.  Howard wasn’t  interfered or obstructed but the ref was emphatic and called off the goal.  The Hawks were not able to get any more pucks past Howard and the final horn sounded 3-1 Red Wings.

-Andrew Shaw is playing out of control and it cost him on the goalie  interference no goal call (this is exactly how he played last year against Phoenix until he was suspended).

-Michal Handzus shouldn’t see the ice the rest of the series he is horrible and not what this team needs against Detroit especially when he’s losing faceoffs on top of everything else.

- The Hawks haven’t given up a goal on the penalty kill which is a nice stat except they keep going on the kill for stupid penalties.

-The extra day off will help settle the Hawks down and maybe give the coaching staff time to regroup.

-Puck drops Thursday night at 7pm.

-It’s only 2 losses and it takes 4 to lose a series, don’t get too close to the cliff just yet!

-Teams on the way to the Cup must face adversity and find a way to get past it.  This is just a pit stop not a stopping point

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May 18, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) passes the puck to right wing Patrick Kane (88) as Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg (40) loses his glove in the third period of game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. The Red Wings won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Game #3- Chicago Blackhawks visits Detroit Red Wings (Series Tied 1-1)

Game Time-6:30pm

TV- NBCSN

Preview- Game #1 domination by the Hawks was replaced with a Game #2 domination by the Detroit Red Wings.  Henrik Zetterberg and company have held the top line of Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews in check through two games.  The Red Wings have stole home ice advantage, but like the Minnesota Wild in round 1 will the Red Wings be able to play this style for an entire series or was this a one hit wonder.  The Red Wings finally found some offense and it was really created by keeping an extra person back in the middle which in the end opened up the middle of the ice for the Wings.  Jimmy Howard only had to face 20 shots on goal which is over half as few as game #1.

The Hawks after suffocating the Red Wings in Game 1 barely put up a fight in Game 2.  The forecheck was absent from most of Game 2 will need to make an appearance at Joe Louis arena Monday night.  The Hawks lost three home games on the road to the Stanley Cup in 2010 so it isn’t the end of the world losing a game at homte to the Red Wings.  The way they lost the game has put some panic in the fan base.  Jonathan Toews complained about the interference after the game while Red Wings fans say it was just a case of great defense by the Wings.  The Hawks are needing a better effort from a lot of players but one I would like to spotlight is Brandon Saad.  Saad hasn’t scored a goal in the playoffs and doesn’t quite look the same player as he did in the regular season.  This being game 8 of the playoffs for Saad  is about the amount of games that it took him in the regular season to settle down and score on a regular basis  so maybe tonight will be his breakout playoff game.

Prediction- The Hawks play a great road game and get back to playing their style in a 4-2 victory.

What is your prediction for tonight’s game?

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May 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA;Boston Bruins goalkeeper Tuukka Rask (40) watches the action against the New York Rangers in game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Bruins-5 New York Rangers-2 (Bruins lead series 2-0)

Rick Nash scored for the Rangers to tie the game at two, but the Bruins scored three straight goals  to take a 2-0 lead to Madison Square Garden.

(Boston Herald) (Cup of Chowder) (Blue Shirt Banter)

Ottawa Senators-2 Pittsburgh Penguins-1 (Penguins lead series 2-1)

Daniel Alfredsson scores a shorthanded goal with 29 seconds left (Patrick Kane inpersonation 2010 Nashville) to tie the game and Colin Greening wins it for the Senators in the 2nd overtime. Craig Anderson rebounds from a bad Game 2 to get the win after stopping 49 shots.

(Senshot) (Ottawa Sun) (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

Tonight’s only Stanley Cup Game

Chicago Blackhawks at Detroit Red Wings (Series tied 1-1)

Both teams have dominated a Game in the series, which  team will come out in Detroit and dominate the ice?

(Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Sun Times) (Detroit Free Press)