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 18, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) reaches for the puck between Detroit Red Wings right wing Daniel Cleary (11) and defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) 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

It was only Game 2 of the second round playoff series between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings, and it is only the second loss of the post season for the Blackhawks. By the way many fans reacted to the Game 2 loss, one would think their team should be in desperation mode, fighting just to stay in the series. But it’s still just Game 2 with at least 3 more to go (but probably 4 or 5), so why are fans taking the loss so hard? Three reasons.

1. Losses were not a normal occurrence in the regular season. The Blackhawks lost 12 times in the regular season and only 7 of those in regulation. They were even able to win a couple of games that they probably shouldn’t have because someone always stepped up to be the hero and steal the game, whether it was Marian Hossa, Ray Emery, or the 3rd line. But in the playoffs, one poorly played game could be a momentum changer. It’s happened many times, and Blackhawks fans may be overreacting thinking that this will be their team’s fate after losing to a great effort by the Red Wings.
2. The loss was on home ice. The Blackhawks worked hard in the regular season to gain home ice advantage, but it doesn’t mean much if they don’t make it count. Now they have to take a game in Detroit, at the Joe Louis Arena, while dodging octopi and what not. But the Blackhawks are no strangers to winning in Detroit and have fans that will pack the Joe as much as possible to, at the very least, take complete home ice advantage away from the Red Wings.
3. The Blackhawks played terribly and lost pretty decisively, 4-1. It is hard to look around at the other playoff series in the league and say that the Blackhawks have matched the intensity of those teams. Joel Quenneville knows that his team needs to take their game to another level if they want to make it through this series alone, never mind through the Kings and Penguins – or, you know, whoever. In their latest game, it was never more obvious that the Blackhawks have yet to reach that level already in the second round of the playoffs. The good news is that they can still raise their game, and if they do, they’ll be exhausting to their opponents all the way to the Cup. If they don’t, it will be a year that was more disappointing than the last because that word “potential” looms even larger.

While these three reasons are legitimate concerns, there is no need to overreact because all of them can be overcome by the team that was the most consistent in goaltending, depth, and coaching for the past 5 months. It might take going down a game or two to Detroit to awaken the post season version of the Blackhawks’ game. That’s terrifying for fans now but incredible later. And we should expect the incredible by now.

Do you think Blackhawks fans should be worried?

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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.

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)

Bickell Feels The Sting Of Defeat After Hawks Decide Not To Show Up For The Third Period. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

I think we can all agree that Saturday’s game against Detroit was extremely disappointing.  The Hawks looked to take a step forward and took two steps back in the process.  The effort was lackluster, the fans were left disappointed, and to make it worse, they gave Detroit hope.  After game one, I went over what the Hawks needed to improve upon, and they seemed to flat out miss on all points in game two.  So let’s add a few more to the list.

5) The Killer instinct wasn’t there in game two.  The Wings have had some bad third periods throughout the season, during the Ducks series, and even in game one against the Hawks.  And yet, the Hawks did not ramp up their game in the third.  Being down by one goal going into the third is not unfamiliar to the Hawks, and we didn’t see Chicago’s calm yet pressured approach.  Instead we saw…

4) More Undisciplined Penalties.   Unsurprisingly, if you want to get back into a game, the best way is to have possession of the puck, not by being shorthanded.  I don’t care if some of the penalties were extremely soft, you can’t give the refs a reason to call anything.  Bolland’s roughing penalty was useless and a detriment to a possible comeback.  The PK is mind bogglingly good, but the extra and unneeded fatigue can add up and will start to wear down the players that will be needed most.  And I’m sure the Hawks wouldn’t mind blocking a few less shots.

3) The other end of the special teams spectrum is the power play.  I know I just complained about it, but the Hawks are too good not to be producing.  This game could look completely different if our superstars could just connect on a couple of passes and shoot… I know I’m over simplifying it, but maybe they need to study Pittsburgh’s power play a bit.

2) Cheating up in our own zone was a major factor in game two.  Multiple times the Hawks just stood at the boards and waited for the puck to come to them instead of taking two steps to meet the puck.  On numerous occasions, Wings players just skated in front of a Hawk and intercepted the pass.  After it happened about 12 times, you would think the Hawks would do something different, but no.  The Hawks just were not getting it done in their own zone, which translates to a whole lot of missed opportunities in the Wing’s zone.

1) Player management is going to be key in the effort to right the ship.  Carcillo and Mayers were fighting before game one.  Stalberg and Q are having a dispute that no one wants to talk about.  What is going on in the locker room?  I have full faith in Toews as a leader, and I have some faith in Q, but those two can’t control everything.  Q needs to drop the Carcillo experiment and bring back Stalberg’s wheels.  The Cup is on the line, and that should be the only thing that matters.  When we won the cup, Kopecky was sat until the Philly series, and when he came back, he made his presence felt.  Hopefully everyone can take a step back with this loss and realize what’s at stake.

I admit that some of this is rehash from my last article, but it remains relevant and a sore spot in the Hawks’ game.  Was there something I didn’t touch upon? What do you think the Hawks need to do to win game three?

March 8 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville on his bench during the first period of the game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

If you have listened to any bench interview of Joel Quenneville he has one constant word-PACE.  He talks about it constantly whether it’s pre-game, post-game, NHL 36  you could have a drinking game with the number of times he talks about Pace.  The Hawks are a fast young team that can create pace but in Game #2 it wasn’t there due to the nonstop clutching and grabbing a la 1980′s playoff hockey of the Detroit Red Wings.  Here is  four easy steps to create pace in Game #3 and steal back home ice advantage in the series.

1. Re-Insert the #3 line- Yes I’m as tired as everyone else about hearing the benching of Viktor Stalberg but it is evident that the dominant line in the Wild series has disappeared in the Detroit series.  Throughout the season people talked about the Andrew Shaw, Byan Bickell, Viktor Stalberg line.  Most people said it was incredible that this was the Hawks #3 line was better than most teams #2 lines.  When Marian Hossa was hurt the Hawks moved Bryan Bickell to the top line for two games but quickly learned their mistake and put back together that line while calling up Jimmy Hayes to move players around.  This line is pesky with speed and a hitter why break it up now in the second round of the playoffs. Hopefully whatever lesson you were teaching Stalberg is learned and we all can move on (This is rumored to be happening after practice today).

2. Bench Michal Handzus. If you want to talk about pace then it is time to put Handzus up in the press box.  Yes, he was part of the only scoring play of the game but that was on a deflected pass and only because he was trailing the play. Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane are fast players and need someone with (pace) speed to keep up with them instead of having Handzus trailing every sequence.  The way to beat Detroit is speed and pace and the last time I checked that is not one of  Handzus’s strengths.

3. Replace Daniel Carcillo- Not that the carbomb is a slow skater but this isn’t a goon series nor do we need Brandon Bollig.  We need skill and speed which is why Carcillo is averaging about 6:30 a game of ice time.  Skill and speed is a recipe for beating the old guard Red Wings and Carillo only has one of those traits.  Put Ben Smith in for Carcillo on the fourth line and let’s get some young legs that really want it with some skill.  The new fourth line of Marcus Kruger, Michael Frolik, and Smith would be fast and skilled and would be able to be on the ice more than one shift  a period and penalty kills a game.  The Hawks seem to be getting away from rolling four lines and this needs to become a focus again in Game #3.  Skill and speed will be the evil enemy.

4. Put Dave Bolland back on line #2.- I’m all for this even though people like calling Bolland names. He’s annoying yet skilled enough to play between Kane and Sharp.  He’s a better option than Kruger without breaking up line #3.  Bolland is a playoff gamer but seems a little off ,due to time off and the guys he’s skating with in the first two games.  Put him back on the line with Kane and good things will happen plus they will have a defensive presence added with Bolland on the ice that is missing with Handzus.  This will increase the pace for Q and will still be offensive for the team.

What do you think? What changes or adjustments would you make for Game #3?

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May 18, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) is mobbed by his teammates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Los Angeles Kings in overtime of game three of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday’s Stanley Cup Playoff Games

Detroit Red Wings-4 Chicago Blackhawks-1 (Series Tied 1-1)

The Red Wings clutched, grabbed, frustrated, then defeated the Blackhawks in the United Center.

(Second City Hockey) (The Committed Indian) (Octopus Thrower)

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

Logan Couture scores the game winner in overtime to give every game of this series so far to the home team.

(Blades of Teal) (Rink Royalty) (SBNation San Jose)

Today’s Stanley Cup Games (TV Listings)

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

The Bruins have been magical in overtime will the Rangers be able to beat the Bruins in regualtaion.

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

Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators 6:30pm (Penguins lead series 2-0)

Will the Senators be able to slow down the Penguins offense  or will this just be a quick series on the way to the Eastern Conference finals for the Pens.

(SenShot) (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

May 18, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) makes a save as defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) battles for positioning with Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) in the second 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 final score was the same as Wednesday night’s Game 1 in Chicago, but with the visitors on the winning side this time. Detroit Red Wings players made promises to their fans via interviews and social media that they would come out harder in Game 2 and resemble the team that fans expected. Detroit did just that.

Here are a couple facts: First, Patrick Kane scored his first goal of the post season for the Chicago Blackhawks. This should get the guys fired up, right? Finally, one of the two guys we’ve been waiting for is scoring goals! Toews can’t be far behind. Second, the penalty kill unit is still undefeated so far in the playoffs, killing off all 23 penalties. With both of those tidbits, Blackhawks fans would be excited for Game 2. But Kane’s goal was the only one scored by the Blackhawks. And although they killed off 4 penalties, they gave up 4 even strength goals.

The Blackhawks had trouble protecting the captain, making passes, not falling at inopportune times, and giving an extra push to gain puck possession. In short, they played one of their worst games of the year, and there have only been about 4 or 5 of those.

Damien Brunner tied it up early in the second period and the Red Wings took the lead with a goal from Brendan Smith with 4 minutes remaining. Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula both added insurance goals in the third period to silence the United Center for the afternoon.

The best player for the Blackhawks was easily Corey Crawford who made 26 saves – a few of them pretty spectacular – and kept his team in it for as long as he could. The sluggish defense of the Blackhawks relied on Crawford so they could take another breath or two. With the lethargic showing by the Blackhawks against an extra determined Detroit team, Joel Quenneville should think twice about reintroducing the speed of benched Viktor Stalberg for their trip across the lake.

Being tied 1-1 in the series against the Red Wings isn’t the worst case scenario. The series is moving to Detroit where the Blackhawks are 9-0-1 in their last 10 visits. Stealing a game back at the Joe will be a fight, but definitely doable! This will be a long series if the Blackhawks use this game as a wake up call and play like the Blackhawks again! Let’s go Hawks!

Do you think the Blackhawks will take a game in Detroit?

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