Mar 16, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (65) skates by Dallas Stars defenseman Trevor Daley (6) during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Stars 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Game #4- Chicago Blackhawks (3-0-0) at Dallas Stars (2-1-0)

Game Time- 7:30 Central

TV-CSN

This is the first of three meetings this year between the Stars and Blackhawks, last year both teams split four games with Corey Crawford playing in all four and only giving up 8 goals in the season series.

The Blackhawks are off to their best start in 40 years going 3-0-0 and I’m all for history repeating itself since the 72-73 Hawks team that started 4-0 also went to the Stanley Cup finals.  Patrick Kane is playing great hockey and it seem like his European excursion has payed off with a new level for Kaner.  The best part of the Hawks in the first three games is the play of all four lines and getting production from all lines even if it doesn’t end up on the stat sheet.  Another bright spot in the first three games is the good starts in the first periods, last season the Hawks dominated the third periods only after continually digging themselves holes early in contests while never playing 60 minute games.  The Hawks have also been effective on the power play tallying 3 goals in 3 games.

Dallas is coming off a huge road win in Detroit Tuesday night.  They have been led by their senior citizens errr veteran leaders Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney which has been huge for the Stars with Jamie Benn not signed yet and missing from their roster.  The real key to the Stars is Kari Lehtonen who is one of the few goalies that is playing to the level that they were playing at the end of last season.  Lehtonen could be a huge test for the Hawks in Dallas tonight.

Prediction- This has trap game written all over it, but the Hawks seem to be on mission early on this season,  Hawks win on a Patrick Kane shoot out winner 5-4.

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April 21, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) in game five of the 2012 Western Conference quarterfinals at Jobing.com Arena. The Blackhawks beat the Coyotes 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Game #2 Chicago Blackhawks (1-0-0) at Phoenix Coyotes

TV-TSN NBCSN CSN

Time- 9pm Central Time

Preview- One Word….Revenge!!! Revenge for different reasons from making up for their second consecutive first round loss this time to the hands of the Coyotes and for the Coyotes taking Marian Hossa out last season except for the fact that Raffi Torres is still suspended!  The Blackhawks will still have to solve Mike Smith who spoiled great opportunity after great chance that the Hawks had during the 6 game series only to hold on until the Coyotes could crack Corey Crawford or Crawford would let in a soft goal.

Game #1 for the Hawks couldn’t have gone any better in LA! The Hawks jumped out to a fast start something they struggled mightly last season and had a 3-0 lead going into the first intermission getting huge efforts from all their stars from Hossa, Toews and Kane.  All the reports of Hossa being fully recovered were true with a 2 goal game, and even though he had been suffering from flu like symptoms Toews also had a goal and an assist.  The best part of the night is that Crawford stopped all but two shots in the 5-2 win.

The Coyotes started their season in Dallas, and Mike Smith like Jonathan Quick didn’t start out the season like they ended it.  Like a good starting MLB pitcher you have to jump on these good goalies early (both in games and in the season) before they get hot!  It will be the home opener for the Coyotes so the crowd will be excited and loud.  It will be imperative for the Hawks jump out to an early lead like the Kings game instead of letting the Coyotes hang around like they did the entire playoff series.

Prediction- Mike Smith owns the Hawks but so did Quick last season.  The revenge factor with a healthy Toews and Hossa lead to a tight road 3-2 win.

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