May 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) moves the puck past Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) during the third period in game one of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Red Wings 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

For the second consecutive day the Chicago Blackhawks had a player receive the news that they are a finalist for an NHL award.  It’s not the Hart trophy but yesterday Jonathan Toews was named finalist for the Selke Trophy and today Patrick Kane was named finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy (most gentlemanly conduct).

Patrick Kane only took 4 minor penalties all season long while averaging over 20 minutes of ice time with several games of double shifting while covering for Patrick Sharp or Dave Bolland injuries. Kane scored 23 goals and 32 assists in 2013 in 47 games which matched his goal total in 2012 in a full 82 game season.  Kane came back from Europe a focused player and it paid off in the shortened season.  Seven different Blackhawks on nine different occasions have won the Lady Byng but the last time a Blackhawk to win the award was Stan Mikita in 1968.

The other finalist for the award are a finalist from last season in Matt Moulson of the New York Islanders and two-time Lady Byng winner Martin St. Louis who could become only the 9th player to win the award three times in his career.

Congrats Kaner! All these awards announcements are nice but the One Goal is the Cup!

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Feb 19, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) scores a goal against Vancouver Canucks goalie Cory Schneider (35) during the shootout at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in the shootout. The Blackhawks tied an NHL record for scoring at least one point in 16 consecutive games to open a season. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

On this date in Chicago Blackhawks history,

On May 11th, 2009 at the United Center the Blackhawks defeated the Vancouver Canucks 7-5 to advance to the Western Conference Finals.  The star of the game was Patrick Kane who scored his first playoff hat trick to help lead the Hawks past the Canucks.

The Hawks trailed 4-3 and 5-4 in the third period and got goals from Adam Burish of all people, Jonathan Toews, and 2 from Patrick Kane the last one with less than 4 minutes left in the contest to give him the hat trick and secure the victory for the young and upcoming team.

With the win the Hawks were officially out of the Dark Ages of Chicago Blackhawks hockey and an up and coming team that the NHL would have to keep their eyes on for years to come.

It’s been 4 years since Kaner’s playoff hat trick , here is the video of the his last goal of the game. ENJOY!

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Jan 10, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Viktor Stalberg (25) is congratulated by right wing Patrick Kane (88) and center Jonathan Toews (19) for scoring a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The drought will continue for at least another year. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane names were both not one of the three finalist during  the official announcement for the Hart Trophy forNHL League MVP.

Patrick Kane 23 goals 32 assists 55 points +17 rating

Jonathan Toews- 23 goals 25 assists 48 points +28 rating

Great statistics and leadership from both players on a team by the way that finished with the best record in the NHL.

The three finalist are Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and John Tavares.  I’m not saying all three aren’t worthy of being finalists but either Kane or Toews or both should have been part of this announcement today.

The last Blackhawk to win the Hart trophy was Stan Mikita in 1968 which seem almost unbelievable with all the great players that have worn the Hawks sweater since the late 1960′s that no other Blackhawk has won the Hart trophy.

One thing that could work out  for the Blackhawks and their fans is the added incentive of winning the Cup after these two did not get selected for the Hart trophy. Kane’s start to the season and Toews end of the season all added up to one of the best regular seasons in team history, and now they are three series away from making it one the top 5 post-seasons in Blackhawks history!

What do you think of the Toews and Kane getting snubbed?

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Apr 19, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) celebrates scoring the game-winning goal against the Nashville Predators with center Jonathan Toews (19) and right wing Patrick Kane (88) during overtime at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Predators 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

We take this break from the Stanley Cup playoffs to ask a question. Do you want to see your favorite Blackhawks in the Olympics?  The last time the NHL played in the Olympics the following June the Blackhawks were hoisting the Stanley Cup.

The IIHF put out this statement which makes it sound that the NHL players are highly likely to be playing in the Olympics. Nothing is official but the term you will hear all day about the subject is- it’s moving closer to agreement.

The 2008 Olympics were very memorable with the USA vs Canada going into overtime for the gold medal with both Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews playing big roles for each teams success even though it was Sidney Crosby‘s goal to win the Gold.

The NHL already has schedule plans for the Olympics with a league break from February 8th  to February 24th.

It could be an exciting month for Blackhawks players starting with the Olympics in February and ending on March 1st with the outdoor game in Soldier Field. The critics will always say that it’s not good for them to risk injury with the extra games, but the Olympics in 2008 were extremely exciting and sports fans that never watch hockey were talking about the HOCKEY.

The other argument is that true amateurs should be  playing in the Olympics rather than professionals, but that kind of thought process was sold down the river a long time ago. So Do you want to see Duncan Keith and Toews wearing Canadian colors and Kane wearing the red white and blue? It seems like it’s a lifetime away but really it’s right around the corner.

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May 3, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Patrick Sharp (10) celebrates scoring a goal against the Minnesota Wild 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

Round One Game #3- Chicago Blackhawks vs Minnesota Wild (Chicago leads series 2-0)

Game Time- 2pm

TV- NBC

Blackhawk Injuries- Dave Bolland and Ray Emery are Out

Wild Injuries- Niklas Backstrom- Game time decision, Clayton Stoner-day to day Jason Pominville-Out

Preview- The Wild made the playoffs on the very last day, but if they plan on sticking around very long in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs they will need to make a stand today on home ice. Niklas Backstrom practiced on Saturday but it isn’t clear if he would play or if Josh Harding would get another start in the Wild net.  After an almost flawless Game 1 against the Blackhawks, Harding gave up 4 goals on 43 shots, yet he still kept the Wild in the game until midway through the third period.  The Wild are between a rock and a hard place in this series because they cannot win unless they play a very tight disciplined defensive hockey game, while doing that it is nearly impossible for them to generate any type of offense.  Zach Parise has been held in check in the first two games so look for him to try to force the action in his first every home playoff game in front of his hometown crowd.

The Blackhawks after a sluggish, lucky to have left the building with a win in Game 1, were back to their regular season form as they dominated every aspect of Game 2 while beating down the Wild 5-2.  It was really nice to see Patrick Sharp score twice after  the injury, frustrating season that he had in 2013.  Another sign that the Hawks are in regular season form was that fourth liner Michael Frolik also scored twice.  Patrick Kane seemed to become energized and could be an even bigger than normal force for the opposition to deal with if he plays like he did Friday night for the rest of the playoffs.

Prediction- The Wild will be in full desperation mode and it will be up to the Hawks to match the intensity.  I think they do and win a close game 3-2 with the Captain finally getting on the scoresheet with the game winner.

What is your prediction for today’s game?

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Apr 7, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) and left wing Brandon Saad (20) react to a goal scored by center Jonathan Toews (not pictured) against the Nashville Predators during the third period at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Predators 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s that time of year again where playoff bound hockey players become so focused that they can’t even shave. Most of them grow out their facial hair in a completely admirable fashion. The others, we let them pass as long as they make it deep into the playoffs. Their patchiness is commendable as long as they’re holding the Stanley Cup. But others… others take a different approach on their journey to the Cup.

Patrick Kane is continuing his staple playoffs style by growing a mullet complete with three stripes shaved on either side of his head. And he is grooming (pun totally intended) young Brandon Saad to follow in his footsteps. Saad has a similar, less fluffy mullet and done by his own free will, no dares or anything. Although, his only has two stripes on either side of his head, because you have to work your way up in this league.

Beards are great. Wannabe beards are acceptable as long as they’re playing hockey. Mullets are not either of those things. But on the bright side, it’s exciting to know that some of the best Blackhawks players are so young that they have find alternate ways to participate in the spirit of the postseason. And it’s hard to admit, but the mullets bring a little bit of fun to a tense situation and cause a few smiles here and there. So as much as this pains me to say, if Kane and Saad want to do the mullet thing, then I hope they do it for real.

May their mullets grow large in the playoffs and become unnoticeable next to Lord Stanley’s Cup in June. Cheers!

Do you think Kane’s mullet adds anything to the spirit of the playoffs?

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Mar 5, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (right) and right wing Patrick Kane (left) warm up before the game against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks wear Marian Hossa

On this date in Chicago Blackhawks history,

On April 24, 2010 at the United Center the Blackhawks won their most dramatic game outside of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals in a tide turning series win against the Nashville Predators.  In the always important Game 5 with the series tied 2-2 the Blackhawks were staring straight into the face of defeat especially when Marian Hossa was given a  major boarding penalty.  With Antti Niemi pulled Patrick Kane scored with 13.6 seconds left to tie the game

As exciting and loud as the United Center was when Kane forced overtime there was still four minutes left on the Hossa penalty.  The Hawks killed off the penalty and then the puck magically found Hossa stick as he left the box for the game winner!

If these series of events don’t happen the Hawks probably don’t win the Cup.  The Kane goal is Game 6 was incedibly exciting, but this had to be by far the most important win of the 16 playoff wins in 2010.

Where were you when Kane knocked in the game tying goal? It’s already been three years but it still feels like yesterday!

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March 20, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7) forces Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) to turn the puck over during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Hawks took it on the chin Wednesday night in losing to Anaheim this past week so here are a couple of tweets that get honorable mention.

Fro is once again playing beastly, one day he’ll score on a turnover #Blackhawks

— Joe Kremel (@JMK_Hawks) March 21, 2013

  I have to totally agree with Joe on this one, Michael Frolik has played some very good hockey all season long but for some reason he cannot ever seem to finish a play and get the puck in the net.  His only tally of the season came on opening day in LA. Frolik has been great on the penalty kill but if he could someday add some scoring to his resume he would be a very tough nut to crack because he works hard on a nightly basis.

@blackhawk_up glad he’s getting 4 days off after this — Zach Schaefer (@kebzach) March 21, 2013

This isn’t a deep or funny thought but a real statement that was very true at the time. The Hawks needed time off and four day vacation came at the perfect time of the shortened season.  With Hossa out Patrick Kane had been on the ice longer than any other Hawk for two straight games, the four days off had to be a great incentive for Kane and the Hawks.

Lastly our tweet of the week, Part of the perfect timing for the Hawks 4 day vacation some would say was to watch the first round of the NCAA tourney, but my unscientific poll of Blackhawks fans surprisingly read exactly like this.

@blackhawk_up 0 I hate basketball

— Brad B (@HawksFanDenver) March 23, 2013

Congrats to Brad B and thanks to everyone for the comments on Twitter and Facebook! If you aren’t following us we are @Blackhawk_up on Twitter or friend us on Facebook at Blackhawk Up.

Le’ts Go Blackhawks!!!

March 20, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7) forces Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) to turn the puck over during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In a showdown between the top two ranked team in the NHL, the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 4-2 Wednesday night in Anaheim.  It was a back and forth tilt, that felt like a game between the best of the best, as well as a potential playoff preview.

The first period got off to quite the rocky start for the Blackhawks.  The Ducks came out flying, as the Hawks looked as if they were stuck in quick sand, when Peter Holland put the Ducks up 1-0 1:24 into the first period.  The sloppy play continued for the Hawks, as Brandon Bolig was sent to the penalty box, for an ill-timed interference penalty.  Although the Ducks had a one-man advantage, the actual advantage went to the Hawks, as Jonathan Toews broke through the Ducks zone, to tie the game at one, with his short-handed goal.  The Hawks killed off the rest of the penalty, and luckily the period as the sloppy play returned.  Luckily for the Hawks, the game was tied after the first 20 minutes of play.

Once again, the Ducks came out soaring, out-chancing the Hawks, and bullying them with their physical play and smothering forechecking.  However, near the half-way mark of the 2^nd period, it was the Hawks’ birthday boy defenseman, Nick Leddy who gave the Hawks a one goal lead with his Power Play goal.  The teams would head to their respective locker rooms to end the 2^nd period with a 2-1 Blackhawks lead.

The 3^rd period opened with the Hawks overall controlling the play, and holding their one goal lead over the Ducks.  It nearly became a 2 goal lead, when it appeared that Brandon Bolig had snuck a puck past Ducks goaltender, Jonas Hiller, but after a video review, the evidence showed that Bolig had kicked the puck into the net, resulting in a no-goal.  The no-goal didn’t appear to deflate the Hawks immediately, but the remaining 5 minutes in the 3^rd period of the last game on a 4 game road trip, against the hottest team in the NHL sure seemed to.  Bobby Ryan scored the Ducks first goal since less than two minutes into the 1^st period, to tie the game at 2.  A couple of minutes later, Teemu Selanne gave the Ducks the lead with a wrist shot past Hawks goaltender, Corey Crawford.  Crawford would eventually be pulled from the game, in favor of an extra-attacker for the Hawks, and the Ducks took advantage as Sheldon Souray provided the icing on the cake, as the Ducks finished off the Blackhawks by a score of 4-2.

Notes-

Patrick Kane was practically on the ice most of the game(especially in the 3^rd period) and ended the night with 25:21 minutes of ice-time, to lead the team.

Corey Crawford played outstanding tonight, as his excellent play kept the Hawks in it, as he withstood his teams inconsistent play, most of the night.

Arguably the most effective line for the Blackhawks, was the 4^th line of: Marcus Kruger, Michal Frolik, and Brandon Bolig, as the trio provided lots of energy and even some quality scoring chances.

The Blackhawks catch a well-deserved breather after a very good road trip, when they host the defending Stanley Cup champion, Los Angeles Kings, Monday night at the United Center.

Mar 16, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) skates in the Dallas Stars zone during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Stars 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

There were many highlights from Saturday night’s 8-1 victory but it was Patrick Kane’s spin-0-rama goal that caught a lot of people’s eye.  Old school Blackhawks fans know were the spin-0-rama originated and that of course is Denis Savard.  Here is a retro look at Denis Savard and some classic spin-0-rama’s

Patrick Kane started his tribute to Savard a few weeks back with this spin-o-rama pass that set up a Marian Hossa goal.

Patrick Kane full tribute highlight reel was completed last night when he used the spin-o-rama to finish the scoring in the 8-1 Hawks win over Dallas.

No matter if it was in the 80′s or today the spin-0-rama is a thing of beauty from either the creator of the move in Denis Savard or the talented Patrick Kane!

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