Playoff Push: Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

Mar 16, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Carter Hutton (38) warms up before the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Stars 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Blackhawks recalled Carter Hutton from the Rockford Ice Hogs today.  One thing clinching the #1 seed in the Western Conference with 6 games left is the flexibility to give players rest that may be nicked up or suffering from minor tweaks or injuries.  Ray Emery has a lower body injury and will not dress for Friday’s home game against the Nashville Predators so Hutton gets the call up. When the Hutton announcement happened Twitter lit up like a Christmas tree about what happened to Emery.  Nothing serious for Emery so don’t sweat the small stuff.

The only close to major issue is the health of Patrick Sharp. The Hawks keep saying that Patrick Sharp isn’t that hurt even if this is the case I would let him practice, but not see live game action until Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs.  Sharp like Emery is for sure not going to dress Friday night.

Extended rest and athletes don’t mix very well so giving the entire roster the last six games off is not even something a. that is possible  b. something you would not want to do. One thing I sarcastically suggest is that the Blackhawks should suit up the Rockford Ice Hogs for the last game of the season against the St. Louis unless by winning the Hawks eliminate the Blues from the Stanley Cup  playoffs.

Either way the Hawks can give everyone the ability to get as close to 100% as possible for what hopes to be a lot of playoff hockey games well into June.  The fast start, streak, and early clinching give the Hawks a lot more options than they have had the past two season heading to the playoffs.  Don’t sweat the small moves like Hutton getting called up because in the end its all to get the organization on the right track for ONE GOAL!

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