On The Road Again: Why There Needs To Be A Different Game At The Joe

The Chicago Blackhawks got their swagger back. They looked like a different team on Saturday night, controlling the flow of the game from start to finish, and they were rewarded with the 4-1 victory. Even with that win under their belt, there is still work to be done; they are still facing elimination, and are down in the series 3-2. As the scenes change, the Blackhawks head back to the Joe Louis Arena Monday night, and will attempt to force an all-deciding Game Seven.

May 25, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center

(65) is congratulated by his teammates for scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period in game five 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

There is one thing on the mind of every Blackhawk tonight, and that is to bring this series back to Chicago. They don’t need to focus on the big picture, they will have two days to worry about a Game Seven after they win Game Six tonight. What they need to do is mirror Saturday’s performance. There was nothing to critique from the Blackhawks’ showing, and the fans at the United Center, as well as around the world on Twitter, were loving it. The Detroit faithful will hope for that from their Red Wings tonight, and they will have a capacity crowd behind them this evening, just like the Hawks did in Game Five.

If they want to win this game, the Blackhawks NEED the first goal tonight. It needs to dampen the crowd at the Joe, and give the players, coaches, and fans of the Red Wings a tiny twinge of doubt. They need to play physical, but smart. there needs to be no opportunity for a Detroit chant of “Craw-Ford” or “Toooooews” ect. The Blackhawks are going to have to look like the better team for a full 60 minutes tonight, and give no hope to anyone but the people of Chicago, and the fans the world over.

The Blackhawks need to plow their way through this game, and get the W. It can be 7-2, or it can be 2-1 in triple Overtime, (although that might not be very good for the blood pressure of some of us) but they need to take this series and level it. From there, they can settle it all on Wednesday night, where all the momentum will be theirs, and they will have the entire Madhouse rocking.

This series can be theirs. It won’t be easy, but it can be done. San Jose did the very same just last night, and now it’s Chicago’s turn. Detroit was a second home for the Blackhawks during the regular season, so it can be for one more night.

Whatever superstitions you started on Saturday better be carried out tonight. Here’s to a Game Seven preview instead of a season-end review on the site tomorrow morning.

One Goal.

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