Heading To Game #7: Five Chicago Blackhawks Quick Takes

May 23, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman

(7) reacts in game four of the second round for the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Blackhawks who were left for dead after Game #4 in Detroit being down 3-1 in the series now head back to the United Center for Game #7 after a great comeback win in Detroit Monday night. Here are a few quick takes heading to Game #7.

1. Coach Q deserves some credit–  The NBC telecast seemingly want to enshrine Mike Babcock into the Hockey Hall of Fame every time they talk about him.  Yes, Babcock is a very good coach and has owned Quenneville in his career, but give Q some credit with putting Duncan Keith an Brent Seabrook back together on the blue line.  Seabrook played 10 minutes in Game #4 and when switched back to his old pal seemed to reignite Seabrook back to his old self.  In Game #6 Seabrook had a couple very crucial shot blocks to keep pucks off Corey Crawford.  This move could be the best one of the series.

2. The Hawks forecheck has to show up Wednesday night– The Hawks when they are forechecking are beating the Red Wings both physically and on the scoreboard.  In Games 1 and 5 the forecheck wore the Wings down and in Game 6 the forecheck forced the Wings into mistakes.  Both teams want to control puck possession but the Hawks need to continue the forecheck and disrupt the Wings plan to own the puck in Game #7.

3. Bodies in front of Howard–  The Hawks have not scored a goal from the blue line, but all of their goals have been from point-blank range right in Jimmy Howard‘s grill.  The Hawks need to continue to get to those spots with bodies in front to beat Howard in Game #7.  The biggest reason for Detroit to get to this point of the series has been the stellar play of Howard.

4. Great recovery by Crawford- The 2nd period goal that Crawford gave up was more brutal than last season’s overtime goals to the Phoenix Coyotes.  The only good part if there possibly could be one is there was still half of a game left for the team to recover.  Crawford stood tall in net and really help control the Wings the rest of the way excluding the last second goal by Damien Brunner.  For the playoffs Crawford has a .935 save percentage and is only giving up 1.78 Goals per game.  In the Detroit series Corey Crawford has only allowed 3 third period goals.

5. The Game is 60 Minutes– The Red Wings have given up 20 third period goals in the playoffs (Blackhawks 7). No matter what the score is heading to the third period there is a chance against the Wings which the Hawks proved in Game #6.  The only one day off between games could finally be catching up to the older Wings team and the Hawks need to apply constant pressure for the entire game so that even if Game #7 is tight the Hawks can win it in the third period.

What is your Quick take for Game #7?

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