Weekend Extravaganza!! Let’s Play Two

Jun 1, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing

(29) shoots against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game one of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Kings 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Game #2- Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Blackhawks (Hawks lead series 1-0)

Game Time– 7pm Central

TV– NBCSN

Preview- The Hawks skated away with the first game of the series on Saturday evening after getting two past Jonathan Quick in the 2nd period.  Now due to the Rolling Stones the Hawks and Kings are playing the rare back to back playoff games to start the Western Conference Finals.  The Kings were not able to apply much pressure against the Hawks especially early on when they were outshot 17-2 in the first period.  The Kings looked like a slow team that just wasn’t able to get out of their own ways or get to the Hawks skaters in time to punish them with their style.  In Game 2 the Kings will need to get back to playing their game without just hoping that Quick is going to always be there to save the day.  Quick is really good but when the Hawks got two past him it didn’t seem like the Kings offense would be able to sustain enough pressure to get the equalizer.  The Kings after going 10-1 last year in the playoffs on the road are now 1-6 and getting outscored 2/1 (20-10) They will need to change these trends or leave the Windy City in a 0-2 hole.

The Hawks discovered in the 2nd period of Game 1 that to beat a great goalie you have to get bodies in front and attack rebounds.  Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa worked that plan to perfection for the tying and game winners.  The Hawks forechecking was great but they will need to keep up the pressure in Game 2 because they don’t want to lose home ice advantage to a team that hasn’t lost at home in the playoffs in 2013.  Corey Crawford was solid after his leaving the cage gaffe in the 1st period.  The one thing you have to like about Crawford is his ability to recover after a bad/soft goal and tighten the screws, granted it would be nice just to avoid those goals in the first place.  Hopefully the Hawks learn from Game 2 of the Red Wings series that they need to come out with an even bigger push to win both home games to start the series. The one stat you have to like is that Joel Quenneville was rolling all four lines again and every Hawk had at least 10 minutes of ice time in Game #1 this led to the constant pressure in the Kings end of the ice.

Prediction- The Hawks team is starting to roll again and this will carry over to Sunday night and a 4-1 victory.

What is your prediction for Game #2?

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ONE GOAL!!!!