The Blackhawks were looking to get back on track in LA, Thursday night, after a 3-1 loss in game 3. If they were going to win, they were going to have so without Duncan Keith, because of his one game suspension for clipping Jeff Carter in the face. As I said before, the Hawks lost, pretty much, a 2-1 game to a team that hasn't lost at home in the entire playoffs, and they didn't even really show up for 40 of the 60 minutes. No reason to panic. Lets get right to the action.
The Hawks looked like they might have come out a little flat in the first period, giving up the first goal, early on. They didn't roll over, though, tying the game up late and out shooting the Kings 11-10 in the period. This one was going to be a game.
The second period started the same as the first, with the Kings taking the lead early on, but the Hawks came back again and tied the game again late. The Kings actually out shot the Hawks 9-8 in the middle period, but no harm done.
The third period is where the Hawks clamped down HARD. They took the lead early on, and just shut the Kings down the rest of the way. The Hawks out shot the home team 9-2 in what might be the final period of hockey in the Staples Center this season. When the final horn went off, there were no silly streamers, and the Blackhawks were on their way home with a 3-1 series lead.
- Only a few minutes into the game, El Capitan was sent in on a break-a-way and had Quick beat, but the Datsyuk-esque move rolled just wide. Of course, the Kings ended up opening the scoring on the next rush up the ice.
- Sudden playoff juggernaut Bryan Bickell tied the game up with about 6 and a half minutes left in the fist period. He brought the puck in just over the blue line and let a long wrist shot go on Quick. Quick couldn't get a handle on the knuckling puck and it squirted past him. Weak goal, but fortunate for the Hawks. It's going to be fun laughing at whatever team gives him some asinine amount of money because of the playoffs, completely over looking the previous mediocre 5 years. Hello, Sean Bergenheim, John Druce, and Ville Leino. Pull another chair up to the table, because you'll have company shortly.
- With just over 1:30 left in the second period, the Hawks tied the game once again. The Hawks were all over the Kings and Crazy 8s was flying around the zone like his pubic hair was on fire. After a few separate scrums in the crease, the puck was sent back out to Hjalmarsson. Hammer unleashed a shot that Bickell tipped and once again dribbled through Quick. Kane spotted the puck behind Quick and helped it over the line. Kaner! Nice to see you, kiddo! Thanks for joining the Western Conference Finals.
- Handzus and Hossa recognized and jumped on a terrible Kings line change just a minute and ten seconds into the third period, and gave the Blackhawks their first lead of the night. One they would never lose. Handzus set up Hossa for a one timer on a silver platter, and Hoss didn't miss. He is Marian Hossa, and you are not.
- When you hold the home to to TWO shots on net in a one goal third period, you're doing something right.
- Corey Crawford made several huge saves, once again, and kept the Blackhawks in the game. None were bigger than the poke check on the Justin Williams break-a-way four minutes into the second period.
- Da Hocks gotta hit more of dem Kings guys! They were out hit almost 2-to-1 and won.
- The Hawks beat a team that hasn't lost at home, without arguably their best defenseman. End of statement.
- I'm getting tired of hearing the name Slava Voynov, that's for sure. Brookbank's first shift was a complete clusterfuck, and ended up with Voynov blasting a long shot past Crawford. Terrible way to start the game, and thank god we shouldn't have to see any more of Brookbank this postseason.
- The Hawks were still dogshit at the dots. At this point, I guess we just have to come to terms with it, but just imagine how dangerous they would be if they STARTED with possession more than 4 out of every 10 faceoffs. Toews was the low man last night at 39%. How he goes from virtually tops in the league in the regular season to this is beyond me.
- Sheldon Brookbank minus 2 in 6:50. Your seat in the press box is warm and waiting for you. OOOFA
- The second Kings goal was a pretty lackluster one. Jeff Carter put a really soft backhand shot on net, and Crawford kind of lost it. Brookbank lost his man, Penner, behind Crawford and Penner just chasséd into the crease and poked the puck in to the net. Things did not look well for the Hawks at that point, but they got better.
- The Hawks had a 5-on-3 early in the second period and couldn't manage Jack Shit. They manged one shot overall, and none on the 5-on-3 portion which is just absolutely pathetic.
- Lard ass Penner took a cheap shot at Bolland early in the third period that the league will have to take a look at. Turnabout is fair play, LA Kings fans. Elbow to the head is a suspendable offense, especially to a player that already has concussion issues.
Courtesy of Mighty Mike D at Cheer the Anthem, and HockeeNight for starting the tradition.
