After the exhausting Wings series, things got no easier for the Blackhawks. They opened up the Western Conf finals against the defending Stanley Cup champs. How is that for stepping up the competition? This was a team that the Blackhawks ruined the banner raising for, so there were no doubt some sour grapes. Live from United Center, in Chicago, it's the Blackhawks and Kings.
The Blackhawks looked really good offensively in the first period, out shooting the Kings 17-2. Luckily for the Kings, the Hawks gave up a flukey goal, and went into the locker room down 1-0.
Even though the Kings and Hawks played much closer in the second period, the Blackhawks were able to take a 2-1 lead. The Hawks had 14 shots to the Kings 12, and carried some momentum into the third period.
The Hawks went into safe mode in the third period, but the Kings really didn't offer much pressure, either. I can't say there was a point where there was much threat of a Kings comeback. It felt like more of a "we got this" attitude from the men in red. When all was said and done, the Hawks held on and opened up a 1-0 series lead with their 2-1 win. Seven more wins!!
- Almost halfway through the first period, and the Hawks were out shooting the Kings 9-0
- As I said, The Hawks had 17 shots on net in the first period alone. Traffic in front or not, 17 shots are good.
- It took the Blackhawks twenty six shots and a period and a half to finally solve Jon Quick. Johnny Oduya took a solid slap shot off Quick's left pad and it ricocheted right back out in front to Patrick Sharp, for a fairly easy goal. The UC crowd finally woke up with this one....for a second.
- Just a few short minutes after the Sharp goal, Hossa tipped a long Duncan Keith slapshot past Quick to take their first lead of the series and never lost it.
- Late in the third period Dave Bolland freight trained Mike Richards while Richards tried to whack at Corey Crawford. Richards was pretty clearly hurting after the hit.
- Final shot tally was right in the Hawks wheelhouse at 36-22. That is exactly how they drew it up.
- The Hawks tripled the Kings up in takeaways 18-6. Huge!!
- The hits were MUCH closer than anyone would have expected and even though the Hawks were out hit, it was only by six at 44-38.
- Quenneville was able to roll all 4 lines just like he did in the Wild series. The fourth line had several great plays despite being on the ice for the only goal against.
- Crawford. The goal wasn't his fault, and he was his usual solid self.
- The Hawks first powerplay lasted under 30 seconds when Andrew Shaw took a stupid interference penalty.
- Drew Doughty was the only King that was a minus 2. Funny, We haven't heard all that Norris Trophy talk this year.
- Once again, the Hawks were beat at the faceoff dot. This time it was 48% to 52%. Handzus was the only Hawks player to eclipse the 50% mark. If something needs to improve, this is it. The Hawks might have won 3-0 if they had done better at the dots.
- The Kings scored on their second shot of the game when Dave Bolland non chalantly handled the puck in front of the net and then tried to pass across the slot. Justin Williams picked the puck off and redirected it past the shocked Corey Crawford. Terrible first goal, and terrible play by the Hawks in their own end.