Hawks Shutout Preds to Take Game 2

Hawks Shutout Preds to Take Game 2

Photo courtesy of ChicagoBlackhawks.com

Chicago asked, and the Blackhawks answer, The Nashville Predators were no match for a revamped Chicago Blackhawks team Sunday at the United Center in game 2 of the playoffs. Lead by a strong defensive core and an ironman of a goalie, Antti Niemi, the Hawks tied up the series at 1 heading into Nashville tonight for game 3. After being embarrassed by the Preds in game 1 on home ice the Hawks needed to do something to get their swagger back and after a couple line changes by Q-Stache, the Hawks took game 2 with a statement.

In game 1 of the series the Predator’s TRAP defense (Because that's what it is) proved too simple for the flashy Hawks who said heading into game 2, they needed to make more "dirty" goals to defeat the strong defense of Nashville. The game sure wasn't easy as both teams were making some of the best defensive stands I've seen in 1 game. From the Preds point of view, it was mainly Rinne, Preds goalie, who was making the biggest stand of them all grabbing 31 saves on the night.

Dave Bolland scored the Blackhawks first goal of the night, and it was kind of fate that he hit his backhander off a beautiful pass by "My Captain, My Captain." For whatever reason, during the broadcast of the game Pat was saying how Bolland isn't himself since his back surgery and we should just appreciate his attempts during the game for giving it his best. Bolland must have heard that and said, who you calling "not myself," and hit the game-winning goal; beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

We couldn't go a game into this off-season without something from our "mullet-minded" friend Patrick Kane. Kane was credited an assist in Bollands goal and on a beautiful take away and a 2 on 1 fast break, Kane split the defender and goalie by setting up a possible passing attempt; instead he pulled the trigger and fired one right past Rinne for a separation goal and some breathing room. We all know the Preds have played close games the entire year, and actually don't mind playing nail bitters (I knew they were weird) so for Kane to hit that goal was a sigh of relief.

Without touching too much so on the fact that the refs completely screwed Bolland out of a goal I will say, "the refs completely screwed bolland out of a goal." With a centering pass from behind the Preds net, a whistle was blown to blow the puck dead, and the puck was still loose with no possession except for Bolland who slid the puck right between Rinne's legs. That got Q-Stache angry, as well as the entire United Center as they started a glorious chant of, "Bullshit! Bullshit! Bullshit!"

Toews, "My Captain, My Captain," had once again another beautiful look on an empty net and pull the shot high, bouncing off the top crossbar. You could tell Toews was in shock that he missed the goal, but just as any good captain would, he got back into the game and played a strong game.

The defense really stepped it up this game, it was almost as if we weren't missing 2 key elements; Campbell and Johnsson. I can even count the numerous Predator shot attempts in which a Blackhawks would sacrifice themselves for a block. Point 'n case, Sopel, who was absolutely superb in the game, (yes I said it) turned sideways to make himself bigger on a Pred's slap shot from the point to block the shot right in the calf; he limped off the ice after the play but returned to make more great defensive plays.

Hjalmarsson is starting to become one of my favorite players on the ice, I just can't say enough about that guy. He and Sopel both were the odd man out on a 2 on 1 Predators break away where they would sprawl across the ice on a diagonal sweep towards the puck handler to block the pass and break up the puck. In the last minute of the game, as Nashville was peppering the goal, the puck took an odd bounce to the opposite side of Niemi and as Dumont poked the puck Hjalmarsson made the save, practically in the net, to keep the Preds scoreless.

I know this is getting long, but I will start to wrap this up by saying one last point; "Thank you" Marian Hossa. You have made this team better by implementing your veteran playing style and playoff experience. Every game you show me what 110% looks like, and though I know you are getting frustrated by that dumb goalie, Rinne, for making some unheard of saves, Thank you. You can truly see the difference in ability when Hossa is on the ice, he amazes me.

The Hawks head into Nashville tonight for game 3, if the Hawks can be patient and play as well as they did in Game 2, this will have a good outcome. So throw on your favorite jersey, grab a Miller Lite, and join in the chorus, "Let's Go Hawks!"

I'm ChiN8 and I want to thank you for following Windy City Sportz.