Bleacher Report - Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks: Does Andrew Shaw Need to Get His Game Under Control?

Jon Fromi — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:44:37 -0400

Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw has made edgy play his calling card since coming up midway through the 2011-12 campaign. Now might be a good time to make the young man aware of the line between sandpaper and quicksand.

It's definitely a tightrope for any player to walk. For a player like Shaw, full-throttle is what got him into the NHL. However, his game is going to be a liability at times.

Nowhere is that more evident than in Chicago's Western Conference semifinal with the Detroit Red Wings.

Shaw has exhibited some undisciplined play in two of the first three games of the series. The 'Hawks trail 2-1 going into Thursday night's Game 4 in Detroit.

Shaw earned 14 penalty minutes in Monday night's contest. That included a pair of two-minute minors and a ten-minute misconduct penalty as the game was nearly over. Shaw also picked up two infractions in Game 1's 4-1 victory.

So...does Shaw's play hinder or help Chicago's playoff chances?

Chicago has killed Shaw's penalties as it has with all penalties incurred during the playoffs. On the other hand, being saddled with shorthanded time isn't the best way to generate offense.

Shaw was a big factor in the forecheck that made the Blackhawks so tough in the opener of this series. If the key to scoring on Jimmy Howard is getting to some of the rebounds he's leaving out in front of the crease, Shaw could be the answer. That's his bread and butter as far as scoring is concerned.

It also created quite a stir in Game 3, where a goal that would have tied the game was disallowed because of goalie interference. Guess who was at the center of the action?

Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski does a tremendous job breaking down the play along with video, so I'll just say that Shaw was in the crease but didn't interfere with Jimmy Howard.

As fans, we have moaned for the 'Hawks to crash the net. Net presence is a big reason I wouldn't mind seeing Ben Smith on the fourth line. The by-product of getting bodies in front of the net is the occasional penalty.

Did the officials use the fact that Shaw was the player in the crease to make a decision on the play? I'd like to think not, but Shaw has built his reputation all by himself. In what is still an NHL career in it's infancy, Shaw makes no bones about what his style of play entails.

You can dig the way Shaw goes about his business. You also have to then accept the repercussions his exuberance is going to create.

Coach Joel Quenneville has likely made Shaw aware of the dangers of playing too close to the edge. It's one thing to remind a player of the line they are not to cross. It's another thing to skate along that line and not cross it.

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Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Things the Hawks Must Improve on to Beat Detroit

Matt Barbato — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:46:32 -0400

For the first time in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, and perhaps all season, the Chicago Blackhawks are facing a heavy dose of adversity. After coming up short in a 3-1 defeat to the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, the Hawks trail in the series 2-1 and are showing signs of frustration.

After getting swept in the regular season by Chicago, Mike Babcock and his veteran Wings have turned the tables on the younger Blackhawks by winning two straight in the postseason.

The Red Wings have outscored the Blackhawks 7-2 in the last two games after Chicago dominated Game 1 with a 4-1 drubbing that feels like it was months ago.

Although the Blackhawks stepped up their play in Game 3, it wasn't enough to beat Detroit and won't be enough to move on to the Western Conference finals. Here are five things Joel Quenneville's team must improve on if they want to have the last laugh in this historic rivalry.

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Chicago Blackhawks: Urgency Obvious After Game 3 Loss to Detroit Red Wings

Jon Fromi — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:38:55 -0400

For the Chicago Blackhawks, it isn't time to panic. It may be time to sweat, but there's no need to panic.

Following a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in Game 3 of Chicago's Western Conference semifinal series, the 'Hawks find themselves in an unfamiliar spot. For perhaps the first time in the 2013 season, Chicago is in what amounts to a must-win situation.

In the first game of the series in Joe Louis Arena, the Red Wings got a 39-save performance out of Jimmy Howard to fend off a strong opening period on the part of Chicago. Despite getting 15 shots on goal in the opening period, the Blackhawks couldn't arrange a meeting of rubber and twine.

Detroit took control of the contest with a pair of goals within 31 seconds of each other. Chicago rallied with a Patrick Kane goal in the final 20 minutes. However, a potential tying goal was disallowed and Pavel Datsyuk nailed the door shut in the seventh minute.

The frustration was evident on the part of the 'Hawks. Five times in the final period, Chicago skaters were sent to the penalty box. Bryan Bickell attempted to drop the gloves with Niklas Kronwall with no success. Andrew Shaw, who had been penalized twice earlier in the game, was assessed a 10-minute misconduct near the game's end.

The Blackhawks are now down 2-1 in the series and face a Game 4 in Detroit on Thursday that requires a response to the previous two losses. It is imperative that Chicago return home with the series knotted at two games apiece.

Sure, several shots beat Howard only to meet up with a post or crossbar. However, the 'Hawks are too good a team to settle on such excuses.

Shaw may or may not have interfered in the crease on what could have been the tying goal. Regardless, more legal traffic needs to congregate in front of the net.

This isn't rocket science here. There are few revelations in what is required to even up the series. What is needed is an ability to convert on opportunities in Game 4. Otherwise, the 'Hawks will return to Chicago on the brink of elimination.

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Blackhawks vs. Red Wings: What Happened to Chicago's Star-Studded Offense?

Nicholas Goss — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:21:57 -0400

The Chicago Blackhawks have lost back-to-back games for the first time in the 2013 NHL playoffs as a result of their 3-1 Game 3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.

The reason why the Red Wings lead the series 2-1 is because their top players are producing at both ends of the ice. Superstar forwards Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk rank first and second on the team in scoring during the playoffs, respectively, and they both played very well in Game 3.

Datsyuk scored a momentum-killing goal in the third period with an unreal snipe to beat Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford about two minutes after Patrick Kane cut the Detroit lead to one with a goal of his own. Meanwhile, Zetterberg continued his excellent defensive performance against Chicago captain Jonathan Toews, who has made almost no impact in this series.

Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, Toews isn't the only star forward who has failed to produce offensively in the last two games. Here are some stats involving the team's top-six forwards over the last two games combined.

Player	G	A	P	+/-	SOG
Jonathan Toews	0	0	0	0	10
Marian Hossa	0	0	0	-1	6
Patrick Sharp	0	1	1	-1	5
Patrick Kane	2	0	2	-2	6
Brandon Saad	0	0	0	0	7
Dave Bolland	0	0	0	-3	3

From a Blackhawks perspective, there are far too many zeros on the chart above. Kane is the only top-six forward who has found the back of the net over the last two games which, to no one's surprise, were both losses for Chicago.

Nobody in the Western Conference scored more goals than the Blackhawks during the regular season, which is why the team's inability to score goals right now (one goal in each of the last two games) is so surprising.

The play of Toews, in particular, has been the biggest disappointment for the Blackhawks in this series. Detroit has made it obvious that one of the team's goals is to play physical with Toews and make him work hard for every puck and each scoring chance.

Zetterberg and the other Red Wings forwards are hitting and pushing him at every opportunity, and the chippy play has really frustrated the young superstar. Every time he goes to the net, there's a player in a red sweater cross-checking, shoving or hooking him.

The 25-year-old star has complained to the referees on several occasions and provided this comment to the media on Saturday (via Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times).

As a former Stanley Cup champion and an Olympic gold medalist, Toews won't be intimidated by the challenge in front of him, but zero goals in eight playoff games is unacceptable for a player of his caliber.

Toews normally elevates his game in the second round of the playoffs (13 points in 12 career conference semifinals games prior to this series), but a combination of bad luck and good defense by the Red Wings has prevented him from getting on the scoresheet.

Marian Hossa is another star who must play better for the Blackhawks to avoid a 3-1 series deficit. He's one of the highest-paid players on the team and is so critical to its success with his strong two-way game.

But Hossa has been absent for most of this series with one point, a minus-two rating and 11 total shots in three games. Chicago needs the 34-year-old winger to create some more offense for himself and his linemates Toews and Brandon Saad.

Without a good performance from their top line, the Blackhawks offense will not improve.

One of the central matchups in this series is the Red Wings' heavy game versus the high-end offensive skill of the Blackhawks forwards.

Through three games, Detroit has done an effective job in frustrating Chicago's best scorers by winning the majority of the physical battles in all three zones. The Red Wings have a clear size and strength advantage on the ice, which is why they have outhit the Blackhawks 66-44 in the last two games.

As a finesse club without a lot of players who like to play a physical game, the Blackhawks cannot afford to lose their composure against a Red Wings team that does a good job of getting under its opponents' skin with after-the-whistle jabs and trash talk. Chicago was rattled at the end of Game 3, and it was obvious with some of the penalties it was taking.

Another reason why the Red Wings are shutting down the Blackhawks' best forwards is the coaching brilliance of Mike Babcock.

The league's best head coach has won the matchup battles with his opposite number Joel Quenneville, and his ability to motivate his players in an unfamiliar underdog role is impressive. With two full days off until the puck drops in Game 4 on Thursday, Babcock has plenty of time to watch film and find more ways to slow down Chicago's offense.

It would be unfair not to give a lot of praise to Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard, whose brilliant play in net is one of the main reasons why the Blackhawks' star-studded offense is struggling right now.

He has played consistently well in this series and has made all the big saves late in games over the last two matchups. His confidence is growing with each victory, and his rebound control was fantastic in Game 3. Howard stopped 39 of the 40 shots he faced on Monday night, and as a result, his save percentage (.923) and GAA (2.43) numbers are better than they've been at any point in his postseason career.

Howard has given the Red Wings the advantage in net thus far, and if he wins the goaltending matchup, Detroit will reach the Western Conference Final for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

The Blackhawks got away with lackluster performances from their stars in the first round against the Minnesota Wild, who were forced to play their backup and third-string goaltenders for the entire five-game series.

Against a Red Wings team that's getting good goaltending from Howard, scoring production from its top three lines and winning the physical battles, Chicago won't survive the second round if its best forwards continue to struggle.

In the Stanley Cup playoffs, a team's star players need to lead the group and be productive at both ends of the ice on a consistent basis.

If the Blackhawks don't get better performances from players like Toews and Hossa in Game 4, this team will be pushed to the brink of elimination and might become the latest Presidents' Trophy winners to fail in the playoffs.

Nicholas Goss is an NHL Lead Writer at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter. Nick was a credentialed reporter at the 2011 Stanley Cup Final and 2012 NHL playoffs, and he is also a credentialed writer at the 2013 NHL playoffs in Boston.

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Chicago Blackhawks: Roster Tweaks for Game 3 vs. Detroit Red Wings

Jon Fromi — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:57:18 -0400

The Chicago Blackhawks need to take a game in Detroit from the Red Wings this week in their Western Conference semifinal series. To do that, coach Joel Quenneville would do well to shuffle his lineup a bit going into Game 3 Monday.

After Detroit earned a split of the first two games at the United Center with Saturday's 4-1 defeat of the 'Hawks, the action moves in the Motor City for the next two games. Winning in Detroit is far from impossible. To do so, however, it might take making a change or two.

What moves could bring about a Game 3 win for Chicago? Let's explore a few.

Viktor Stalberg: In

This seems to be how Quenneville is leaning based upon his comments to ESPNChicago.com's Scott Powers after Sunday's practice. Whatever went down between Quenneville and Stalberg will apparently be put on the back burner long enough for Stalberg to reenter the lineup.

Is he the key to victory Monday? Perhaps not, but Stalberg is capable of getting by Detroit's defense and creating scoring opportunities.

Michal Handzus: Out

Dave Bolland was back up with the second line on Sunday. This could mean Handzus is a scratch for Game 3.

This is a speed issue to me. Handzus just doesn't have it, despite the ability to win draws. Chicago will have to step up in this area. Bolland was 6-of-11 at the dot in Game 2. If he can replicate those numbers and Jonathan Toews returns to form at the circle, this could be a winning move.

Daniel Carcillo: Out; Ben Smith: In

Sending Smith to the fourth line could provide a small boost to the bottom six. He has fresh legs and is capable of playing a headier game that Carbomb.

On one hand, inserting a player who last played in the regular-season finale could be chancy. On the other, Smith has playoff experience and would be a great fit with Michael Frolik and Marcus Kruger.

Ray Emery: Still wearing a ball cap

Corey Crawford is the starter no matter what you think of his Game 2 performance. Make no mistake about it, Crawford was left out to dry by some spotty defensive decisions.

Emery certainly is as healthy and well-rested as he can be. That said, he can stay on the bench. If anyone has earned his spot in the crease, it's Crawford.

Andrew Shaw: Out

I believe Shaw will play Monday night. However, if there is anyone who could use a seat upstairs right now, it would be him.

Shaw has committed a few penalties that were poor choices, to say the least. If Quenneville thought benching Stalberg sent some sort of message, making Shaw an observer for a game might do him some good.

Quenneville has a lot of choices he can make in regards to Game 3's lineup. We will see what he elects to do Monday night.

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Chicago Blackhawks' 5 Most Impressive Players During 2013 Playoffs

Nicole Blum — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:44:46 -0400

The Chicago Blackhawks have seen contributions from every single line in the playoffs this year. This kind of depth makes the Blackhawks a team that's hard to beat.

The playoffs have brought out the best in most of the 'Hawks, and there have definitely been a few standout players thus far.

But not all of the standouts are the usual stars like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

Here are the five most impressive Blackhawks players during the playoffs.

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NHL Playoffs: Why Chicago Blackhawks Need Viktor Stalberg vs. Detroit Red Wings

Derek Wolff — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:11:52 -0400

For all of the supposed depth the Chicago Blackhawks possess throughout their talented lineup, such didn't seem to be the case Saturday as they were thumped by their biggest rivals in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

The visiting Detroit Red Wings came into the United Center and turned the tables on the hometown 'Hawks, cruising to a 4-1 victory while stealing a game to even the series at 1-1. Chicago was flat-out beaten in every area of the game and looked lethargic after taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

The Blackhawks, who seemingly skated in circles around the Wings in their 4-1 win in Game 1, were nowhere to be found during Game 2, and the United Center crowd reflected that. I haven't heard the building that quiet since the days of "Dollar Bill" Wirtz, an era before Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews revived the franchise and made the "Madhouse on Madison" a rocking place to be again.

Speaking of Kane, he finally got off the schneid with his first goal since April 2011, but the 'Hawks couldn't hold the lead and looked awful in the final two periods as the Wings scored four unanswered goals.

The sudden lethargic attitude stemmed from an inability to adjust, as the vulnerable Detroit defense from Game 1 made adjustments to stymie the prolific Chicago forecheck. The roles reversed, Chicago simply shut down and played one of its worst games, if not the worst game, of the year. And while the Blackhawks don't need to panic at all, they do need to make some changes before playing Game 3 Monday night in Detroit.

Enter Viktor Stalberg.

Stalberg, who played in all five games of the Blackhawks' first-round series victory over the Minnesota Wild, has been a healthy scratch for the first two games of the Detroit series. While there has been no direct indication as to why he hasn't suited up against the Wings, it's likely that Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville wasn't impressed with his energy level in the week off that the Blackhawks had while they waited for their second-round matchup.

Stalberg was limited to just one assist in five games against the Wild, but brings an unparalleled speed game to the Blackhawks that the Wings won't be able to match. Lining up on the wing with Dave Bolland and Bryan Bickell as his linemates, the 27-year-old Swede scored nine goals and added 14 helpers in 47 regular-season games, tied for fifth on the team with 23 points.

The winger played well against Detroit in the regular season, scoring one goal and adding two assists while going plus-two over four games. But the thing Stalberg brings the most to the table, aside from his blinding speed, is his solidification of the third line. Andrew Shaw's chippy and aggressive play have kept him on the third line alongside Bolland and Bickell after the former returned from injury at the start of the Detroit series, but it's time for Coach Q to again juggle the lines.

While it's not fair to be overly critical of Bolland, a main staple in the Blackhawks' success over the past five years, he had an awful Game 2 against Detroit, racking up eight penalty minutes on four minor calls. While the 'Hawks penalty kill remained stellar in another brilliant special teams showing, the penalties Bolland took in the game were, in a word, dumb.

Worse, while the Wings power play failed to convert, the 'Hawks burned valuable five-on-five time to kill them off. Shaw served one of the minors when Bolland took two minutes for roughing and another two for slashing at 14 minutes, 45 seconds in the first period. While Shaw remained clean in Game 2, his overaggression twice put the Wings on the power play in Game 1.

Daniel Carcillo, who played with Michael Frolik and Marcus Kruger on Chicago's fourth line, took a cross-checking penalty shortly after Damien Brunner tied the Game at 1-1 early in the second period. This penalty was unmerited and selfish, putting the Blackhawks again at a man disadvantage and killing any rally after the Brunner goal.

With both Bolland and Bickell playing on the third line as natural centers, Shaw has been moved to the wing. Inserting Stalberg back into the mix in his usual spot on the third line would most likely see Shaw replace Carcillo alongside Frolik and Kruger on the fourth line, which would benefit the Blackhawks as well, giving them more scoring talent and increasing the depth. Better yet, Shaw's grit would benefit his linemates, who play more of a speed game and are crucial to the 'Hawks' penalty kill success.

Inserting Stalberg into the fray would inject some much-needed life into the Blackhawks, who will no doubt come out hungrier on Monday, looking for a chance to steal back home-ice advantage. Fans would be hard-pressed to find a faster skater on Monday night than No. 25 for Chicago, nor a player who wants to help his team win more.

Stalberg told the Chicago Tribune that Quenneville had not been happy with his play and that he understands he'll need to pick it up to receive more ice time and remain a constant in Chicago's lineup. Plus, he'll be playing for a new contract, since he becomes a free agent when the 2013 season is over.

Certainly he'll want to help the 'Hawks extend that deadline as far as they can.

Chicago lost back-to-back games just four times in the regular season. Expect its intensity to be much better come Monday night.

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Chicago Blackhawks: Leave Patrick Kane's Off-Ice Antics Out of Lady Byng Talk

Jon Fromi — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:57:10 -0400

The Chicago Blackhawks had another player announced as a finalist for an end-of-the-year award Thursday. Patrick Kane was named a finalist for the Lady Byng trophy, the prize awarded to the league's most sportsmanlike player.

Kane was announced as a finalist along with the Islanders' Matt Moulson and Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis. This is causing some to point out that Kane does not belong in the company of these other two players.

Personally, I believe that St. Louis will come out of this with his third Lady Byng. However, the criticisms leveled at Kane are not so much about his play on the ice as his behavior off of it.

That's not just misguided—it's also not fair.

Look, Kane had just eight penalty minutes in the regular season. That doesn't necessarily earn him a sportsmanship trophy. On the other hand, people need to remember that this is an award given out to the NHL's model citizen—on the ice.

No one is denying that Kane has something of a checkered past when it comes to non-hockey activities. The point that is being missed is that the Lady Byng is a sportsmanship trophy, not a reflection of one's off-ice comportment.

Kane is still just 24 years old, though he has matured in regards to his play. If you want to point out that he is at times still quite the chirper, fine. It doesn't seem like there has been as much of that this season.

It is pool of the dirtiest variety to suggest that poor decisions made in the offseason should affect the way Kane handles himself on the ice.

Even if such transgressions were something to be considered, this is a yearly award that accounts for changes of heart. Stan Mikita won himself his first of two Lady Byngs just two seasons removed from a 154 penalty-minute campaign.

Stosh was a bit of a hothead on the ice who reformed into one of the game's classier skaters. Why doesn't Kane, or any player, get that kind of blank slate every season?

I can tolerate discussion on whether Kane deserves his status as a Lady Byng finalist. Just don't bring up knocks on the kid that didn't occur in game action.

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Will Corey Crawford Stay Hot in Chicago Blackhawks' 2nd-Round Playoff Series?

Nicole Blum — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:52:19 -0400

Corey Crawford's 2012 playoff performance left Chicago Blackhawks fans booing. But only cheering for Crawford coming up huge in net is heard at the United Center these days.

Crawford spoke of his confidence in net to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune:

"I've always believed in what I can do," Crawford said. "I never want to get too high or start criticizing myself and getting on myself too much. It's just that even keel. I've always been confident.

The 2013 playoffs have been great for the Montreal native—and great is an understatement.

Crawford sports a .950 save percentage and a 1.27 goals-against average in six games played.

Last year, Corey Crawford's 2.48 goals-against average and 0.893 save percentage left Hawks fans wondering about his future with the team. No one is questioning Crawford's dominance in net this year.

The only question left to answer is whether Will Crawford can keep his form in the rest of the series against the Detroit Red Wings?

Here are three reasons why I have no doubt that he will.

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Red Wings vs. Blackhawks: No Star Power, No Problem for Chicago

Steve Silverman — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:57:30 -0400

The eighth seed in the Western Conference went down easily in the first round, as the Chicago Blackhawks disposed of the Minnesota Wild in five games.

The seventh seed may not offer much more resistance.

The Chicago Blackhawks didn't get any goals from stars Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane, but they registered a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 of the second-round series.

The game was all about the Blackhawks' speed, depth and relentlessness. It didn't matter that the team's brightest stars registered just one assist each; the 'Hawks had the Red Wings on the run for much of the last two periods.

If the Red Wings have any hope of pushing the Blackhawks, head coach Mike Babcock is going to have to change his strategy. They did a good job of keeping Toews and Kane from taking over the game, but the Blackhawks got key goals in the third period from Johnny Oduya and Marcus Kruger to break a 1-1 tie.

The goal by Oduya came when Kane was on the ice. The Red Wings defense kept a close eye on the explosive Kane, and that allowed Oduya to step in off the blue line and score the go-ahead goal. He took a sweet pass from Patrick Sharp and then whipped an even better shot off the crossbar over goalie Jimmy Howard's shoulder.

Kane and Toews each had one assist in the win, but that was the extent of their contribution on the scoresheet. Coach Joel Quenneville knows that Toews and Kane are going to produce big numbers eventually, but he's not worried if it takes a few more games before it happens.

Not only do the Blackhawks have plenty of depth thanks to Marian Hossa, Brandon Saad, Dave Bolland and Sharp, but Quenneville also knows his team has won many games when the top duo hasn't scored.

Recently, the 'Hawks took Game 4 of the first-round series against the Wild by a 3-0 margin. It was the most important game of the series since the Wild had won the third game in overtime. Neither Toews nor Kane had a point in that game.

When the Blackhawks met the St. Louis Blues on April 14, Blues goalie Brian Elliott had a streak of three straight shutouts. The Blackhawks won the game 2-0, and the scoring was done by Bryan Bickell and Marian Hossa. Neither Kane nor Toews had an assist.

Few teams can win consistently when their stars are not scoring. But the Blackhawks are not in that group.

If they are going to fulfill the promise they showed throughout the regular season and take their second Stanley Cup in four years, Toews and Kane will have their moments. But if it's not in the second round, there's no panic involved.

There are plenty of others to pick up the slack. The first game in the series against the Red Wings is proof of that.

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NHL Playoffs 2013: Teams with Best Chance at Reaching Stanley Cup Final

Tyler Poslosky — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:42:59 -0400

Hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup doesn’t come easily. It takes sweat, blood and grit.

It’s a feat given to the most rugged team—the last one standing. Breezing through the playoffs is as rare as finding a two-dollar bill.

However, a few teams are as destined as ever to hoist the Stanley Cup in 2013. They’ve demonstrated what it takes to win at all costs, and it will be a dogfight to the end.

Los Angeles Kings

The reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings are using the same formula this year as they did when they won it all last year: stout, physical defense, solid checking, timely scoring and magnificent goaltending.

Down 2-0 to St. Louis in the Western Conference quarterfinals, Los Angeles stormed back by winning four straight to win the series. The Kings’ physicality was a huge factor in their success. In the six-game series against the Blues, the Kings dished out 241 hits.

And in Game 1 of the conference semifinals, the Kings leaned on their backstop, Jonathan Quick, who pounced on every shot and loose puck the Sharks threw his way, stopping 35-of-35 shots as his team skated to a 2-0 victory Wednesday night.

“We wanted to get off on a good foot, no matter how we had to do it,” Quick said after notching his 25th career playoff victory, courtesy of ESPN.com.

As long as Quick plays like he has, the Kings have an excellent shot to win their second straight championship.

Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago is the cream of the crop, the best of the best. There's no other way to put it.

The Blackhawks bolted out of the gates to start the season, gaining a point in each of their first 24 games and easily winning the President’s Trophy with a league-best mark of 36-7-5.

They made quick work of the inferior Minnesota Wild, eliminating their opponents in five games to reach the conference semifinals against division rival Detroit.

Chicago has toyed with its opponents all season, and that trend should continue against the Red Wings.

The Blackhawks are the most dangerous team in the playoffs. They boast a young and energetic roster headed by Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and youngsters Andrew Shaw and Brandon Saad, who, as a group, have combined for 13 points, including six goals and seven assists.

Their high-powered snipers will push the Red Wings to the brink. Averaging 3.40 goals per game in the playoffs thus far, the Blackhawks will continue to pump strikes into the net and cruise their way to the final.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Acquiring Jarome Iginla at the trade deadline has done wonders for the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

Iginla has nine points, including two goals and eight assists in seven playoff games for the Penguins thus far.

Moreover, the Penguins’ power play is lethal. Receiving power-play goals from Paul Martin and Chris Kunitz in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus Ottawa Wednesday night, the Penguins upped their man-advantage percentage rate to 36 percent (9-of-25).

“Their power play is good,” Senators goalie Craig Anderson said, courtesy of NHL.com.

It is very good, and Pittsburgh’s success on the power play will carry them to the Stanley Cup Final.

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Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Players to Watch in Game 1 vs. Detroit Red Wings

Jon Fromi — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:39:21 -0400

The Chicago Blackhawks begin the second round of the playoffs Wednesday night against the Detroit Red Wings. Fans on both sides of the rivalry are anticipating a great Western Conference semifinal series.

Game 1 is going to be a team effort for whichever team comes out on top. However, there are some individuals worth taking a more detailed look at as the series begins. Here are five players to follow on the ice as the opener approaches.

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3 Adjustments Chicago Blackhawks Must Make to Continue Stanley Cup Playoff Run

Nicole Blum — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:40:01 -0400

Finally the Chicago Blackhawks have done it—they have advanced past the first round of the NHL playoffs for the first time since 2010.

But the Hawks aren't playing at their highest level just yet.

Coach Joel Quenneville told Brian Hedger of NHL.com after Thursday's game:

"I still think we have to be better. I'm not doing cartwheels the last two games.I still think there's another level [we've got] get to, to be more consistent in our game."

Here are three adjustments the Hawks must make to extend their playoff run.

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