NHL Playoffs 2012: Chicago Blackhawks' 5 Keys to a Must-Win Game 4

The Chicago Blackhawks are facing what could be called a must-win game at the United Center Thursday night. Game 4 of Chicago's Western Conference quarterfinal with Phoenix can tie the series at two games apiece, or it can give the Coyotes the opportunity to close out the series at home.

This series has been defined by disciplinary measures taken against Chicago's Andrew Shaw and Phoenix's Raffi Torres. Among all of the debate on player safety zipping around the Internet, however, there is a hockey game to play. The 'Hawks desperately need to win that game.

With that in mind, here are five keys to Chicago bouncing back from a tough emotional overtime loss and evening the series.

1. Playing Without Marian Hossa

Chicago's mindset from this point on in the series is that it will have to play without Hossa, who is not playing in Game 4 and may or may not be in a state of health that would allow him to return to action this spring.

The 'Hawks have been able to play without one of their big four up front. They played well for most of Jonathan Toews' absence. They are just going to have to perform in some crucial games without him.

Most of the slack has to be picked up by Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. Fans expecting Brandon Saad to skate right into this series and replicate Hossa's game are asking to be disappointed.

Andrew Brunette is a veteran who, up until now, has left fans wanting more. Now may be his time to shine. Viktor Stalberg has been active up front. It would be most opportune for him to break out with a goal.

2. Corey Crawford Having a Short Memory

Lost in a lot of the talk about Shaw and Torres is the fact that Corey Crawford has played pretty well in this series. Phoenix was deemed to have a huge advantage in net, but Crawford has raised his game and is a worthy adversary to Mike Smith in the opposite crease.

Crawford stopped 31 of 34 shots in each of Chicago's losses. The Game 3 winner came off of a bad-angle shot that he was a bit late on in getting into position. By all accounts, Crawford took this loss very hard. He was the last player out of the dressing room and spent a lot of that time sitting in full uniform by his locker.

Crawford has stepped up his game for the playoffs. He can either bounce back and stand tall in net or crumble. For the 'Hawks, it has to be the former.

3. Playing Their Game

This has been a physical series on both sides. The 'Hawks were actually credited for more hits than Phoenix in Game 3, though Torres delivered the most memorable one.

If Chicago comes into Game 4 in search of vengeance anywhere but on the scoreboard, it plays right into the Coyotes' hands. Chicago has to make Phoenix pay by getting the puck in the net.

4. Making Phoenix Pay for Taking Penalties

It's really a broken record by now, but the 'Hawks need to take advantage of Phoenix's penalties.

Chicago came up empty on three second-period power plays, then was outscored 2-1 in two minutes of four-on-four time when Shane Doan and Niklas Hjalmarsson were assessed unsportsmanlike conduct infractions.

More space on the ice should have favored the Blackhawks. However, they lost the lead twice in that two-minute span. A much as anything else, that was a huge factor in the Game 3 loss.

5. Help from the Lower Lines, Particularly on D

Michael Frolik came into Game 3 having sat for most of the last month and had a great game even without his goal that briefly game Chicago a 2-1 advantage in the third period. Bryan Bickell has also played well this series.

The depth players need to have big games tonight. That includes the defense, if Joel Quenneville will let them.

Quenneville didn't seem to trust rookie Dylan Olsen with a lot of minutes in Game 3. Whether Olsen, Sami Lepisto or Sean O'Donnell skates at the sixth defensive spot, more of the load has to be taken by the lower pairings.