NHL Playoffs 2012: Frustrated Blackhawks Just Can't Beat the Coyotes

The body language of the Chicago Blackhawks said it all after Game 4 Thursday night.

Being beaten on home ice for the second game in a row was sure to damper the spirits of all 22,000 fans that were in attendance at the United Center.

Many players were slumped over on the ice and Andrew Brunette broke his stick over the crossbar in anger.

Simply put, the Blackhawks were frustrated that they couldn't win one game on home ice and now face elimination heading back to Phoenix.

Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville had a very somber tone when addressing the media. (via the Chicago Sun-Times).

"

It’s a tough road ahead of us. We want to look at the smaller picture and pick ourselves up after a tough ending. ... We’re not happy with the way we played. Certain guys have got to pick up their game.

"

Just what has to happen for the Blackhawks to beat the Phoenix Coyotes? Not for this series, but just one game.

Game 4 presented all the old bad habits that Blackhawks' fans have become annoyed by: weak forechecking, too many turnovers, so-so goaltending and their inability to play a full 60 minutes.

Just how is this team supposed to compete in the playoffs if they have this inconsistency? 

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was among the frustrated players:

"

We just kind of threw everything at [Smith] and didn’t worry too much about making mistakes. When we do that, we seem to play with more flow, feel more natural out there and the bounces seem to go our way. We just have to find a way to bring that type of desperation and that type of game earlier.

"

If Game 4 was any indication of how "desperate" the Blackhawks play with their backs against the wall, Game 5 might be the last for them this season.

Simple mistakes have cost the Hawks dearly, especially since Coyotes goalie Mike Smith has been stellar in the playoffs thus far.

The core group for the Blackhawks have to step it up like Quenneville said. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Viktor Stalberg are all among the players that have been lacking in this series.

All four games in this series have gone to overtime, yet the most telling statistic is that the Blackhawks have allowed three goals in each game. That's simply not good enough for a playoff team with ambitions of winning another Stanley Cup.

Most of that can be put on the defense and somewhat on Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford. Crawford has been great in this series expect for two weak goals in Games 3 and 4.

But if the Hawks want to win Game 5 they have to have more urgency and focus. Playing a full 60 minutes will help and getting some goals from Kane and Toews will go a long way as well.

The Blackhawks are frustrated from all the cheap shots and penalties in the first three games, and it's time they channel that energy into something more productive—possibly into their power play, which could use a jump start.

The more desperate team usually wins the hockey game; lets hope the Blackhawks got the message.

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