2011 NHL Playoffs: Blackhawks' Marquee Players Not Producing

The Chicago Blackhawks will welcome a change of scenery as they begin preparations for Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series with Vancouver. 

Jonathan Toews and the rest of the defending Stanley Cup champions can't get back the Windy City quickly enough after a rough week out of town.

Another physical effort from the Canucks silenced the big guns of Chicago in Vancouver's 4-3 win, propelling them to a 2-0 series lead as the action shifts to the United Center Sunday night.

The 'Hawks were able to make a game of it despite falling behind two goals again.  However, a continued lack of production by the core players on the roster resulted in Chicago coming up short.

You can see the frustration mounting in players who need to come up big in order for the 'Hawks to hang with Vancouver.

Patrick Sharp took a beating throughout the contest and responded with an ill-advised tripping penalty after the whistle late in the opening period.  The resulting power play led to Vancouver's second goal half a minute into the second period.

Toews, who has two points in his last 11 games dating back to the regular season, appeared to have an open net to convert a breakaway in the opening minutes, but couldn't get the handle on the puck to finish the play. 

The captain finished the night without a shot on goal.

The power play was pathetic.  They failed to record a shot on their first man advantage.  On the second, it took all their effort to turn away the shorthanded Canucks from Corey Crawford's doorstep.

The defense, led by a tough night for Duncan Keith, had trouble getting the puck under control and committed multiple turnovers in their own zone.

On a night where several newcomers kept Chicago in the game, the top players haven't been able to find the key to the net.  This was lamentable, as some of the new guys turned in noteworthy efforts.

Ben Smith was Johnny on the spot, putting back a Bryan Bickell rebound late in the second period for the 'Hawks first goal of the series.  He did the same thing off of a shot by Michael Frolik in the third.

Smith and Viktor Stalberg, who scored early in the third period, got the Blackhawks to within a goal of the lead three times.  Marcus Kruger was a last-minute replacement for Jake Dowell and played a strong third period.

Chicago was 60 percent in the faceoff circle for the game.  Unlike Wednesday night's 2-0 loss, the 'Hawks handled a strong Canucks surge early.  Unfortunately, they couldn't handle Vancouver's top line and Chicago's top line failed to respond on the scoreboard.

A secondary assist from the stick of Patrick Kane on Smith's second goal is the only sign of life from the the top Chicago forwards.  Getting Toews, Kane, Sharp and Marian Hossa on track is vital to getting back the momentum in the next game of the series. 

The four players managed nine shots on goal Friday, five coming from Sharp.

Bickell left the game in the third period after being slashed by a skate.  Judging by the look on Keith's face as Bickell left the ice, the cut was serious.

Having home ice will give coach Joel Quenneville the chance to get some better matchups for his top line.  Having the home crowd in their corner should also help. 

However, Toews and company need to convert opportunities on the ice into points on the scoreboard.  The marquee players need to play up to their billing, and soon.

The Canucks manned up in Vancouver and come to the United Center up 2-0.  Now it's Chicago's turn to hold serve, starting with Game 3 Sunday night.