NHL Playoffs 2011: Chicago Rolling, Vancouver Reeling After 'Hawks Win Game 5

Both the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks are flying back to Chicago Friday for Game 6 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series.

I would imagine the conversation in each plane is quite different.

For the Blackhawks, the air is festive, the talk of what could be in the United Center on Sunday evening.

The Canucks return to Chicago with heavy thoughts of what has transpired over the last few days.

Rogers Arena was an absolute tomb at the close of the Blackhawks 5-0 Game 4 shellacking of Vancouver Thursday night.  The home crowd sat stunned for most of the game as Chicago tallied three first period goals.

Those few who were left in their seats as the clock wound down on another huge 'Hawks win surely fell the doubt creeping into their heads.

Vancouver still leads the series 3-2.  However, it is the Canucks who find themselves on the defensive after being blown out for the second straight time in their attempt to close out Chicago. 

In sharp contrast to the first three games of the series, Vancouver seems to be completely off its game.  Whether it was unnecessary icings, backing away in the defensive zone, or taking key first period penalties (on which Chicago twice took advantage), they don't seem to resemble the team that we saw in the first 85 games prior to Game 4.

On the other hand, the 'Hawks are playing fast, aggressive, disciplined (for the most part) hockey.  The Canucks out-hit Chicago 40-14 in the contest.  That stat lacks creedence because Chicago, like it did on Tuesday, dictated the action on the ice.

Chicago focused on its game, while the Canucks reacted and retaliated.

The 'Hawks chased Roberto Luongo from the crease for the second straight game.  Marian Hossa opened the second period by skating right down the throat of the Vancouver defense and wristed one over Luongo's glove to give Chicago a 4-0 lead.

With that, Luongo gave way to Cory Schneider.  Bobby Lu plopped down on the bench and watched the rest of the game with the same stunned, defeated expression shared by everyone in Rogers Arena not wearing the Indian head sweater.

And just like that, we have a playoff series.

The Blackhawks need to continue to keep the pressure on Vancouver in order to hold serve in Game 6.  However, a huge chink in the Canucks' armor has been exposed.

It may have been difficult to say the momentum had turned after the 'Hawks staved off elimination in Game 4 a few days hence.  It certainly isn't difficult to say it now.

The 21,000-plus at the Madhouse will feel like twice that to the visiting Canucks.  With a win on Easter Sunday, the 'Hawks definitely won't be the most meaningful resurrection to celebrate.

It will, however, find Vancouver with necks firmly in the noose.

Spare thoughts from Game 5

Corey Crawford pitched a shutout, turning away 36 shots.  Based on the way he's handled the playoff workload, I think he's a keeper.

Chris Campoli has impressed me as a guy who has not been afraid to defend teammates and get into the opposition's face.  He's been involved in a number of scrums over the course of the series.

It was good to see Marian Hossa break out with a two-goal game.

Alex Edler elbowed Troy Brouwer in the head, then Kevin Bieksa took it upon himself to go after Brouwer after the horn ended the second period.  Don't we have someone in the lineup that's supposed to prevent this from happening?

In the midst of another blowout, Joel Quenneville was able to put the Murdersaurus on the ice for nearly 12 minutes in Game 5.  He played more than Brouwer, though it was because Brouwer spent seven minutes of the final period in the box.

All you need to know about Scott as a hockey player lies in his whiff of a clearing attempt early in the first.  However, if we're going to win by five goals every time he appears in the lineup and the other defensemen are willing to pick up the slack, I'll grin and bear his shifts.

If Scott is our 6'8" rabbit's foot, so be it.  On to Game 6.