The Wave

Well that sucks. After playing like a team that looked like they might have a chance at making it to the finals, the Blackhawks got a beat down Canuck style. Vancouver scored in the first period and never looked back. Here's what upset me most. The Blackhawks are riding this wave that they're a young team just trying to gain some playoff experience. That they can make mistakes and it will all be forgiven because they know that they can come back from a 4-1 deficit and make it a tie game with under 2 minutes to go (game 2).

My turn. The hawks have been getting in trouble because they can't stay out of the penalty box but thats not whats truly killing them. The blackhawks loss(es) can be summed up in 4 words, Turnovers and power plays. In the end of game 1 with the score all tied up Chris Versteeg turned the puck over at the Vancouver blue line and the Canucks took it with a 3-on-1 break that lead to the game winning goal. Last night they turned the puck over in their own zone (a recurring theme) which led to a 2-0 Canucks lead. We have to be smarter with the puck, Period. Next, the Blackhawks have to shoot more. During a critical power play opportunity with about 8 minutes left in the game and down 2 goals, the hawks caught a break. Going to the power play, everyone in the stadium knew the hawks had to score right then or the game was over. But not only did the blackhawks not score, they didn't have a single shot on goal. Now, I understand for the first 20-25 seconds you move the puck around to tire out the defense and open up some passing lanes. However, there is 2 minutes minus 20 seconds equals 1:40. The hawks had more than enough time to send multiple shots at Luongo and prove once again that he is human. They were completely outplayed and worse they played scared. A total of 24 shots on goal definitely isn't enough to beat a better and more experienced Vancouver team. If they would have went out and given it their all, I wouldn't be so upset, but it didn't even look like they were trying.

Oh and last but not least. Its time to stop riding that 'We're a young team' wave. You're in the second round of the playoffs so you clearly know what it takes to win now go out and do it. Send the pucks to the net and force rebound opportunities and stop being scared! Play smarter and play harder and lets put away this Canucks team.