Blackhawks Season Preview: Part 1, Introduction

In 2009-2010 the Blackhawks had an outstanding team that went on to win the Stanley Cup. After the celebration, the realization that the Blackhawks could not afford to pay all of those great players set in. They had to let go key players like Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Antti Niemi, Kris Versteeg, and Ben Eager. It was easy to see that the 2010-2011 team would not be as successful as the team from the year before. The Hawks battled through injuries and barely made it into the playoffs thanks to a Dallas Stars loss. The first three games of the playoffs were dead and sleepy, but the next 3 were the Blackhawks that all fans knew and loved. They had a reason to fight and were fighting with all they had. Game 7 was intense. The Canucks scored quickly and held the lead until Jonathan Toews scored a shorthanded goal with 3 minutes left that I think defines who the Blackhawks are. There was a look of determination in his eyes and he knew that he had to step up. He was going to make sure that puck went in no matter what, even if he had to shoot while he was on the ground. It showed the heart of the Blackhawks. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks didn’t win the game. Now the big question is whether or not the Blackhawks can return to glory.

Stan Bowman made a lot of moves this offseason to help the Hawks become a better team. He got rid of Troy Brouwer, Brian Campbell, Tomas Kopecky, and Jake Dowell. Using the freed up cap space, he signed some grit for the fourth line including Jamal Mayers and Dan Carcillo. He also added some defensive depth with O’Donnell, Lepisto, and Montador. He also added the veteran forward Andrew Brunette.

Over the next few days, I’ll be taking a look at each part of the team and then in the last part of this mini series, I will make some predictions.

Game 6 Preview

The Blackhawks put themselves in a terrible situation. They played terrible the first three games and had no heart in their game. Being down 3-0, they realized that this is their last chance to try to move on. They realized that they are good enough to beat the Canucks. The next two games they dominated. The problem is, one mistake could send them home now because they put themselves into that nasty situation. Now they have to play each minute like it's their last, because it could be. That is a tough way to play for four straight games. If any team can do it, this team can but the road to the next round is not going to be easy. The biggest thing they can do is take it day by day and just figure out a way to win this game in front of some of the best fans in hockey.

Prediction
I don't think Vancouver is too happy about being shutout and blown out by the Blackhawks on their home ice, and will look to do the same to us on our home ice to end the series. The Blackhawks still have the momentum and are looking good, but that can change in an instant. The last two games the Hawks have been doing almost everything right. They have passed well, skated well, shot well, killed penalties well, scored on penalties well and played good defense. There isn't much more you could ask from them. On Thursday, they played fantastic hockey. The problem is, they can't stop now. That game cannot be their climax, because after the climax there is the fall and no Hawks fan wants that to happen. They still have to be rising and hit the climax in game 7. Vancouver will not make it as easy as they did on Thursday, so expect a few goals from them, but I still like the Hawks to force game 7.

Other Game Info
Seabrook is back in the lineup today. He might be taking shorter shifts than normal, but will still play. The fans that say this is a bad thing really make me mad. They think that just because we won two games without Seabrook that we should keep him out. He is a great player and is going to help not hurt our team's chances of winning this game. Yes, he gave the Hawks something to fight for on Tuesday, but the win on Thursday probably did not have much to do with Brent. The Blackhawks are winning games because they care about the playoffs and realize that they are a good team that can go far in the playoffs if they actually play hockey. Brent is only going to add to this want for a win, so if you think the Hawks are going to lose for one reason and that reason is Seabrook you should reconsider.

In other news, Dave Bolland is a badass mother fucker.

Only victory, no defeat

Tuesday night the Blackhawks were in a must win situation, and rose to the occasion and won in a big way. They were missing Brent Seabrook, who got elbowed in the head the game before, and that just made this team want it even more. They scored 7 for Seabrook and headed back to Vancouver to win there.

Win in Vancouver is exactly what they did. Corey Crawford was amazing from the first shot on goal. In the back of my mind, I was thinking he could get a shutout. More and more shots got piled on him, and he was like a brick wall in front of the goal. He ended with the shutout, but that wasn't even the best part of the game.


The best part of this game was the goal scoring from Hossa and Keith. Keith was amazing. He almost had a hat trick and two assists. One of his goals was actually tipped by Kane, therefore giving Kane the goal. Keith was definitely playing for Seabrook in this game and was a huge reason why we won. He played well offensively and defensively. There were people hating on him, saying he isn't as good as he was last year, and so he had an outstanding game on Tuesday and and even better one Thursday. Mariann Hossa was also playing very well, he simply split all the defenders and scored the first goal of the game. That gave him the confidence to be able to score on his breakaway later in the game. The Blackhawks simply dominated the Canucks and played like a the team that fans have been wanting to see all year. This Blackhawks team will be feeding off the United Center crowd tomorrow and I have no doubt they win. Game 7 is going to test who really wants it more, and I think the Blackhawks do.



I originally was going to put the Mariann Hossa song or Duncan Keith song with this post, but then I saw this and got crazy chills.

Best Video Ever

I realize that it's nearing the end of the Blackhawks season, and I make a new blog about the hawks, but I love this team so much and love writing about them. I took a leap and made this, and thanks to the amazing @QueenCrash for designing this whole blog.