Not Qualified To Comment » Hawks-Nucks Game 4 Preview

Hawks-Nucks Game 4 Preview

May 7, 2009 at 3:57 pm | Chicago Blackhawks, NHL
By: StevieY19

Game 4 could have been a chance to put a choke hold on this series for the Blackhawks, but after a loss Tuesday the Hawks need a win to stay competitive.

After falling behind early, just like every other game this series, the Blackhawks couldn’t complete the comeback and now find themselves in a 2-1 hole going into Game 4. The habit of falling behind early really can’t keep up if the Hawks want to hang around for another week or so. It’s hard to say if they just aren’t prepared, they’re flustered under the pressure, or if it’s just Vancouver playing so well that has led to 3-0, 2-0, and 3-0 deficits in the first three games of the series.

These games seem to go much better with bullet previews, so….Bullets.

If the Hawks were flat at the beginning of Game 3, it certainly was no fault of the United Center crowd. It had to be deafening in there for the anthem. Something tells me tonight will be no different, seeing as how this could be the last home game of the season if the guys don’t get their acts together.
It sure would be nice for Khabibulin to really bring his A-game tonight. He has given up a lot of goals this series and while they haven’t all been his fault, the Hawks might need the Wall to be in full effect tonight.
Sami Salo might be back for Vancouver tonight. He flew into Chicago yesterday apparently and participated in the team skate.
Speaking of defenseman coming back, it’d be nice to have the real Duncan Keith back tonight. He is seeming to have some trouble staying upright this series and the Hawks could really use the old Duncan back.
And where has Andrew Ladd gone? I know he isn’t one of the stars on this team and he provided a nice scoring boost this season, but he has done nothing in the playoffs. He has one point in nine games and that was a goal in a 5-1 win in the Calgary series. He had one shot on goal in the first three games of this series after he had 13 last series. Come on Ladd!
I’m sensing a big game for Havlat tonight. In the Calgary series, Havlat was a guy you could tell had been involved in the playoffs before and stepped his game up accordingly. Tonight the Blackhawks need that experience again and Havlat could be the guy to help them tie this series up.

Alright, that’s all I have for tonight’s game. Let’s try not to fall behind by a few goals, eh? Game is at 7:00 tonight on VS. Oh, and what’s up with the “who cares” option on the Hawks poll Stormin’ Norman? I know you created it right after the Bulls were eliminated, but really? Could you ever imagine including the option on a Bulls poll? Gah!