Earlier in the Western Conference Finals, everyone thought the series was over when Detroit went up 2-0 with an overtime win in Joe Louis Arena and I was quick to disagree.  Now, they’re saying it again calling Game 5 a formality.  Are the writers on the mark this time? Well, maybe.

Game 4 could be an aberration and a momentary lapse, but it looked more like a surrender.  All the things we were talking about the Blackhawks needing to avoid were evident in Game 4.  They couldn’t spend their time chasing Niklas Kronwall looking for revenge, and Kris Versteeg and Ben Eager both fell victim to antagonizing the Wings defenseman.  It’s hard to say how out of position they got chasing big hits, but the penalty box door got a workout because of it.

The Hawks also had to harness their emotions after a tumultuous Game 3, and they failed miserably.  Two things are to blame for the failure: youth, and more importantly Joel Quenneville.  In my opinion Quenneville should be a serious candidate for coach of the year the way he handled the Blackhawks this season, but Game 4 was a meltdown.  When emotions are flaring up all over the place, the last thing your team needs is an explosion on the bench after a first period that ended with your team down 2-0.  The Hawks looked lost before Q’s screaming at the officials about a roughing call against Matt Walker, but after it they were out of control.

Was there a penalty on Walker in the scrum? I sure didn’t see one.  Was it the worst call in sports history? Umm, really?  It was an irrational overreaction by the coach that led to much of the same from his young team.  Especially with a young captain who hasn’t been through this before, the coach needs to be the guy that keeps it together.  Quenneville’s outburst was followed by dumb penalties from Versteeg, misconducts from Eager, and a couple ejections.

Quite a bit of praise has been doled out for the Red Wings, who dominated the Hawks without Lidstrom and Datsyuk, but the Hawks cost themselves the game.  They gave up a shorthanded goal in the first period after four Hawks were caught below the goal-line in the Wings’ end.  They probably should have kept Huet’s start a secret from Cristobal so he didn’t have time to mentally prepare.  He was awful.  I’ve seen the Red Wings do this to teams for years now, but I didn’t think the Hawks would get sucked in; it’s not like the Wings are above cheap shots, they just pick their spots and I’d venture a guess to say they get less retaliatory penalties than just about anyone.  You can’t get pissed at them and try to bait them into fighting you, they aren’t the Flames or Canucks.  The Hawks ventured way off the gameplan and that’s why it’s 3-1.

There are really very few good things to say about the situation right now, but let’s see what we can come up with.  The Hawks will have the benefit of another three day break.  Last time they were counted out of the series, they responded after the extra rest with a great performance and a win.  This time will be tougher in the Joe, but the Hawks have also proved they can play with the Wings there.  The Red Wings still have some injury issues too.  Draper is out for the series, while Datsyuk and Lidstrom haven’t been cleared to play yet.

Finally, what do they have to lose? No one thinks they can win.  Coming into the series there were plenty of people who thought the youngsters had a chance, but not now.  The problem was that Kronwall’s hit and the reaction got them thinking too much.  If they can get back to just playing hockey, anything can happen.  Right?

Almost all of the talk about the Red Wings and Blackhawks the last couple of days has surrounded the massive hit on Martin Havlat dished out by Niklas Kronwall of the Wings.  Hearing the Blackhawks and Red Wings react to the check, you’d think they watched two different plays.  The Wings say clean hit with the shoulder not leaving the feet and the Hawks use words like forearm, elbow, fist, jump, and gutless. 

The reality is that we’re looking at something in the middle, but much closer to a clean hit.  While Havlat didn’t have the puck on his stick, he was absolutely ready to carry it up the ice and couldn’t have been any closer to the puck. Kronwall’s forearm came up and he came off his feet, but it was after the blow was delivered.  Awful, awful call to throw him out of the game on what wasn’t a penalty, but hey, too bad…it’s 2-1. 

Fact is, the Hawks are saying what they should be saying.  Havlat is a leader on this team and they’re going to rally around him by calling Kronwall a goon.  Every bit of motivation counts.  Anyway, Game 4 starts in about a half hour, so let’s get to the bullets.

• The Hawks know they can’t carry out some kind of revenge plan on Kronwall today.  They need to play the same kind of disciplined hockey that has kept them in the series.  When they’re focused and limit the turnovers, they’ve been the better team for a good part of the series. 
• Injuries will play a gigantic role in this game.  For Chicago, it’s looking like Huet in place of Khabibulin, who left Game 3 with an injury before Huet shut the Wings down for the third period and OT.  Havlat is doubtful until he can remember what year it is. For the Wings, Kris Draper is out again and Pavel Datsyuk will be a game-time decision with a foot injury. 
• Lots of scoring from defensemen in Game 3 as Seabrook and Keith got on the score sheet with assists.  For Seabrook especially, it was nice to see some contribution in what has been a rough series. 
• The Hawks are 3 for 3 in scoring first so far.  Today they have a great chance to really put some pressure on Detroit with another early goal.  Put one past Ozzie in the first and thoughts of going back to Detroit at 2-2 will creep in. 
• It will be interesting to see how Huet does after preparing to start.  In Game 3 he was thrown into a tough spot and didn’t allow a goal.  If I remember correctly, Huet started the Winter Classic and was pulled, so Game 3 was a good confidence boost.
• I thought Andrew Ladd played a great game Friday and he might need another without Havlat.  Can’t wait to see how the young guys respond after having two days to let the theatrics of Game 3 settle. 

One thing is for sure: the crowd is going to be insane.  Nothing like a big hit to create a villian to fire people up.  I’m sure fans will be even more strong in voice when sharing their feelings on Detroit throughout the game.  Get ready, because the game starts in less than 30 minutes.  2 PM CT on NBC.

That felt like one of the quickest hockey games I had ever watched.  One goal for Vancouver in the second period off a blocked shot provided the only scoring for the majority of the contest, but it seemed like time was running in that accelerated video game speed.

Part of that must have been the lack of scoring opportunities leading to fewer whistles than normal.  I definitely was shocked when I looked up to find only four minutes separating the Hawks from going back to Vancouver down 3-1 with their playoff lives in serious jeopardy.  Then predictions started coming true.

“I’m sensing a big game for Havlat tonight…and Havlat could be the guy to help them tie this series up.”

Boom, Havlat scored with about 2:45 to go, forcing overtime after it looked like the Hawks were dead.  Chicago had been relentless in their attack, but nothing was getting through to Luongo.  Then Andrew Ladd made a great pass on the boards to spring Havlat, who found twine to tie it.  Andrew Ladd you say?

“And where has Andrew Ladd gone?  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!”

Well, Ladd wasn’t satisfied with just making me stop talking bad about him, he had more work to do in OT.  Just about three minutes into the extra session Havlat threw the puck across the ice and Bolland drove it toward the net, where Ladd had the game winning tip-in for the goal.

What a gigantic win for the Blackhawks.  A loss would have sent them back to Canada down 3-1 with a series that would be all but over.  Now, no matter what happens up there, we’ll see one more game in the United Center this round.

The Blackhawks did give up the first goal again this game, but it was a different kind of deficit.  For nearly the entire game, the Hawks carried the play.  Vancouver limited Chicago’s chances, but seemed content to try and win this game 1-0.  It almost worked.

Game 5 is Saturday night at 9:30 CT in Vancouver.

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!

This is the time of the year where you’ll hear every game called “pivotal” and “all-important” in playoff series.  It’s not that they’re wrong, it’s just that we know they’re important.  It’s the playoffs!  So the Blackhawks will be in Calgary again tonight for a regularly-vastly-important Game 4.  Bullets!

• Patrick Kane says he’s ready to go for tonight.  That’s obviously great news for the Hawks’ offense.  About a period into Game 2, I was already preparing my thoughts for a post ripping on Kane and his underachievement in the series, then he goes ahead and whips a beautiful assist for the game-tying goal.  The fact is that no matter how well Kane is playing, you need him on the ice in the playoffs because he is a playmaker.
• One place Kane can provide some assistance is on the power play, where the Hawks are 2 for their last 14.  This was one of the big concerns at the start of the season, but it came around.  Still, in the playoffs where things really tighten up defensively, you can’t afford to shoot blanks on the power play.  Just ask St. Louis.
• I hate to judge just on one road game, but about halfway through Game 3 I thought that this series might be heading to seven games.  Despite their two collapses in Chicago, I thought Calgary carried the play a lot of the time in the first two games and it happened more in Game 3.  I’m not saying Chicago can’t steal one on the road, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see this one go the distance.
• If they’re going to steal a game though, it will likely be Nikolai Khabibulin that’s responsible.  He has been outstanding in this series and played well in Game 3, where one of the goals was very flukey.  Of course that didn’t stop the “Huet is ready” stories in the Trib and Sun-Times.  Unless they’re predicting injury they can shut up.
• Two players I have really enjoyed watching in this series are Dave Bolland and Brent Seabrook.  I’m pretty sure their combined age is less than Chris Chelios, but they look like they’ve been doing this playoff thing for years.  Bolland is playing with speed and Seabrook has been one of the most productively physical of the defensemen.  ROY candidate Kris Versteeg has been good also.

Alright, that’s all I have for tonight’s game.  Since the NBA schedules its games as if teams have to travel between countries, there is no Bulls-Hawks double dip tonight.  Game 4 starts at 9PM CT on CSN and Versus, depending on where you live.