Western Conference Semifinal, Game 1: Blackhawks 4, Wild 3 – Recap

The Western Conference Semifinal series between the Blackhawks and Wild started in Chicago Friday night. The Hawks got on the board early, with Brandon Saad scoring 1:15 into the game to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Patrick Kane expanded the lead to 2-0 13:11 in after a great play by and pass from Brad Richards. Marcus Kruger scored to make it a 3-0 Hawks lead and nineteen seconds later, Zach Parise was sent off for interference, giving the Hawks a power play. The Hawks would come up empty on the man advantage. Nobody would score in the remainder of the period and the Hawks took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.

Early in the second, the Wild cut into the Hawks’ lead. It was Jason Zucker with the goal 1:21 into the period. The Hawks would go to the penalty kill 4:35 into the period when Michal Roszival was sent off for holding. The Wild converted 5:07 into the period on a goal by Zach Parise to cut the Hawks’ lead to 1. The Wild tied the game nine-and-a-half minutes in on a goal by Mikael Granlund. The Hawks reclaimed the lead with just under a minute to play on Teuvo Teräväinen’s first career playoff goal. This would be the final goal scored in the period, and after two, the Hawks led 4-3.

Early in the third, we saw back-and-forth action, with both team getting looks, but neither scoring. The Hawks went to the penalty kill 3:41 into the third after Johnny Oduya was sent off for holding. The Hawks would be able to kill off the penalty. Brad Richards was sent off for tripping 8:16 in the period, giving the Wild another power play. The Hawks would be able to kill off the penalty. With a little under two minutes remaining, the Wild began to try to get Devan Dubnyk off for the extra attacker, though, thanks to good play by the Hawks, it would be about a minute before they were finally able to do so. Even with the extra attacker, the Wild would be unable to tie the game, and the Hawks would win 4-3.

The Hawks’ play early on was great, as they had Minnesota back on their heels. The bad second period was a result of the Hawks falling into the same pattern that led to difficulties with the Wild in the regular season: letting the Wild dictate the action and stifle the Hawks’ offense. This, coupled with the defensive mistakes that have been plaguing them throughout the playoffs, led to them coughing up a three-goal lead. Though the second goal he gave up was not a good one, Corey Crawford was not the issue here. He was quite good for most of the game. However, I think Scott Darling should get a chance in this series, if for no other reason than to take some of the load off of Crawford and put a different look on the ice. You have two goalies who have shown they can handle playoff hockey (and I think Raanta would be fine as well if needed/given a shot), use this to your advantage.

My picks for 3 stars:

★★★ Patrick Kane, RW, CHI (1 G)

★★ Zach Parise, LW, MIN (1 G, 1 A)

★ Teuvo Teräväinen, F, CHI (1 G (GWG))

Twitter: @KSchroeder2325

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com

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