Ripple on the pond:HockeeNight
Waits for no man:Let’s Go Hawks
Missed:Chicago Tribune
How we got here:TSN
Failure to Launch:ESPNCHI
I can’t disagree:Orange County Register
Lets spot the incorrect part of the narrative:SunTimes
Introducing the 2016 Michael Rozsival:Sportsnet.ca
The Ducks draw first blood on one thing we didn’t account for, and that’s Frederik Andersen turning in a great performance. Andersen has proved to be a good goalie these past two years, but he hasn’t proven he can win a series by himself. And he still hasn’t. But he has proven he can take a game and was very good today.
Because what else happened that you didn’t expect? The Hawks horsed the Ducks for the first 40 minutes, racking up a 63% shot attempt advantage. We also saw Rundblad have a few yips, which we pretty much all saw coming. The Ducks’ defense wasn’t actually much better, turning the puck over whenever under pressure and allowing the Hawks far too many looks than any Anaheim fan should be comfortable with. The Hawks biffed a couple power plays they gotta have, but with the help of Andersen as well. The Ducks took their opportunities, Andersen made sure the Hawks didn’t take theirs.
And yet some people make it seem like the world is collapsing in. Let’s clean this one up.
at 
Game Time: 2:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBC, CBC (Anglo), TVA (Franco), WGN-AM 720
Waste Of Mind: Anaheim Calling, Battle of California
Yes, they are in fact still playing. And the Western Conference Final at long last begins this afternoon in Orange County, where the Ducks look to advance to their first Cup final since 2007, and the the Hawks attempt to win their third Cup in six seasons.
I don’t know why you insist on learning things the hard way Tre, but you’re gonna learn. Oh yeah, you’re gonna learn.
So apparently there’s some new Mad Max movie that opened yesterday. It’s supposed to be OK, but (SPOILER ALERT) The Lord Humungus and the precious juice aren’t supposed to be in it, so how good could it really be?
None of what comes in this post is going to be much of a surprise to you. After reading us breaking down the entire Ducks team, you probably know where we think this is headed. But thanks to the NHL and their infinitely genius scheduling, we’ve still got time to kill. So let’s look into the crystal ball.
(Although I guess I understand the series didn’t start tonight, as with Kanye playing the Honda Center tomorrow it probably takes all of today to stuff his aura into the arena).
Once again – Chicago Craft Beer Week is upon us. The first events started yesterday which of course means that I am nursing a pretty gnarly hangover today and it’s unlikely to end until next weekend. Wonderful.
There’s no shortages of beards in the craft beer world (except for Penrose.. those guys are blowing it) so rather than pick a single person, we’ll just work with a brewery that features more than their fair share of bearded men. Solemn Oath (Matt Offerman pictured) got their first start in 2012 during Craft Beer Week and has quickly grown into one of my favorite breweries in the Chicago area. Their focus is mainly on Belgian inspired or hop forward ales but it doesn’t mean they can’t play around with other styles. The Dry Irish Stout I had the other night at Bangers & Lace is actually one of my favorite of theirs. Solemn Oath mainly focuses on draft beers but over the past year has begun to release bombers of certain styles with a canning line soon to be operational. Keep your eyes out for these beers, they’ll be everywhere soon.
And if anyone wants to ask one of their owners, Joe, how the Kings’ golf games are these days, his twitter handle is @solemnjoe.
Try him at wing again Q: Blackhawks
Why not start last night?: NHL
Picking up the pace: CSN
More silliness: Trib
Just in case: ESPN Chicago
Perry misses practice: PHT
You’ll need this by the draft: PD
Time to clean up our preview of the Hawks’ Western Conference Final opponent the Anaheim Ducks.
Now this is where things could go a bit sideways for the Hawks, and clearly the biggest flashing red light. Just like the Hawks did last round, the Hawks will face the team heading into it with the playoffs’ hottest power play, as the Ducks are clicking at 31% in two rounds. Both Winnipeg and Calgary had middling kills during the season, but it’s not like the Hawks’ can claim much else from about March on.