Everything Else

Everyone is tired: LA Times/Chicago Tribune

Composure is key: Comcast

Western Conference Finals by the numbers: HockeeNight

A “Regular” Dog apparently is a good luck charm: PuckDaddy

A Tender subject: ESPN Chicago

Ready for more moments: Verdi

He is capable: Daily Herald

One day I will sit down and teach myself advanced metrics: Puck Prospectus

While his analysis has gotten better lest we forget his track record:The Hockey Writers

The two league system which must exist:Winnipeg Sun

Everything Else

Moving on back, it’s now time to turn the analytical eye towards the Kings’ blue line, which is slightly revamped after last year’s Cup run. Some of the faces might be different, but the look and feel of this outfit remains the same, with a fairly even split of flash and brawn keeping things away from the ultimate safety net in the crease behind them.

Everything Else

No rest for the wicked. The Hawks, and worse yet ourselves, will only have two days of recovery. Which means we must immediately turn our eyes to the next item on the docket, the small matter of the defending champs.

I think both sets of fans have been eying this series since the opening game of the season, if not a lot longer than that. I know Hawks fans have had this team circled as by far the biggest obstacle in the West, and I’m pretty sure Kings fans have targeted the Hawks since The Streak. It also feels that with how realignment will shake the league out, this probably is not the last time these two will tango to see who plays for the Chalice.

I think we’re destined to do this…..forever.

Everything Else

No rest for the wicked. The Hawks, and worse yet ourselves, will only have two days of recovery. Which means we must immediately turn our eyes to the next item on the docket, the small matter of the defending champs.

I think both sets of fans have been eying this series since the opening game of the season, if not a lot longer than that. I know Hawks fans have had this team circled as by far the biggest obstacle in the West, and I’m pretty sure Kings fans have targeted the Hawks since The Streak. It also feels that with how realignment will shake the league out, this probably is not the last time these two will tango to see who plays for the Chalice.

I think we’re destined to do this…..forever.

Everything Else

Mordor vs Minas_Tirith

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBCSN, CBC (Anglo), RDS (Franco), WGN-AM 720
Juggalo Homies: Winging It In Motown, Abel To Yzerman

We thought it was coming back in April. Then Scum shocked almost no one outside of Orange County by giving the paper tiger Ducks more than they could handle in seven games to draw one final matchup with the Hawks. The consensus had been that the Hawks would make short work of Detroit (this blog included), but an outfit as decorated as this would not cooperate so easily, pushing the top seeded Hawks to the brink of elimination with a commanding 3-1 series lead. But the Hawks have pushed back and forced a decisive Game 7 on West Madison, with tonight marking, at long last the final meaningful intraconference meeting of these two heritage franchises. And it should be fitting that so much is on the line.

Everything Else

I’ll admit it. I lost the faith last night. During the 2nd intermission. I felt the sweet embrace of the end growing within me. I’ve seen it before. I didn’t tweet it, or text my brother or Kills as I might normally do. It felt like last year’s Game 6 again. A brief opening flurry, watching the second period drift away. I was sure it would be followed by a brief spasm of a death rattle, before Scum cleanly and efficiently took the game, season, rivalry, bragging rights, and seemingly everything else away with them.

I should have known better. This team is made of sterner stuff. And Brendan Smith and Carlo Colaiacovo were going to be on the ice. Always a chance with that.

Everything Else

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Chicago Blackhawks at Detroit Red Wings
So here’s the experiment. Every once in a while I have the idea that a “rally shot” will really help the fortunes of the Blackhawks. At the start of the period where the Hawks are down, usually the third, I will order a shot and not drink it until the Hawks score a goal. As soon as they do, I take the shot and order another. Repeat as necessary until the Hawks win the game (which means another shot) or if the lose, I pass it along to someone else. Very rarely does that seem to happen.

What this really means is that during the last 20 minutes of hockey, I consumed 4 shots along with a few beers. If this recap begins to make less and less sense and becomes riddled with more typos than usual… well, you can blame Fels. He was originally supposed to write this but might be in worst shape than I am right now.