Four more wins for a fifth big banner: TSN
Hollywood Ending: Cheer the Anthem
Overcoming the odds: Globe and Mail
The Stage is set: CSN Chicago
6-8-13 will become a date in Chicago Sports Lore: Mr. Verdi
Vets know that there is nothing accomplished yet: Daily Herald
5: TSN
3-2: Chicago Tribune
Hossa’s goal is the difference: Daily Herald
“Soft” Kane scores a pretty hard goal: CSN Autoplay
Outpaced: Cheer The Anthem
Breathe: HockeeNight
Deep and going deeper: Verdi
In all the visions I’ve had of this series in my own mind, not one of them contained Jonathan Quick getting pulled from a game. Hasn’t happened in the playoffs since 2010 (that’s nice symmetry), and though I don’t think it marks some sort of landmark or sea change more than just a quirky note, it does feel good. But then again, this is why The Fifth Feather is simply a manly man among just men, because he said the floodgates would open at some point if the Hawks maintained this kind of pressure. He knows so much, and is so handsome. He really doesn’t belong on this planet.
It’s a funny old game though, because it was the reverse of Game 1’s 1st period in that it ended with a false scoreline. While the Hawks were up 2-0, they really didn’t deserve to be based on balance of play. Just like the Kings had no business being up 1-0 after 20 in Game 1. But thanks to a couple handy saves from Crow, some wayward finishing from the Kings, and utter ruthlessness from the Hawks, they were already halfway home. To me, a two goal lead is nearing the horizon for this Kings team (especially without Richards), and a three-goal one requires a team from NASA. They just don’t generate that much.
Once again, the Hawks speed didn’t have an answer from L.A., and now they face all the questions going into Game 3.
Bullets after the jump.
vs 
Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBCSN, CBC (Anglo), RDS (Franco), WGN-AM 720
Spirit In Black: The Royal Half, Jewels From The Crown, Battle of Cali
Thanks to Mick and Keith and their 10th and 11th full blood transfusions between the two of them, the Hawks and Kings will play their second game of the Western Conference Final about 24 hours on the nose after game 1 concluded. Whether or not that gives either team an advantage is debatable, but I’m sure both would have preferred a day off in between.
With both Western Conference finalists coming off a seven game series, there was little reason to doubt that Game 1 would not be the most aesthetically pleasing game to watch. Sure enough, that was the case as the Kings weren’t exactly frothing at the mouth for this one and the Hawks took full advantage to the tune of outshooting them 36-22, nearly outhitting the Kings and dictating the tempo of the game for the large majority.
On to the bullets. (more…)
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
Numb.
That’s how I’ve felt since it all ended. I’m not sure where my feet are. I only have a loose grasp of where my hands are occupying. I’m sure you get it.
Maybe it’s fitting. Maybe this is how it had to be. To rip the hearts out of your most loathed rival they way they’ve been doing in various fashions for so long I think I just want to hurl and cry at the same time. And I can’t afford to lose that many liquids out of my face. Maybe that’s the ultimate justice.
Does it erase all the scar tissue? No, of course not. Is it pretty fucking sweet that the end of the Hawks-Wings Western Conference rivalry will forever be known on Brent Fucking Seabrook mind-shifting one home? Yeah. Yeah it is. There’s no other way to say it.
And here we go: CSN Autoplay
Tonight, Tonight: Daily Herald
How to survive Game 7: Cheer The Anthem
A fitting conclusion: Verdi
Great Moments, were made from great opportunities? CSN
Get ready for one unproductive day: CBC
Just in case you need a refresher: NHL
They are here because of strategy: Verdi
One goal at a time: Daily Herald
He just needed a Marlboro 72: ESPN
The Wings want to go California Dreamin: Sportsnet
But it won’t be easy: Free Press
Game 7: PuckDaddy
In 16 months of doing links, this is the fifth time I have linked such a piece: SN
I’ve never had Tactical Nuclear Penguin. I’m sure it’s not as fun to drink as it is to say. But then, how could it be? I’ll let the beer geeks nerd out in the comments about it.
Anyway, while I and a large swath of Hawks fans think the Hawks really only have to repeat Game 3’s performance (fort the most part) to win Game 4, Q is going to have to make a couple adjustments here and there to make things a bit smoother. Of course, he’s not going to do anything I’m about to suggest because they are far too logical because I’m just that smart and so smart that no prison could handle me and I’m so handsome that I once looked at a taxi cab and it turned to mash potatoes. And I ate it.
But back at the ranch….