Absolutely nothing about his performance was unsung: PuckDaddy
Off days are good days: Comcast Autoplay
Bruins hopeful that Nathan Horton isn’t done: Chicago Tribune
I love shin pads: Cheer the Anthem
The legend grows: Globe and Mail
The love-hate relationship with him: Backhand Shelf
Setting the bar high: Mr. Verdi
vs 
Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBC, CBC (Anglo), RDS (Franco), WGN-AM 720
The Impression That I Get: Cup of Chowder, Days of Y’Orr
Now the real fun begins. After an abbreviated 48 game season of intra-conference play and three playoff rounds with their fair share of scares for each team, the Hawks and Bruins will meet in the post season for the sixth time ever, and for the first time ever in the Stanley Cup Final. With the Bruins two years removed from their last title and the Hawks three, it’s a juggernaut matchup that the league has dreamed of, but probably doesn’t deserve after what it’s put everyone through. And though superficial analysis would have one believe that these two teams are diametrically opposed stylistically, they’re actually far more similar than one would expect.
Here’s to hoping Sam has to write another one!
This is stupid: Chicago Tribune
Hawks once again to face “an all world goalie” CSN Autoplay
But they will be important: Cheer The Anthem
New History for Old Rivalry: Mr. Verdi
Hopefully Fro-Yo can contain himself: PuckDaddy
Education for the unwashed masses: Globe and Mail
From the ghosts of 2010:Suntimes
Hopefully our Governor will be drunk again reading proclamations on Michigan Ave: Daily Herald
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
The Kings were undefeated at home so far in the playoffs. The Kings were 22-0 when scoring first all season long. The Blackhawks were without their best defenseman (and possibly just their best overall player). The Blackhawks found themselves down a goal twice in the game. And none of it really mattered. After a simply dominant third period, the Blackhawks found themselves up 3-1 in the series and the games shift back to Chicago on Saturday night. It’s not over yet but the finals are clearly back in our sights as the Kings need to win 3 in a row to close this out… and yes, that includes two games on the road for LA, where they’ve been awful.
Bullets after the jump
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
vs. 
FACEOFF: 8pm Central
TV/RADIO: NBCSN, CBC, WGN Radio 720
CELLULOID HEROES: The Royal Half, Jewels From The Crown, Surly and Scribe
Well, we’re getting a fair bit of preamble now. Richards’s injury, Keith’s suspension, Kane’s lack of scoring…these games seem to have more and more theater as we go along. I guess that’s how the playoffs work.
vs.
FACEOFF: 8pm Central
TV/RADIO: NBCSN, CBC, WGN Radio 720
CELLULOID HEROES: The Royal Half, Jewels From The Crown, Surly and Scribe
Well, we’re getting a fair bit of preamble now. Richards’s injury, Keith’s suspension, Kane’s lack of scoring…these games seem to have more and more theater as we go along. I guess that’s how the playoffs work.
Well, sometimes that’s gonna go happen.
I can’t decide what’s the more obnoxious trend after losses like this. The people actually losing their mind or the people so eager to make fun of the people losing their mind that they haven’t actually bothered to notice that no one is losing their mind. I’ll let you all debate that.
While the Hawks weren’t near the top of their game and the Kings certainly upped theirs, we’re talking about a broken-stick goal and some pretty nifty Quick saves in the 3rd leading to a one-goal loss in a building where the hosts haven’t lost in two months. Excuse me while I set my hair on fire. Oh wait, I don’t have any hair. So I guess we’ll just calm ourselves down with the notion that it was highly unlikely that the Hawks were going to get both of these games and move on to Thursday night. Deal?
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.
