Everything Else

When Steve Yzerman didn’t get the Detroit GM job back in 2010, as Ken Holland got an extension, there were some in Michigan who weren’t too pleased. Not that it’s gone all that well since for the Wings (god that’s so much fun to write), but they may want to come to terms with how it might have gone worse. Stevie Y might have no clothes.

A lot of the shine for Yzerman was generated that he picked the gold medal team for Canada in Vancouver in 2010. Combine that with his playing days and there’s not much more that’s going to turn the Canadian media into a yellow puddle. But let’s be honest here, you kind of have to fuck up royally to not get a great Canadian squad (Rob Zamuner and Kris Draper, anyone?).

In Tampa?

Everything Else

Penguins-Lightning Game 6

Sometimes this hockey thing is silly and simple. Now that this series is going to a seventh game the story out of it will be how evenly it’s been played and how it could have gone either way. And on the surface, that’s true. This series could well be decided tomorrow night on a high-sticking call or another offside review or some goal that goes in off Tyler Johnson’s ass (again). By definition these are all coin-flips.

But in reality, the Penguins have spent a great majority of this series kicking the ever-loving shit out of the Lightning, but Andrei Vasilevskiy has simply held them in.

Everything Else

250px-Ozymandias vs. Metallica Ride The Lightning

PUCK DROP: 6:30pm Central

TV/RADIO: CSN, WGN Radio

CRASH BEFORE MY EYES: Raw Charge

Lightning Stats

Lightning War On Ice

The Hawks return to the scene of the latest crime, where they took Games 1 and 5 of last season’s Final. This would have been circled on the Bolts’ calendar before the season even started. It’s doubly so with this being the two hottest teams in the league, as Tampa has won six in a row to match the back half of the Hawks’ 12-gamer. It had been something of a train wreck of a season for the Lightning until this streak. But the winning hasn’t stopped the drama.

Everything Else

 vs oldschool

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBC, CBC, TVA, WGN-AM 720
Black Me Out: Raw Charge

Since opening in 1994, the Stanley Cup has never been in the United Center with a series on the line even in the renaissance era of the Blackhawks. It was 23 years ago when it was last in Chicago, June 1st 1992 when the Penguins complete a sweep of the Hawks at the old barn. The last time the Hawks had the ability to claim the chalice themselves was May 18th, 1971 in Game 7 against the Canadiens. A game that those who remember will never be able to fully forget. The last time the Hawks actually won at home was April 12th 1938, and even then, the Cup wasn’t awarded to them that night after the final horn. No, the last time the Hawks actually hoisted the Holy Grail on home ice was all the way back to April 10th of 1934, 81 years ago. That’s so long ago that the Cup itself doesn’t even look as it does now. But all of these counts can revert back to zero with a win over the Lightning in Game 6 tonight.

Everything Else

oldschool at 

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBC, CBC, TVA, WGN-AM 720
Ache With Me: Raw Charge

And now the home stretch. With a win on Wednesday night, the Hawks now return to Tampa with the series tied at two games apiece. And in order for them to return back to the west side on Monday with the ultimate goal fully in reach, they will have to do something they have not done yet in this post season, and that’s win Game 5 on the road.

Everything Else

greased lightning vs oldschool

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBCSN, CBC, TVA, WGN-AM 720
Piss And Vinegar: Raw Charge

Tonight on the west side the Stanley Cup Final makes the turn to the back stretch with the Hawks needing a win at home to keep the Lightning from heading back to Tampa with an opportunity to clinch. While not literally a “must win”, it’s as close as it gets for the Hawks, who are looking to even up the series and put themselves in a far more advantageous position moving forward.

Everything Else

greased lightning vs oldschool

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBCSN, CBC, TVA
From Her Lips To God’s Ears: Raw Charge

With the series shifting north to the United Center for games 3 and 4, both the Hawks and the Lightning believe themselves to be in highly actionable positions within the context of the series after a split in Tampa. But the team in red is the one that will be best served in maximizing their opportunity on home ice.

Everything Else

oldschool at greased lightning

Game Time: 6:15PM Central
TV/Radio: NBC, CBC, TVA, WGN-AM 720
As The Eternal Cowboy: Raw Charge

With Wednesday night’s late two-goal rally to claim Game 1 in Tampa, the Hawks have already on paper accomplished what they needed to prior to the series turning north. But now is not the time of year to cede absolutely anything to the opponent, as the Lightning found out in emphatic fashion 3 nights ago.