In 2011, the Bruins won their Stanley Cup with a lockdown penalty kill, and a power play that bordered on comically bad. Stop me if this sounds uncomfortably familiar. Finding no reason to fix what isn’t (totally) broken, the Bruins are on much the same trajectory as they were two years ago, though the Blackhawks certainly should not take that as a cue to tempt fate by marching to the box as they have to this point in the post season. Furthermore, the Hawks finding a way to somehow take advantage of the Bruins’ penalty kill will go a long way toward mitigating the physical liberties Boston will no doubt plan on taking.
Thar be monsters here.
While we highlighted the Kings unpleasant nature on defense, the Bruins bring that and more. This is a group of men who look like they belong in a bar brawl somewhere and try to turn their zone into one. But they also come with some of the warts that the Kings had as well, just not as large.
There’s no point in going any further without talking about the 6-9-sized problem on the top pairing, and that’s Zdeno Chara. This could be the biggest difference (ha ha) between what the Hawks just saw and what they’re about to see. While the Kings’ #1 d-man Drew Doughty is a great player, he can be erratic and wild and reckless at times. The Hawks got to take advantage of that. They will get no such breaks with Chara on the ice.
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
Always cite your sources before you get the hammer of the gods brought down on you by the hockey starved interwebs:(Twitter)
Apparently the AHL is fine, but the I-90 shuffle is better (Autoplay) (CSN)
Hockey is back with lots of ads and Russians on some fly-by-night tv station:(RT)
Can’t hold down a grinder:(GnM)
Hatred Growing: (SN)
Probably at the time the most hated team in Chicago:(TSUN)
