Blackhawks vs Preds Game 1 Recap
Welcome back playoff hockey. What a way to kick off the series. Last night proved that the Blackhawks are really never out of a game. Game 1 was a microcosm of the entire season. The Hawks were sleep walking in the 1st period and looked like a team that was dead in the water, but then they clicked in, flipped a switch, and their talent took over. That’s the difference between a team that has been through the playoff wars and a team still learning tough lessons. You can’t give away leads like that and expect to win a series vs championship caliber team. Now all of the momentum and the series lead is with the Hawks. Game 2 is now basically a must win for “Smashville”.
–Credit where its due…the Preds’ young kids were brilliant last night. Filip Forsberg, Ryan Ellis, and Seth Jones were all impact players. They have been important players all year, but I was hoping the bright lights would make them wilt a bit. The opposite happened. Forsberg set the tone in the first period. He was physical, effective in all three zones, and dynamic. Seth Jones is going to be a SUPER STAR. He’s a guy that was highly touted as a prospect, but has flown under the radar a little because he plays in Nashville. He’s the real deal. Jones will be a 12x All-Star and probably win a couple Norris Trophies. I predicted Hawks in 5 yesterday, but Forsberg and Jones are going to make it difficult. The Preds are going to be battling with the Hawks for years to come.
–I had a yellow lab, Murphy, as a kid. Great dog. I would take him for hikes in the woods for hours. He would chase squirrels, swim in ponds, and fetch sticks. Do all the great lab stuff. I came home from school for spring break when I was 19 and he couldn’t even get himself off the ground. You had to pick him up and carry him outside to go to the bathroom, but he was still happy. Always wagging his tail even though his body had failed him and he was in pain. Well…I get that same feeling when I watch Rozsival now. Roszival needs to be euthanized. The first goal was worse than embarrassing, it was sad. Not only did Roszival get his doors blown off by Wilson, he also basically set a screen on Keith. Like my old dog Murph, he can’t control his legs and will piss himself. Roszival did play a little better as the game went on, but his presence on the team really taxes the other defenseman. I would like to see either Rundblad or Cumiskey in Game 2. Neither are great options, but at least they can skate and move the puck. I’m leaning Cumiskey at this point.
Same goes for Timonen. Timonen got under 12 mins while Keith played almost 40. Duncan Keith has iron lungs, but even he shouldn’t play that much. It’s almost like Timonen is on a pitch count or something. He wasn’t bad when he was on the ice last night, but he has to be able to carry a heavier work load.
–Welcome back Patrick Kane. There was obviously a little rust, but it’s rust on a Ferrari. He was an impact player on the powerplay with 2 assists. The PP zone entries and possession were night and day from the end of season. His presence makes the Hawks infinitely more dangerous, even if he isn’t hitting on all cylinders yet. Versteeg-Richards-Kane was the worst 5-on-5 line for the Hawks in Game 1. Even though Coach Q really protected them with zone starts, they still gave up more chances than they created. I don’t think we will see any line changes for Game 2. Partly because rust was expected, but also because the other three lines were really good. It would not shock me to see Vermette find his way on to that line as we go deeper into the series/playoffs.
–Can not say enough about Scott Darling. First playoff game, coming off the bench, and Darling was an absolute gangster. He was sharp from the minute he entered and gave the Hawks a chance to get back in the game during the 2nd. Then he stole the game in the 3rd and OT. Highlight reel saves. As Coach Q said last night it was an all-time great relief appearance.
Now the hot debate is Darling or Crawford in Game 2. Personally, I’m torn. In my heart of hearts, I believe Darling is the better goalie. I’ve said that multiple times this year. He’s bigger, he’s a better athlete, really explodes off his edges. I think there is this feeling that Darling can’t possibly be as good as he’s looked because of his history. Can a guy be a legit #1 goalie for a Cup contender if he played for teams like the Mississippi River Kings and the Wichita Thunder? I think Darling is the real deal. I believe the Hawks found a true diamond in the rough and I’ve felt that way since December.
I’ve talked to a couple other pro goalies about Darling vs Crawford(not about last night, but in a general sense) who know can analyze a goalie way better than I can and they all tend to say that Darling is more talented.
I think the Crawford getting benched was more about giving the team a wake up call than an indictment of his play, but Crawford wasn’t good in the 1st either. Even though Roszival got burned on the 1st goal, Crawford still shouldn’t get beat short-side like that. Crawford was also responsible for the 2nd goal. The ice may have been bad, but he wasn’t strong enough there. Poor play, and a poor decision on the Stalberg goal.
Having said all of that, this isn’t as simple “we’re going with the hot hand”. He has won a Cup and he had arguably the best year of his career in 2014-15. Darling’s role on this team is to be the backup. He did his job spectacularly last night. His job now is to go back into the shadows and be ready to go if called upon again. The last thing this team needs is a guy pouting and upsetting the team chemistry.
I would go back to Crawford for Game 2, but I’m not in that room. Coach Q understand the dynamics of the team better than anyone. What makes Coach Q a Hall Of Famer is his ability to get a feel for his team. Putting in Darling last night was the right move, but deciding the Game 2 starter will be difficult. The Hawks have two really good goalies and there isn’t a bad option here. There’s certainly a legitimate argument to be made for each goalie, but Crawford is the safer choice.
Game 2 is Friday. Watch party at Declan’s. Be there.