Could it happen again? The Vancouver Canucks, the best team in the NHL during the regular season were well on their way to exorcising their playoff demons, the Chicago Blackhawks, who have knocked them out of the playoffs the past two years. They had a 3-0 series lead and played a good 1st period in Game 4, but in the 2nd period things turned south for the Canucks. Dave Bolland's return from injury for Chicago was exactly what the doctor ordered and the Hawks began to play like the team that won the cup last year.
Jonathan Toews became the caliber player he was during last year's playoffs and Duncan Keith is rediscovering his Norris Trophy touch the past three games. Corey Crawford is finally beginning to be the goalie the Hawks envisioned after his big saves in Game 5 in Vancouver, a 5-0 shutout of the Canucks in Game 5 for Chicago. If the Hawks win Game 7 in Vancouver, they would be the 2nd team in two years to overcome a 3 love deficit. The Flyers did it last year in Boston and they trailed 3-0 in Game 7 before Flyer coach Peter Laviolette called a critical time-out. That momentum carried the Flyers into the Finals before falling in 6 games against these Blackhawks.
Last Night in Game 6, the Canucks shockingly went with Cory Schneider in goal as oppose to Vezina trophy candidate Roberto Luongo. Schneider suffered what appeared to be a severe groin injury after failing to stop Michael Frolik's penalty shot, which he scored on in the 3rd period. He was pulled in favor of Luongo, but the Hawks won in Overtime on Ben Smith's winner. Now the pressure is on Vancouver, and I said this series was going 7 games and I am sticking with the Canucks, but it will be a difficult task tomorrow. They need two quick goals.
If Vancouver loses, expect massive changes starting with coach Vigneault and GM Mike Gillis. Flags could be flying at half-staff should the Canucks fall tomorrow. In my opinion, if the Canucks win Game 7, it would be very good for them since they can get rid of adversity that many teams in the playoffs sometimes need. We shall see tomorrow.
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In other thoughts, well the Capitals as expected closed out the Rangers on Saturday in Washington. The turning point was Game 4 at MSG, where the Rangers blew a 3-0 lead in the 3rd and lost it on a Gaborik's gaffe in double overtime.
The Detroit Red Wings, also as expected swept the Phoenix Coyotes in what could be the Coyotes last game in Phoenix. The franchise is expected to move back to Winnipeg and become the Jets if the NHL fails to find a buyer to keep them in Phoenix and right now it is not looking good.
The Nashville Predators finally won a playoff series last night against Anaheim as they will smell Round 2 for the first time in History.
I will continue to blog everyday from now on.
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