TAKE ME THERE NOW!
Now that that's taken care of, onto today's list.
Tonight could be the last game of the season for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Despite the fact that they've exceeded every expectation, this city demands the Hawks win up in Detroit tonight against the Red Wings.
But in order to do so, they'll need some top notch performances from their best players.
Here are the Top Ten Blackhawks who need to step up tonight.
10. Martin Havlat
After logging only eight minutes of ice time in Game 4, it'd be unfair for us to expect too much from Havlat tonight.
He redeemed himself this season after being labeled injury prone by fans and media alike since he signed with the Hawks. But a vicious hit like the one he took in Game 4 would do damage to anyone and the fact that Havlat can still find the arena is enough to prove his toughness.
9. Andrew Ladd
The man who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He's not very flashy and doesn't really do any one thing better than most. But Ladd has been a crucial piece of this playoff puzzle and they'll need a solid outing from him to slow down the Red Wings.
8. Kris Versteeg
This guy needs to take his head out of his you-know-what and stop putting the Hawks in horrific positions with the stupid penalties he's been committing as of late.
7. Joel Quenneville
Somehow, some way, Quenneville will need to get his young team ready for a game that carries enormous pressure on each of their shoulders.
Throw in the fact that they're playing up in the Joe and Quenneville certainly has his work cut out for him. Hopefully that little $10,000 rampage he went on about the referees plays to our advantage.
6. Patrick Sharp
The 27-year-old right winger has always come up big when the Hawks need it most in the playoffs thus far. No reason why that trend shouldn't continue tonight in the biggest game of the season.
5. Patrick Kane
Kane has flat out disappeared against the Red Wings and it's time the little man stepped up to the plate and delivered a performance like his hat-trick against the Canucks.
If he can just understand that not every pass has to be perfect and just play like he can, Kane could be the key to the Hawks making a comeback in this series.
4. Dustin Byfuglien
Big Bad Buff needs to wreak havoc in front of the very mediocre Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood tonight.
He needs to frustrate, anger, tempt, twist, pull, prod and take up space so that his linemates can get quality shots on goal.
3. Brian Campbell
As Campbell goes, so too do the Hawks.
If he's effective bringing up the puck for the Hawks without losing control, this team has proved how dangerous they can be. But if Campbell looks hesitant and gives up the puck inside the neutral zone tonight, get ready for a very ugly end to the season.
2. Jonathan Toews
Toews goal in Game 4 was the lone bright spot for the Hawks on Sunday, but he still finished -1 overall.
The young captain needs to find the back of the net early to take the pressure off of this team and set the tone.
1. Cristobal Huet
Whether it's fair or not, Huet could very well end up being the man people blame for the Hawks demise in the Western Conference Finals.
Being charged with the task of stopping one of the most efficient offenses in the NHL is something that should not be ignored. But I'm not here to defend Huet and I'm sure he probably wouldn't want me to.
For the Hawks to have ANY chance against the Wings tonight, Huet is going to have to stand on his head while humming along to Chelsea Dagger.
1 comment:
Matt,
Good post and congrats on the new move to the new network.
I also think that Seabrook and Keith need to step up their play tonight because they too have not played up to par for much of the series.
GO HAWKS!
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