Blackhawks Take Game 1 Versus Quick, Kings

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 2, 2013 2:30PM

Much of the hype leading up to the Western Conference Finals between the Blackhawks and defending champion Los Angeles was how the Kings’ goalie, the defending Conn Smythe Trophy winner, was performing at the same level in this year’s playoffs. Quick stopped 362 of 382 shots on goal in the first two rounds and the big question asked by experts was: “Could the Blackhawks get the puck past him?”

It turns out Quick is human, after all, as the Blackhawks used their speed to much things up in front of him in a 2-1 Blackhawks win Saturday in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at the United Center. The Hawks were clearly the faster team on the ice Saturday but spent the first period and nearly half of the second attacking Quick from the perimeter, where he’s at his strongest and able to stop every goal he sees. Chicago outshot the Kings 17-2 in the first period but found them down 1-0 thanks to a goal by Justin Williams, who intercepted a clearing pass by Dave Bolland and put it past Corey Crawford at the 14:23 mark.

The Blackhawks finally solved Quick in the second period by putting bodies in front of him and not allowing the Kings to forecheck them. A rebound goal by Patrick Sharp that got past Quick’s glove tied the game at the 12:29 mark. Marian Hossa made it 2-1 nearly four minutes later with a tip-in from the slot.

The Hawks then used their speed in the third period to keep the Kings off their game and never allowed them to attack Crawford. A Hawks power play with 1:41 in regulation effectively sealed the game as Chicago played keep-away for the remainder of regulation.

The Hawks outshot L.A. in the game 36-22. Quick had a .944 save percentage, but Crawford again rose to the occasion and burnished his possible Conn Smythe credentials, stopping 21 shots and posting a .955 save percentage. The Hawks’ speed allowed them to dictate the tempo of the game, keep the Kings on defense, and they had plenty of open ice once they stopped trying to attack Quick directly.

Coach Joel Quenneville said after the game to expect more of the same in Game 2. You need traffic. You need a deflection. He finds a way to find pucks. I think the volume of shots and traffic is the only way to get to this guy."

There’s no rest for the weary as Game 2 is 7 p.m. tonight at the United Center.