Blackhawks Return Home Riding High

By Rob Winn in News on Jun 20, 2013 3:00PM

So much for low-scoring, defensive-minded hockey. Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final saw the Blackhawks and Bruins flying down the ice trading chances and seemingly scoring at will, with the Hawks winning 6-5 in overtime. Considering how Game 3 went for the Hawks, they will take the win anyway they can get it.

The Hawks came out of the gate early and dictated the pace. Even after Johnny Oduya was sent to the penalty box, Brandon Saad was able to steal the puck, race up the ice and pass it to Michal Handzus for an early 1-0 lead. After Boston tied the game with a goal by Rich Peverley, the stars came out and for a few minutes it appeared like it would be the Hawks' night. In the second period, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane scored two minutes, eight seconds apart. Toews's goal was a beautiful tip-in, while Kane buried a rebound Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask couldn't corral. But that's when the Bruins responded and Blackhawks fans started having heart palpitations.

The Hawks gave up the lead three times. Peverley, Milan Lucic, Patrice Bergeron and Johnny Boychuck all scored. Bergeron netted two goals, one where the puck bounced off the glass, then off the top of the net, only to come to rest two feet in front of a disoriented Corey Crawford. The end of regulation saw the two teams heading to overtime once again tied at five goals apiece.

According to Patrick Sharp, Brent Seabrook is "Mr. Overtime" and he lived up to the nickname. After recovering from his earlier struggles, Crawford made several tough saves. Once the Hawks gained control Seabrook was able to seal the win for Chicago, beating Tuukka Rask on a slap shot.

Now the Hawks come home with all the confidence in world, stealing a game in Boston to even the series at 2-2 and regaining home ice advantage. On offense this game was a blueprint on how to beat the Bruins. The Hawks were able to open up the ice with their speed and crisp passing. Once they entered the zone, the Hawks were able to create chaos in front of Rask and capitalize on second and third chance opportunities. The Hawks even went right at Zdeno Chara, the Bruins' version of Ivan Drago. Chara was on the ice for four of the five Blackhawks goals, including the game winner where Toews was able to gain position to allow room for Seabrook's slap shot.

On defense, however, you might as well throw the game tape away and celebrate the win. Duncan Keith had an unusually rough game with several turnovers. Johnny Oduya also struggled and was on the ice for four Bruins goals. Not to mention goalie Corey Crawford, who had a night he'd rather forget. The Bruins seemingly beat him at will on his glove side. (Ed. Note: Blackhawks TV announcer Pat Foley, speaking with Dan McNeil and Matt Spiegel on WSCR-AM this morning, said "Corey Crawford can't catch." —CS) Giving up five goals on the road is not ideal, but given his stellar play throughout the playoffs, Hawks fans shouldn't worry. And it should come as no surprise that Crawford struggled on the same night as the defense.

If the Hawks can keep up the offensive pace they set in Game 4, it'll be tough for the Bruins to hold them down. But when they do have the lead—especially a two-goal lead—they'll need to hold on to it. Patrick Kane said after the game "It was a fun game to play in, but at the same time, you want to preserve those leads and play better when you do have them, especially late in the game."

So the series returns to United Center in Chicago for Game 5 where it will surely be the heart of Saturday night.