



This picture right here describes the series in a nutshell. Captain Zetterberg simply out-working, out-skating, and out-performing Toews. Last night we saw how much Z and the Wings really were in Toews’ head, and shit boiled over quickly in the second period. Three consecutive trips to the box in I think eight minutes. One of which led to Jakub Kindl’s game winning goal. The kid lost all control and composure, and after being absolutely dominated by Zetts and Niklas Kronwall all series, I can’t really blame him. He came into the playoffs with expectations of being a Conn Smythe contender, but has struggled in all nine games played so far, notching only three assists in those nine games while also being a -1. To make things better, or worse for him, is the job Hank and Kronwall have done on him, allowing him only one assist in this series so far.

But points don’t mean everything. When you’re a captain, you have to lead by example. You have to keep fighting and always keep your composure. Sure its ok to get in scrums and even get into a fight if necessary, but you have to be rock solid and never show your teammates your frustration, especially a team so young like Chicago, where so many players are looking up to you. When you see Brent Seabrook come into the sin bin to give you a talk and smack you on the head, thats not a good look. Calm down kid, we need you out there, not in here. Look on the other bench, Henrik Zetterberg only has two points this series, but it’s what hes doing without the puck that makes all the difference. Almost single handedly he is shutting down the Hawks most deadly weapon (even though I feel Kane is a better player), all while being calm and showing his teammates that if you want to beat these guys, you’re going to have to play your hearts out. He took a hooking penalty on Toews last night because Jon got inside position on him and was streaking to the net, but Hank knows of Chicago’s PP woes and hauls him down not letting him get a shot. That’s one of the smart penalties in hockey, because not only did you save a scoring chance, you again show that you’re looking at Toews and telling him not on my watch kid.

And what about Patrick Kane? Where has he been. Every time he touches the puck, theres a chance the Hawks could score from any angle on the ice. But not this series. Yea he’s got 2 goals and 1 assist, but he hasn’t looked nearly as dangerous or creative with the puck as during the regular season and their first series against Minnesota. In all honesty, Kane and Sharp are really the only players for Chicago that appeared to have shown up offensively. This is the teams scoring breakdown through 4 games so far.

Chicago:

M. HOSSA (4) SLAP – ASST: J. TOEWS (3) AND P. SHARP (2)

J. ODUYA (2) WRIST – ASST: P. SHARP (3) AND P. KANE (6)

M. KRUGER (2) BACKHAND – ASST: D. CARCILLO (1) AND N. LEDDY (2)

P. SHARP (6) WRIST – ASST: N. HJALMARSSON (2)

P. KANE (1) SLAP – ASST: M. HANDZUS (3) AND P. SHARP (4)

P. KANE (2) WRIST – ASST: D. KEITH (5)

As you see, Kane and Sharp have 7 of a possible 15 points for Chicago this series, whereas Detroit has way more balanced scoring, getting help from everyone involved

Detroit:

D. BRUNNER (3) WRIST – ASST: G. NYQUIST (2) AND J. ERICSSON (2)

D. BRUNNER (4) DEFLECTED – ASST: J. KINDL (3) AND J. ANDERSSON (3

B. SMITH (2) SNAP – ASST: H. ZETTERBERG (6) AND D. CLEARY (4)

J. FRANZEN (4) WRIST – ASST: J. ERICSSON (3) AND N. KRONWALL (2)

V. FILPPULA (2) BACKHAND – ASST: H. ZETTERBERG (7)

G. NYQUIST (2) WRIST – ASST: D. BRUNNER (4) AND J. ANDERSSON (4)

D. MILLER (1) DEFLECTED – ASST: P. EAVES (2) AND C. EMMERTON (1)

P. DATSYUK (3) WRIST – ASST: J. FRANZEN (1) AND B. SMITH (2)

J. KINDL (1) SLAP – ASST: C. COLAIACOVO (1) AND J. FRANZEN (2)

D. CLEARY (3) WRIST – ASST: V. FILPPULA (4)



Detroit has simply just been out playing Chicago in all aspects in the game. And don’t forget about Jimmy Howard. Guy has been an absolute machine stopping 84 of 86 since his game 1 blunder. He has been putting up Vezina like numbers over the past month and a half, being the backbone to the stretch of wins Detroit needed to make the playoffs, then looking solid in net the first series versus Anaheim while getting inside of Perry’s head. Detroit’s young defenseman have stepped up as I noted was going to be a major part of the Wing’s success in this series, and they’re proving they can handle some of the biggest stars in the league quite nicely.