BTW last Hawk netminder with two shutouts in the same playoff series? Tony Esposito, ’74 quarterfinals vs. the Kings. Mr. Niemi is also currently the GAA leader in the playoffs so far. The young man is acquitting himself well.

I believe that I will take Campbell over Hendry in a heartbeat (not a slight on Hendry). If Soupy has his legs and has the shoulder protected, then his ability on the breakout can definitely help our cause, as that is one area (of many) that has been pathetic. Maybe we can pick up a PP if the Preds try to run at him in a dumb way (not that the PP is anything to write home about either). Despite the negativity I seem to display, the Hawk will prevail tonight. Captain serious should be the sta of tonights game. If he can carry a country, he can carry the beloved.

TSN’s James Duthie suggested that the Hawks may have gotten the most difficult first round matchup of all teams in the West.

Just before the playoffs started, the Predators defeated the Red Wings in Detroit, showing they were not to be taken lightly.

However, the Preds can be beaten, as Phoenix, LA and Dallas all demonstrated in the last few weeks of the season.

The Blackhawks can win if they play the way they did in Game Two; more importantly, they may be able to create momentum for themselves going back to Chicago.

But there’s no question the challenge is substantial.