Probably the Hawks’ best game of the playoffs so far.

Considering he has been spot started…that’s a tough spot for him. But he usually keeps it simple and is a good, fast skater.

Is Hendry a better option than Boynton? I haven’t seen enough of Nick to know how he would fare against the ‘Nucks, but it seems that the Blackhawks might benefit from his playoff experience.

If Quenneville intends to limit Hendry’s minutes, playing him just enough to give the other five defensemen a breather, the potential benefit of Hendry’s effectiveness as a speedy defender who can join an offensive rush would be minimal, and his playoff inexperience could be more of a risk.

Hendry will likley play defense while Byfuglien goes to forward and skates with Kane and Toews.

Winger Troy Brouwer left the Blackhawks after their April 4 win over the Calgary Flames and headed to Vancouver with his father ill and in the hospital.But he has returned with a positive outlook.”He’s doing better, that’s for sure,” Brouwer said Tuesday after practice without getting into details of his dad’s illness. ”He doesn’t want me around right now. He’s a guy that really wants me to do well in hockey. As soon as he was OK, he wanted me back here and doing what I love to do and what he loves to watch.”

Nothing further has been mentioned about his Father’s health taking a turn for the worst. I did see where he said he lost a little confidence after turning the puck over in Game 1 against Nashville, so perhaps it’s not a family issue at all, but a confidence issue. I can understand him lacking confidence because he’s not scoring, but it shouldn’t effect his physical play and knowing who he’s responsible for on the ice. He just hasn’t contributed anything to the team at all. Perhaps there is more to the story, and we won’t know about it until after the playoffs, if ever

We have the most bench penalties in the playoffs – that is what needs to change.

As for Brouwer, he has been off his game since that ill timed pinch against the Flyers that led to the winning goal. If he needs personal time, give it to him. Family is way more important.

I think the Canucks eased off the pedal for the third period and with their third period record that is understandable. Don’t expect that to happen again.

6-2 in PP advantages is another area that needs to even up and though it’s obvious that the Canucks are turning away from confrontation the ‘hawks will need to be more disciplined on the road.

Vancouver still has a couple of gears they haven’t used yet and the ‘hawks had better be ready to play from the outset while in Vancouver.
Niemi is going to have to steal one, IMO.

As for Brouwer, well the situation is unfortunate and at least now he’ll be close by. He probably should be sent home for the next two games.

How’s that for saying a whole lot of nothing.

If his dad is very ill obviously that could cause a difference in his play.

Count me as one of the fans happy to see Burish and Eager back on the ice.

When I got my @NHLBlackhawks tweet before Saturday’s game with the scratches, the first thing that struck me was last year’s entire fourth line was a scratch.

Was that part of the problem? Hmm…

Easy for me to bring it up now. Don’t know that I hit the panic button at the time, but it was an interesting curiosity.

Speaking of the entire fourth line being scratched, why do you think Fraser is always the odd man out? Is he in Q’s doghouse?

With Brouwer obviously struggling, why not give him a sit and slide Fraser into center the fourth line?

Think I’ll get Q on the horn…

I believe it was ESPN Chicago who reported that his father was gravely ill.

If that is indeed the situation, one would understand this might be having a significant emotional impact on young Brouwer.

The drop-off in Brouwer’s contribution is important to the Hawks, but the possibility of his own personal loss could be an overriding factor for him.