All Entries in the "Western Conference" Category
Series On – Wings Top Hawks 4-1, Next Move is Q’s
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -Maybe the Blackhawks got caught up in their own press clippings after winning the series opener. It could be the Detroit Red Wings were road weary on Wednesday and needed a few days to recharge. Pick a reason but the 4-1 Saturday matinee result indicated a total regression by Chicago and [...]
Which Mullet Do You Trust?
Barack Obama called out Patrick Kane to grow back his mullet in March 2011. Kaner quickly called his barber Carmelo Preiti to arrange his mullet for the post-season. This phenomenon worked so well during the 2010 Stanley Cup run, it was a no-brainer. Chris Campoli’s turnover to Alex Burrows in OT in game #7 vs. [...]
A Complete Effort Downs Red Wings 4-1
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -The Chicago Blackhawks captured Game 1 versus Detroit with 60-minutes of effective hockey. In what was their most dominant playoff performance, the Blackhawks defeated the Red Wings 4-1. The score would have been more lopsided if not for a strong game by Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard. His play kept the contest [...]
Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: 2013 Round 2 Predictions
With the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs set to begin just a few hours from now, five members of the Hockey Independent writing staff have come together to predict each and every first round series of this year’s postseason. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Seth Levin (New Jersey [...]
Hop on the Bus Blackhawks, Time for School
283 miles separate the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings home base. The Hawks will most certainly ride in style in their private jet back and forth to Detroit. However, considering Coach Q wasn’t thrilled with their 1st round performance, as he knows they can play better as a team, I would vote for an [...]
Blackhawks eliminate the Wild with a 5-1 victory in Game 5
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) – The Blackhawks will move onto the next round after defeating Minnesota 5-1 in Game 5 at the United Center. In many ways the Blackhawks couldn’t have asked for a move favorable matchup. On Thursday night they were not only the better team, but the more determined as was the case [...]
Grading the Predators: The Forwards
Any discussion of the Predators lack of success this past season has to focus on the drop in production from the forwards. And it was not just a small decline, but one that saw the team plummet from the 8th most productive team in terms of goal scoring the previous season to one that was [...]
Hawks Do What it Takes and Lead Series 3-1
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -The bad luck continues for the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks did what was needed to record a 3-0 victory and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. To win a Stanley Cup a team needs some luck, not to sustain key injuries and to benefit from favorable matchups. [...]
Do the Blackhawks Have Too Much Swagger?
Sometimes a team with a lot of talent tends to cheat a little on their chores. Whether that chore is to dump it by a Ryan Suter or back check a Zach Parise, their confidence can’t become their downfall. That isn’t hockey hair you’re seeing grow out at this time, it’s the inflated melons [...]
Hawks Get What They Deserve with 3-2 OT Loss
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) – On Sunday afternoon the Blackhawks fell to the Wild 3-2 in overtime. Duncan Keith summed things up in a straight forward manner following Game 3. Keith commented Minnesota was the hungrier team and they deserved to win the game. Keith’s remarks were spot on and now the Wild can even [...]
Grading the Predators: The Defense
We continue our look at the Predators as we move to the blue liners. The defense this season took on a new look with the departure of Ryan Suter and the addition of several young players that logged some big minutes. Just as this season was a work in progress, so next season should see [...]
Grading the Predators: The Goalies
The playoffs have begun and the Predators find themselves on the outside looking in, a position to which they have grown unaccustomed. As we look back over the season, we can point our finger at several developments that resulted in the team missing the post season. Injuries certainly took their toll. The hockey gods did [...]
Hawks Take Game 2 With a Better Effort
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -The Chicago Blackhawks weren’t perfect but they did bring a more complete effort to defeat Minnesota 5-2 in Game 2. The third and fourth lines set the tone to begin the contest and it was Michael Frolik who notched the Hawks first two goals. The big names came through later to [...]
Hawks Dodge a Bullet Win 2-1 in OT
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -Tuesday night’s 2-1 overtime victory by the Chicago Blackhawks over the Minnesota Wild is one of 16 conquests needed to hoist the Stanley Cup. Although it was only one win, the importance of the outcome can’t be overstated.If the Wild came away with a Game 1 victory without their starting goaltender, [...]
Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: 2013 First Round Predictions
With the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs set to begin just a few hours from now, four members of the Hockey Independent writing staff have come together to predict each and every first round series of this year’s postseason. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Seth Levin (New Jersey Devils), Bill Philp (Tampa Bay Lightning) [...]
Focus is on the Minnesota Wild
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -The Chicago Blackhawks fell to St. Louis 3-1 in their final game of the regular season. It was a meaningless contest for the Hawks but with the victory the Blues secured fourth place in the Western Conference. The opponent for the Hawks in the opening round will be the Minnesota Wild.Every [...]
Predators Flop in Third Period, Fall to Blue Jackets
The Nashville Predators and the Columbus Blue Jackets met at Nationwide Arena in the final game of the season. For one team, the game meant nothing- finish and book your tee time. For the other team, the outcome of the game held playoff implications- win and have the opportunity to get in the playoffs. Unlike [...]
Hawks Roll Past Flames as Crawford is Playoff Ready
The Blackhawks continue to rack up points as a remarkable season is coming to a close. In front of 22,048 appreciative United Center fans the Blackhawks defeated the Calgary Flames 3-1. For those who were concerned the Hawks would sputter into the playoffs, fear not. After last night’s victory the Hawks are blistering 8-1-1 in [...]
Predators Wilt Against the Wings
The Nashville Predators have been relegated to the role of spoiler as the season winds down, and they were in Detroit not only attempting to win their second game in a row but put a dent in the Red Wings playoff chances. While the Red Wings were playing with a sense of urgency, the Predators [...]
Hawks Defeat Oilers 4-1 and Clinch Presidents’ Trophy
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -The Chicago Blackhawks put their game faces on toward the end of the opening period and dispatched the Edmonton Oilers 4-1. With the victory, Chicago clinched the Presidents’ Trophy for the best record in the league for the first time since 1991.This means the Hawks will have home ice throughout the [...]
