IGT Game 5: Blackhawks @ Canucks

[tbo41fan]

VS.

BLACKHAWKS at CANUCKS

(Vancouver leads best-of-seven series, 3-1)

TV: CBC (HD), VERSUS (HD), RDS (HD), CSN-CH (HD).

Big Story -- The Blackhawks face their second straight elimination game Thursday at Rogers Arena. They survived their first by blowing out the Canucks, 7-2, at United Center on Tuesday. Vancouver seemed undeterred by the loss even though it appeared to get rattled in the third period when a return trip home for Game 5 was already a forgone conclusion. The Canucks and Hawks combined for 88 penalty minutes in the third period Tuesday, and the feeling is that chippiness will carry over into Game 5.

Team Scope:

Blackhawks -- They've talked all series about how beatable the Canucks are, and Tuesday the Blackhawks finally proved that to be true. They jumped all over Vancouver in the second period with four goals. Dave Bolland made an inspirational return after missing six weeks with a concussion, scoring a goal and dishing out 3 assists for his first career 4-point game in the NHL. Now the Blackhawks have to do it all over again. They do not expect a similar five-goal difference in Game 5, but they're carrying renewed confidence and a bit of a swagger into Rogers Arena, where they've lost three out of four games this season.

"Not only did we need a win, but it was great to win big and prove a point," Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said after Game 4. "We wanted to go out there and play for each other and everything finally snowballed in our favor. It gives us a lot of confidence going into Game 5. We're not looking forward to Game 6 or Game 7. The pressure is on them."

Canucks -- Stay the course and do not unravel -- those are the most important things the Canucks have to remember going into Game 5. Despite getting shellacked at United Center on Tuesday, Vancouver remains in complete control of this series up two games with the ability to close it out in its own building. The Canucks came undone in the third period of Game 4, but even Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said that was all score related. The game was well out of hand after two periods with the Hawks up 5-1.

The Canucks haven't suffered a loss like Tuesday's since Chicago beat them 7-1 at Rogers Arena on Nov. 20. It might have just been the turning point of their season because the Canucks lost only 13 more times in regulation over the final 63 games, going 44-13-6 to win the Presidents' Trophy with a franchise best 117 points and 54 wins.

"We're excited to play on home ice, in front of our fans and put out a really good game," Canucks center Ryan Kesler said. "We're excited about this opportunity, we're in a good spot and we got to give them credit – they put their best game on the ice last game and we got to respond now."

Who's Hot -- Bolland had a huge night in his return, assisting on the Blackhawks first goal and registering 3 points on a goal and 2 assists in the second period. His linemates, Bryan Bickell and Michael Frolik, combined for 2 goals and 2 assists to give that trio a total of 8 points and a plus-12 rating in Game 4. Patrick Sharp scored a pair of power play goals to give him 3 goals in the last two games.

For Vancouver, Daniel Sedin scored again Tuesday giving him 4 goals and 2 assists in the series.

Injury Report -- Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook had to sit out Game 4 with an upper body injury (possible concussion, though the team has not said that to be true) stemming from the shoulder-to-head hit he received from Canucks forward Raffi Torres in Game 3. Seabrook traveled with the Blackhawks to Vancouver but his availability for Game 5 remains in question. Blackhawks forward Tomas Kopecky hasn't played since suffering an injury early in Game 1 and he is out for Game 5 as well.

Stat Pack -- For the first time in the series the Blackhawks were credited with more hits than the Canucks in Game 4 -- a 44-33 difference. ... Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, who was pulled with 15:55 remaining in Game 4, hadn't been pulled from a game since giving up four goals in 36 minutes to the Blackhawks on Nov. 20. ... Seabrook had played in all 85 games this season until he had to sit out Game 4.

Puck Drop -- "Just play hard, play the same way and keep it simple," Toews said of what the Hawks have to do to beat the Canucks again. "We know they're going to come back with a heck of an effort and being on the road we might have to weather a few storms. But, all four lines have to bring that effort. We played for each other (Tuesday). We played hard and we've got that confidence now that things went our way. That's all we need."

 

[tbo41fan]

Same Lineup as game 4

Seabrook out, Scott on defense

 

[Gunzaan]

I hope I'm wrong in my vote. It worked last time, as it was the only poll so far this series that I have voted on... so it's more for superstition then anything else

 

[tbo41fan]

I evened it out for ya Gunzaan now your vote doesnt stick out. lol

 

[Tyler Juranovich]

It sucks that Seabrook will not be playing in this game. That could be a huge negative factor going into this game for the Hawks.

 

[derosabomb]

SCOTT :facepalm:

 

[Popinski Soda]

If we can steal one in Vancouver tonight we should be in pretty good shape heading back to Chicago.


J

 

[AddisonStation]

If we can steal one in Vancouver tonight we should be in pretty good shape heading back to Chicago.


J

I agree. Huge pressure on Van to win tonight. The Hawks confidence will skyrocket with a win in game 5.

 

[Gunzaan]

Alright, the Bulls win, let's follow suit with the Hawks!

 

[tbo41fan]

Ballard and Oreskovich not warming up...assumed to be out

 

[RPrevidi]

Actually... all the pressure is on the Hawks to win tonight. The Canucks aren't sweating anything other than getting a couple extra days off...

All that being said... Let's Go Hawks!!! Let's kick come Canass!

 

[Captain Iago]

So it's going to be a whale diving kind of night.

 

[zack54attack]

Link to a stream?

 

[AddisonStation]

Actually... all the pressure is on the Hawks to win tonight. The Canucks aren't sweating anything other than getting a couple extra days off...

All that being said... Let's Go Hawks!!! Let's kick come Canass!

Don't agree with this. They don't want to go back to Chicago and given the history of the matchup they need this one.

What a sally ass penalty call.

 

[Captain Iago]

Wow, Crow!

 

[Captain Iago]

Link to a stream?

Watch Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks Live Stream Online

Let me know if it doesn't work for ya.

 

[tbo41fan]

good early kill

 

[AddisonStation]

Scott

 

[tbo41fan]

big pp here

 

[Captain Iago]

To the PP. Can we decline the penalty?