San Jose Sharks vs Chicago Blackhawks Game 3 Preview

[N3]

My look at Game 3:

Most fans would be thrilled if someone told them that their favorite team would hold a 2-0 lead in a 7 game series, heading back to home ice. If you are a Chicago Blackhawk fan this is probably the worst case scenario.

You see the Blackhawks are riding a 7 game road winning streak, and have looked frazzled and lost at home. The issue has become so bad that team officials will have the team stay in a hotel the day of the game. Why are team officials doing this? Well its quite simple. On road trips the team has a chance to bond and really gel off the ice, they do things as a team, and have a real connection. When the team goes home, they go their separate ways, and only have practices to get that cohesiveness back. This may be a way for the Hawks to keep their momentum heading home.

While this plan seems like it has good intentions the only way this team is going to get out of its home ice funk is if they keep it simple. Do away with the drop passes, and trying to force it into the offensive zone. Go back to the way they play on the road, with simple tape to tape passes and dumping it in if there is no alley. Do not let the home fans dictate the style. The majority of us want to see the team play the high flying thrilling offense that we have come to know and love. The reality off it is the playoffs are a different animal. The thrilling plays are replaced with hard nosed dump and chase and grinding it out, something this team thrives on away from the United Center.

If we learned anything from the Montreal Canadiens/Philadelphia Flyer Game, it is that a 2-0 series lead is not insurmountable, and all it takes is for one bad game by your solid goalie to let a team back into it. The Hawks need to come out with the same energy Montreal displayed today, take an early lead, and keep the Sharks from teeing off on Niemi.

With that being said, here are my three keys to a Chicago Blackhawk win:

Set the tempo, and get the lines you want:

Coach Q has last change. He has shown a very good ability to get the right lines at the right times on the road, lets hope he can carry this over to home ice. Tempo is everything for this team, if they can force you to play their style of hockey, they will run laps around you.

Dave Bolland's aggravating tactics:

Dave Bolland is in Joe Thornton's head. Thornton can deny it all he wants, but the slash late in the third period of Game 2 says otherwise. So far Bolland and co. have kept the Shark Line quiet with tactics and hard nosed hockey.

Leave the cuteness at the hotel:

I touched on this earlier in the article, but this team must keep it simple. If they try to force the puck and get away from the basics they will lose. The Sharks are too talented of a team to try high school tactics on, and will make you pay for any unneeded mistake.

Net Presence (Bonus Key):

This should be a permanent key for this team. Dustin Byfuglien is at his best in front of the goalie, and with Johnathan Toews in the same area this team is deadly. Fire pucks from the point, and from the face off dots and let the guys up front tap in the rebounds. Make Nabakov play his best game, and do not let him see pucks coming.

The Hawks can either put the dagger through San Jose's heart, or they can give them new life. Regardless of the outcome I will be back following the final horn of Game 3 to share my game review.

San Jose Sharks vs Chicago Blackhawks Game 3 Preview | Chi City Sports l Chicago Sports News - Blog - Message Board - Fans

 

[Jntg4]

About 14 hours until the Hawks go up 3-0.

 

[tbo41fan]

Great Article Man!

LET"S GO HAWKS!

 

[DaleDoback]

You nailed it on the head man. Bolland is a huge key to this series. Thorton had......what I now call......"The Vancouver Meltdown"......thanks in large part to Bolland's constant taunting and physical play. If Bolland can keep in Little Joe's head.......series is a good as a wrap!

I think another key is the three headed monster of LADD-VERSTEEG- and EAGER. We all can see how well our top tier talent is playing in the series......but these three guys seem to be a major thorn in the Sharks side. Eager is skating like a man about to murder someone, Versteeg is looking like he is blossoming into a real talent and Ladd......well he is just soild in all area's. San Jose has a tall order ahead. Our team is so deep that I really can't see how you can gameplan us.

HAWKS IN 4..........Maybe 3 if the Sharks know what's best for them!

 

[tbo41fan]

You nailed it on the head man. Bolland is a huge key to this series. Thorton had......what I now call......"The Vancouver Meltdown"......thanks in large part to Bolland's constant taunting and physical play. If Bolland can keep in Little Joe's head.......series is a good as a wrap!

I think another key is the three headed monster of LADD-VERSTEEG- and EAGER. We all can see how well our top tier talent is playing in the series......but these three guys seem to be a major thorn in the Sharks side. Eager is skating like a man about to murder someone, Versteeg is looking like he is blossoming into a real talent and Ladd......well he is just soild in all area's. San Jose has a tall order ahead. Our team is so deep that I really can't see how you can gameplan us.

HAWKS IN 4..........Maybe 3 if the Sharks know what's best for them!

exactly! When that happened in game 2 I said the same thing...WE ARE IN THEIR HEADS!

 

[Jntg4]

I say Hawks in 2 because I think it may be over already, but not 100% sure.

 

[tbo41fan]

It sure looks like its over

but it looked like Boston-Philly was over as well

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

If there could be anything more to ask for it would be improvement in the circle. Winning only 43% of the time doesn't create as many chances as if we were on the other end. Nothing to really dwell on seeing as the Hawks are up 2-0, but should we need to start limiting Shark chances this would be a good start.

 

[Jntg4]

Can't wait for this, and then I'll also have the Cubs on, they are in Arlington!

Arlington=200 runs a game, lol.

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

Did I mention great article... nope.

Great article!

 

[tbo41fan]

Cubs and Hawks...what's better?

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

Is that even a fair question???

 

[tbo41fan]

no....no its not. lol

 

[JCM]

Cubs and Hawks...what's better?

Hawks by far.

 

[tbo41fan]

I think you misunderstood my question

I meant what is better than having the Cubs and Hawks on at the same time, same night?

lol

 

[JCM]

Hawks. the cubs get me frustrated at times and i dont watch them.

the only reason i watch them now is because of castro. if it wasn't for him i wouldn't even watch them unless they make a big trade.

 

[tbo41fan]

Well im excited as anyone about Castro, but i refuse to acknowledge the Cubs until the Hawks are eliminated or they hoist the cup

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

Stanley Cup time... nothing matters outside of the Hawks. It's like the days between games are for catching up on work. Game day is strictly zero production and getting ready for the drop of the puck. Thank god I am in a relationship cause my chances would be slim if I wasn't.

 

[tbo41fan]

Stanley Cup time... nothing matters outside of the Hawks. It's like the days between games are for catching up on work. Game day is strictly zero production and getting ready for the drop of the puck. Thank god I am in a relationship cause my chances would be slim if I wasn't.

hahahaha hawks, hawks, and more hawks

 

[N3]

If there could be anything more to ask for it would be improvement in the circle. Winning only 43% of the time doesn't create as many chances as if we were on the other end. Nothing to really dwell on seeing as the Hawks are up 2-0, but should we need to start limiting Shark chances this would be a good start.

You know, thats one thing I keep forgetting to touch on. The Hawks most definitely need to improve in the face off circle.