Stanley Cup Final: Game 3 Preview

[N3]

If you would have told me that the Chicago Blackhawks would be going to Philadelphia with a 2-0 series lead without a single point from Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane, I probably would have called you crazy.

But that's exactly what this team has done. In Game 1 the Blackhawks got three goals from it's second line and three goals from its third line. In Game 2 the Hawks got one goal from the second line, and one goal from the fourth line, do you notice something odd about this scenario? Prior to Dustin Byfuglien's second period assist in yesterday's game, the Chicago Blackhawks first line had a combined zero points. Yes, you read that right zero points.

So why is the Blackhawks main scoring line struggling? Its a combination of the Flyer's playing very good defense, and big #20 Chris Pronger. While one could say that Pronger has been getting away with everything short of murder on Dustin Byfuglien, he has done what the Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks could not do..shut down Byfuglien. The biggest question Hawks fans should be asking is, what can the team do to get this line going?

One thing the team could do is do some line juggling and put Marian Hossa or Troy Brouwer on the first line. If Hossa were to move up, it would shuffle Patrick Kane down to the second line where he hopefully get some open looks. In the second scenario Brouwer moves up to the first line, and Big Buff goes down to the second line. This move would force Peter Laviolette to make a choice, keep Pronger on the Toews line thus letting Byfuglien have free roam of the ice, or match this move and put Pronger on the second line, which would then open up opportunities for Toews and Kane.

While both of these situations could play out, I think it would be better served to draw up a game plan to neutralize Chris Pronger. Coming into this series everyone knew Byfuglien would try getting to the front of the net, and we all knew Pronger would be there waiting for If Coach Quenneville really wanted to throw the Flyers for a loop, why not try to skate Byfuglien out to the slot a bit and try to get opportunities that way. If this were to happen Pronger would not be able to get away with the cross checks and slashes, while also opening up the ice for the wingers and point shots.

Looking ahead to Game 3 the Hawks must avoid a repeat performance of yesterday's third period. In that period that hawks got out shot 15-4 and could not sustain any type of offensive zone pressure. While you could look at from a glass half full view and say they relaxed with a 2 goal lead, it simply should not happen. This team is far to good to just let off the pedal and keep a team in the game, especially one that has shown the ability to come back from those type of deficits. The Hawks looked lost and over matched in that period, and were lucky to survive it with the lead.

The reason the Hawks were able to survive rest's on one man's shoulders, Antti Niemi. If it were not for his ability to make key save after key save in the third period we could very well be talking about a 1-1 series right now. Chicago has to find a way to keep the pressure off of Niemi, becuase while he has stood on his head time and time again, you can not expect him to keep it up.

Niemi_No_No's Three Keys to the Game:

Energy: The Blackhawks must come out and match the Flyer's energy. The Wachovia Center will be rocking tomorrow night and the Hawks must take the crowd out of it early. The Hawks have played great hockey on the road, and they must keep it up if they want to win Game 3.

Clean Up Rebounds: One reason the Flyers got so many goals in Game 1 was because of loose pucks in front of the net. In Game 2 we saw the Hawks come in and clean them out before the Flyers could get to them. If the Hawks want to keep this a low scoring game, they have to take out the trash.

Net Presence: Ahh yes my favorite key to the game. The very first goal of Game 2 came off of excellent net presence and hustle by Marian Hossa, who beat his man to the inside and tapped in a rebound. The Flyers had an excellent strategy in Game 2, throw pucks on net and hope for a rebound. Its something the Blackhawks should implore as well, as we all saw what happened to Michael Leighton after he gave up that goal.

Stanley Cup Final: Game 3 Preview | Chi City Sports l Chicago Sports News - Blog - Message Board - Fans

 

[tbo41fan]

As usual, very well written!

Energy: The Blackhawks must come out and match the Flyer's energy. The Wachovia Center will be rocking tomorrow night and the Hawks must take the crowd out of it early. The Hawks have played great hockey on the road, and they must keep it up if they want to win Game 3.

This is a big key IMO....wachovia like you said will be crazy and players like carcillo and pronger feed off that energy, take the crowd out early and keep them out

 

[southern_cross_116]

I think that you can make the case that Pronger actually has been neutralized; it might be at the cost of the Hawk's top line not scoring- but the key here is, it hasn't had to (score, that is). The Hawks do not rely on a single line scoring, which is a big part of the reason they are in the position that they are.

I read somewhere that (and this could well be wrong as I have grown a little leery of the credibility of one of the boards I used to frequent -although in fairness, that is sort of a generalization), that neither Kane nor Hossa are willing to play Left Wing; I'm not sure that either have all season long for that matter. Now you know to me that sounds a little strange, as wingers can be somewhat interchangeable.

However, the bigger point is, at this point the strategy seems to be allow Philly to exert itself shutting down our top line, figuring that the Hawks can do the same to their scoring line, and then let depth take over. Of course, in order for this to work (as the head coach) you have to have an idea that your depth is better than the other guy's.

Playing on the road is always tough. If the Hawks can manage a split; and they have the road record to suggest that it could work out that way -that is a big hole to dig out of.

Wherever the Hawk's version of Bartman is -- keep him away from the rink.

 

[N3]

I think that you can make the case that Pronger actually has been neutralized; it might be at the cost of the Hawk's top line not scoring- but the key here is, it hasn't had to (score, that is). The Hawks do not rely on a single line scoring, which is a big part of the reason they are in the position that they are.

I read somewhere that (and this could well be wrong as I have grown a little leery of the credibility of one of the boards I used to frequent -although in fairness, that is sort of a generalization), that neither Kane nor Hossa are willing to play Left Wing; I'm not sure that either have all season long for that matter. Now you know to me that sounds a little strange, as wingers can be somewhat interchangeable.

However, the bigger point is, at this point the strategy seems to be allow Philly to exert itself shutting down our top line, figuring that the Hawks can do the same to their scoring line, and then let depth take over. Of course, in order for this to work (as the head coach) you have to have an idea that your depth is better than the other guy's.

Playing on the road is always tough. If the Hawks can manage a split; and they have the road record to suggest that it could work out that way -that is a big hole to dig out of.

Wherever the Hawk's version of Bartman is -- keep him away from the rink.

Im actually in favor of keeping the lines the way they are..while the top line isnt scoring, the other three are playing great. I think its a bit silly to change up your whole game plan because your two top bill guys arent producing.

 

[tbo41fan]

I agree....if 3/4 of the lines are working, leave it alone

 

[Captain Iago]

They will have to weather the storm early no doubt, and I expect them to. This is where the transition game will be key.

I'm not sure if I'll be around tonight, but is it possible to use this thread as a GDT instead of of the series sticky? Maybe it's just me, but it was kinda irritating to read about specific plays or "HOSSSAAAAA!!!!!" in the series thread.

 

[tbo41fan]

^^ thats what the series thread is for

 

[Captain Iago]

Aight. Thought I'd ask. No wuckin furries!

 

[Jamfan]

If Kane and Toews show up and Hossa continues being a beast, we'll win this game.

 

[tbo41fan]

Aight. Thought I'd ask. No wuckin furries!

LOL

you gonna post with us?

 

[N3]

LOL

you gonna post with us?

I think he was looking for more of a "official" game day thread with actual discussion about the game. The Game day thread we have now kinda turns into a chat box of sorts during the game.

 

[tbo41fan]

I think he was looking for more of a "official" game day thread with actual discussion about the game. The Game day thread we have now kinda turns into a chat box of sorts during the game.

I kinda like it, idk about the rest of you guys.

It's kinda like we are just sitting around watching the game together, I like being able to post what im feeling at that exact moment and just have fun...

 

[N3]

I kinda like it, idk about the rest of you guys.

It's kinda like we are just sitting around watching the game together, I like being able to post what im feeling at that exact moment and just have fun...

Its fun for a bit, but if someone wants to actually discuss something about the game, its a pain in the ass to shift thru all of the one line responses to find it.

 

[tbo41fan]

Its fun for a bit, but if someone wants to actually discuss something about the game, its a pain in the ass to shift thru all of the one line responses to find it.

Ya, but during the actual game, I dont wanna waste time writing what i feel because im so into the game and cant concentrate on much more...I just want to blurt out blurbs of whats going on in my head

During the intermissions we can most definately talk about the game....

 

[N3]

Ya, but during the actual game, I dont wanna waste time writing what i feel because im so into the game and cant concentrate on much more...I just want to blurt out blurbs of whats going on in my head

During the intermissions we can most definately talk about the game....

I dont talk about the game while the game is going on, but during the intermission im a "chatty cathy".

Lets use the sticky thread for blurb, and this thread for intermission discussion.

 

[tbo41fan]

I dont talk about the game while the game is going on, but during the intermission im a "chatty cathy".

Lets use the sticky thread for blurb, and this thread for intermission discussion.

im down with that

 

[Captain Iago]

LOL

you gonna post with us?

Like I said, I'm not sure where I'm going to be enjoying this game.

 

[tbo41fan]

LOL

well post if you can!

 

[Captain Iago]

Its fun for a bit, but if someone wants to actually discuss something about the game, its a pain in the ass to shift thru all of the one line responses to find it.

Yes. Series discussion in the series thread, game discussion in a game thread (in a sense).

I understand that the # of posts/posters makes it relevant/justifiable, but in a series thread it simply didn't make much sense to be sifting through one word blurbs about a particular moment in a game.

I can roll with it

 

[tbo41fan]

Ok, Ill make a new game thread?