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The 2013 Western Conference Final is far from over. That said, the Blackhawks leave for SoCal not just with a 2-0 series lead, but really all the answers. Thus far.
The truth is, Jonathan Quick, although vanquished to the bench midway through the game last night and replaced by Jonathan Bernier, is still a great goaltender. And Quick is quite capable of shutting the Hawks down at some point in the series.
Are the Kings tired after two tough series against St. Louis and San Jose respectively? Maybe. But it doesn't matter. They have to play. And they have to play catchup in this series with a team they can't seem to catch up to on the ice.
That won't be easy.
Personally, I think the Kings will take at least one game in L.A., maybe both. But I also think the Hawks will take one of the three games scheduled in LA and end this in 6 or less.
At this point, comparisons to the 2010 Stanley Cup team are starting to crop up. This is a different team than the one that overwhelmed the opposition with waves of offense, finesse and muscle. This team is more like the great Detroit teams of the last 20 years, built on speed, defense and discipline. But they are similar in the way Joel Quenneville is manipulating his roster from series to series and game to game to perfection—and the Hawks seem to be peaking in intensity at just the right time.
What's going right for the Hawks:
THE GOALIE
I've always said, Corey Crawford's problem is between his ears. And he looks to have solved it—at least for now. Crawford looks very confident. And when he is, he eliminates or greatly dissipates his proclivity for soft goals at bad times. And when he does that, he is a very good NHL goaltender. More than good enough to win with this team in front of him. And win against anyone.
THE 2010 NORRIS WINNER
"The" Duncan Keith, after a 2+ year hiatus, is back. Although still at times a bit of an adventure on the power play, every other aspect of Keith's game is dialed to 11 right now. Mobility, recognition, taking away time and space from the opposition.
THE RETREAD
On July 1, 2011, I thought the Hawks would make a move on then free agent center Michal Handzus. Another blogger took to Twitter to skewer that notion, pronouncing Handzus "done." Well, he wasn't then and he isn't now. And on a team, in a system, where hockey sense and commitment to defense is at a premium, "Zus," feet slogging through concrete and all, fits right in.
THE LINES
The Hawks got goal production from three of their four lines last night.
THE PIZZA MAN ET AL
Expected by many to serve up a regular diet of pepperonis under a withering LA forecheck, Johnny Oduya has been really good. Oduya is a depth, 4-5 defenseman on this team, but if he, Nick Leddy and Michal Rozsival play well, it takes immense pressure off the rest of the defense.
Here are my three stars from last night:
1 - Handzus
A goal, a huge blocked shot, lots of smart plays up and down the ice
2 - Crawford
Solid, and a few big saves. And, a nice assist when Jonathan Toews was getting mugged by Kyle Clifford
3 - Andrew Shaw
The Little Ball Of Hate v. 3.0 had a goal and continues to drive a very productive third line.
I'll be back tomorrow with more,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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