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Most of the civilized world knows when this game is (3 Eastern) and where it's televised, so let's breeze past that.

I will stick to my recent assertion that game 1 was essentially a "draw" in terms of impact on the series. The Blues held serve and had to go to triple OT to do so, and the Hawks missed an opportunity to swing momentum in their favor.

The Blues talked a lot about "finding their game" in the third period of Game 1, and about the 'imminent' (possible) return of TJ Oshie and/or Patrick Berglund today.

The truth is, not much has changed.

Ryan Miller stood on his head at times in Game 1. His counterpart, Corey Crawford, was spectacular as well, but the Jaden Schwartz goal with under two minutes left in regulation was a backbreaker that cost the Hawks the game. Hopefully, for Hawk fans, not the series.

Sometimes, that's what it comes down to.

That said, if the Blues think it's going to be a cakewalk or they have the series in hand, I would suggest reading a great article on nhl.com that features the opinions of former NHL player and coach Craig Ramsay:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=715469&navid=DL|NHL|home

The Hawks got one goal and nearly another (that would have won the game in OT) on stretch passes. Not only will the Blues have to do a better job defending this, but if they do, it limits their forecheck. So they found their game in Game 1, but they might lose it just as quickly in Game 2. Speed kills, Chicago has it and it's largely why they've won two of the last four Cups.

But, the Hawk defensemen have to settle down and make the first pass quickly and intelligently, despite forecheck pressure. Nick Leddy and Niklas Hjalmarsson were not good in Game 1. They both were quite good in the Hawks last regular season game against the Blues, a relatively convincing 4-2 victory.

Another issue for the Blues will be defending the Hawk power play. The Hawks unveiled some new wrinkles in Game 1 that led to a goal and many quality chances. Although the Blues themselves are a talented club, the Hawks are virtually unmatched in offensive firepower, with 2 players scoring over 30 goals in the regular season, another 3 with 20 or more, and a 6th with 19. All of whom figure prominently on their power play.

But again, the Hawks have to be prepared to withstand physical pressure from the Blues, and apply some of their own. If Hjalmarsson had a high note in Game 1, it was a flattening, clean hit on David Backes. If Oshie plays and he hasn't learned by now to keep his head up, this would be the game. The Hawks are not headhunters, but they will bring the lumber at this time of year. For some reason, Hjalmarsson especially saves these for the playoffs. I would expect the Hawks to deliver when the hit presents itself. And for the likes of Ben Smith, Andrew Shaw and perhaps Brandon Saad to get to the front of the net more than they did in Game 1.

Saad, Marian Hossa and Shaw—all pretty much ghosts in Game 1— need to show up today for the Hawks to win.

All for now,



JJ

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