VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Last Sunday, the Chicago Blackhawks backed into the playoffs thanks to a Dallas Stars’ loss. As their Stanley Cup title defense started Wednesday, the Blackhawks knew that they could not repeat their performance from the final regular season game.
Unfortunately, a sluggish start combined with a hard gunning Vancouver team doomed the Blackhawks to a 2-0 loss in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Chicago never settled in and made anything happen in their offensive zone. Once someone had the puck, there was a Canuck right there checking and banging. They looked real slow and seemed lost at times. Chicago Head Coach Joel Quenneville tried so many line combinations and even had rookie Ben Smith, who only played in six games in the regular season, on the top line.
Knowing how physical the Blackhawks were in their previous two years in the playoffs, Vancouver’s strategy was to not give them an opportunity to get their wheels going. The Canucks turned it around, attacking wherever the puck was and finishing their checks. In the game, Chicago was outhit by a 47-21 margin. More importantly, sloppy play in the offensive zone turned into turnovers leading to both scores.
Center Ryan Kesler, a candidate for the Selke Award, rushed down towards the Chicago net and came around from behind. Seeing his lanes blocked, Kesler bounced the puck up off the boards to defenseman Kevin Bieska who had a brief second to settle the biscuit and ripped a shot toward the net. As Bieska fired, everyone headed for the net to set a screen. Left winger Chris Higgins raised his stick and the puck deflected 12 feet out and past Corey Crawford 7:03 into the game for the first tally.
Three minutes later, the Blackhawks were trying to make something happen but they lost the puck in their offensive zone. Right wing Jannik Hansen flew out on a breakaway and found an open spot on Crawford. Hansen’s tally double the lead and stunned the defending champs. The score could have been worse were it not for both goaltenders making numerous highlight reel saves. Chicago had at least three shots that hit the post but Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo probably had the best save as he stretched out his right leg enough to deflect the puck up where it hit the crossbar and out.
Luongo was on his game, stopping all 32 shots he faced for his second career playoff shutout. On the other side of the ice, Crawford stopped 31 of the 33 total fired at him for a .939 save percentage.
What will Game Two bring for these two teams? Remember that these two teams played against each other the last two seasons in the playoffs and Chicago won the series after losing the first game. How much of that will play on the minds of these two teams? And will the first lines have an impact in the game?
We will all find out on Friday evening in Vancouver.
Contact the author at matt.chin@prohockeynews.com
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