Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville addressed the media ahead of Monday’s game. Two players remain questioned and questionable Bryan Bickell Trevor van Riemsdyk are both listed as possible. Or according to Quenneville “Could play”.
The issue of energy may be the one thing that that the Blackhawks need. Bickell would bring just that.
“That’s his game. I think he brings that speed and pace to his game,” Quenneville said 
of Bickell. “Gets on forechecks, goes to the net, can be disruptive. Got a nice shot as well. We need him to bring some energy as well.”
The first two games of the Final have been characterized as having little time or space to make a play down low. The result has been blocked shots or missed shots for lack of setup time. Quenneville addressed that following a rare hockey question Monday morning.
“I think the game has changed now. There’s so many layers of guys in shooting lanes. There’s one, two and three guys sometimes you got to get the pucks through,” Quenneville said of the change over time in the shot blocking strategy. “Teams have a habit of protecting inside the hashmarks. It’s tough to get shots in the middle of the ice. Down on the net, there’s not a lot of time to get your shots through. That’s how teams check.
“You want to put pressure on the puck. The closer you get to the puck, the better you’re going to be blocking it. Some guys have more of an anticipation towards that, more willingness to do it. There’s a bit of an art, there’s a little bit of pain that you gotta deal with as well. We may have one of the best ones in the game in Hammer. I just think a lot of teams emphasize making sure shots don’t get through and protecting the middle of the ice as well.”
As for van Riemsdyk, he has not played since November but the Blackhawks have dangled the prospect of the rookie hitting the ice in the Final and Game 3 seems to be a target.
Quenneville remained ever coy on whether or not van Riemsdyk would play but did give his description of his qualities.
“Real steadiness to the back end. He’s got a real good patience level with the puck. Got good reads. Good stick. Positionally aware,” Quenneville said. “I thought he came out into the team out of the blue, outstanding at the beginning of the season for us. I think he adds another dimension to our back end.”
Quenneville also addressed the question of Corey Crawford’s ability to rebound from a less than stellar performance.
“The one thing about Crow, he moves on to the next challenge. I don’t think he’s influenced by what’s happened in the prior game. He’s focused on the next shot, the next game, doing the best he can,” Quenneville. “He’s had some real strong moments in the playoffs in the past. I think he rebounds as good as any goalie in the game.
“But just moving forward and looking for the next shot is what he’s all about. We expect him to be sharp tonight and ready.”
Quenneville and the Blackhawks are pleased to be back home as well after a long time away since Game 6 of the Conference Final.
“Exciting. Seems like we’ve been gone a long time. From Game 5 in Anaheim, that quick Game 6 here, been gone for a while. Town has been extremely excited about where we’re at right now,” Quenneville said. “I’m sure the building is going to be alive. It’s nice to be in your own bed as well.
“I think this home feeling has been great. It will be even more exciting here tonight.”
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