Hawks Headed to the Finals!!!

The waiting begins… Maybe even as early as tonight we will know who our Hawks will face in the Stanley Cup Finals. Being Monday afternoon it seems rather pointless to do a Game 4 recap. Anyone who is taking some time to read this (which is much appreciated by the way) already knows what happened. The Blackhawks busted out the brooms and swept San Jose to earn the first Cup Finals appearance since 1992. The total team effort was amazing in this series. Toews breaking records, Niemi standing on his head, Duncan Keith giving up 7 of his teeth; the Hawks showed their desire to bring a Championship to Chicago in this series.

With that being said let’s take a look ahead.  Since we don’t know our opponent yet let’s focus simply on the Hawks. I think regardless of the adversary Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa are going to shine in the Finals. I believe that Toews and Niemi will continue to produce at their current pace, but I am expecting big things from our top 2 right wingers against either the Flyers or Canadiens. If Kaner can continue to fly around the ice like he did in the third period on Sunday some magical highlights are in store. His combination of hands, Hockey IQ, and wicked wrister are sure to cause angst for whomever he goes up against. And then when his shift ends and he heads to the bench, Marina Hossa will hop on the ice in his place. Hossa has in no way been a disappointment this postseason but his goal scoring numbers just are not there. This is his third consecutive trip to the finals so he knows what to expect. In addition, there is very little pressure on him because the Hawks have proven that they can still dominate even without him putting the biscuit in the basket. I am expecting something to the tune of 5 goals for him in the Finals.

The simple fact is this: everyone now knows who the Chicago Blackhawks are. The entire NHL and its fans are beginning to realize that when on their game, no one is going to stop the Hawks. Let’s just hope that they can stay focused over the next few weeks. If only 70 percent of the team comes to play I still think the Hawks win the Cup. If 95-100 percent come out I fear for the winner of the East. Let’s buckle up and enjoy the ride. Check back daily this week for some news and opinions as we await Game 1.