Hawks Pregame!

Game 2 tonight at the Shark Tank.  Let’s take a look at my keys to another Hawks victory:

1.       The defense must limit San Jose’s scoring chances.  The Hawks cannot rely on Antti Niemi to repeat his Game 1 performance.  I believe he will be good again tonight, but I’d still rather not see him face 45 shots.  The imbalance of power plays played a big role in the shot totals for San Jose, but the Hawks still need to block some shots and tighten up their D.

2.       Marian Hossa needs to go back to sniper school.  I’m not going to dog Hossa for his play because he has been consistently involved in both the Hawks offensive and defensive attack.  My only beef is his insistence on going 5-hole every scoring opportunity he gets.  SNIPE!!! That’s what you get paid to do.  Yes Marian, it was cool all season to watch you tuck pucks 5-hole at will, but the goalies are onto you now.  I can think of at least 5 opportunities this post season alone where a good snipe would have resulted in a goal, but instead you chose to slam it off of the goalie’s closed leg pads.  Let’s see some twisted wristers off of that stick tonight!!!

3.       Big Night for Bottom 2 Lines.  Game 1’s pace was unbelievable.  Shot after shot after shot, up and down the ice with few whistles.  The Sharks are the only team against whom playing this style of game isn’t a huge advantage for the Hawks.  The Sharks top two lines can definitely skate with the Hawks.  However, I believe if the pace is out of control again the Hawks third and fourth line will have a large advantage.  It was kind of apparent in Game 1 with the Ladd-Bolland-Versteeg line getting a lot of minutes.  Look for that line along with the Burish-Madden-Eager line to pot a couple goals tonight. 

That’s all I got for now, I’ll be back tomorrow to discuss Game 2 and see if any of my aforementioned comments hold true. Go Hawks!!!