Now that we have recovered from Game 1, the second game looms today in about 45 minutes. That is enough time for me to recap the first battle and set up today’s sure to be bloody and raucous affair. Let’s put on our head gear and hit the boards shall we…
*I’ll be honest and admit I didn’t get to watch all of Game 1. I relied on my Twitter family to help me with the updates and the ringing of my phone with updates on the score. I had promised a good friend I would attend, write about and promote his indie band’s performance in downtown St. Louis so I missed most of the game. It didn’t leave my mind for more than a few minutes. My feet were shaking and my head was spinning. What I did get to see was an amazingly fast paced second overtime session. That is the the great thing about the NHL playoffs. The game isn’t over until someone breaks the tie. No shootout, no mercy and all heart and muscle. The Blues didn’t outplay the Hawks but luckly outscored them on Alex Steen’s nifty triple overtime winner. Out of all the sports, I watch the most playoff action in hockey. It’s spirited, dirty, physical, emotional and captivating. Basically, an episode of Real Housewives: New Jersey. I kid, I kid. The game was over four hours long and even fans needed an IV of fluids upon leaving Scottrade.
*Forgive Ryan Miller for his rough first period because he made 35 straight saves and starved off a fresh and rough Hawks attack. I compare Chicago to Pittsburgh when it comes to pure finesse and overall skill. They know how to apply pressure to a defense and goaltender. They keep pucks in, get clean shots on goal and are relentless. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith, Marian Hossa, and others just keep shooting. On my way home from the show in the first overtime, all I heard from Chris Kerber was “shot and Miller makes the save.” Before the Blues could score and win, Miller gave them that chance.
*Call Corey Crawford a less than stellar goalie all you want but the man can play and do it well. He stood on his head as much as Miller and made more saves overall. He was amazing and fixed his nerves after the first period. Crawford isn’t the flashy goaltender that Miller is and doesn’t get the press guys drooling, but he is more than capable of winning. Hence, his Stanley Cup trophy hoist last year.
*Thank you Steve Ott for showing up. Ott came over in the Miller trade as this rugged bruising player to hate. Too bad he seemed asleep for the last month of games. He didn’t do nothing out there but also didn’t do much to impress. All I heard from friends was, wait for the playoffs. They were RIGHT! Ott showed up and then some on Thursday. He assisted on Steen’s winner and threw his shoulder at every Hawks player he could. He was all over the place and lived up to his name of “Ginger Spice Killer”. Alright, I gave him that nickname three seconds ago but still, the man played very well. He was a problem child for the Hawks. A man you are glad plays for your team.
*Hats off to Max Lapierre. He blocked a key shot for Miller, laid out for others and was Ott’s equivalent when it came to disrupting the Blackhawks style of play. He is known for his torment and grit. A player you love to hate unless you are a Blues fan. He lived up to his name as well.
*There will probably, I say that without sure fire cause, be no T.J. Oshie in Game 2 today. That’s fine. Let it be folks. Oshie needs to get his head straight. While I am sure Ryan Reaves didn’t run him into the boards to test his endurance, he simply isn’t passing all the detailed tests concussed players must fly away with in order to play. Let him rest. The team is capable of holding serve until he gets out there. Adam Cracknell scored his first playoff goal Thursday and Ott gave the Backes-Steen line something different. Oshie will be back. Ken Hitchcock has said hopefully everyone will be in Game 4. Until then, let’s rely on the current group to take control of the series.
UPDATE(1:53pm) via Jeremy Rutherford-Oshie is in. Right as I publish, Oshie is in the lineup on the Backes-Steen line. Brendan Morrow is sitting.
*Vladimir Tarasenko is the most talented player on this team. Hands down. He is young, ambitious, quick with the puck, confident as a knife and has an amazing shot from the circle. He wasted little time in informing the Blackhawks that DOOM had arrived at their footsteps in Game 1. He is a game changing player. Someone who hops off the bench and makes Joel Quennville(when he isn’t making obscene gestures) adjust to his presence. Who needed a trade this past season? The Blues have the Russian Missile at their disposal.
One thing the Blues proved in Game 1 is that they are for real and the last three weeks of the season were filler and room to rest sore bodies. The panic train didn’t fully unload the other night but plenty of people were treated to a team that came out and went jaw to jaw, shoulder to shoulder and mixed blood and stone with the best in the league. The Blues aren’t dying anytime soon. They are here to play and win. Miller knows what time it is. The team knows that right now is the time to make the strongest push. The team is young enough to contend for years but they know with Miller and Ott along with others the time is now to reach for the Cup.
The Blackhawks knew the Blues were for real before the start of Game 1. The Blues won 3 of 5 from them during the season. Every team knows that each and every win will not come easy. All 16 wins this postseason will be hard fought painful battles. All players won’t be left standing in the end. Some will fall. That’s playoff hockey. It’s like watching 5 weeks of an epic boxing fight. On Thursday night, the Blues landed the hardest punches and took Game 1. What happens in Game 2 today downtown at Scottrade? I can’t wait to write about it, win or lose.
Image Credit-Bleacher Report
