The reigning Stanley Cup champions are on the verge of being swept out of the NHL playoffs in the first round. Even though the ‘Hawks had a home ice advantage for the third game at the United Center, it wasn’t enough to top the Vancouver Canucks.
Losing their third game in a row 3-2, the series is now in complete favor to the Canucks, with a 3-0 lead.
Before the faceoff on Tuesday night however, we know Vancouver will retain the services of Raffi Torres. Torres delivered a violent body check to the head of defenseman Brent Seabrook from behind the Chicago goal.
Torres was playing his first game since returning from a four-game suspension after a similar hit on Edmonton’s Jordan Eberle.
One thing is certain; The Canucks have outhit, outshot, and plain outplayed the defending Stanley Cup champs. Vancouver has figured out how to keep the Blackhawks’ top scorers, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp, silent in the series.
If Chicago can’t find a way to get them going, the Blackhawks have no chance to tie up the series. The team has yet to connect as a unit, which in turn is producing minimal goals.
The Canucks have consistently been heating up from within their entire lineup. Goalie Roberto Luongo appears to have figured out how to not let the ‘Hawks get into his head, saving 85 of 90 shots he has faced in this series. The Sedin twins are continuously progressing, and even the second and third lines are contributing to the Canucks success.
Chicago will attempt to become just the third team in NHL history to win a series after losing the first three games. The Philadelphia Flyers did it last year against the Boston Bruins. However, history is not on the Blackhawks’ side, as they have never overcome a 3-0 deficit in 17 tries.
The one silver lining is that the Blackhawks haven’t been getting blown out. Chicago’s best players seemed to show a glimpse of hope in the third game.
Duncan Keith and Patrick Sharp found the net on different power plays, while Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews came out with assists. The first goal of the game even went to the ‘Hawks.
With a much better and determined Canuck team ready to play on Tuesday, it’s not looking good for the ‘Hawks. It’s possible the Blackhawks could rival back to win the series, but seeing as how the Flyers were only the third team in NHL history to do so, the odds are not in the ‘Hawks favor.
The Canucks and their fans are eager to end this series and bring out the brooms.
