3 KEYS: Blackhawks vs. Bruins - Game 5
BY RICK MORRISSEY rmorrissey@suntimes.com
THREE KEYS
to Game 5
1. taking it
to chara
The Hawks talked after Game 4 about the importance of attacking Zdeno Chara head-on. That’s what they did Saturday, whether it was Jonathan Toews battling with the defenseman or Bryan Bickell putting a big hit on him. Chara has been on the ice for seven of the Hawks’ last eight goals. That the Hawks had talked about keying on the Bruins’ star — talked about pulling the tiger’s tail — and then did it was impressive.
2. crawford
gets help
The Hawks were well aware that Corey Crawford had a rough Game 4. They also knew that he wasn’t the sole reason for it. The defense took it upon itself to make life easier for him Saturday, blocking 17 shots. Defenseman Duncan Keith was on the ice for a game-high 27 minutes, 45 seconds. But in the end, when the Bruins were hungry for goals, Crawford came up big on his own.
3. gone guy
The Bruins were without Patrice Bergeron for the second and third periods because of an unspecified injury that sent him to a local hospital. He is their most indispensable player and an absolute fiend on faceoffs. His absence might help explain how the Hawks won 24 of 33 faceoffs. If he’s not able to play in Game 6, it could help explain how the Hawks won a Stanley Cup.
Rick Morrissey
THREE KEYS to Game 5
1. TAKING IT TO CHARA
The Hawks talked after Game 4 about the importance of attacking Zdeno Chara head-on. That’s what they did Saturday, whether it was Jonathan Toews battling with the defenseman or Bryan Bickell putting a big hit on him. Chara has been on the ice for seven of the Hawks’ last eight goals. That the Hawks had talked about keying on the Bruins’ star — talked about pulling the tiger’s tail — and then did it was impressive.
2. CRAWFORD GETS HELP
The Hawks were well aware that Corey Crawford had a rough Game 4. They also knew that he wasn’t the sole reason for it. The defense took it upon itself to make life easier for him Saturday, blocking 17 shots. Defenseman Duncan Keith was on the ice for a game-high 27 minutes, 45 seconds. But in the end, when the Bruins were hungry for goals, Crawford came up big on his own.
3. GONE GUY
The Bruins were without Patrice Bergeron for the second and third periods because of an unspecified injury that sent him to a local hospital. He is their most indispensable player and an absolute fiend on faceoffs. His absence might help explain how the Hawks won 24 of 33 faceoffs. If he’s not able to play in Game 6, it could help explain how the Hawks won a Stanley Cup.
Rick Morrissey
