3 Quick Hits From Chicago’s Game 4 Against Minnesota

Chicago is heading to the Western Conference Finals for the the 5th time in the last seven year.  In an exciting game last night, they were able to hold off the Wild.

The game was marred by an nasty injury to Michal Rozsival.  (We hope you are doing, okay, Michal.)

Second City Nation shared three quick hits:

1. The second line of Bickell, Kane, and Brad Richards was great tonight. They generated two of the four Blackhawk goals, and Bickell had the primary assist on both. It was an extremely strong performance by that line to help the ‘Hawks get the sweep.

2. There shouldn’t have been any doubt remaining that Corey Crawford was absolutely the goalie this team needs to ride, but whatever was still there was certainly quelled tonight. He was huge in the second and third periods, as the Wild were throwing everything at the net and testing him often. He stood tall and willed this team to a victory. This sweep is not possible without him between the pipes.

3. The Blackhawks remain unbeaten in games in which they have a lead going into the third period, in both the regular season and post-season. That is impressive as hell, and should be an encouraging stat as both of the two teams they may end up playing in the Western Conference Finals are great in the third period.

The Blackhawks now await the winner of the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks, who play game 4 tomorrow night in Calgary at 8:30 p.m. CT.

Image courtesy of vxla.