Round 2: Wild vs Blackhawks

[mabrowndog]

All times EDT
 
Game 1 - Fri, 5/2 - 09:30 pm - Wild @ Blackhawks (NBCSN)
Game 2 - Sun, 5/4 - 03:00 pm - Wild @ Blackhawks (NBC)
Game 3 - Tue, 5/6 - 09:00 pm - Blackhawks @ Wild (CNBC)
Game 4 - Fri, 5/9 - TBA - Blackhawks @ Wild (TBA)
Game 5 - Sun, 5/11 - TBA - Wild @ Blackhawks (TBA)*
Game 6 - Tue, 5/13 - TBA - Blackhawks @ Wild (TBA)*
Game 7 - Thu, 5/15 - TBA - Wild @ Blackhawks (TBA)*
 
*  - If Necessary
 
They get two days off between Games 3 and 4. Then Game 4 is probably going to be a 9:30 start on NBCSN, with Rangers-Pens G5 as the front end of a doubleheader, since that's what they're doing for tomorrow night's openers in both those series. I'm guessing they put NYR-PIT G6 in prime time on Sunday, which would mean a 3 pm NBC matinee for Game 5 of this series. For Game 6, either another back-to-back on NBCSN with a 9:30 pm start, or they drop the puck on CNBC at 9 pm. For Game 7 they'll be the only NHL game scheduled that night, so I'm thinking a 9 pm start on NBCSN.

 

[Leather]

Well, at least the Wild finally won a playoff series.

 

[mabrowndog]

Added a poll on the series outcome. Debate and prognosticate.

 

[twothousandone]

I was worried after the Olympics that just too many Blackhawks had played too many hockey games in the last two years. But the injuries to Kane and Toews, it looks to me, allowed them to recharge. Of course, I worry about "fatigue" but I have no real idea what it is or means at that level. It is frequently mentioned in basketball, but the Spurs and Heat both continue to advance.
 
Handzus, Hossa, Rosival are the old guys who have logged a lot of time, but they've looked okay, and Kruger even seems to be picking up his game. Maybe Patrick Sharp is playing at less than peak, but he's still getting shots off and scored a big one against St. Louis. A few extra days while Minnesota continued to battle can't hurt, but a sweep will offer a lot of time to rest prior to the conference final. 

 

[kenneycb]

Any word if they're going with Mr. Universe or Kuemper?

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Universe it is, mobile so no link

 

[mabrowndog]

Holy shit, what an amazing backhand pass from Saad to Hossa. 

 

[Dogman]

That's a goal.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Great action in front of the goal

 

[Leather]

God I hate Chicago

 

[mabrowndog]

Wow. We got us a hockey game.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Well then.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Well, well, well.  We have a game

 

[Dropkick Izzy]

Well, this is ... Wild.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

I don't know how that pass got through Seabrook

 

[Ed Hillel]

Chicago does have the best playlist. Jukebox Hero is so awesomely bad.

 

[mabrowndog]

Kane is so fucking good.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Holy fuck.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Fucking Kane

 

[Leather]

Igh

 

[Dropkick Izzy]

Jesus christ

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

I would love someone to put him on his ass.  But it ain't happening

 

[Leather]

When will Cooke hit Kane?

 

[mabrowndog]

I would love someone to put him on his ass.  But it ain't happening

 
Nope. It certainly ain't.

 

[mabrowndog]

Exclamation point, as if it was even needed.

 

[Dropkick Izzy]

Handies by Eddie.

 

[Boston Brawler]

Bryz hung out to dry.

 

[Leather]

Chicago is going to sweep them.

 

[ForceAtHome]

Chicago is going to sweep them.

 
That's certainly possible, but I wouldn't count on it yet. Minnesota is a very good home team (26-10-5) while actually poor (17-17-7) on the road. Minnesota won all three games at home in the first round, too, of course. They returned home down 2-0 and 3-2 and held serve each time.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

Spicy grind line goal, Wild cut lead in half.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

Chicago is going to sweep them.

Revenge is a dish best served deep.

 

[mabrowndog]

That was some outstanding transition offense. Bickell buries it.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

So, no sweep

 

[ForceAtHome]

As noted up thread, Minnesota is an excellent home team. I don't think Chicago or Minnesota has lost at home in the playoffs yet.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

I peripherally heard(I think) during the game that Chicago has lost their first road game in every playoff series since 2010.

 

[ForceAtHome]

I peripherally heard(I think) during the game that Chicago has lost their first road game in every playoff series since 2010.

 
I did not know that until just now, but can confirm it's true.
 
2014: Lost first road game in 2 of 2 series so far. (1-3 road, 5-0 home)
2013: Lost first road game in 4 of 4 series. (5-5 road, 11-2 home)
2012: Lost first road game in 1 of 1 series. (2-1 road, 0-3 home)
2011: Lost first road game in 1 of 1 series. (1-3 road, 2-1 home)
2010: Lost first road game in 2 of 4 series. (8-3 road, 8-3 home)

• Chicago has lost their first road game of a series 9 straight times now. Their last opening road win was against San Jose in the 2010 WCF.
• The Blackhawks have also been very mediocre on the road since their 2010 Cup. In the past four playoff seasons, including the current one, Chicago is just 9-12 on the road despite last year's Cup victory.
• Over the past two years, Chicago is 16-2 at home in the playoffs.

 

[FelixMantilla]

Weak goal allowed by Bryz.

 

[thehitcat]

Wow I never guessed this series would get to 2-2.  The Wild looked good tonight on home ice.  They might be able to force this one to 7.

 

[BoSoxFink]

FAH called it

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Minnesota up 1-0 after one

 

[Ed Hillel]

Tied up.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Fluky goal

 

[locknload]

Am I crazy is this not on tv? I have a premiere league soccer game that happened hours ago

 

[kenneycb]

I love the announcer walking around Bill Wertz death when talking about the Hawks turnaround.

 

[kenneycb]

Am I crazy is this not on tv? I have a premiere league soccer game that happened hours ago

CNBC

 

[locknload]

Agh yeah it is cnbc they never updated the channel guide so it wasn't searchable .still sai American greed was on.crisis averted

 

[Boston Brawler]

Toews with a goal during a battle at the net.

 

[veritas]

Did Cooke just pull Versteeg's hair?
 
edit: image isn't convincing, but watching the video sure looked like it. Even though Versteeg doesn't have much hair. Cooke definitely grabbed his head somehow and pulled him down:
 

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Haula ties it up for the Wild.  1-1

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Crazy action for the past minute, including Bryz stopping a Sharp breakaway