Chicago Blackhawks @ Calgary Flames – Game 6

4 – 1  Win

Game 6 goes back to Calgary, where Chicago has failed to win a post season game. It’s do or die for Calgary, so expect them to throw everything they have at the Hawks. Calgary will be skating without Phaneuf who is an injured scratch. One more win to close out the series.

The Hawks got out of the gates early. With an early power play, Kane scored just 2 minutes into the game off a nice cross ice feed from Versteeg. That first goal was a big one, but at the 10 minute mark, the Hawks increased their lead. Byf carried the puck into the offensive zone and circled the net. Attracting 2 defensemen, Big Byf centered the puck for Burish to bury a one-timer past Kiprusoff. Great play by Byfuglien who showed surprising patient and excellent puck protection. The period played out to a 2-0 Chicago lead. Though they had the lead, the Hawks were out shot 16-7 in the first. The Hawks were out shot, yet still had twice as many quality scoring chances as Calgary did.

Second period and Calgary stepped up their play. The Flames pressured and kept the puck out of their own end for the majority of the period. Khabibulin make a handful of great save to keep the Flames off the scoreboard. The Flames out shot the Hawks 17-4 in the second frame. With that being said, the Hawks were able to add to their lead on a PP, 15 minutes into the period. Brian Campbell scored on a slap shot from the point.

Just as the Hawks could feel they had a commanding lead, the third period opened up with Calgary getting on their game going, as Bertuzzi scored on an odd man rush. He carried the puck down the near side and fired a nice roof shot from the goal line. Khabi was down early and gave him the top shelf, but it didn’t look like he was expecting a shot from that deep. As the period continued, Calgary’s pressure seemed to diminish. Even in the final few minutes with the Flames showing 6 attackers and an open net, they had difficulties getting in the Hawks zone. With the seconds winding down on Calgary’s season, Byf put in an open net goal to close this game out. Final score, 4-1 Hawks.

So the damage was done early and the game winner was scored 10 minutes into the game. After that, it was all Khabibulin. Khabi was the difference in that game. Calgary’s posed it’s biggest threat in the second, which is where we saw Nik make his best saves. Going into this series, the story was Calgary’s experience and leadership against the youthful, inexperienced Blackhawks. We heard about how Iginla and Kiprusoff could lead Calgary to the 2nd round. What we saw in this series was Kiprusoff play an average series with flashes of brilliance. We also saw Kippy manning the gate donning a baseball hat in Game 5. We also saw Iginla, along with Calgary’s other big guns (Cammalleri, Bertuzzi, Jokinen, Langkow and Phaneuf) disappear in the playoffs, in big part to the defense the Hawks brought the entire series. I recall 1 good shift for Iginla in game 6 – do or die situation and he was a -2 with 2 shots in over 24 minutes of ice time.

There has been a lot of talk about Brent Seabrook’s play this series, and it is well deserved. He and Duncan were the biggest factor in Calgary’s weapons being contained. Not only did Seabs and Dunc shutdown Iginla and Co., Seabrook had 6 points in this series, Iginla had 4 points (one being an empty-net goal). The Pahlsson line has also contributed big and Byf has skated his best hockey at the right time. Great win all around.

So the Hawks have to wait out the Battle of California to find out who their second round dance partner will be. In the meantime, enjoy the win Chicago.

Positives:

× The first playoff series the Hawks have won in 13 seasons, when they beat the Flames in 4.

× The Hawk’s NOW have playoff experience.

× The Hawks built and early lead and never relinquished it.

× Khabibulin.

× Solid game by all Hawks

× The Hawks weathered a tough second period. The Hawks were out shot 44-16 and still won.

Negatives:

× They didn’t close the series at home, not that I am asking for a game 7. The UC would have been insane.

Game Notes:

× Phaneuf was a scratch and Ex-Hawk and trade partner for Chris Chelios, Anders Eriksson was in the line up.

MVB (Most Valuable Blackhawk):

× Nikolai Khabibulin – Nik played a fantastic game, facing 44 shots. He wasn’t tested early, but in the second and third he was tested often.

Series:
GAME 1: CHI 3, CGY 2 (OT)
GAME 2: CHI 3, CGY 2
GAME 3: CGY 4, CHI 2
GAME 4: CGY 6, CHI 4
GAME 5: CHI 5, CGY 1
GAME 6: CHI 4, CGY 1
CHICAGO WINS SERIES 4-2

http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2008030186