Not only is Crawford amazing in game 7, the rest of the Blackhawks are playing damned near perfect hockey damn near all the time right now; they really want this game.
That was a helluva shot by Kessler, tho.
Loving the game. Go Hawks!
There we go: Hawks and Lightning, just as I predicted.
I have no idea who to pick in my pool now. I think the Hawks should take it, but I might need to strategically vote for the Bolts in order to win. Aie!
Where’s your Emilio Estevez Noooooooow??
Well, it’s not the Hawks/Rangers matchup I had hoped for, but on the bright side now there is no problem about which team to root for.
Hossa is one of my favorite players and he had some great moments tonight. As did Shaw; his net front moves were a real factor. It’s fun to see teamwork.
I hope none of the Hawks injuries are serious. I was really worried that the Ducks bangers would get frustrated and really hurt someone but it wasn’t too bad. Ducks really just seemed stunned after the first two goals. Does anyone else think the Ducks need better coaching?
Damn, but the Hawks played a pretty near perfect game. If they can keep that up, I like their chances against Tampa. Helluva hit Kruger took.
So, can we have a live chat on game one tonight?
Wow. A backhanded swat in mid-air. What a goal.
Nifty tip by Killorn, but Crawford misplayed that pretty badly.
“He could stick-handle in a phone-booth.”
Brilliant!
Chicago’s power play is terrible tonight. They can barely generate any zone time from it, let alone shots.
That’s a Tampa penalty?
ETA: Oh wait. Never mind. I was returning from a bio-break.
Total bandwagon jumper here - but enjoying the heck outta these games. Pretty insane goal by Tampa.
Hawks looked pretty weak in the first period, but really turned it around in the second half of the game. If that reflects their ability to adjust to Tampa, I’d say their chances look mighty good.
Yeah, sluggish start, but Crawford kept us in the game with some well-executed saves while the Hawks began to ramp up and finally started clicking in the third period and Tampa began playing a conservative, protective game. I wasn’t even particularly nervous until after the second goal, when I knew Tampa was going to get back on the offensive with four-ish minutes left in the game. (Well, that and the Tampa breakway that was cast aside by Crow.)
Good game, but still lots of work for them to do. I think Tampa should be able to regroup and get the next one. I expect to see them come out storming on Saturday.
Wonder how many viewers never saw a phone booth.
He could stick handle inside a tardis! (Of course it is much larger inside!) 
Something that impressed both my wife and me - wasn’t that about the most mediocre rendition of the anthem ever? I guess her voice would have been OK in some neighborhood show or something, but not on national TV!
I don’t know; I always mute the TV during the singing of the anthem, unless it’s in Canada (I love the Canadian anthem) or it’s in Boston or Chicago (great tenors who are also great hams). Most people sing the Star Spangled Banner way, way too slow.
Side note: The Texas Stars, AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars here in Cedar Park, TX, have a tradition that when the word Stars appears in the anthem, the crowd shouts/screams it. I always wonder if they tell the anthem singers about this tradition so they don’t freak out the first time it happens.
My wife - for whatever reason - always wants to watch/listen to the anthem.
I thought the singer at the final game in Anaheim was exceptional. Didn’t try to trick it up, just a really solid straightforward a capella version.
This woman was just extremely medicre. I’d really be surprised if - given a hallf hour or so - I couldn’t round up at least 5 folk who could do much better. And that would be from just cold-calling schools, churches, singing teachers, etc. Heck, the woman was in some uniform - I would hope that the services - or any large base - would have any number of choirs filled with better singers.
I play and sing very poorly myself. I’m horribly aware of my limitations, and while I am willing to embarrass myself in public in certain settings, you sure wouldn’t see me on national TV. I guess I’m too aware of how many incredibly talented folk are out there, that it surprises me when I encounter mediocrity on a big stage.
You’ll want to keep the volume on for the game in Chicago. Used to be DEAFENING in the old Madhouse on Madison!
The Blackhawks’ fans “travel well”, meaning that wherever the Blackhawks play, there are a lot of Blackhawks fans present. It’s a joy for me to hear, in stadiums all over, chants of “Lets Go Whoever” transformed into “Lets Go Hawks”. So the solution for teams around the league has been to come up with ways to limit Blackhawk fan attendance. Nashville tried it, St. Louis tried it, and now Tampa is trying it. Up yours, Tampa.