Don't be alarmed, apparently the schedule makers were nice when they laid out the early season schedule for the defending Stanley Cup champs... only 10 games so far. Very happy with that 7-3 mark right now, even though it puts us in 4th in the Central, 3-4 games in hand on every team. Like what I've seen from the young D core, and the young snipers on the team, looks like all four lines can still roll without issues, and that's huge for the way this team needs to play to be successful. Trying to get stat updates tonight, might have to be tomorrow! Sorry

Finally an update, sorry it's been so long, holiday's, therapy, Stanley Cup hangover, blah, blah, blah, but back at it!

The three division leaders, Islanders, Maple Leafs, and Hurricanes, anyone think the season will end that way???

This is why so many guys had to be moved during the season and at the draft, not only the money spent this year, but guys wanting only one years deals when I know they will want that big multi year deal eventually, so we still needed some cap space. We enter the 2015-2016 season with roughly $10,000,000 of cap space.

The Hawks head into a hostile environment with everything on the line, and who steps up the most? Corey Crawford. It helps when you shut down the opposition to the tune of 16 shots against. The Hawks defense has been getting tighter and tighter as this series has gone on. The up and down of the series would lead to nothing less than a game 7. I was impressed with the ability of this team to go into Raleigh and fight like hell to solve Ward, and be able to shut down the Canes on their home ice. We now head back to the UC for the biggest game since the last one, and rookie head coach Mike Haviland has an unbelievable opportunity to show everyone that he was the right choice to lead the Hawks to their ultimate goal, the Stanley Cup.

Hawks return home, leave with a familiar feeling. Hawks were everywhere they needed to be, pushed when they needed to push, and played a simple game when it called for it. Yet, Cam Ward was better than everyone on the ice. The Hawks after 60 minutes had 45 shots on the board, and the Canes had 19, but after it was all said and done, the Hawks are now 1 loss away from seeing another team skate around the ice with the Cup raised above their heads in front of them for the 2nd time in four years. Back to Raleigh.....

10 Minutes left in the second period, and the Hawks were down 2-0. The Hawks were outshooting the Canes 24-16 at the time, that's right, the Hawks hit their stride at the perfect time, yet somehow trailed 2-0. Then it happened, the Hawks found a way, after 6 straight periods the Hawks got a break. On the power play Kane poked home a rebound and the Hawks felt the monkey jump off their back. Shortly thereafter the Hawks tied the game at 2 to make it anyone's game heading to the third period. The Canes woke up however, and swarmed the Hawks at the start of the period, as if they knew this was their shot to put the Hawks away for good, but Crawford stood tall, not allowing anything. The Hawks were able to strike midway thru the third to take a 3-2 lead and were able to hold off the pesky Canes the rest of the way to even the series at 2, and steal home ice back. The United Center will be rocking for game 5, and personally, I can't wait.

Over the last five periods the Hawks have zero goals, but they have been playing great hockey. This is a horrible time to run into a hot goalie, as it could mean the end of the season and no Cup, again. The Hawks got stellar goaltending from Crawford, especially in the first two periods where the Canes came out and fed off their crowd. The Hawks were outshot 26-14 thru two periods, but only trailed 1-0. The Hawks held a 9-0 shot advantage in the third period 10 minute in and were swarming, but Ward was too much. The first shot of the period for the Canes was from the end boards and almost below the goal line, and it went in. Crawford played so well, but it was a bad goal against, and when you feel like you can't score 1, 2 is a mountain. The Hawks couldn't crack Ward, they need to find offense, and soon as time is running out.

So, so close to taking a stranglehold on this series. Trailing 2-1 in the third period, the Hawks got a huge goal with about 8 minutes left to tie it up. Then it was edge of your seat time for another 2 and a half periods. OT was eventful, up and down, but no one could solve Ward or Crawford. The 2nd OT was much of the same, the Hawks killed a huge penalty as well. With about a minute left in the 2nd OT, the Canes won an offensive zone draw and and a quick wrister caught all water bottle past Crawford. Really thought we were going to the 3rd OT, but now we head to a hostile Cane's building with the series tied at two.

Corey Crawford, determined to prove his doubters wrong after his poor performance in his first SC Final a couple of years ago, came out and shut down the Canes. He got a lot of help from the defensive crew that seems to be improving as the playoffs go on. The game was 1-0 heading to the third, but the Hawks were able to get that key 2nd goal halfway thru the period to put the game out of reach. THREE to go...

Interesting match up here, the Hawks have been clearly the best team in the playoffs, suffering only 2 losses so far in the postseason. The Hurricanes on the other hand have had a magical, heart-stopping ride so far. OT after OT, and the Canes still manage to survive, they will face a stiff test in the deep Hawks. This series will come down to the goaltenders who have been Conn Smythe worthy the whole playoffs for their respective teams.