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Blackhawks Mon Jun 24 2013
Blackhawks Game 6 Preview
The Blackhawks look to close out the 2013 season tonight in Boston for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Hawks lead Boston three games to two, after an impressive win Saturday night at the Madhouse on Madison by the final of 3-1.
Patrick Kane returned to form and scored two goals by staying aggressive near the net and beating Tuukka Rask. Corey Crawford also bounced back and stopped 24 of 25 shots with only Zdeno Chára's slapper getting through in the third period.
A few items to note were the exit of both Jonathan Toews and Patrice Bergeron in Game 5. Toews took a shot near the head at the end of the second period from Johnny Boychuk and was sent straight to the locker room. Toews eventually came back out, but was regulated to bench duty. Bergeron, on the other hand, was sent to the hospital with a reported spleen injury.
According to Comcast Sportsnet's Tracey Myers (@TramyersCSN), Toews was on the ice for the team's morning skate today and said he feels great and there is no question where he is physically. Bergeron, on the other hand, is questionable tonight with what head coach Claude Julien is describing as a "body injury."
Marian Hossa was not on the ice for the morning skate at the TD Garden, but will dress and play tonight just as he did the previous two games. Expect the same lines to head out for the Hawks in tonight's game, which have proven successful since head coach Joel Quenneville made the adjustment after Game 3.
Also expect the Bruins to throw everything they have at the Hawks in tonight's game. That includes harder hits and more diving on the ice to block shots. This will force the Hawks to move the puck in closer and aim higher in order to beat Rask.
A total of 11 goals were scored the last time these two teams laced up the skates in the TD Garden. Look for the Bruins to do everything they can to match its five-goal output tonight, which includes getting back on top of the face-off war, which the Hawks have improved upon the last two games.
