Hawks Sweep Sharks, Flyers Bounce Back: Weekend Recap
The Chicago Blackhawks rallied back from a 2-0 deficit Sunday afternoon, winning Game 4, 3-2 and sweeping the series against the San Jose Sharks. Dustin Byfuglien had the game-winner again in Game 4, his third game-winning goal in the series. Buff has scored a goal in every game against San Jose. Since the return of Brian Campbell, Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville has moved Buff back from defensemen to Left Wing in the top line alongside Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, and the results are undisputable. The Sharks did as they have done throughout the series – start strong and finish weak. San Jose took a 2-0 lead after a first period goal by Logan Couture and then an impressive short-handed goal by Patrick Marleau at 7:35 in the second. It looked as though the Sharks were rolling. Duncan Keith did his best to stop the short-handed goal, stopping the clearing pass with his face, losing seven teeth in the process. Along with Keith, Chicago’s Andrew Ladd left the game momentarily, and all of a sudden, the Hawks were left scrambling their lines to make due without two big players. Chicago and their coaching staff deserve credit for making the correct adjustments, as San Jose was unable to capitalize.
The third period was sloppy for San Jose, as they committed three penalties, and allowed Byfuglien the opportunity to score on a power play. Kris Versteeg scored on an empty net later in the period to seal the Sharks’ fate. Chicago heads to the Stanley Cup Finals, the first time the club has made it there since 1992. The Blackhawks have not won the Stanley Cup since 1961. The Philadelphia Flyers bounced back from a poor performance in Game 3, to shutout the Montreal Canadiens 3-0. In Philadelphia’s three victories in this series, they have outscored the Habs 12-0.
NHL Journeyman Chris Pronger came up huge in Game 4, completely shutting down Montreal’s offense at every turn. Flyers’ goaltender Michael Leighton will get credit for the shutout, but Chris Pronger and fellow defensemen Matt Carle are responsible for holding the Habs to 17 shots in the entire game. Claude Giroux scored two goals, and the Flyers take a 3-1 series lead back to Philadelphia. The Flyers have been able to virtually have anyone score for them at any time. The following players have scored goals for Philly in this series: Claude Giroux, Ville Leino, Simon Gagne, Danny Briere, Braydon Coburn, James Van Riemsdyk, and Scott Hartnell. Montreal has only scored in one game this series. I hate clichés but this series lends itself so easily for them. Philadelphia is in the driver’s seat and have a strangle hold on the series and are heading home to win in front of their fans. Montreal is in a must-win situation, and it’s do or die for the Habs. Game 5 is Monday night, 7 p.m. EST in Philadelphia. If the Habs can steal one on the road and head back to Montreal, look for this series to go seven.
By Noah Glick Want to add your comment to this article? Leave your comments on our NHL blog today!
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