Just a few things that caught my eye:
- Was it just me or did it seem as though the Hawks never really got out of their zone, at least after the 10 minute mark of the first?
- Can you say deer in the headlights? Patrick Kane had zero shots on net. Jonathan Toews was a bit better -- he had three. But both were minus-3.
- Daniel Cleary almost turned the trick Sunday. If he'd had, the roof might have blown off the Legion in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland what with all the cheering. I've been accused of being a Newf myself; there's no better compliment in the world.
- Nikolai Khabibulin was the best Hawk on the ice. The Bulin Wall was pretty much the reason the game wasn't 9-2... or worse.
- Stating the obvious? Chicago coach Joel Quennville came up with this post-game gem: "I think offensively we've got to at least spend some time in their zone." No shat, Sherlock.
- Johan Franzen or Marian Hossa? Marian Hossa or Johan Franzen? One has been largely invisible; the other wins the Conn Smythe if the Wings take the Cup. Guess general manager Ken Holland really does know what he's doing when it comes to contract extensions, eh?
- Ray Emery should offer up the phone number of his anger management tutor to Ducks general manager Bob Murray. It seems Murray tossed his chair around after the quackers' Game 7 loss to the winged wheels and hit a woman in the press box. The cops questioned him but no charges were laid. Embarrassed yet, Bob? There's always the Kontinental league.
- As if the Cardiac Canes didn't have enough to play for. Scott Walker's wife Julie was diagnosed with cervical cancer during the series against the Bruins. It was caught early and is highly treatable, and the team says she'll be fine. But it's the kind of shock to the team system that increases the cohesion in the room and on the ice. Get well soon, Julie -- you'll need your strength to cheer your boys on in the finals.
- The two best shutdown defence pairings in the NHL were on full display today. Edge to Niklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski but Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith are the future. Mark my words.