Emma: Let's See What The Blackhawks Are Really Made Of
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Now, the series really begins -- or so the Blackhawks' past would suggest.
Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final comes on Wednesday at the United Center, with Chicago trailing 2-1 to Tampa Bay as the puck drops. The young Lightning, who stand seemingly oblivious to this grand stage, aren't fazed one bit. But there's no reason for panic surrounding the Blackhawks, either.
Since Joel Quenneville became Chicago's coach in 2008, the Blackhawks are 40-14 in Games 4 through 7. They're also 7-0 in playoff series that they tie up 2-2 after trailing 2-1. How is it possible?
"We got a great core of leaders," Quenneville said. "They're competitive as heck. They find a way to get better each and every game. They make guys around them better. They have accountability internally. They demonstrate that by how they compete. Guys seem to follow. I think that's the best recipe for a coach to have."
Well, give yourself some credit, too, Q. Because you're a future Hall of Famer for a reason.
The Blackhawks have a knack for figuring out their foes as the series goes on. Anaheim goaltender Frederik Andersen had a .970 save percentage in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final but an .875 mark in Game 4, .857 mark in Game 5, .818 mark in Game 6 and just an .808 mark in Game 7 as Chicago overcame its 2-1 deficit to win the series.
In 2013, Chicago neutralized Boston star defenseman Zdeno Chara, making him a minus-6 in the six-game Stanley Cup Final. During Game 5 of the 2010 Cup Final, Philadelphia standout Chris Pronger was on the ice for six Chicago goals and in the penalty box for the seventh.
Now, the Lightning's Victor Hedman is a thorn in the side of the Blackhawks' scoreless core of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp.
"Victor Hedman, what he's doing, I mean, this is clearly his coming‑out party," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.
Of course, the Blackhawks have bigger problems than just Hedman. The Lightning have found success with stretch passes -- go figure, none more impressive than Hedman's remarkable feed to Ryan Callahan for Tampa Bay's first Game 3 goal -- and continue using their speed to catch the Blackhawks defense out of position.
Tampa Bay is supremely talented, but Chicago has dug its own hole. Quenneville must go back to the drawing board and find a way to beat Hedman with his team's depth. New lines are needed to spread the wealth, because the Lightning don't have enough on their third and fourth line to compete with the Blackhawks.
Defensively, Quenneville has to find a way for his team to contain the Lightning in the neutral ice. Much of Tampa Bay's game consists of taking chances with long passes and beating the netminder with speed and precision. This should have been no secret, yet the Blackhawks have allowed it to occur.
But the Blackhawks have more on their side than adjustments. Championship experience is valuable and can't be fabricated. Chicago has it, and Tampa Bay doesn't.
"The fact this group of players and this organization has been down that road a few times, has been able to persevere has been good for us," Kane said. "We're going to try to draw from that experience and play better games going forward."
The aforementioned 40-14 mark is remarkable. Tampa Bay may be a more daunting task than Chicago has faced in the past, simply because it's such a similar matchup, but that's not to say the Blackhawks can't win this series, too.
As long as Toews is in that dressing room, it's hard to ever count out the Blackhawks, no matter the situation.
"Maybe it's part knowing what we're up against, part just us raising our game, getting better and better as the series go along," Toews said.
This Stanley Cup Final might suggest the Blackhawks' backs are against the proverbial wall, but history suggests their best comes out beginning in Game 4.
If Quenneville can figure out the Lightning like he has so many opponents of the past and his team's resilience shines through, Chicago will be in prime position to celebrate another Stanley Cup.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.