Blackhawks win 5-0 over the Canucks.

Canucks lead the series 3-2.

__

Scott: "Aw, come on just four this time?" Turco: "Bro, I'd let less in if I went in for you and they paid me." via @ChuckGarfien

Everything was Blackhawks and nothing was hurt.

I am magic.

In all seriousness though, one blowout win can be attributed to a fluke — but two? That’s a different story. Back-to-back five goal wins and now the Blackhawks have a chance to tie up the series back in Chicago. Not only did they win by five this time but Corey Crawford had a 36-save shutout. Also, Crawford has two assists in the past two games. Henrik and Daniel Sedin? They have one point combined.

The Blackhawks scored just before the six minute mark of the first period as Marian Hossa made sure that people didn’t forget that he’s a goal scorer, slipping his way past four Canucks, into the offensive zone and snapping one by Luongo on the power play.  From there the onslaught began as Duncan Keith scored just 17 seconds later. Add in a Patrick Kane tip-in on the power play, a Hossa breakaway and bomb of a goal from Keith off a Jonathan Toews screen? A five goal lead not even halfway through the game.

Remember all those questions I asked in the preview…

Brent Seabrook impact while out of the lineup? Keith had a 4 point night along with a +2 to add to the goal and +1 from Game 4.

Dave Bolland’s impact? Last game, a 4 point night. The past two games? The Sedins (yes, both twins) have been held to a single point and a combined -9.

When I begged Kane, Toews, and Hossa to show up? Hossa had a 3 point night with two goals and an assist. Kane had a goal. Toews… well, were still waiting for him.

Are the Blackhawks back in Roberto Luongo’s head? Well, hm. 10 goals given up and two early exits in the past two games.

If you had doubts like I did about the last game, this game answered them. Crawford answered the bell, stopping every shot he faced. The offense stepped up once again — not settling when they got the lead but building on it. The blueline stepped up and chipped in as well. The power play cashed in twice. They’re building on the momentum they have, and when on a roll, this team can be incredibly dangerous. The leadership of this team has the experience to deal with adversity.

Like I said before, the Blackhawks have to make it so that the Canucks fight to eliminate them, not a fight to stay alive — and they’re doing just that. This team is on a mission and playing like it. They’re pissed off and angry, and they’re using it the best way possible by hurting the Canucks where it hurts most, on the scoreboard by winning games with authority.

Now the question is…  how loud and crazy will the UC be on Sunday?

Again the Blackhawks made a commanding statement winning in enemy territory, fighting to keep their season live for one more game.

We ain’t dead yet.

__

Box Score:

1st Period
05:54 CHI PPG – Marian Hossa (1) Wrist Shot – Assists: D. Keith (1) & C. Crawford (1)
06:18 CHI Duncan Keith (3) Slap Shot – Assists: R. Johnson (1) & M. Kruger (1)
12:17 CHI PPG – Patrick Kane (1) Deflection – Assists: D. Keith (2) & B. Campbell (2)

2nd Period
01:26 CHI Marian Hossa (2) Wrist Shot – Assists: P. Sharp (1) & B. Bickell (2)
04:47 CHI Duncan Keith (4) Slap Shot – Assists: M. Hossa (2) & P. Sharp (2)

3rd Period
NONE

__

Captain Force of Nature watch: Zeros across the board. No points and an even rating. Won 8-15 (53%) in the faceoff dot.

Duncan Keith plus/minus rating watch: +2. Plus two goals and two assists for four points. Oh and EIGHT shots. He was also third in ice time behind Campbell and Campoli. (blackhawks.nhl.com) According to @ChrisKuc he also won the Championship belt, all with Seabrook’s sweater hanging in the stall next to him.

Armed with his best friend’s jersey by his side & his trusty stick, he’s on a mission for Seabs.

Coach Q face color watch: Piggy pink all night long. Five goals and a shutout? Lord have mercy.

Post-game quotes from @drosennhl:

Toews on everyone else scoring now: “I gotta feel like they’re coming for me personally as well. I’m waiting for the right moment (laughs).”

Hossa on if the Hawks are in Luongo’s head now: “I don’t see in his head, so I don’t know. But, hopefully.”

Crawford on shutout: “I felt good today. This is probably the best I felt in a while, in the last couple of weeks.”

Bonus quote via @ESPNChiHawks:

Q: “I thought Dunc maybe had his best game all year.”

Post-game videos: Brian Campbell, Joel Quenneville, Corey Crawford, Patrick Kane (NHL On the Fly, CSN Chicago), Duncan Keith, John Scott