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Off to the Playoffs!


VANCOUVER, BC -- Eight years running.
 With a big W in Vancouver, the Blackhawks finally clinch a playoff spot. It's about damn time.

 Darling boasted another amazing night with 26 saves, and the Hawks finally stepped up their defense to help him out. They stepped up their offense as well with 32 shots and three that made it past Miller's pads.

 Trade deadline newbie Tomas Fleischmann kicked off the Hawks scoring late in the first period, which was enough to get the momentum going. Though there were two Canucks goals between, Teuvo Teravainen and Andrew Ladd both helped out, ending the game on top, 3-2.

 Ladd had another great night with that goal, but it feels a bit odd without hearing that Kane or Panarin scored. I think Panarin was really hesitant tonight for some reason, and I hope that he gets out of that funk before Anisimov (lower-body injury) returns. We'll need that line to be at peak during the playoffs.

 The top line needs some solidity, too, but I think the Ladd-Toews-Hossa line is finally melding into a pretty good line. Plus, reuniting Shaw with Kruger and Desjardins is awesome. Talk about a feisty line.

 And, as the regular season comes to a close, it'll be interesting to see what Q decides to do with the defensemen. I think as of late they've been better, but there still aren't three clear lines quite yet. The Keith-Hjalmarsson pair is pretty good, and I like Seabrook with van Riemsdyk, but he and Svedberg seemed alright tonight, too. I know Q will try his hardest to keep Ehrhoff in there, and I think he should. He's a decent D-man, and I think he'll be a powerhouse in the playoffs.

 So, things are looking up for the Blackhawks. They face the Minnesota Wild for the last time March 29th @ 8pm, and hopefully can pull out another win while they're gaining momentum going into the post-season.
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