Frustrated Hawks Need A Good Win

NASHVILLE, TN -- So, I'm sure you've noticed I was absent for Games 2 and 3 on here.

I will be 100% honest with you. I started watching Game 2, but by the time the Predators scored the third goal, I couldn't figure out what I could even write about that game aside from just distant screaming.

And Game 3 started so late (I'm on the East Cost, NHL, help me out) that I only caught the first two periods. And, sadly, I'm glad I missed the third and overtime.

So, where does this leave the Blackhawks? Your guess is as good as mine.

If they lose tonight, they're out. Done.

If they win, they live on to see at least another game.

And I know a lot of Hawks fans don't want to hear this, but hopefully this series has been eye-opening for the team. This is not good.

Say they come back and win the last four games (which is sadly very, very unlikely--even with the team at peak performance, I'm not sure they could, but they should definitely try). They'll still have to get past likely St. Louis, who will almost certainly give them a run for their money. Again.

I think this is a good time, win or lose tonight, for the organization to figure out what the hell is going on and what the hell they're going to do to fix it. Do I buy the idea that the Hawks suddenly suck? Nope. There's something else here.

Again, your guess is as good as mine. I don't think Coach Q needs to be fired, I don't think they should trade away any of the core. I think everyone just needs to tighten up their game. That's certainly easier said than done, and I went into this postseason thinking "Wow, the Hawks could actually do it." And, no, I don't think I was naive for thinking that.

If the Hawks are going to win tonight at least, they need to buckle down and simplify their game. If they let their frustration and emotions get the best of them, we'll see the end of the season tonight.

And, no, I don't think this is the end of an era, either. I don't think Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Crawford, or Hossa are "getting too old." I think the Hawks got complacent at the end of the regular season, and once you let go of the determination, it is very, very hard to get it back.

So, here's to tonight, no matter what happens. Win or lose, they'll still be my team. A fantastically awful series won't change that.

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