Hawks’ Olsen receives rude playoff baptism
Welcome to the playoffs, kid.
After sitting out the first two games of the series, Blackhawks rookie defenseman Dylan Olsen got his introduction to the postseason in Game 3 on Tuesday night, and what a rude welcome it was: a big hit by none other than Phoenix bad boy Raffi Torres.
And it came just seconds before Torres lined up for his now infamous blast on Marian Hossa.
“Yeah, I guess so,” Olsen said. “I didn’t know until after the game, but I was told that he left his feet as he hit me and then came around and hit Hossa right after.
“I didn’t see the video, but that’s what I was told. That was my first or second shift of the game and my first against him. It stinks to get hit like that.”
Were you OK?
“Oh yeah,” Olsen said, “I got up and got to the bench.”
It was one of nine shifts on the night for the Hawks rookie in his first postseason game at the NHL level.
“It was incredible,” Olsen said of the experience. “It was fast, high tempo, fun to be a part of. I thought I played well — did what I could to help the team.”
For Olsen, it was nice to finally getting some ice time after being a healthy scratch for the first two games in Glendale. Not the easiest thing to have weighing on one’s mind.
“I guess a little bit,” he said. “You just have to prepare every day like you’re playing the game and come in with a positive attitude. Whether or not you’re in the lineup, just work hard every day and do what you can.”
And then when you finally get out there, be prepared for an amazing pace.
“You watch it on TV and see how fast it is and then you’re in the game or on the bench and you’re watching guys fly by,” said Olsen, who sat out again Thursday. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. It was definitely new for me.”