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Hawks Q&A with Troy Murray on Game 3

Q. What's the biggest obstacle the Hawks face going into Game 3 - losing Brent Seabrook to the suspension or getting their confidence back?

A. Losing Seabrook obviously is a huge loss. Someone's going to have to absorb those shifts and minutes.

The Blackhawks have to focus on moving ahead and meeting the challenge because St. Louis is playing extremely well. You can't dwell on the loss - you have to move ahead. This series has had high intensity on both sides and the Blackhawks have to execute better and take advantage of their opportunities.

Q. What is St. Louis doing that has led to it success?

A. They've done a real nice job of getting the puck deep in their offensive zone and keeping it there. They're doing a nice job of forechecking and that allows them to spend significant time in the offensive zone. They like to play a heavy game around the boards and keep everything close to the net.

The Blackhawks need to play well at that end, and then do a better job of exiting the zone cleanly and crisply.

Q. Are you more worried about the Blackhawks from a physical standpoint or a mental one?

A. Physically it has been a hard-hitting series. Both teams will continue to play physically, and that's not going to change.

Being mentally ready is key for the Blackhawks. They have a core group of guys who have been in this situation before and handled it. They were down 3-1 in Detroit last year and won, and that certainly can happen here.

They know how to pull together and not panic. Coming home they will have the advantage of the last line matchup and can dictate how they want to play.

St. Louis was able use the home crowd, and they built some momentum from that. But the game is not won or lost in the stands - it's won on the ice and the Blackhawks understand that.

Q. What do you hope to see in Game 3 from the Blackhawks?

A. The tempo has to be there. The Blackhawks like to push the tempo, and St. Louis did a nice job of getting it to slow down by playing on the boards and using the forecheck to their advantage.

You don't want to see the Hawks chase - you want to see them push it up the ice. This series could very easily be 2-0 Hawks or 1-1, and that's why you won't see the Blackhawks panic.

• Troy Murray is in his 14th year as a member of the Blackhawks broadcast team and his ninth year as the color analyst for the team's radio broadcasts. The Selke Award winner was a five-time 20-goal scorer and a veteran of 15 years in the NHL, playing in 915 career games.

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