Blackhawks should try to focus on the positives
Troy Murray, who spent 12 years of a 15-year career with the Blackhawks and now is the team's color analyst on WGN 720-AM, offers his perspective on the Blackhawks-Flames series.
Q: Should the Blackhawks come out of Game 1 feeling positive?
Murray: If you dwell on the negative you'll be in trouble. You have to focus on the positive. The positive is against a very good defensive scheme in Vancouver, you came back with 3 goals in the third period, you got some pucks past Roberto Luongo. You know that there are things you can do and you'll get some results offensively.
Q: Is this going to be a crazy-physical series?
Murray: I don't know. There wasn't a whole lot going on after the whistle. You could see there was some intimidation tactics going on, but that's just part of playoff hockey. Calgary realized, maybe more than Vancouver that they had to be an intimidating team to get the most out of their guys because they were pretty banged up and they just didn't have the offense. Vancouver, with the Sedin (twins) and stuff, they know they have some offense there and have to be smart.
Q: How about the play of Ben Eager?
Murray: I thought Ben Eager was one of the most effective players out there in Game 1. He did exactly what he was supposed to do: he played physical, he was very disciplined. That was a huge hit he put on Rick Rypien.
Q: Should fans be worried about the lack of playing time of Jonathan Toews in the series opener?
Murray: I wouldn't worry about him very deeply.
Q: What's the key for the Blackhawks to take Game 2?
Murray: In a lot of ways it's the same thing that was going on with the Calgary series where they didn't play well at times and then when they found the game they're good at, they dominated. They better come up with a more concerted effort like they had in the third period and play with desperation for sixty minutes.
Q: They have to feel good about scoring three times in the third off Luongo, right?
Murray: He only gave up 5 goals in the whole series with St. Louis. Obviously, Vancouver feels like they let off the pedal, but that's the same mentality Calgary had. In some ways you give (Vancouver) their respect, but you also note that the Blackhawks played their game in the third period and played with desperation. They know now they can score and get some chances off Luongo.
• Mike Spellman interviews Troy Murray before each playoff game. Murray is in his sixth season as color analyst for Blackhawks radio broadcasts on WGN 720-AM.