Hawks? They're tough enough for the playoffs
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - All during the regular season, as the Blackhawks used their speed and skill to produce one victory after another, there were critics questioning if they were physical enough for the playoffs.
No matter what happens the rest of the way, the Hawks have certainly answered that question and confirmed coach Joel Quenneville's faith in them.
Quenneville all along believed the Hawks were physical enough and they have proved it in the postseason against two rugged teams in Calgary and Vancouver.
"I think we met a lot of tests in certain situations this year in the regular season where teams maybe felt they could maybe physically, I don't want to use the word abuse us, but maybe take advantage of us and felt they had an edge in that regard," Quenneville said Saturday.
"I've always been comfortable that we have a number of guys that not only can receive, but are willing to dish. I don't think a lot of guys on our team can be influenced by getting abused physically."
Going into Game 5 at GM Place, the Hawks had outhit the Canucks 117-81 through four games including their 41-22 advantage in Game 4 at the United Center.
"I don't know who was keeping track of those hits there," Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa said, not believing the stats sheet.
Brent Seabrook, Troy Brouwer, Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Ben Eager, Adam Burish and even Patrick Sharp and Cam Barker have led the way with their bodies just like it's supposed to be done in the playoffs on every shift.
"I think we've answered all the questions pretty well," Sharp said. "In the first series against Calgary, I thought we did a good job of not only handling the physical play from them but dishing it out quite a bit as well. I think you're seeing it again in this series."
Sharp chuckled when told Bieksa had questioned the legitimacy of the Hawks' 41 hits in Game 4.
"I thought we finished checks and played hard," Sharp said. "We don't need to be reading the stats sheet after the game to know we played a physical game. If we hit the guys we're supposed to hit and use our speed to get on pucks, we're happy."
Brouwer has been one of the most physical Hawks despite playing limited minutes on the fourth line. He led the Hawks with 7 hits in Game 4, which followed nights of 9 hits in Game 3 and 8 in Game 2.
"I just think he's a big body and he knows whether you're producing points, you've got to find ways to make contributions," Quenneville said. "With the size of his body and strength, he's been dangerous, not only with his physical presence but around the net he's had some quick opportunities around there.
"He's one guy in our lineup that really gives us some good depth and they have to be aware that he can hit you and he can score."