How the Hawks reached the Stanley Cup Finals

As you gather with family and friends to watch the Stanley Cup Finals, no doubt references will come up regarding the playoff run by the Blackhawks and who exactly did what in which game.

Here's a quick glance back at each game to help sharpen those armchair recollections:

Western Conference Finals WCF Game 4: Blackhawks 4 Sharks 2Recap: The Hawks came in looking for a sweep, and they got it, but it wasn't easy - or painless. Dustin Byfuglien again score the game winner but the moment most will remember is Duncan Keith losing 7 teeth after taking a puck to the mouth.Quote: "That's not the one we want to win. We're after something bigger and better." - Jonathan Toews, on the Clarence Campbell Bowl, presented to the West champsWCF Game 3: Blackhawks 3 Sharks 2 (OT)Recap: Antti Niemi recorded his second 44-save performance of the WC Finals and Dustin Byfuglien, off a pretty assist from behind the net by Dave Bolland, potted the game-winner ... again.Quote: "I saw him out of the side of my eye. Nobody can miss Buff."- Dave Bolland, on his assist on Byfuglien's game-winnerWCF Game 2: Blackhawks 4, Sharks 2Recap: Jonanthan Toews led the sweep in San Jose with a goal and an assist as the Hawks had the fans at HP Pavilion booing more than just former Shark Brian Campbell by the time this one was over.Quote: "We're on a mission right now."- Brian CampbellWCF Game 1: Blackhawks 2, Sharks 1Recap: Niemi says No! Antti Niemi played his best game to date, turning away 44 shots and Dustin Byfuglien began a string of game winners that would define this series.Quote: "If you haven't figured out he's a great goaltender by now you're not watching the games."- Patrick Sharp on NiemiWestern Conference Semifinals WCSF Game 6: Blackhawks 5, Canucks 1Recap: The Blackhawks ended any chance for a Game 7 showdown with a dominating win in Vancouver, led by Dustin Byfuglien who had a goal, an assist and a big check that knocked Alex Edler out of the game. Quote: "Every time you've got a chance to finish a team off you've got to act like it's your last game as well."- John Madden, Hawks center, who has won two Stanley CupsWCSF Game 5: Canucks 4, Blackhawks 1Recap: What many thought would be a series-clinching celebration at the UC turned somber quickly. Kevin Bieksa had a huge game for the Canucks with 2 goals, an assist and 4 blocked shots in 27 minutes on defense and Roberto Luongo made 29 saves to cut the Hawks series lead to 3-2.Quote: "They deserved to win that one. We only have ourselves to blame."- Jonathan ToewsWCSF Game 4: Blackhawks 7, Canucks 4 Recap: Jonathan Toews had a hat trick - all power-play goals - and Dustin Byfuglien was nearly unstoppable for the second game in a row as the Blackhawks made the undisciplined Vancouver Canucks pay dearly in a victory at GM Place that put the Hawks up 3-1 in the series.Quote: "We didn't react well to what was going on the ice, and they made us pay for it."- Vancouver Canucks coach Alain VigneaultWCSF Game 3: Blackhawks 5, Canucks 2Recap: Dustin Byfuglien put on a clinic in this one, registering a hat trick to lead the romp. The Canucks had no answer for the 6-foot-4, 257-pound Byfuglien, who scored all three of his goals from around the net. Jonathan Toews added 3 assists. Quote: "That was the best game I've ever seen Buff play." - Kris VersteegWCSF Game 2: Blackhawks 4, Canucks 2Recap: After the Canucks stunned another packed house at the UC with a pair of goals in the first 5 minutes, the Hawks fought back to even the series at 1-1 thanks to Kris Versteeg's game-winner with 1:30 remaining.Quote: "We had a day-and-a-half to talk about what went wrong in Game 1, and we came out and did that. I don't know if we wanted it too bad or just overworked,"- Patrick SharpWCSF Game 1: Canucks 5, Blackhawks 1Recap: Thud! A rematch of WCFS opponents from a year ago opened with the visiting Canucks handing it to the Hawks at the UC. Five different Canucks scored and Cristobal Huet came on to replace Antti Niemi in the third period. All in all a game to forget for the Hawks.Quote: "Maybe we came in and thought it was going to be an easier series, which obviously it isn't."- Patrick KaneWestern Conference Quarterfinals WCQF Game 6: Blackhawks 5, Predators 3Recap: A way tougher series than anticipated finally came to an end in Nashville. Jonathan Toews scored the game-winner and Patrick Sharp had a goal and 2 assists.Quote: "From the first shift of Game 1 right to the end there with the empty net, it was one of the toughest series we've seen as a team. Give Nashville a lot of credit."- Patrick SharpWCQF Game 5: Blackhawks 5, Predators 4 (OT)Recap: There are improbable wins, and then there is what the Blackhawks were able to pull off at the United Center in this one. Trailing 4-3, Patrick Kane scored the tying goal with 13.6 seconds left while the Hawks were short-handed. Then in overtime, Marian Hossa got the game winner just seconds after stepping out of the penalty box.Quote: "From death to the door opening. I'm still pumped up."- Patrick KaneWCQF Game 4: Blackhawks 3, Predators 0Recap: In a game where the Hawks desperately needed their big boys to come through, that's exactly who delivered. Patrick Sharp scored twice Jonathan Toews once, and Antti Niemi made 33 saves to earn his second shutout of the series. Brian Campbell returned early from a collarbone injury and provided a big spark.Quote: "You never want to say must-win this early, but we went in knowing we had to win this one for sure."- Patrick SharpWCQF Game 3: Predators 4, Blackhawks 1Recap: So much for the Hawks' momentum from their Game 2 win. Tomas Kopecky's goal was all the offense the Hawks could muster against the Preds' stingy defense.Quote: "I've been in many situations like this when you're down 2-1, and I've been on the other side when you're up 2-1. There's lots of series left. I know guys in here will respond."- John MaddenWCQF Game 2: Blackhawks 2, Predators 0Recap: The Hawks played a textbook playoff game at the United Center, riding strong team defense and the goaltending of Antti Niemi to even their Western Conference quarterfinal series at 1-1 heading to Nashville. Dave Bolland and Patrick Kane provided the scoring.Quote: "Everyone was pumped up to play. We wanted to get that (Game 1 loss) back. You see the other seven series were 1-1 and we didn't want to be the only series 0-2."- Patrick KaneWCQF Game 1: Predators 4, Blackhawks 1Recap: The Hawks took a 1-0 lead into the third period. Then the wheels fell off ... big time. The stunning developments of the third started at 1:31 when a harmless-looking backhand dump to the net by Nashville's J.P. Dumont from past the right circle bounced through a startled Niemi. It went downhill from there.Quote: "My goal was just to put it on net and hopefully it was going to create a rebound or something. It was a lucky bounce, but we'll take it."- J.P. Dumont, Nashville