Luongo ready for Hawks in Game 2
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo says he will be ready for whatever the Blackhawks try to throw at him Friday night in Game 2 at Rogers Arena.
The Hawks felt they made it too easy on Luongo in the series opener, failing to get enough traffic to the net in their 2-0 loss.
“We don't want to take unnecessary penalties, but we still want to make sure that we're at the paint or in that area,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “I think we were a little too high and made it too convenient for him.”
Luongo faced 32 shots, but only 7 came in the first period.
“They had some traffic, but it's my job to find ways to see those pucks,” Luongo said. “I'm sure (in Game 2) there will be a more conscious effort from their side to probably brings some more bodies to the net.
“For me nothing changes; just try to fight through those things and find the puck. I expect the same things as the last couple years against them — just guys coming to the net hard.”
“If we're going to have success in this series, getting pucks and traffic to the net has to be part of the game plan,” Hawks defenseman Chris Campoli said.
Luongo earned the shutout in the second period when the Hawks took over the game for a stretch, led by the line of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane.
“They have unbelievable skill in all three players,” Luongo said. “They have guys that can shoot, guys that can pass and make unbelievable plays. They can generate offense in different ways. It's important as a five-man unit we don't give those guys too much room on the ice.”
Luongo still doesn't know how he was able to stop one shot by Sharp in tight that hit him on the back. Sharp paused to say something to Luongo after the sequence.
“He asked how I stopped it and I didn't really have an answer for him,” Luongo said.
Luongo is taking nothing for granted after a win in the first game, remembering the past two playoff series with the Hawks when the Canucks were eliminated both times after winning Game 1.
“It's Game 1, that's all it is,” Luongo said. “We really haven't accomplished anything except get the first game. (Today) is going to be a tougher night for us and we have to make sure we bring the same compete level.
“This is the key; it's a big game for both teams. Obviously they want the split and we want to try to sweep the two games.
“The last couple years we weren't able to get the second game. And if we do, it doesn't mean that much either. It's whoever gets to four first no matter how you do it.”