Murray: Repeat of Game 1 first period would serve Hawks well
Troy Murray answers questions ahead of Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
Q: What were your overall impressions of Game 1?
A: Great first period. (The Hawks) had lots of opportunities to control the tempo of the play, control the offensive zone. (Ducks goalie Frederik) Andersen was great, and they found a way to get one through a screen. … They were probably very fortunate thinking they shouldn't be ahead after those first 20 minutes. But that's what happens sometimes.
Q: The Ducks were talking about making the Hawks pay if they're going to play their top four defensemen too much. Is that something the Hawks should be worried about?
A: The fact of it is that if you've got four guys that you're counting heavily on, Anaheim's team is built to be a physical team. You're not going to pass up an opportunity to finish checks off on all four of the Blackhawks' top four guys who are playing the big minutes.
There were probably a couple times in that game the Blackhawks' defense was gassed. That's part of (the Ducks') game plan. That's not picking on Duncan Keith, that's not picking on anybody in particular. Every time (the Ducks) have an opportunity, that's just their M.O., that's their game.
Q: If David Rundblad goes back to the bench, what will Kyle Cumiskey bring in Game 2 to the team?
A: Cumiskey's got great speed. He's been waiting for an opportunity. He's been having a real solid season with Rockford. He's one of the more experienced guys the Blackhawks have in their organization that's not (been) playing in Chicago.
So an opportunity for him to come in and contribute. He's got great feet, great speed, and I think the Blackhawks are hoping he can use that speed to his advantage and help them play a cleaner game in their own end to try and move pucks quicker.
Q: What do the Hawks have to do a little bit differently in Game 2 to bring this series back 1-1?
A: There were some good parts to their game. I think everybody kind of saw that. But the Ducks were able to capitalize on opportunities. You can go back to the Nashville Predators or the Minnesota Wild saying, "We played well. We thought we should have gotten better results. But in the end we lost."
That's just the way you have to look at it. You've got to be better in all areas - challenge the front of the net, defend better. After Anaheim was up, the neutral area was a real tough area for the Blackhawks to execute any plays. Every facet of the game has to be at a higher level.
With Anaheim, they're a good team - they're the best team in the Western Conference, so I don't know why anybody's surprised that they came out and played a solid game. They got big goaltending, they've got good depth, and that showed up.
But it's one game. You could lose it 1-0 in overtime, you could lose it 10-1. … The one thing the Blackhawks talk about is experience in the room to know that it's only one game. … You'd rather be up one, but it is what it is and you hopefully play a better game and get better results in Game 2.
• Troy Murray is in his 15th year as a member of the Blackhawks broadcast team and his eighth as the color analyst for the team's radio broadcasts. The Selke Award winner was a five-time 20-goal scorer who played 15 years in the NHL. Follow him on Twitter@muzz19.