VS

8:00 PM

TV:  CBC; RADIO:  TEAM1200

SERIES SO FAR

Boston has been the better team as a whole, with Chicago basically having 2 dominant periods.  The third period in game 1 and the first period in game 2 were the Hawks at their best.  Almost every other period has been even or in the Bruins’ favor.  That includes all three periods of game 3 that allowed Boston to win the first game in regulation in the series and take a 2-1 series lead into game 4.

Jun 17, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) looks back into the net after losing sight of the puck while making a save during the third period in game three of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marian Hossa, CHI:  The former Ottawa Senators winger missed game 3 with an upper body injury and is expected to play in game 4.  If he can go, the question is how effective can he be?  If he wasn’t good enough to go in a Stanley Cup Final game 2 days earlier, how much better can he be Wednesday?  He was very noticeable by his absence and his presence (and then some) is required if the Hawks want to move on.

Daniel Paille, BOS:  Nobody would have expected Dan Paille to have the winning goal in both Boston victories in this series, but that is what he has done.  However, Paille’s strengths lie in his physical play and his defensive prowess.  Any offense he can add is just a bonus.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME

1.  Offensive offence – The Blackhawks have not beaten Tuukka Rask in over 120 minutes, and aside from a deflection off a skate in game 1, they might have scored just 3 goals so far (they have 5) in the equavalent of more than 4 games when you include overtime.  The Hawks have to find a way to get to Rask, and playing your best player with 2 4th liners isn’t the answer.

2.  Wearing Down Big Z – Zdeno Chara has played a lot of minutes, but Chicago hasn’t made it tough on him.  Chicago should have the likes of Andrew Shaw and Bryan Bickell finishing their checks on Chara every time they are on the ice, to wear the big guy down just a little bit.  Easier said than done however.

3.  Crawford – Win or lose, Corey Crawford has also vaulted into a higher level of NHL goaltenders with his performance in these playoffs.  He has been overshadowed by Rask, but if not for Crawford, this series would have been over a long time ago.  He has kept his team in games that they haven’t deserved to be in.

PARTING SHOT

If Chicago can’t find a way to win this game, it won’t go past game 5.  The Bruins have shown good killer instinct since the scare put into them by the Maple Leafs, which seems like decades ago now.

Jun 17, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save against Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) during the third period in game three of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. The Bruins won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

This game started off a little bizarre, both teams had a hard time with the pre-game warm ups. Marian Hossa was pulled out of the game in a last second move due to injury and as the warm up was about ready to wrap up Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic collided, which resulted in The big Bruins captain needing stitches in the back of his head.

After coming out a little flat in game two, the Boston Bruins came out firing. Corey Crawford was the reason the Bruins could not come out with the early lead. It looked as though the Bruins might dominate the first period but by the periods end, both clubs were fairly even as the Bruins finished up the opening frame with only a one shot lead. No score in the first.

The second period is the period that saw the goal scoring as playoff specialist Daniel Paille opened the scoring early in the middle period. Paille’s goal would be the eventual game winning goal as he keeps up with his scoring ways in this years playoffs. The second and final goal can from Patrice Bergeron, who is also putting together a very nice post season, on a nice pass from the ageless Jaromir Jagr.

The third period did not see any scoring, as the Boston Bruins continue to showcase their amazing defensive play combined with great goaltending from Tuukka Rask. The Bruins defensive play has given the Blackhawks fits as it has limited their scoring chances to a minimum and whatever chances they did have Rask was there to make the saves. The Western Conference champs are also not producing on the man advantage, which is hurting their chances at winning a game. They were 0-5 tonight and 0-10 in the combined three games played. In order to win the next game the Hawks will either have to solver their power play woes or find a way to get better looks at Rask, as they won’t want to head back home down 3-1 to the Bruins. I think it is a big understatement to say the next game will be huge for both teams, as one team  is looking to try and get back into the series and the other is looking to try and put it out of reach.