It was going to be a tough road for Minnesota to climb. There was a lot of uphill and not a lot of time to do it. Unfortunately, much as it has been the entire series, their offense wasn’t up to the challenge, while the Hawks couldn’t be stopped. With the 5-1 win, Chicago advances to Round 2.

May 9, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Blackhawks celebrate a win against the Minnesota Wild after eliminating them in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Wild 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

GAME RECAP

To be fair to the Minnesota Wild, it’s hard for your offense to get going when Corey Crawford decided he doesn’t like the look of pucks going behind him. Before the Hawks could tally their first point, their goaltender kept 2 off the scoresheet, but absolutely stonewalling the opposition. With 5 minutes left in the period, Crawford would get some support, Jonathan Toews would find Marian Hossa who had approximately a 0.01 second release time and ripped it passed Josh Harding, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead going into the second.

3 minutes into the second, a terrible bounce behind the net give Marcus Kruger a wraparound chance. While the chance was fumbled, it still redirected into the net. With that the Wild are down 2-0 in a game they must win, and the Chicago fans are exploding. Add another 3 minutes on to the clock and a puck loose just above the crease, and Marian Hossa buries his second of the night. It’s not 3-0 Hawks, and Harding is take a trip to the bench. Darcy Kuemper would make his return to the nets and it sparked some momentum for the Wild. 10 Minutes into the frame Torrey Mitchell would bring this game within 2. Then the back breaker came. 30 seconds after the Mitchell goal, Andrew Shaw puts one passed Kuemper making it 4-1 and putting this one out of reach.

Early in the third period Patrick Sharp would net his fifth of the series, making this game 5-1, and ending the Minnesota Wild’s season. The Blackhawks advance to the second round for the first time since winning Stanley Cup

SENSHOT 3 STARS

1 – Marian Hossa

2 – Corey Crawford

3 – Jonathan Toews

There is always talk of the perfect road game. You go out, silence the crowd, dominate puck possession and shut down opposition chances. If there was a textbook produced on the topic, the Chicago Blackhawks would feature throughout. This game, despite some flaws, was a showcase of how to play a road game, especially a road game in the playoffs.

May 7, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) is congratulated by forward Michal Handzus (26) against the Minnesota Wild following game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

GAME RECAP

This game started and it was all presence by the Blackhawks. Despite a low amount of shots being fired on either goalie, the ice was titled strongly in Chicago’s favor to start this game. 8 Minutes into the game, a Michal Handzus shot on net is deflected off Patrick Sharp and passed Josh Harding, and this game is 1-0 for Chicago. Despite some penalties on their side, that is how this period went. Limited chances, and low scoring, the type of game any road team would love to play, if they have the lead. Late in the period, a Jonathan Toews rush would end awkwardly on Harding. Harding stayed in net for the period, but was replaced by Darcy Kuemper to start period 2.

Period 2 looks like it is primed to start off with a bang as just over a minute into the period Patrick Sharp strikes again. Firing a shot from the wing, Sharp buries it passed a still cold Kuemper and this game is 2-0 SharpCago. All credit to Kuemper, that was the first shot fired against him, and while it went it, he picked himself up, dusted himself off and played solidly throughout the period.

Enter the third period. Despite a few chances on the power play, the Wild were just unable to bury anything passed Corey Crawford. Much like Ottawa, the Minnesota power play has struggled mightily this post season, and for Minny it is costing them. In unfortunate news, Niklas Backstrom made his way to the bench to backup Kuemper, which signifies some form injury to Harding. With 7 minutes remaining, Bryan Bickell snipes one over the shoulder of Kuemper and much like this series is getting, this game is out of hand. The Hawks take the shutout 3-0 and the series lead 3-1.

SENSHOT 3 STARS

1 – Corey Crawford

2 – Patrick Sharp

3 – Darcy Kuemper