Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals was one where the Chicago Blackhawks finally showed up.
The Hawks let the Red Wings, and the hockey world, know that they’ve got talent and will be a force to contend with in the future. Hell, even the team’s backup goalie, who is from country known for wine and cheese (as opposed to Chicago Coach Joel Quennville’s cheesy whine), played like a star. (Well, he is paid like one.)
But the night, and the series, belonged to our Wings. And the story line coming out of this series is that the Wings, like the Wings of ye olden 90’s, are a team of stars and role players. And when those stars are shut down by clutching and grabbing, or simply effective two-on-one defense, our role players will find an opening to take charge of the team’s offensive needs.
Outlier Darren Helm has done just that. He has been rubbing elbows with the thrifty Michigan Dutch in Grand Rapids for the past two seasons and has proved himself more than worthy of a year-round locker at the Joe. Helm’s overtime game winning goal comes as no surprise to anyone who’s watched the Wings this playoff year. He’s fast and has an ability to perfectly time his shot.
But the man-of-the-hour last night was someone who’s spent much time in his career as goat-of-the-hour, goalie Chris Osgood. Ozzie was nothing short of brilliant. Although he faced fewer shots than Chicago’s Huet, Ozzie faced a series of better chances and more shots that were close in range. At his age, his side-to-side mobility is terrific.
Unless you’re Barry Melrose, it’s too early to be discussing potential Conn Smythe candidates. However, one would have to say that at this point in the playoffs, Ozzie is a deserving, if longshot, candidate for that award.
The meme going into the Finals will almost certainly be Marian Hossa’s defection from the Penguins and subsequent signing with the Wings. The Penguin players have been said to be apoplectic about Hossa’s choice of a short term deal with Detroit over a long term deal there because the Wings would give him a better chance to win a cup. With our injuries to key players, that done deal will be an uphill struggle.
We can certainly expect to see more comparisons of the two teams, their stars and our role players in the next few days. If the Wings can manage to neutralize Malkin and Crosby, we have a chance at winning this thing. If not, Marian Hossa might be contemplating a move back down the Ohio/Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Freep.com: If Wings win it, put Helm’s name in all caps on the Cup
Yahoo! Sports: Hossa top target for revenge-minded Pens
