Overtime is winning time for Blackhawks

Postseason greetings from the Blackhawks usually haven't been received warmly by opponents, especially when it comes to overtime.

Antoine Vermette's goal in the second overtime of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals Saturday moved the Hawks to 4-0 in overtime games during the playoffs this season. The Blackhawks are the first team in NHL history to win four multiple-overtime playoff games in one year, per Elias Sports Bureau.

"We need to bypass the first three periods and just play OT, it seems," Blackhawks winger Bryan Bickell joked Sunday before the team left for Anaheim, Calif.

Twelve players on the roster have combined to score 20 overtime playoff goals in their careers. Patrick Kane leads the way with four, followed by Brent Seabrook (three), Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Bickell with two each.

Kane's goal, his ninth of the playoffs, tied the score 4-4 when Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen fell bottom-first on the puck, pushing it across the line in the third. This after the Blackhawks gave up three goals in 37 seconds to cough up a 3-1 lead.

The Blackhawks have made themselves at home on the edge and defied logic in the process. Five times they have allowed three unanswered goals in a period this postseason; three times they have won those games.

"We try not to live and die with every play, but play the same way no matter what the score and no matter what happens throughout a game," Kane said. "It seems like we've been in this situation a lot. We just try to stay calm and try to do whatever we can to get the next one."

If history is indicative of their story, the Blackhawks have the Ducks right where they want them tied 2-2.

The Hawks never have lost a postseason game under Joel Quenneville after being tied 2-2 in a playoff series, going 14-0 in such instances.

"Our mindset is staying with it (and) somebody will ... make a great play," Quenneville said. "But then again you don't want to be too in a hurry to make that play because sometimes that can bite you. Being patient."

Saturday's was the franchise's 30th home playoff victory in overtime, fourth all time in NHL history. That includes 17 at the United Center and 13 at Chicago Stadium.

The Ducks have not lost a playoff game in regulation this year as they head home to the Honda Center for Game 5 on Monday.

If it goes overtime, the Blackhawks likely will stick to their game plan.

"The talk is always pretty similar when we go into overtime, whether it's the first overtime, third overtime, whatever the situation we might find ourselves in," Toews said. "We just keep going. It's just a feeling we're eventually going to find that break. We've seen it so far. Hopefully we can continue to work for those bounces."

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Copyright 2015, Chicago Tribune

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/ct-bits-blackhawks-spt-0525-20150524-story.html

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Big chance becomes a big waste for the Blackhawks

That wasnt exactly a disaster, but monumental waste seems to fit the Blackhawks performance Sunday afternoon.

Blown chance. Blown chance. Blown chance.

Ducks goal.

Blown chance. Blown chance. Blown chance.

Ducks goal. Blown chance. Goal. Blown chance. Blown chance. Blown chance.

Ducks goal. Ducks goal. Ducks win Game 1 of the Western Conference finals when they barely had the puck.

The Hawks are faster and more talented than the Ducks, and it showed early and pretty much throughout the game.

The Hawks had the puck, took 70 shots, and controlled of the pace. I mean, it was silly the way the Hawks dominated puck possession.

Their Corsi For was better than twice the Ducks in the first period, starting with an early power play and a glorious chance for Patrick Kane.

The Ducks led 1-0.

The Hawks had the puck nearly 60 percent of the time in the second period.

The Ducks led 2-0 before Brad Richards scored late.

The Hawks were given two power plays almost back-to-back in the third period when they trailed by a goal, but looked awful on the first and couldnt take advantage of the second.

The Ducks scored twice. See ya Tuesday.

The probabilities say the results will change as the series progresses. The best players on the Hawks will beat the best players on the Ducks.

Problem was, the Hawks were beaten by some of the most unknown Ducks.

Hampus Lindholm, anybody?

How about Kyle Palmieri?

Nate Thompson?

They potted the Ducks first three goals.

OK, the Ducks got a bunch of help on the first two goals from the helpless David Rundblad, who was replacing injured defenseman Michal Rozsival.

But still, the Ducks goal scorers point up what a waste this was. The Hawks lost a game in which Ducks stars Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry managed one point.

Combined.

And that was a second assist on an empty-net goal.

Ultimately, however, I dont think the Ducks rope-a-dope will work, even if Anaheim wasnt trying to rope-a-dope. The Ducks are slower than the Hawks, so thats what it turns into.

The one area that the Hawks speed failed them was when Ducks goalie Frderik Andersen offered rebounds. Chances were there, but Hawks snipers were not. Not often enough, anyway.

The Hawks also struggled to get to get traffic in front of Andersen. It doesnt matter how big the Ducks are. The Hawks have to get to the net.

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville played toy soldiersbecause he had to. Searching for scoring, he put Jonathan Toews between Kane and Teuvo Teravainen for one shift. Quenneville switched left wings all over the place hoping someone could find the back of the net.

Nobody after Richards could. I expect that to change. I also hope that we dont look back on this game with regret.

Copyright 2015, Chicago Tribune

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosenblog/ct-blackhawks-duck-western-conference-finals-rosenbloom-20150517-column.html

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Antoine Vermette happy to be back in Blackhawks' lineup

Antoine Vermette has been through the career ups and downs and went through both again over the last week.

Acquired to help the Blackhawks through the end of the regular season and playoffs, Vermette sat in Games 1 and 2, which the Blackhawks split with the Nashville Predators. Back for Game 3, however, Vermette is hoping to get his game going and start contributing.

Vermette will also play tonight when the Blackhawks host the Predators in Game 4 of their first-round series. For Vermette, who centered Bryan Bickell and Patrick Sharp on Sunday and looks to do the same tonight, playing at this time of year has been worth the wait.

Its different and in a good way, Vermette said of playoff pace. Its fun, its intense, its physical and every play counts.

Coach Joel Quenneville was happy with Vermettes return.

I think he did a good job catching up to Game 3, he said. Pace is a challenge and I thought he did well.

Sitting the first two games of this series wasnt fun. It was certainly an unexpected turn of events, given the fact that Vermette was brought in to bolster the Blackhawks depth at center and the team gave up quite a bit to get him. Vermette said he tried to maintain the right attitude throughout.

Its not the ideal situation, Im not going to lie. As a competitor you want to be out there and make a difference but you have to deal with it. Thats the attitude you bring, Vermette said. How you conduct yourself is going to help your situation, your team, everything. Ive been through situations throughout my career. Its up and downs and how you manage to go through it. I believe a good attitude is gong to take you a long way. Its been working for me since is started playing.

Vermette is also working out the kinks with faceoffs. Hes had several games in which his winning percentage is well below 50 percent. Coach Joel Quenneville said Vermette has talked with Blackhawks development coach Yanic Perreault.

The Blackhawks will go with this lineup as long as it wins. Vermette has stayed positive through the ups and downs, be it elsewhere or here.

Your attitude is one thing you can control, he said. Being positive and having good energy around the guys, thats the way to do it. Thats the approach.

Source: http://www.csnchicago.com/blackhawks/antoine-vermette-happy-be-back-blackhawks-lineup

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Antoine Vermette: Bringing 'constructive mindset' to team

Scott Powers, Reporter

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Scott Powers is the Blackhawks beat reporter for ESPNChicago.com. He is an award-winning journalist and has been reporting on preps, colleges and pros for publications throughout the Midwest since 1997.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Antoine Vermette said Friday he is still pleased the Chicago Blackhawks acquired him at the trade deadline and is working to keep a positive attitude despite being a healthy scratch so far in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Vermette was considered one of the top players available at the trade deadline. The Blackhawks traded a first-round pick and a prospect to the Arizona Coyotes to acquire him.

Antoine Vermette has not scored a point since March 29 vs. Winnipeg.Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

He was a healthy scratch against the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series Wednesday and is expected to be again in Game 2 on Friday.

"We're in the playoffs, looking good," said Vermette, who couldn't recall the last time he was a healthy scratch in his 11-year NHL career. "We have a great team. This is a great opportunity. I'm excited. You know, the last time I checked Arizona, they're not playing hockey anymore.

"It's not a usual situation for me, but again I've through my career [taken] a lot of pride to bring an attitude and a positive and constructive mindset around the guys and the team. It's exactly what I try to accomplish here, and make sure [I'm] ready to go whenever I get the chance."

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said before Game 1 his decision to scratch Vermette was based on performance. Vermette had zero goals and three assists in 19 regular-season games after joining the Blackhawks.

Vermette acknowledged he would likely be in the Blackhawks' lineup if he had played better. He said he is 100 percent healthy.

"You can discuss [why I'm not playing]," Vermette said. "I don't want to make the story about myself. It's about the team right now. But certainly, if I would have been better, [Quenneville] and the coaching staff would evaluate my play better. It would be a different situation. It is what it is. I can control what I can control, and that's exactly what I'll try to do."

Vermette, who has played in 58 career playoff games, remained confident he will get a chance to help the Blackhawks, who lead the Predators 1-0 in the series.

"All I know is I'm not starting the series," Vermette said. "That's all. I'm sure I'm going to get a chance at some point here. I'll make myself ready regardless of what happened before. I'm not focusing on that.

"I'm just looking at one day at a time, try to build some good days and be ready for the game. I know it's repetitive, but that's my honest answer. That's how I feel. I really, truly feel bringing a good attitude and to be good around the guys and establish positive and constructive mindset around [them], it's going to be beneficial to everybody."

Source: http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/12710230/antoine-vermette-chicago-blackhawks-staying-positive-sitting-out

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