Gist on Ice: Blackhawks 3 Canucks 5

The Blackhawks got off to a rough start in the first game of the Western Conference Semifinals. They looked flat through the first two periods and Vancouver took advantage, scoring once in the first period and twice in the second. The Hawks would find their mojo in the third period, as Patrick Kane scored twice and Davey Bolland chipped in to tie the score. Unfortunately, the momentum shift came too late and the Canucks were able to bounce back, scoring with just over a minute left to play. The Hawks sent off goaltender Nikolai Khabibulan, but even with six attackers on the ice they were unable to tie the game, finally surrendering an open net goal.

Hopefully, the Blackhawks rebound and come back strong from this defeat. They can't afford to give two periods away as they did in this game, not really playing the way they're capable of doing until the final period. Expect this series to maintain a physical, nasty edge, as the bad blood between these teams continues to seethe.