Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane lead Blackhawks past Wild
CHICAGO – Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter didn't need to do detective work or see a video to understand why the Chicago Blackhawks are up 2-0 in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal.
"They have that killer instinct," Suter said. "Their top players know how to score. I made a mistake…it's in the back of the net."
The Blackhawks' top players continued to perform like difference-makers as Patrick Kane scored twice and Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp once each to fuel the Blackhawks to a 4-1 in Game 2 Sunday night.
"That's how you have success as a team, when your leaders and best players lead the charge," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said.
Kane netted the game-winner in Sunday's contest and added an empty-netter to give him 101 career points in 101 career playoff games. It's supposed to be more difficult to score in the postseason, but Kane has better offensive numbers in the playoffs than he has in the regular season.
"If anything, he steps it up (in the playoffs)," Sharp said. "It seems like he's always scoring big goals. He's a guy who wants the puck on his stick at all times and you love that as a teammate."
Another premium player, defenseman Duncan Keith, set up Kane's first tally with a home run pass from the Blackhawks' zone. With Chicago holding a 1-0 lead, he set up Kane for a goal with 20 seconds left in the second period.
"You have to have guys who want to elevate their game at this time of year, to be the guy to score that big goal," Sharp said. "We have that in our locker room."
Coaches always like to say that a team's best players have to be the best players for a team to succeed in the postseason. The Blackhawks seem to be proving that theory.
"I don't really care about them, to be honest," Minnesota coach Mike Yeo said. "I only care about our team right now. They're a good team they're here for a reason. We're a good team and we are here for a reason. "
Goaltender Corey Crawford made 30 saves, out-dueling Minnesota's Vezina Trophy candidate Devan Dubnyk, who has been nearly invincible in the second half of the season.
With seven goals against Dubnyk in two games, the Blackhawks seem to be demystifying him. The triumph in Chicago marked the first time since mid-January that the Wild have lost two consecutive games in regulation.
Thomas Vanek, one of Minnesota's name players, was minus-4 in the game and No. 1 defenseman Suter was minus-3.
With Hall of Fame Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus in the house wearing a No. 51 Blackhawks jersey, it was appropriate that the Blackhawks were all about defense in Game 2.
"I think it was our best game all the way around," Quenneville said. "Good pace and energy from the outset. Defensively solid. All lines were consistent. (We) had a lot of offensive zone time, puck possession. We played the right way.
Kane said the key to defeating the Wild is to remain patient, staying committed to the stingy defensive play.
"That's the way it has to be, especially against a team like this," Kane said. "You're not going to get many chances. They clog up the middle pretty well, have a good goaltender. You have to stay with it, not get frustrated. If you play the right way, things will open up, whether we get them frustrated by playing good defense, or if we use our skill and speed to take over. "
The Wild are now 0-8 in franchise history in playoff games at Chicago's United Center.
"I'm sure (the Blackhawks) think they're going to win the series," Yeo said. "But I still think we're going to win the series. I think our team does, too. Our confidence is not shaken."
But to win this series, the Wild will have to take four of the next five against a Blackhawks team that has the confidence that comes with winning 64 playoff games and two championships since 2009. Chicago is 28-0 this season when taking a lead into the third period.
PHOTOS: Second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs
