Another Conference Finals Game: Another Blow-Out

When NBC signed on for Game 4 of the NHL Western Conference Finals they felt that they were going to be broadcasting a breath-taking game between the Red Wings and Blackhawks. What they got, was anything but breath-taking.

On the heels of back-to-back overtime thrillers in the series, a Blackhawks win would tie the series at 2 games a piece heading back to Hockeytown. Instead, the Red Wings dominated in all phases of the game, resulting in a 6-1 victory giving them a 3 games to 1 series lead.

The blow-out has been a common theme in the NHL conference finals. In the 7 games played so far in this round, 4 have been decided by 3 or more goals. And consequently, the Red Wings lead their series 3-1, and Penguins lead the Hurricanes 3-0 and will look to close the door on the 'Canes tomorrow night.

One could ask, "where is the parity?" With a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Finals lurking, when will another team step up? Neither the Red Wings or the Penguins finished first in their conference in the regular season. The Wings finished second behind President's Trophy winner San Jose, and Pittsburgh finished fourth in the East, with Boston finishing first. But San Jose lost in thee first round to the Ducks, and Boston saw their season end in the second round to Carolina.

So here we sit, days away from what seems to be the inevitable, a rematch of the Penguins and Red Wings. So I ask, can the Blackhawks take the next four from experienced Detroit? Or can the "Cardiac 'Canes" pull the biggest miracle series win since 1975 and come back from 3 games to none? We'll find out soon.