[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSNtMDkRjBA]
The Chicago Blackhawks are trying to win their second straight Stanley Cup–but they’ll have to see if they can get there without defenseman Brent Seabrook. Seabrook got a three-game suspension for his hit on St. Louis Blues forward David Backes on Saturday. That’s with Chicago already trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.
The Blackhawks could rally around the players that will remain on the ice and make this a series again–or they could fold and let St. Louis roll into the next round. No arguing the suspension, though, since Seabrook’s hit on Backes was clearly illegal as he left his feet. There had to be a suspension given for that one.
The next two games will be worth watching to see if Chicago can hold home-ice advantage, or if St. Louis will take advantage of Seabrook’s absence and runs away with the series. If the Hawks lose because of bad defensive play, the team will know where to look for the problem.