Your Six Link Blackhawks Playoff Primer

It's probably not a secret that I haven't watched too many Blackhawks games this season. After all, the Hawks section of our archives is pretty bare. It's not that I've been ignoring the Hawks on purpose, though. Far from it. It's just that I'm often at school or work when the games are on. There's not too much I can do about that. But with the playoffs starting tonight, I'm making a concentrated effort to invest some time in these Hawks. As the city's best team (Cubs, schlubs), I think they deserve it.

I am very much looking forward to these playoffs for one main reason. Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, I really feel like I know a lot about sports. When I watch a Bears game, or a Bulls game, or a White Sox game, sometimes I get too caught up in what I think should be happening. I'm sure Stompy and my Top Ten bros often feel the same way.

But with hockey, I have very little background knowledge. I barely know all the rules. So I think that will allow me to enjoy these playoff games like a normal fan, instead of like some douche who think he should be the GM. I can only assume it's a much more enjoyable experience.

With that in mind, and in honor of the Hawks being an Original Six team, here are six facts/links/stories to know before the puck drops tonight on the Hawks' first playoff game in seven years.

1. A story so heart-warming, not even Deadspin could mock it

As the legend goes, after a game in Toronto, the Hawks unanimously voted to forgo their plane ride home to Chicago so they could attend the wake of GM Dale Tallon's father.

It seems like every time we hear a story about athletes off the field, it involves guns, strippers, and beer bongs. While each of those entities are wonderful in their own right, it's wonderful to see professional athletes making a sacrifice for a random act of good. That story should have received far more pub than it did.

Could this also have big time karmic implications? Stay tuned.

2. Commit to the playoff beard

Kyle and Kevin are on board with playoff beards, and you should be, too. I wish I could join you guys but it would take me until roughly 2013 to grow anything noticeable. But all is not lost. Thanks a new Hawks' site, fans that can't grow their own facial hair can build a virtual beard. Or you can put fake beards on anyone you want. Just check out how much tougher Gordon Beckham looks now:


3. Last month's fight against the Canucks

Nothing beats a good team-on-team hockey fight, and Hawks and Canucks found themselves in a Royal Rumble-like battle just a few weeks ago. Behold.

4. Patrick Sharp looks like he's ready to go

The winger missed the last five games of the regular season with a knee injury, but from the sound of things, it looks like he's going to give it a go against Calgary.

"It feels good," Sharp said afterward in a media-filled Hawks dressing room at the United Center. "I think I'm skating very well out there. There's no pain. It's still a day-to-day thing. There's no commitment either way. I can't say whether I'm playing or not playing. We'll have to re-evaluate [Thursday] morning but I'm doing everything I can to get into the lineup.

"Even if it's not 100 percent, I'd still like to get in there and play. I'm feeling good and it's that time of year when I think everybody would like to play."

Clearly, he's a hockey player.

5. Hockey blog guru James Mirtle likes the Hawks in a close one

Via From the Rink:

For whatever reason, Nikolai Khabibulin has dominated Calgary in his career. In the regular season, his record is 22-5-2 all-time against the Flames, and coming off an excellent campaign and playing for his next contract, I bet the Bulin Wall's strong showing continues. Chicago isn't getting a lot of credit after a pretty impressive season, and a lot of their success does rest with some pretty young bodies, but I have to believe the Keith-Seabrook combination's dominance during the year against top opposition will continue. Add in the fact that Anders Eriksson's about to play a role on Calgary's blueline, and you have to believe the magic keeps coming for the 'Hawks. Playoff games at a soldout United Center are going to make for must-see TV.

Hawks in 7

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That's it. Feel free to use this as a game thread tonight, too.