With Raffi Torres sidelined indefinitely pending his chinwag with Brendan Shanahan, the focus of much of the anger of Chicago has been removed from the series, which perhaps bodes well for a return to actual hockey as the playoffs move forward, which is where the Hawks need to place it should they wish to move beyond the first round.
The consensus seems to be that Torres will be suspended for a lengthy period of time, perhaps the entire playoffs and at the least for as long as the Hawks and Coyotes play in this first round.
Of course, cynics will suggest that for Phoenix that's a pretty good trade off, losing the likes of a Torres who seems to cause more trouble than his skill set is worth, while the Hawks lose a blue chip player in Marian Hossa.
Should the Hawks be feeling angry about that today, perhaps they can think back a few weeks for some perspective on all of this, to a Duncan Keith elbow, (he of these very Blackhawks) delivered to Vancouver's Daniel Sedin.
While the Torres hit was indeed vicious and is deserving of the sternest punishment, Torres is not alone when it comes to taking hits beyond the rules of the game. Sedin, like Hossa felt the full force of a questionable hit, only returning to action yesterday, while you can understand the Hawks anger, part of it seems a bit self serving.
Beyond all of that, there is still hockey to be played and with their victory in the now infamous Tuesday night game, the Coyotes now lead the series 2 games to 1, something that will be of top importance to the Hawks rather than any sense of evening up the score against the Coyotes.
Chicago needs to regain its focus on the hockey at hand, finding a way to beat the Coyotes Mike Smith and regain their swagger from but a few years ago.
Go down three games to one though, well, we're just not sure where the series goes if that comes to pass.
Game Four-- Phoenix 3 at Chicago 2 (OT)
Phoenix leads the series 3 games to 1
Previews and Reviews
Post Game
Chicago Sun Times-- Tough loss for Blackhawks to take: Crawford lets in a soft one in OT
Chicago Sun Times-- Mikkel Boedker nets his second consecutive OT winner
Chicago Sun Times-- Blackhawks want NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan to ...
Chicago Sun Times-- Raffi Torres shows no remorse after vicious hit on Marian Hossa
Chicago Tribune-- Breaking down the Blackhawks' loss to Coyotes in Game 4
Chicago Tribune-- Hawks need top scorers to kick it into high gear
Chicago Tribune-- It's desperation time, so the Hawks should feel at home
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes win in overtime, build 3-1 series lead on Chicago
Arizona Republic-- Raffi Torres pushes back hearing with NHL
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes' physical play on par with postseason
Globe and Mail-- Coyotes seize 3-1 lead over 'Hawks
Globe and Mail-- Torres decision may well define Shanahan's regime
National Post-- Coyotes take command with another overtime win over Blackhawks
Pre Game
Chicago Sun Times-- Raffi Torres shows no remorse after vicious hit on Marian Hossa
Chicago Sun Times-- Martin Hanzal, Lauri Korpikoski out of Game 4 for Coyotes
Chicago Sun Times-- Gary Bettman doesn't have the guts to stop NHL's head-hunters
Chicago Sun Times-- Coyotes GM: "You would think Raffi Torres murdered a busload of children"
Chicago Tribune-- Kane talks Crawford, bounce back for Game 4
Chicago Tribune-- Coyotes without Hanzal, Korpikoski for Game 4
Chicago Tribune-- Blackhawks coy on line combos for Game 4
Chicago Tribune-- Hawks furious over vicious hit
Chicago Tribune-- Winning is Hawks' best retaliation
Chicago Tribune-- Hossa injury may thrust teen into spotlight
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes' physical play on par with postseason
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes' Raffi Torres pushes back hearing with NHL
Arizona Republic-- Phoenix Coyotes TV analyst Tyson Nash receiving backlash for comments
Globe and Mail-- Raffi Torres suspended indefinitely by NHL
Globe and Mail-- Raffi Torres's hitting history about to catch up with him
National Post-- After Torres hit, NHL needs to show it's serious
Previous items on the series
Game Three
Game Two
Game One
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