Dose: Treat for the Freak

It’s official: the NBA’s conference finals are over before the NHL’s version. In comparing third rounds alone, the NHL will need a maximum of 14 games to settle its scores while the Houston Rockets won one game so the NBA avoided the minimum (instead needing nine contests between the two series).

Yes, there are “close sweeps,” but hockey fans should know that they’re a little spoiled with this “final four.” NBA writers are admitting that the hardwood postseason has been relatively weak, so this isn’t just one random dude throwing ideas at you (It’s AT LEAST TWO!).

This isn’t to say one sport is superior over the other, but rather that we should cherish these times, even if I’m among those who’ve stated (quite loudly, maybe) that the league needs to blow some dust off the rulebook and crack down on obstruction/etc. once again. The bounces and low-scoring nature of hockey lend itself to more upsets, parity and longer series, but you don’t get to see two Game 7s with the right to make a championship round every year.

In fact, the NHL notes that this is just the second time it’s happened post-expansion, and the first since 2000.

Long story medium, you should enjoy Friday and Saturday, as you won’t see many 48-hour periods with more pressure-packed, narrative-rich hockey. Let’s discuss the Game 6 that opened the door for this to happen, then, shall we?

Don't forget, for everything NHL, check out Rotoworld's up to the minute coverage on Player News, as well as follow@Rotoworld_HK and @cyclelikesedins on Twitter.

BLACKHAWKS 5, DUCKS 2

-- It looks like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are lining up together again, which is one of those "desperation moves that end up almost always seemingly stupidly obvious." Brandon Saad was the lucky winner of an assignment with the Blackhawks' dynamic duo, and he also found the net for a beauty to open up Game 6's scoring.

-- I'm starting to wonder if Duncan Keith may deserve the Conn Smythe if Chicago merely advances to the SCF. Note I say "may deserve" and not "will win." I get why Smythe voters feel compelled to give the award to the best player on the championship team, but I feel like the award should go to the flat-out best player of the playoffs more often. If Chicago advances, I'd be hard pressed to think of a Ranger or Lightning player who was leaned upon more than Keith has been by Chicago.

Interesting stat line for him in Game 6: three assists in 28:35 TOI despite the contest ending in regulation. He had a +3, yet zero SOG. That lack of shooting actually worked quite well, as he managed to fake shots enough to open up room for Marian Hossa's key goal. Keith's third assist - all three came as Chicago went up 3-0 - was on Kane's GWG.

-- I know a lot has been made about Matt Beleskey likely raking in the dough with a strong postseason, but I can't help but note Jakob Silfverberg's continued success. He generated his 13th assist of the playoffs and likely erased much of the tension about being the guy that was a big part of the Bobby Ryan trade (with some help from a disappointing year-or-so from Ryan, to be honest).

-- Is it possible that it really is time to worry a little bit about Frederik Andersen? In the past three games, he's allowed 13 total goals. That includes eight in the past two, even though he only faced 50 shots if you combine Games 5 and 6. Chicago gets to just about every goalie in the playoffs ... yet that doesn't necessarily comfort the Ducks, does it?

-- Andrew Desjardins strikes me as one of those notably - though subtly - competent depth forwards. The points haven't really come, but maybe he'll generate a few here and there with Andrew Shaw (he of two big goals in the third period) on his line.

-- Watching Brad Richards on the power play is kind of sad. Young B-Rad would have made the Ducks pay for giving him time and space in dangerous areas, yet I almost wonder if nudging things his way would be the ideal PK strategy for the Ducks. I wonder what happens with him next season? He has the bank account to say "You know what, I'll avoid the risk of getting caught with more big hits as I get older and slower, I'm good." After all, he doesn't have much to prove ... or at least much ability to prove anything else ... and seriously should be set for generations unless he's spent really, really, REALLY poorly.

-- Either way, it boggles my mind that the Blackhawks haven't given Teuvo Teravainen his spot - or at least his minutes - on the PP. Maybe don't trust the kid on the point, but anyone arguing that No. 86 isn't more dangerous at this point in his career than No. 91 is super-gluing their thoughts to nostalgia.

For a full list of injuries and suspensions, click here. Go to Rotoworld's NHL page for breaking hockey news and more.