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Zawaski: 7 Reasons To Believe In The Blackhawks

By Jay Zawaski-

As I sit here, nervously awaiting the start of Game 7, I find myself wavering between total confidence and extreme fear and panic.

One moment, I'm convinced the Hawks are incapable of losing at home, in a Game 7, to their hated rivals. The next, I think back to all the times the Red Wings have broken my heart. It's actually creeping me out a little bit. I'm usually very level-headed about games. I never found myself this uneasy during the 2010 Cup run.

With all this in mind, here's a list of 7 (see what I did there?) reasons to believe in the Blackhawks tonight.

1. The Blackhawks are the better team - I've said it all year, as have countless others who follow the game. The Hawks are the best and deepest team in the Western Conference, if not the entire NHL. Even their "area of concern," Corey Crawford, is outstanding statistically. His 1.78 goals-against average is second overall in the playoffs, behind only LA's Jonathan Quick. Only two goalies - Quick and Pittsburgh's Tomas Vokoun - have higher save percentages than Crawford's .935.

For the rest of Jay's column from the Red Light District, please click here.

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