Our hometown Blackhawks will gear up to take on the Nashville Predators tonight at the U.C. attempting to take a 3-1 series lead before heading back to Nashville.

After struggling the first two games, goalie Corey Crawford has been benched at least for the time being, for young Chicago native Scott Darling. To the dismay of Crawford, Darling has been lights out only allowing 2 goals in the 77 shots he’s faced. Darling has been given the nod to start Game 4 Tuesday night.

Also, the Predators have been left without their star defenseman Shea Weber due to injury. It’s created problems for them, and the Hawks look to capitalize on it.

The offense has been firing on all cylinders with excellent performances from Marian Hossa, Jonathan Toews, the fresh Patrick Kane, and even Andrew Desjardins, who was recently acquired in a trade in late February scored a goal in Game 3.

As you know, we have a huge Blackhawks fanbase here at PR. Not a day goes by without a Hawks shirt or a Toews jersey passing through the halls. Now with playoff hockey in full swing, everybody is showing their Windy City pride. And with a 2-1 series lead, more people are getting on the bandwagon.

PR’s own Principal Koch is a huge Blackhawks fan. He told us he grew up playing hockey and it is still his favorite sport.

Here’s what Koch thinks of the team: “I’m really enjoying watching how some of the veterans like Hossa are constantly adapting their game, and how new players like Teravainen are trying to fit in with some their famous teammates. I’ve loved the Scott Darling story and am hoping to see a lot more of him in net, and I look forward to watching Shaw stir things up as usual.”

Koch also has high hopes for the playoffs. “They’re just too nasty talented for anybody to want to play them in a seven game series.  Can’t wait to raise another Cup this year!”

Needless to say, our principal is fired up. But how fired up is everyone else?

One student, Joe Hansen, thought the Hawks were prime for success again. “I think they’ve been great in the past and are still good now, but there is room for the goalies to improve,” he said. “They’ve got great experience in the playoffs and went deep the last two years, so I think they’re ready to go again.”

Another student, Jack Ruscheinski said something similar. “Crawford’s been shaky, but other than that it’s been pretty good. I liked how they played Game 3. Hopefully they can keep it up. Go Hawks!”

The puck drops at 8:30 Tuesday night for Game 4. If things go right tonight, they could close the series out in Nashville on Thursday.