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Are the Blackhawks back in Roberto Luongo’s head after their crushing 7-2 win?

Bryan Bickell, Roberto Luongo

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Bryan Bickell (29) scores a goal past Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo (1) during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs first-round series Tuesday, April 19, 2011, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP

In the previous three games, the Vancouver Canucks have been just a little bit better than the Chicago Blackhawks, taking a deceptive 3-0 series lead. It’s a shame for Chicago that the NHL doesn’t go by soccer’s total goals scored round robin rules, because they really pounded on Vancouver in a 7-2 blowout.

Chicago 7, Vancouver 2; Canucks lead series 3-1.

Dave Bolland produced an outstanding return to the Blackhawks lineup, scoring one goal and three assists to show that he can handle the postseason atmosphere despite coming off of a concussion. The game’s turning point was probably the fifth minute of the second period, as Brian Campbell and Duncan Keith scored 17 seconds apart to give Chicago a 3-1 lead.

Bolland and Michael Frolik capped that bombastic second period with goals to make it 5-1, but Canucks coach Alain Vigneault refused to pull Roberto Luongo until Patrick Sharp’s power-play goal made it 6-1 early in the third period.

Sharp scored another PP one-timer to make it 7-1, while Daniel Sedin made an off-night look a little better with a garbage PP goal late in the game. Luongo won’t be the only Canucks player who wants to put this game behind him, as each of the Sedin twins sported identically bad -3 ratings.

Chicago rookie Bryan Bickell evoked memories of a famous Darren McCarty goal to start things off strong for the ‘Hawks. Check out video footage of his fantastic goal below.

This outcome brings about some interesting questions, but the pivotal ones revolve around Luongo’s psyche. There’s no doubt that the Blackhawks have given him fits* as they booted his team out of the playoffs for two straight years. Chicago scored six of its seven goals on him on 28 shots; will Bobby Lou bounce back or could this be the beginning of a shocking turnaround?

There’s also the question of whether Brent Seabrook will be able to play in Game 5 after missing Game 4 thanks to those much-discussed Raffi Torres hits.

It’s important to avoid an overreaction to this game, though. After all, many pundits wondered if the San Jose Sharks would crumble when the Detroit Red Wings crushed them despite San Jose’s 3-1 lead in 2010, but the Sharks took care of business in Game 5.

We should find out a lot about both teams in Game 5, which will take place in Vancouver. Will the defending champs continue to be a monkey on the Presidents’ Trophy winners’ backs? Can the Canucks show that they have the character to roll with the punches that inevitably come during the playoffs?

This should be a lot of fun, even if it gives Luongo an ulcer.

* David Amber points out that Luongo allowed five or more goals six times in his playoff career. Chicago was responsible for all of them.