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Chicago’s Sharp on Game 7 confidence (and Mario Kart)

Ducks Blackhawks Hockey

Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Sharp reacts to missing a shot against Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen during the first overtime in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Playoffs, Saturday, May 23, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP

Relatively speaking, big elimination games probably feel like something close to “old hat” for the Chicago Blackhawks. Perhaps that’s why Patrick Sharp seems pretty confident heading into Game 7 against the (once?) “Nervous Nelly” Anaheim Ducks.

Of course, it helps when you’re on a team that seems comfortable in just about every situation you can see in the postseason.

“I think we’re good. We’re healthy,” Sharp said. “We have a defense core that wants to be on the ice, that they’re fighting to jump over the boards, want to play the heavy minutes. “

“Up front I think we’re feeling pretty good. Whether it’s a physical game or a wide-open game, we like that style of play. We’ll be ready for whatever they throw at us.”

It’s funny that Sharp uses the phrasing “whatever they throw at us,” as he also revealed the key to Blackhawks tranquility: Mario Kart. That quote almost seems to imply that the Blachawks are ready for the blue shell.

(You know, the blue shell is almost like a metaphor for the wild bounces in the playoffs, isn’t it? No? OK, fair enough ...)

Sharp also might have ruffled a feather or two by revealing the team-wide Mario Kart standings:

“I got the standings in my back pocket,” Sharp said to laughter from the media. "[Niklas Hjalmarsson] is number one, [Andrew Shaw] is two, and this is going to cause some problems, but I’m number three.”

That’s video game bulletin board material, right?

Anyway, it’s no surprise that the Blackhawks seem confident about Saturday’s contest, and not just because they have an extra day off to heal up Nintendo thumb.