I didn't think the officiating was really bad in any game in this series but Game 3, which the Canucks managed to win anyway. Definitely wasn't particularly bad tonight any more than any other "lots of stuff let go both ways its the playoffs deal with it" type game.
As far as how the game went, I think the Hawks' roster shortcomings this year tended to be pretty obvious tonight, as they have been most of the series -- The Sharp/Toews/Kane line was winning most of its shifts in OT and in the 3rd, but every other line was terrible almost every shift until the Hossa line put the winning goal in. The lack of depth has been an issue this series(see the games the Hawks lost, where the top unit struggled), and if they get by the Canucks will probably be more problematic in future round(s) as playing so many minutes wears more and more on the Hawks' stars. I thought the Canucks PK was spectacular, it made a very dangerous Hawks PP look incompetent at times, and looking toward game 7 I am reminded that special teams normally determine winners and losers in the playoffs. The other thing that tends to determine series is goaltending, and while some of you have defended him I thought Luongo looked awful today. I wasn't expecting much from him, since you have to imagine going from Captain to benched in the playoffs in a year has a way of making a guy fall off his game, so I will say he was better than I expected, but his rebound control was _terrible_ all game and it ended up costing the Canucks on the winner. It's his responsibility to prevent rebounds from going into problem areas and there were scrums even in the third where if the Hawks had been in the slot they would have put rebounds in(points to the Canucks D that they weren't).
My money is on the Hawks for Game 7, I think, though it could very easily go either way. I think if Schneider were healthy and playing I'd expect the Canucks to recover but I have very little faith in Luongo and it dwindles more every game(and I originally predicted Hawks in 7 so I'd be a pussy if I backed out now). I can't believe this is going the distance, but looking forward to what should be a very exciting rivalry game 7. Pity for Schneider though, with even passable puckhandling skills and a groin that isn't transplanted from Rick DiPietro he'd have easily won the series for the Canucks. Now wouldn't that have been interesting...
EDIT: Additionally, I think it was worth noting that while I didn't see all of the previous two Hawks wins, this sure seemed like the first time where the Hawks beat the Canucks playing well rather than the Canucks just beating themselves. I wouldn't underestimate the Hawks if I were those of you excusing this exclusively on a Canucks meltdown -- the Hawks won the cup last year because in addition to being a very skilled team, they're a very determined team. The fire might be a little less(especially for people like Hossa) after winning last year, but will is usually more important than skill in the playoffs, and while the Canucks are much more skilled top to bottom this year they still can't match the Hawks' will. I could see the Canucks getting by the Hawks and the Predators if they are lucky enough to play them, but they're going to need to find some heart to get passed San Jose or Detroit and if Chicago isn't as tired as they are likely to be, they'll get the job done themselves.
EDIT2: What do you think the odds are Vignault is the first coach in NHL history to win the President's trophy and get fired in the same year if the Canucks lose this series?
