NHL General Discussion

[Eli26]

Go Team USA Go! I am too busy following the IIHF WC to care what's happening in the NHL playoffs. Granted I do know what's happening in the NHL playoffs.

Why is a Canadian resident rooting for the Americans vs. his fellow country men? Simple... It's not the U-20 WJC or the Olympics... It's not even a big deal to Canada. We are icing our E Team. Also, there are two current Jets on the roster and an ex-Jet. Oh, and I have a man crush on Johnny Gaudreau.

 

[NAZGUL-KING]

Gotta admit that I didn't see 6 unanswered goals coming in this game. Pretty strong first 2 periods by the Hawks and then everything unraveled. Hopefully the Hawks bounce back on Saturday.

I tried not to get too pissed off last night. The Hawks were due for complete crap game at some point and now they can move on. Hopefully it's a good wake up call. It seems that their heavy hitters just fade off in the playoffs for some reason - Sharp needs to find the net again, Kane & Hossa haven't been much of a factor either and Toews has been just ok IMO.

 

[filip629]

I tried not to get too pissed off last night. The Hawks were due for complete crap game at some point and now they can move on. Hopefully it's a good wake up call. It seems that their heavy hitters just fade off in the playoffs for some reason - Sharp needs to find the net again, Kane & Hossa haven't been much of a factor either and Toews has been just ok IMO.

The big 4 certainly have to start scoring. I wouldn't be surprised if Q shakes up the lines again. I expect to see Kane, Toews, and Bickell on the same line. It worked last year so I can see Q giving it another go to get some of these guys scoring again. Either way, they have to show up and play better. It's like they thought the game was over after the 2nd period. Like you said...hopefully the crap game is out of their system and they can get to playing hockey. Shaw coming back sometime soon won't hurt either. Let's see how they do on Saturday.

 

[Eli26]

Canada and USA both exited out in the 1st round. That's what happens when you ice your E teams jackasses.

 

[Eli26]

Nothing? That was epic. Ahhhh, all the Wanger fans are pouting... wahhhh wahhhh wahhhh

 

[filip629]

Man, if the Hawks don't clean up their special teams...this is going to be a short series.

 

[James426]

I want to see Chicago vs Montreal in the finals. Or else Chicago/NYR to keep this an original 6 final!

 

[filip629]

I want to see Chicago vs Montreal in the finals. Or else Chicago/NYR to keep this an original 6 final!

Unless the Hawks do a better job all around on special teams and start showing up in the 3rd periods, they will be making vaction plans soon. Bad PK, a poor PP, and horrible 3rd period play in game 4 will put them in a deep hole. Hossa, Sharp, and Kane have to start scoring and they have to find a way to slow down the Carter line. The Hawks are going to have their hands full tonight. They can't afford to go down 3-1 in the series.

 

[KitFisto]

As I said a few weeks ago, Trotz goes to the Caps. Then, Ted the bafoon promotes McPhee's lackie as new GM. In other words, more of the same. FU Ted and F your team.

 

[cokebabies]

So, unless something crazy happens, we're looking at LA/NYR.

I grew up on Long Island, as an Islanders, and eventually a Maple Leafs fan. So my hockey fandom has been filled with nothing but depression, and hating the Rangers.

But as a goalie, I have a monstrous man crush on Quick. His flexibility and movement easy make me hate him, but in a loving way.

Long story short - please please please win, LA.

 

[NAZGUL-KING]

The big 4 certainly have to start scoring. I wouldn't be surprised if Q shakes up the lines again. I expect to see Kane, Toews, and Bickell on the same line. It worked last year so I can see Q giving it another go to get some of these guys scoring again. Either way, they have to show up and play better. It's like they thought the game was over after the 2nd period. Like you said...hopefully the crap game is out of their system and they can get to playing hockey. Shaw coming back sometime soon won't hurt either. Let's see how they do on Saturday.

Unless the Hawks do a better job all around on special teams and start showing up in the 3rd periods, they will be making vaction plans soon. Bad PK, a poor PP, and horrible 3rd period play in game 4 will put them in a deep hole. Hossa, Sharp, and Kane have to start scoring and they have to find a way to slow down the Carter line. The Hawks are going to have their hands full tonight. They can't afford to go down 3-1 in the series.

I don't see this series lasting until Friday the way the Hawks are going. I thought for sure they would have come out strong Saturday after last Wednesday's @$$ kicking at the UC and after last night I don't see a whole lot of fight left in them. They are taking horrible penalties and their PK just isn't there and the power play is non-existent. The Kings have definitely got in Crawford's head, Kane looks sloppy, and I have no idea what's wrong with Sharp. It never felt like the Hawks were out of it when they were down 3 - 1 to the Red Wings last year, but this year not so much.

 

[filip629]

I don't see this series lasting until Friday the way the Hawks are going. I thought for sure they would have come out strong Saturday after last Wednesday's @$$ kicking at the UC and after last night I don't see a whole lot of fight left in them. They are taking horrible penalties and their PK just isn't there and the power play is non-existent. The Kings have definitely got in Crawford's head, Kane looks sloppy, and I have no idea what's wrong with Sharp. It never felt like the Hawks were out of it when they were down 3 - 1 to the Red Wings last year, but this year not so much.

Yeah, that's really the biggest problem for the Hawks. They just aren't really in any of the games for all the reasons you mentioned. LA just has one MONSTER period to put the Hawks away in every win they have. Special teams are killing the Hawks. You can still win games when you are not scoring on the PP but you better have a stellar PK. BAD PP + BAD PK at the same time is exactly how the Hawks put themselves in a 3-1 hole. They were in those games they lost to Detroit last year. The Kings have owned the Hawks in the last 3 games and I don't see anything changing. It's one thing to lose a series but not even being competitive (with the talent the Hawks have) is just gut-wrenching to watch. They'll be fortunate if they can force a game 6. Especially with how the stars are a no-show in this series.

The biggest issue the Hawks need to address is the center position. They need to get bigger at the position in the off season. LA is deep and big at that spot and it is easily showing in how they are outmuscling the Hawks all over the ice. They can't go into next season with Towes being the only legit center on the team.

 

[wyattroa]

The hawks need to play like they did in the 3rd period and overtime and get their PP together. If they play like that then they can take it, but they just are going on streaks where they seem to just have no legs and play slow.

 

[Centurion]

The series is coming back home!

 

[filip629]

Just got back from the Hawks game. What an experience. My best friend got 4 free tix to the game through his wife (she works at United airlines) and they treated me and my wife to our 1st ever Hawks playoff game. The stadium was electric and the place erupted on Zeus' GW! What a game. I hope the boys show the same grit on Friday.

 

[filip629]

The series is coming back home!

I hope I can say the same thing on Friday!

 

[Eli26]

Looks like Los Angeles will be winning their second Stanley Cup.

 

[NAZGUL-KING]

Just got back from the Hawks game. What an experience. My best friend got 4 free tix to the game through his wife (she works at United airlines) and they treated me and my wife to our 1st ever Hawks playoff game. The stadium was electric and the place erupted on Zeus' GW! What a game. I hope the boys show the same grit on Friday.

Nice Man! We were lucky to get to a couple game this year thanks our son's hockey team. We got to go to the Home Opener/Banner Raising and my son got to play a game on the Hawks ice a couple hours before the Big game -plus he scored on a sweet breakaway which was nice. We also got to go to the Stadium Series game at Soldier Field which was an awesome experience even though I don't think I was ever that cold for so long.

Can't wait till tomorrow night, but man it's gonna be tough. Hawks need to keep their momentum and they are definitely gonna have their hands full. I totally agree with what was said after the 1st period about Crawford getting too emotional. The Kings are already in his head and it's gonna be ten times worse tomorrow night especially after that incident Monday when he threw water at someone in the stands. The Kings fans are really gonna be on him and our defense better be top notch.

 

[Centurion]

I hope I can say the same thing on Friday!

I'm not the biggest hockey fan, but I love the intensity of the games during playoffs. I can watch those games all day.

Looks like Los Angeles will be winning their second Stanley Cup.

I sure would like to see that, although, the last time they won, the fans went ape-$h1t and started flipping police cars and setting civilian cars on fire. Oh wait... those were the Lakers fans.

 

[Centurion]

Plekanec should be receiving his very first Oscars soon.