2011 Playoffs

[BoraBora]

Are the Hawks getting in?

 

[X]

yes.

 

[Jntg4]

They'll get in... they know how to stay in races.

 

[ClydeLee]

Yes Sire. Think they'll gain a few spots too still.

 

[Gunzaan]

I certainly hope so!

Regardless, it is sad that the reigning Cup champs are even scratching for the 8th seed in the playoffs. Even with the well known salary cap dump at the end of the season, it shows you that management made some head-scratchers with Kane's contract (compared to Towes, gimme a break.. he doesn't forecheck or play D so he is half the player he is by default), keeping and signing Hjalmarsson, extending Seabrook's contract, yet letting go Ladd, Sopel and Madden.

It's been an interesting season and honestly shows how amazing Towes is. Obviously by my post, I am very disappointed in the decisions by management.

 

[Popinski Soda]

Interesting article I came across:

5 Reasons the Blackhawks Will Make the Playoffs This Season

By Joe Favia, The Bleacher Report

Tension has certainly risen to a new level in Chicago after the Blackhawks lost a key game to the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night.

It was a game between two teams that are in a heated battle to earn one of the lower seeds into the playoffs, and it certainly felt and seemed like it was a playoff game.

The standings have gotten even closer, and the fears that this Blackhawks team will be the first since the Hurricanes of five years ago to not make the playoffs after winning the Cup the year before are turning real.

But, much as some wrote the Blackhawks off by January before they skyrocketed back up the standings, the light has not been blown out quite yet.

There are several factors why this Blackhawks team will be proudly standing in the eight-team dance in a few weeks and will once again be battling for the biggest prize in the game.

5. Remaining Schedule

Clearly this is the easiest reason to pick out, and quite possibly it is the most important. Though there aren't any "gimmes" on any given night in the NHL, the schedule is somewhat favorable for the Blackhawks.

The math is simple when looking at the remaining games. The Blackhawks have played the least amount of games of all seven teams that they are competing with to get into the playoffs. In fact, the Hawks have played three less games than Calgary.

Though the Hawks only will be playing against two teams that aren't playoff bound this season, it is not any easier for the other teams.

The Ducks, who are just above the Hawks in the playoff race, play almost all their remaining games against teams in this heated Western Conference race, including two with the Ducks and Sharks. So someone will end up with the short end of the stick after those games in California.

4. Big Game Experience

The ability to handle big game after big game is something that is the undoing of some teams in professional sports. Some can handle the "heat," while others walk away 'dazed and confused.'.

But, not many teams have already proven that they can handle the microscope of big-game hockey like the Chicago Blackhawks have done over the last couple of seasons. Whether it was two years ago in the Western Conference Finals or last year, they have shown a knack for prime time.

They play in a town where the stacks are always high, and the stadium is always full. Most of the guys on the team were involved in the most-watched NHL game in 36 years (Game 6 of the Cup Finals).

The likes of Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and a host of others are going to show by example how to get it done in these ultra-important games. Because they cannot make it if the role players do not perform.

3. Extra Motivation

Since the parade and the numerous occasions of celebration over the championship win last season, the Blackhawks have had alot of different oddities and unfortunate situations bestowed upon the team.

The salary cap situation was a known and dreaded reality that had to be faced. The slump early in the season had many fans and pundits across the league writing off the 2011 Blackhawks as a faux of their predecessor.

Coach Quenneville's scare that landed him in the hospital and the recent injury to Patrick Sharp are just some more of many examples of the roller coaster that has been this season.

After the 2010 team ran as smooth as it nearly could, this season has been extremely hard to read. It should be expected that down this final stretch, the players will try just a bit harder to show they have not let this difficult season define them as a team.

2. Patrick Kane & Jonathan Toews

Two of the biggest names in the game today have been bright spots all year for the Blackhawks. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have been in the top 20 in points in the league for much of the season and have shown that they are two of the best young players in the world.

But now more then ever, they must show that they have the leadership to get this team where it needs to be.

Last season was different as they were able to blend into the scenery a bit more with the elite talent around them. Whether its Troy Brouwer or Viktor Stalberg playing with them on the first line from here on out with Sharp hurt, they must be on their top game.

1. They Have To Beat Their Biggest Rival

Three games remain between the bitter rivals that date back to the glory days of hockey of the 'Original Six.'

It is what the NHL, fans and the players want as these teams will have alot to play for in this games, which include two during the final weekend of the regular season.

The Wings are wrapping up the division, but they are trying to hold on to the No. 2 seed in the West over San Jose. They also would like nothing more then to eliminate the Blackhawks and not have to deal with hearing "Chelsea Dagger" possibly in a playoff matchup.

And, for the Blackhawks, these games could be for all the marbles. Defending the Cup will be at stake and the chance to prove that the chorus of United Center fans chanting that 'Detroit Sucks' is in fact the truth.

Source

J

 

[Popinski Soda]

Blackhawks Remaining 2011 Schedule:

@ Columbus (4/1)
vs. Tampa Bay (4/3)
@ Montreal (4/5)
vs. St. Louis (4/6)
@ Detroit (4/8)
vs. Detroit (4/10)


J

 

[tbo41fan]

yes

 

[Savoir_Faire_18]

3 home/ 3 away... will come down to Detroit. Hell they may even end up facing the Wings first round.

 

[DewsSox79]

i think they can, but will not be in shock if they dont.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Yes, they'll get in but they're done come 1st round.

*prepares to get ripped*

:smoke:

 

[ClydeLee]

Yes, they'll get in but they're done come 1st round.

*prepares to get ripped*

:smoke:

Depends who they face
opcorn:

 

[Jntg4]

Depends who they face
opcorn:

We'll knock out Vancouver if we get them.

Always beat the Canucks.

 

[Joe The Dragon]

Depends who they face
opcorn:

We can kill VAN for a 3RD time!

 

[Rush]

Will Culbertson said the Blackhawks would get killed too.

 

[ClydeLee]

Will Culbertson said the Blackhawks would get killed too.

Yes and to Nashville! :rolling::rolling::rolling:

 

[Jntg4]

Will was probably a Red Wings fan.

 

[Captain Iago]

Where's the poll option for: "Jesus Christ this thread again?"

 

[Capt. Serious]

As of right now, they'll play the Canucks.

They get Edler & Hamhuis back, their D will be tough to handle.

Hawks have no secondary scoring like last year.

None of the Hawks d-men are chipping in offensively like i'm used to seeing.

Plus, no Bolland. I like Kruger alot, but the thought of him vs the Canucks..

Luongo still needs to prove he can win on the big stage.

But, this time may be his time to shine finally.

Sharp coming back will be nice but it still won't be enough.

They can move up still but i'm standing by my prediction.

 

[Jntg4]

As of right now, they'll play the Canucks.

They get Edler & Hamhuis back, their D will be tough to handle.

Hawks have no secondary scoring like last year.

None of the Hawks d-men are chipping in offensively like i'm used to seeing.

Plus, no Bolland. I like Kruger alot, but the thought of him vs the Canucks..

Luongo still needs to prove he can win on the big stage.

But, this time may be his time to shine finally.

Sharp coming back will be nice but it still won't be enough.

They can move up still but i'm standing by my prediction.

They do have secondary scoring... from Stalberg.

Nevermind, Stalberg isn't secondary, he's the star of the franchise.

We could move up, we have a games at hand over Nashville, and multiple over some other teams.