[A] Closing On Playoff Clinch: CHI 4, STL 3 (SO)

[BiscuitintheBasket]

Too bad it went to OT, but a good win for these Hawks. Not that it will make a difference in the standings, but they won the season series against the Blues.



Other than giving up a quick goal after scoring, and helping all of my fantasy leagues, the Hawks played this game very very well.





That much closer to locking a playoff spot up.

 

[Ton]

you could be right. Depends on health IMO. I think they can get to the finals if healthy. I also think the Penguins are stacked. Remember 92. LOL!



And it matters to me. If someone tells him something and it could change what's going on in a positive way, I'd expect him to try it. Part of his problem is that he wouldn't change his ways. Either way the TEAM has responded. Not sure how much coaching that is verses them stepping up. Maybe Toews going down was one of the best things that could have happened. From that time Kane has stepped up and brought the team with him. And most of the team/players would say that same statement I think.

Kane has taken on an entirely new role and elevated his game to a new level. While he has regressed point-wise, he has excelled in character.



Side note: Oduya had over 30 minutes tonight.

 

[R K]

Yea I was talking to someone about Oduya the other day. I slammed them for that being the only move and HOLY **** how it's worked out. Goes to show just how much this team MISSED Brian Campbell IMO.



hawks have lost 3 games since Oduya arrived? thats insane!



On the Kane note I'm obviously a little bias but remember most of us saying how young he was and to give him time to mature. Well all those dumb fucks that wanted him gone, traded, elsewhere. **** off. Without Kane, this team is NOT in the playoffs right now. Absolutely NO question!

 

[BiscuitintheBasket]

Oh and the Hawks are 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% odds to make the playoffs regardless of the PHX result. And 82% odds (at worst) to finish 6th



http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Western/Central/Chicago.html

 

[Ton]

Yea I was talking to someone about Oduya the other day. I slammed them for that being the only move and HOLY **** how it's worked out. Goes to show just how much this team MISSED Brian Campbell IMO.



hawks have lost 3 games since Oduya arrived? thats insane!



On the Kane note I'm obviously a little bias but remember most of us saying how young he was and to give him time to mature. Well all those dumb fucks that wanted him gone, traded, elsewhere. **** off. Without Kane, this team is NOT in the playoffs right now. Absolutely NO question!

Especially with the injuries we've suffered. No Kane = only 2 bonafide NHL scorers in the line-up. Even if he does not score at an elite level, his contract is worth it. You'll be hard pressed to find someone at his age that produces more and brings more to the team for the amount of $$ he makes.

 

[R K]

well I meant with the injuries. Like I said we may all look back and pick JT going down as one of the key moments of the season. It's at that time the players started or appeared to start taking responsibility. Coaching, maybe some.

 

[klemmer]

Shootouts still suck

 

[roshinaya]

Hawks haven't clinched anything yet. Phoenix won in regulation.

 

[Ton]

Doesn't matter, here is the explanation:



[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]"Although the Hawks have not mathematically clinched a playoff spot tonight, it is technically impossible for them miss the post-season. D[/font][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]ue to the schedule, the Coyotes, Sharks and Kings must win out and the Blackhawks must lose out the rest of the season. [/font][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The reason this is impossible is because the Sharks play the Kings twice, which means neither team can win out the rest of the season."[/font]



[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]While they are not mathematically in, it is virtually impossible to miss the playoffs.[/font]

 

[roshinaya]

Yay.

 

[the canadian dream]

pretty good game. That was why the Blues are the top team in league..they don't stop when things look bad. They are a good freaking team..start taking them serious...they may make a deep deep run.



Stalberg is going to be a 30-30 player in a couple years if not next. All you berg haters get ready to eat crow in the future. That guys game has done nothing but improve all season. No longer just a fast skater he is now a great skater and is starting to pass like a boss. He could be one of those players who is a huge difference maker come the playoffs. Brian Burkes is indeed an idiot. This guy (plus Oduya if he re-signs and Leddy) will be the guy who makes me a Stan fan.



My hats off to this team posting a good good record without Toews and playing a good defensive game tonight without Keith. Late third period acception and damn how are we going to stop these damn deflexions from going in the net?



Anwhooo..nice 2 points. Don't give two shits about giving the point away to St Louis. Infact anything that keeps the Canucks from the conference is good with me. Didn't like how the Blues got the extra point though..but again..that's why they are tops of the league.

 

[mikita's helmet]

Doesn't matter, here is the explanation:



[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]"Although the Hawks have not mathematically clinched a playoff spot tonight, it is technically impossible for them miss the post-season. D[/font][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]ue to the schedule, the Coyotes, Sharks and Kings must win out and the Blackhawks must lose out the rest of the season. [/font][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The reason this is impossible is because the Sharks play the Kings twice, which means neither team can win out the rest of the season."[/font]



[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]While they are not mathematically in, it is virtually impossible to miss the playoffs.[/font]

I don't understand.



If it's virtually impossible for both the Sharks or Kings to win out, and either one of them or the Yotes won't make it, I don't see how we're not already in.

 

[mikita's helmet]

[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]the Sharks play the Kings twice, which means neither team can win out the rest of the season."[/font]

Why can't the Sharks beat the Kings twice and run out the rest of their games, or vice versa, the Kings beat the Sharks twice and run out the rest of their games?



It seems to me that both teams, obviously, can't run out the season, but one of the two could if they sweep both games, and if they split their two games, neither team will.

 

[equator180]

They won the game by the skin of their teeth. They definately out played the Blues no one can say oterwise but again we see the goaltending is in desperate shape. This game should not have gone past regulation. Crawford at best is a backup goalie. Look at teh goals for in the west, 2nd, only beaten by Detroit. Goals against, next to last, only team with more is Columbus! Check the numbers on the defence tehy are not that bad...the problem which will prevent the Hawks from any serious contention for the cup is the huge hole in the net!

 

[Rex]

They won the game by the skin of their teeth. They definately out played the Blues no one can say oterwise but again we see the goaltending is in desperate shape. This game should not have gone past regulation. Crawford at best is a backup goalie. Look at teh goals for in the west, 2nd, only beaten by Detroit. Goals against, next to last, only team with more is Columbus! Check the numbers on the defence tehy are not that bad...the problem which will prevent the Hawks from any serious contention for the cup is the huge hole in the net!

Oh, this shit again. The defense numbers are good? Are you just pulling that magical stat out of your ass?? The Defense numbers were shit until about 15 games ago, Care to look at Crow's numbers in that stretch too? They go hand in hand Special person.



Also, tongiht we don't win without Crow. The second goal was a gah moment, but the other two again, were tips. Plus he made key saves in OT and in regulation, and was (as usual) lights out in the shoot out.



NGKY

 

[supraman]

20 points in the last month. Is there a hotter team in the NHL over the last month? And without Toews. 9-2-2

Toews sucks, see was dragging this team down. Trade him.

Bryan Bickell- Last 7 games, 2 goals, 4 assists, + 6.

I think I can like Bickell again, good to see he found his game.

I'll agree but know he was nudged to stop the run and gun that left them giving up so many goals. It was what started turning things around near the end of the 9 game losing streak.



The Defensive minded play has been night and day since then.



As for the PP while it's sucked remember the last two games they have played the #1 and #2 PK in the league.



St. Louis is 2 for it's last 73, and one of those two was the hawks. NJ was even crazier if I remember.



JT's return should improve that and remember this team HAS playoff experience out the ass. Serious experience!

Would you say stanley cup championship experience?

 

[Maiden]

Stalberg is going to be a 30-30 player in a couple years if not next. All you berg haters get ready to eat crow in the future. That guys game has done nothing but improve all season. No longer just a fast skater he is now a great skater and is starting to pass like a boss. He could be one of those players who is a huge difference maker come the playoffs. Brian Burkes is indeed an idiot. This guy (plus Oduya if he re-signs and Leddy) will be the guy who makes me a Stan fan.

I'll take that bet......................

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Shootouts still suck

Amen.

 

[R K]

Toews sucks, see was dragging this team down. Trade him.







I think I can like Bickell again, good to see he found his game.







Would you say stanley cup championship experience?

Yea and all the way to the WCF's the year before. Lets face it last years team was beat to shit when the 1st round started. We limped in there with two of four Centers playing and we all know you don't win with no depth up the middle. As a matter of fact once Sharp and Bolland were returned (sharp was there but was not at C until game #4) the Hawks allmost did what no team in history has done.



I think the experience for a healthy team is a huge factor.



As for equater.... Goal #2 was one Crawford should stop, the other two, your fucked if you blame him. Goal #1 was Leddy getting his doors blown and a great shot. Goal #3 was tipped a foot in front of Crawford.



There is a reason the Blues have the most points in the league.

 

[Rex]

As for equater.... Goal #2 was one Crawford should stop, the other two, your fucked if you blame him. Goal #1 was Leddy getting his doors blown and a great shot. Goal #3 was tipped a foot in front of Crawford.



There is a reason the Blues have the most points in the league.

he's a lost cause. I don;t even think he watches the games, he just looks at the boxscore and sees "he let in 3 goals!! HE'S AWFUL!! NIEMI HAD A .930 SV% THE YEAR WE WON THE CUP!! OMG!!