Game 5 The turning point of the series.

[TSD]

In my opinion the winner of game 5 is going to win the cup.



The boys have got to be deflated, I hope they can just brush of the last two games and move ahead. While obviously its a 7 game series, I just think all the emotion is going to center on game 5. Hawks were able to pick up some momentum at the end of the game last night, lets hope they can move it forward.



Keys to the game:

1. Stay out of the box. I know it feels like this is out of the hawks hands.

2. Gotta get sharper on defense, Philly is getting ridiculously good scoring chances due to a trailer, or a guy that sneaks into a soft area way too much. Our only pre- playoff assumed liability (Niemi) is proving to be the one thing keeping us in it.

3. Niemi, keep doing what your doing.

4. Buff, get off the first line, you've been killing it. Shit passes, Shit decisions, all around in-effective.

 

[bierboy]

[quote name="TSD"]In my opinion the winner of game 5 is going to win the cup...[/quote]

...waiting for Ron....

 

[Ton]

My keys are way different.



-Win faceoffs

-Tape-to-tape passes

-Take the puck to the net and draw some attention (no more perimeter shit)

 

[TSD]

[quote name="Ton"]My keys are way different.



-Win faceoffs

-Tape-to-tape passes

-Take the puck to the net and draw some attention (no more perimeter shit)[/quote]



While I agree with your points as well. (part of my annoyance with Buff, was the fact he would make an ass pass when he had the chance to take the puck to the net.)



The biggest thing killing us aside from lackluster defensive coverage on numerous occations, is the penalty kill and lack of production when we do get a rare pp.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

I don't know about game 5 being the turning point, the same could have been said for 3 and 4 had we won. If they win tomorrow they still gotta win another, and I wouldn't wanna face the Hawks in an elimination game.



To me we need to get shots that get to Leighton, it seemed about every other shot was blocked yesterday, the Flyers are clogging up the crease and slot more than anyone we played previously. I really think we have a great chance to win, but right now I still feel very un-easy just based on how the game went yesterday. We killed them on TOA, the Flyers went stretches on 10 minutes without a shot or anything, yet their getting all the calls. The bounces and calls will come our way. It would be unbearable to see this 88 point, 1350 PIM team from Philadelphia take the cup.

 

[Guest]

[quote name="bierboy"]

...waiting for Ron....[/quote]





That very well could be. The Hawks have yet to have their backs to the wall all playoffs. Yes you could say that it was somewhat there in game 5 of the Nashville series on the brink of going down 3-2 heading back to Nashville was close, but not close like actually being down 3-2 heading somewhere.



That said I will maintain we need to win the games on home ice. That's what home ice was intended for and why you try so hard to secure it during the regular season.



I completely agree tomorrow is a HUGE game for these guys. Biggest game of the season up to this point, with only 2 or 1 remaining before the Summer. As far as a team can possibly go in an NHL year. They need to play well at home and overcome WHAT EVER obsticle is thrown at them. Whether that be the Flyers, and or the Officials at any point.



They know this. He could be right, but I will not count this team out until I see the other skating around the rink with the final prize.

 

[IceHogsFan]

One key;



Do not give them opportunity to get on a PP.

 

[Maiden]

[quote name="IceHogsFan"]One key;



Do not give them opportunity to get on a PP.[/quote]



Are you proposing a bribe? It could take something like that.......................

 

[Razzberry]

It's all about puck battles. Until the third, the Hawks weren't showing the same desire to win (and maintain) control of the puck along the boards in any zone. They live and die on a possession game, and if they're not working hard enough to get that possession, they have a hard time succeeding.



Driving to the net is the other key. The Flyers seemed to have a hard time when the Hawks started getting numbers to the net. Philly has been really quick to collapse in front of their net, so the Hawks are going to need at least two people in front, not just one.

 

[whalerhawk]

Pretty simple actually. The Hawks have to have better net presence in the 5th game. There were a ton of juicy rebounds let up by Leighton in game 4 yet there was no Hawk in position (i.e., the slot) to capitalize.



I agree with Ton. Get to the front of the net and put back the rebounds. Having last change will be key too as the Hawks can get Pronger away from our skilled guys.



I won't worry until the Hawks lose a home game. They carried the majority of the play in game 4 despite the unfavorable calls and could have easily won that game with a few breaks. Heck, the game winning goal was a total fluke. The Hawks need to get some cheap ass goals like that.

 

[Pez68]

Stop making the extra move or the extra pass and just....shoot ....the.....fucking...puck. That's all I ask. You do that and we probably put another two goals in the back of the net in each of the last three games.

 

[the canadian dream]

The TSN crew and big Bob Mckenzie had a few interesting things to say. Not McGuirre though he said nothing interesting.



They think the Hawks may be focusing on line match ups a little too much (which has been causing some really bad line changes including the one that cost them the OT game). And that the Hawks also could be focusing on their run and gun offense too much. Brought up some interesting facts that during the season when the Hawks focused too much on their run and gun offense and line match ups is when the Hawks went through their skids. Not sure how much I buy into their theories but they are worth a look. Maybe the Hawks are too worried about line match ups? Q maybe could settle down a bit instead of forcing the guys into bad line changes.



As for what everyone else said. Scares me that you all seem to see 4-6 different things the Hawks need to work on. Yikes if the Hawks are having this many problems in a cup final series then it's not looking too positive. Not a good sign.



Myself I think it's only 1 or 2 things the Hawks need to work on. 1) Better puck support in our zone to counter the Flyers forecheck. (too me this is the biggest difference in the series) 2) Play hockey and don't worry about the officials and the Flyers hacking. Flyers are winning the mental battle out there and that's the scariest thing of all. I haven't seen these Hawks look this frustrated at times. Buff is frustrated I don't care what Q or anyone in the media or dressing room say. He is!! Can't pull the wool over the fans eyes on this one. Buffs game is completely different as are his manurisims out there. You can see it in his eyes for crying out loud. He isn't the only one either. You want to know why Buffs game isn't that great right now? Because Pronger is owning his ass.



With that said. Right now as a betting man I would say game 5 winner goes on to win it in 6. Just has that feeling too it right now. Seen this scenerio a zillion times before. We will see what happens. The positive if the Hawks don't win game 5...I am not a very good betting man.



LETS GO HAWKS!!

 

[Tater]

[quote name="the canadian dream"]Maybe the Hawks are too worried about line match ups? Q maybe could settle down a bit instead of forcing the guys into bad line changes.

[/quote]



I could buy into that.

 

[BiscuitintheBasket]

[quote name="the canadian dream"]

Myself I think it's only 1 or 2 things the Hawks need to work on.



1) Better puck support in our zone to counter the Flyers forecheck. (too me this is the biggest difference in the series)



2) Play hockey and don't worry about the officials and the Flyers hacking. [/quote]





These, and #1 is the single biggest reason for the 'Hawks losses and many of the Flyers goals in this series. Many of the Flyers goals are the direct result of defensive gaffs.



When this team ignores the crappy officiating, it usually works to their advantage since the other team seems to get more frustrated...perhaps because the 'Hawks can play a confident PK when ignoring the poor officiating.



'Hawks scoring has not been that big of an issue in this series...though Leighton is not so good that the team needs to try and get him to go side to side, just take the shots as the 'Hawks are getting those chances.



Line matchups seem to be consuming this team and has caused issues, but the guys just have to be aware of what is happening on the ice before changing. If you need to stay in to help protect\control the puck then do so, someone else can change. If you need to stay in because the Flyers just got a take-away and one other guy is already changing, then do so. Etc. The matchups can happen, and the line changes can be as quick as needed, but also as slow as needed based on the play.





Game 5 is big for sure, and the 'Hawks need it for the home ice advantage...but I think this series is going the distance.

 

[the canadian dream]

Hawks forecheck, in the first period esp, tonight was awsome!! Kane when you forecheck your game is sooo much better. Nice forecheck game from Kaner tonight along with all the Hawk forwards. Was pretty to watch at times.



Flyers forecheck was still decent but wow Hawks had waaaaaay better puck support tonight in our own zone. Loved it. Had trouble at moments but overall it was much better. More of that on Wednesday please.

 

[Pez68]

Flyers forecheck was still decent but wow Hawks had waaaaaay better puck support tonight in our own zone.

Difference in the game, IMO. We worked as a 5 man unit in all zones tonight, instead of what we have been doing.

 

[the canadian dream]

[quote name="Pez68"]



Difference in the game, IMO. We worked as a 5 man unit in all zones tonight, instead of what we have been doing.[/quote]



Agree. And how great was it that the Hawks were getting the puck low and deep in the offensive zone and winning the board battles. Hawks have to remember that even though they are a fast team they are also a fairly big team. Not as big as the Flyers but big enough to win board battles.



Getting that puck deep, even if the Flyers get control of it, means the Hawks can also forecheck stronger. Which they are just as good at as the Flyers. I think this game set the guys up with more confidence in that area again.

 

[roshinaya]

i think that both teams are pretty even when it comes to size with a slight edge going to the hawks in average team weight.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

[quote name="Ton"]My keys are way different.



-Win faceoffs

-Tape-to-tape passes

-Take the puck to the net and draw some attention (no more perimeter shit)[/quote]

Ding-ding-ding. This is the same thign I have been saying at home all weekend, and prior to last nights game. Had the pleasure of watching games 3-4-5 with my parents who had come up to visit. And all through games 3 and 4 I was yelling at the tv to stop the blind/drop passes and to work the puck in, stop firing it from above the circles.

 

[Tater]

[quote name="the canadian dream"]Hawks forecheck, in the first period esp, tonight was awsome!! Kane when you forecheck your game is sooo much better. Nice forecheck game from Kaner tonight along with all the Hawk forwards. Was pretty to watch at times.[/quote]



His back-checking was very noticeable too. Love to see that.