IGT Game 1: Blackhawks @ Canucks

[Gunzaan]

Kind of wish the Hawks missed the playoffs. They are going to get blown out in this series. The Canucks are simply too good.

Wow. While I hope this board can continue to grow, I hope you aren't a part of it. If you want to proclaim such an outrageous statement, atleast provide some reasoning behind your statement. The Sedin twins? Kesslar? An improved D? Something....?

Just posting the shit you posted means nothing. Peace out, ***.

 

[USCChiFan]

^^^^^
Win

 

[tbo41fan]

^^^double win!

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

I think you're bang on in one respect and off in another. You're completely right about living in the past. And yes, there will be a shitload of nonsense about Byfuglien if they lose the series...especially from those who don't understand the nature of business side of the NHL. I may have to take some time off and unplug myself if that happens.

I don't think I'd consider Byfuglien a huge mistake. He was something like a 20/20 guy making over 3 mil when we flipped him. He was definitely fat that needed to be trimmed with the 3 guys getting their raises and the cap constraints. Now he's a defender who roams instead of playing defense, but has chipped in pretty well offensively for the Thrash. He didn't fit in as a d-man here and there wasn't enough room to fit him as a forward. He was for sure to go, despite his importance in last year's PO run.

The way I choose to look at Byfuglien's departure: Byfuglien or Sharp. Hawks could have kept one.

That always makes me feel much better about moving Buff.

And no matter what gets said about him during this year's Vancouver series, I don't think anyone can overstate his importance in last year's run. The guy was a complete beast after he was moved back to forward. What he did was incredible and he's since been very, very well compensated for it.

Ok, I'm done.

 

[southern_cross_116]

Who cares. It's the spirit of the thing. :dunno:

Dickie Dunne ftw.

Series play - when not having the home ice advantage is (to me) about taking the series in smaller chunks.

1st matter of business - take one of two out west, then need to follow that up with taking care of business at home.

The Hawks have a pretty solid core, and if salary constraints hadn't have forced them to play Cullimore and Boynton as regulars for half the season, I think the team as it stand now (with Bolland, and Sharp playing), then this isn't a number 8 seeded team, it possibly even could have been enough to have taken the division again.

However the fact is that the depth was not there and the effect of injuries were magnified. If the Hawks had not gotten hotter than shit about 6 weeks or so ago, they would have missed the playoffs and it wouldn't even have been close.

Either way you cut it, with more "fiscal flexibility" going into the offseason, than the past season -the Hawks look to be pretty tough going into the 2011-12 season. As good as the 2009-10 Hawks? Not sure about that - probably not as that team had a little more veteran depth than what this coming season's team looks to have -but .... getting in this season - I look at it as a bonus.

Vancouver winning? Well I can see it, they've had a great year.... but I can also see them losing, as if Sharp and Bolland had not gotten injured; the team would have had a lot higher seed - playing the 8 seed this season isn't a gimme for the Canucks, and probably the worst draw that they could have gotten.

 

[Uman85]

I'm looking forward to a very physical and intense series. These two teams don't like each other and it shows on the ice. The Hawks will miss Byfuglien as a physical force on D, but have the scoring threats to compete. This will be a big series for Crawford to see how he can step up when it counts. If he plays big like Niemmi last year, the Hawks can take the series. I'll take the Canucks in 6, but wouldn't be surprised at all if the Hawks take out Vancouver.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

I wanna make Luongo cry again

 

[tbo41fan]

I wanna make Luongo cry again

too easy

 

[Uman85]

Anyone know the Canucks' back-up goalie? Any way they start him instead of Luongo to save themselves the embarrassment? I kid. Haha

 

[tbo41fan]

Cory Schneider...and no. lol

 

[chantheman525]

Hey everyone, new guy here. Hawks fan since I was a kid. Anyways, what do you guys think is key for the hawks in this series to taking down vancouver? Can't wait til wednesday night..

 

[Captain Iago]

Hey everyone, new guy here. Hawks fan since I was a kid. Anyways, what do you guys think is key for the hawks in this series to taking down vancouver? Can't wait til wednesday night..

To put it simply, our "core" that Stan has identified and about which has been spreading the rhetoric all season long.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Anyone know who the announcers are?

 

[tbo41fan]

Doc usually does the eastern conference games since they are earlier...

Im guessing Olczyk and some other shmoe

 

[derosabomb]

Doc usually does the eastern conference games since they are earlier...

Im guessing Olczyk and some other shmoe

ummmm the games are on csn so i assume pat and eddie or pat and steve. the last few years the first 2 rounds were covered by the csn crew it wasnt until the final two rounds that we had to deal with NBC's bogus coverage.

 

[tbo41fan]

ahh your right...forgot comcast was broadcasting

idk who versus guys will be then

 

[derosabomb]

ahh your right...forgot comcast was broadcasting

idk who versus guys will be then

clowns

 

[Gunzaan]

Hey everyone, new guy here. Hawks fan since I was a kid. Anyways, what do you guys think is key for the hawks in this series to taking down vancouver? Can't wait til wednesday night..

Honestly, I think it boils down to two things.

1. Can Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson play defense like they did last year?

2. Can Kopecky, Brouwer or anyone else step up and get in Luongo's grill?

Those two questions will answer if the Blackhawks can compete.... IMO.

Re: 1. Crawford isn't going to be winning many games for us. He is okay, but that is it. Can we play swarming/shot blocking defense like we did last year, to take the pressure off the goalie? I could include Leddy, Campoli, Campbell, etc., but the top 3 D need to step up and provide leadership for the rest.

Re: 2. Obviously, Buff was amazing against Vancouver in the past 2 playoffs. That is the past but it provides a blueprint on beating Luo. We don't need a screener to score, but we need someone to screen him. We have plenty of guys who can score on him, but the screen is necessary, or else he is a really good goalie. I think, after the past two postseasons, that Blackhawks fans laugh at Luongo's talent. It's legit, he just has a weakness that the Hawks have exploited the past 2 seasons. If we don't go at him with a screener, then we will be playing into his strengths.

 

[DewsSox79]

Honestly, I think it boils down to two things.

1. Can Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson play defense like they did last year?

2. Can Kopecky, Brouwer or anyone else step up and get in Luongo's grill?

Those two questions will answer if the Blackhawks can compete.... IMO.

Re: 1. Crawford isn't going to be winning many games for us. He is okay, but that is it. Can we play swarming/shot blocking defense like we did last year, to take the pressure off the goalie? I could include Leddy, Campoli, Campbell, etc., but the top 3 D need to step up and provide leadership for the rest.

Re: 2. Obviously, Buff was amazing against Vancouver in the past 2 playoffs. That is the past but it provides a blueprint on beating Luo. We don't need a screener to score, but we need someone to screen him. We have plenty of guys who can score on him, but the screen is necessary, or else he is a really good goalie. I think, after the past two postseasons, that Blackhawks fans laugh at Luongo's talent. It's legit, he just has a weakness that the Hawks have exploited the past 2 seasons. If we don't go at him with a screener, then we will be playing into his strengths.

yep. Seabrook and Keith have underperformed, kane has dogged it here and there. Those things cant happen now.

I dont think crawford is what you think he is, i think he is better.

3rd and 4th line guys will need to step up their game big time.

and this is true, an unscreened, unrattled luongo is a amazing goalie.

 

[Gunzaan]

I dont think crawford is what you think he is, i think he is better.

I hope you are right, but he was COMPLETELY out of position for 3 out of the 4 goals against Detroit, the biggest game of the year.

That hardly screams confidence.