Proud of these guys

[Uman85]

Being an 8 seed the year after winning the Stanley Cup was a bit disappointing for Hawks fans. After losing many pieces from last year's team, a lot of so-called "experts" didn't even have us in the playoffs. I can't say I blamed them after a lot of the struggles we had during the season. Regardless, throughout it all the Hawks did enough to get back.

After going down 3-0, many teams probably would have given up and thrown in the towel, but these guys didn't. In fact, they did just the opposite. In these past two games, they've played outstanding. They've definitely shown the heart of a champion. I'm really proud to be a fan of this organization and of this team. They have shown their pride to not give up when facing adversity and regardless of what happens in game 6, this team has my respect and my thanks for giving us a fun year of hockey.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

I don't know if I've ever been more frustrated with the Hawks than I was after the first two games. They played like wimps. They let Vancouver absolutely beat them up and they just didn't have any fight in them. They looked like an 8 seed that snuck in and was scared of the top team in the conference. 2 or 3 Hawks played hard while everyone else didn't even show up. It wasn't that Vancouver was vastly unbeatable... the Hawks just didn't play hard and that's what made it so frustrating.

Game 3 was an improvement, but good teams find ways to win games they shouldn't and that's exactly what Vancouver did.

But now? Everyone for the Hawks is showing up. They're playing the way they should have played from the get go. They have the jump and Vancouver is clearly shitting their pants at least a little bit. The Hawks look like they're legitimately playing for something.

That something is ruining Vancouver's season.

 

[Popinski Soda]

I want to know what happened to everyone who jumped ship after Game 2? This is why you don't count your chips until the playing's done.


J

 

[TopekaRoy]

It seems to me like that hit on Seabrook was a rallying point for the Blackhawks. The have been playing harder and better ever since. The return of Bolland has certainly helped, too. In the last 2 games the Blackhawks have outscored the Canucks 12-2! Those aren't lucky, or momentum type wins. Over the series the Hawks lead 17-11 and 2 of their 3 losses were only by one goal.

Don't think for a second that the Blackhawks can't come back and win this series. They could easily have won it 4-1 already except for barely getting beat in games 2 and 3. And you know the Canucks have it in the back of their minds that they were eliminated by Chicago in last years playoffs.

They didn't look like they had any clue how to stop the Balckhawks last night. They played like they were the team that was down 3-1. I'm predicting that the Blackhawks will win game 6 and send the series back to Vancouver for the "rubber" game.

 

[dabynsky]

If the season ends here I would be content. That said I would be amazing to end the Canucks season 3 years in a row, speaking of which if the Hawks come back and win this series is there anyway Luongo opens next year with the Canucks? I really think the past two games we've seen how important Dave Bolland really is to this club. He nevers gets the publicity of the big guns, but he is a top second line center that I think is truly under appreciated for all he brings to the table.

I think the Hawks can take game 6 with or without Seabrook since Coach Q can dictate the matchups. And anything can happen in a game 7. All I am looking to is game 6 right now, and the Hawks have take care of business at home.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

If the season ends here I would be content. That said I would be amazing to end the Canucks season 3 years in a row, speaking of which if the Hawks come back and win this series is there anyway Luongo opens next year with the Canucks? I really think the past two games we've seen how important Dave Bolland really is to this club. He nevers gets the publicity of the big guns, but he is a top second line center that I think is truly under appreciated for all he brings to the table.

I think the Hawks can take game 6 with or without Seabrook since Coach Q can dictate the matchups. And anything can happen in a game 7. All I am looking to is game 6 right now, and the Hawks have take care of business at home.

Two responses.

Is Luongo a Canuck next year if they drop this series? I could see it being a legitimate coin flip. Without question Vigneault would be toast. I thought he should have been toast after single handedly losing them the series last year.

As for Davey... guy is clearly a playoff performer which begs the question- where is he during the regular season? Being shuffled around in Q's ever rotating lines could be a part of it. I think if you want to maximize Bolland's regular season production, just look back to his long term line with Ladd and Havlat. That was by far the Hawks' best line that season. They always played together and they were consistently excellent.

 

[dabynsky]

Two responses.

Is Luongo a Canuck next year if they drop this series? I could see it being a legitimate coin flip. Without question Vigneault would be toast. I thought he should have been toast after single handedly losing them the series last year.

Given the way Luongo has played in the last two games if the Canucks drop the series there is no way they can bring him back. It could be brushed off as a couple of bad games except for the fact that would be the third year in a row the Hawks would have kncoked them out. Vigneault being gone is a given.

As for Davey... guy is clearly a playoff performer which begs the question- where is he during the regular season? Being shuffled around in Q's ever rotating lines could be a part of it. I think if you want to maximize Bolland's regular season production, just look back to his long term line with Ladd and Havlat. That was by far the Hawks' best line that season. They always played together and they were consistently excellent.

Hurt would be my answer. The guy has only managed 120 games the past two seasons with 61 this year. Despite that he was 82nd in +/- with 37 points. Injuries are always going to be concern with Bolland giving his style of play, but when he is healthy he is a difference maker that most people don't appreciate. Depth at defense and center is so important in the playoffs. The Hawks have depth in the defense and with Bolland they can match up well with just about anyone in the league at center.