TGDT: WCF Game 1 - 5/18 Kings (0) vs. (0) Blackhawks 2:00PM NBC

[genefoley]

Bottom line, if the Hawks take care of their own business, they will beat either team in 7 games. Not to mention they still have their best hockey ahead of them. Hawks may struggle against Gibson, a goalie who they have little scouting on, presumably. Ducks like to run, I think that's good for the Hawks. Kings will slow it down, get pucks deep, grind it out, force everything outside like they have against the Ducks--we've seen the Hawks struggle against that type of game (although they've overcome it).</p>

 

[PatrickShart]

It's going to be a tough series regardless</p>


 </p>


No one left has played as much hockey as the Hawks over the last 17 months - 2 condensed seasons, winning the Cup and sprinkle in Olympic play. Not to mention trying to repeat as Champs</p>


 </p>


I'm sure the players fully realize the prize of not just winning a Cup, but doing it back to back and regardless of what happens, they'll leave it all on the ice.</p>


 </p>


I wouldn't expect any production from Saad regardless of who they play.  Both teams have very physical defenceman. He only has 3g (1 was empty netter) in 37 games playoff games and only 2g in the last 33 played.</p>


 </p>


While some will want to talk between - Bollig/Nordstrom/Versteeg/Regin/Morin - and their 8-9min a game will matter if they win or not, it's not the case.  If they are expected to be the factor - the Hawks won't win.</p>


 </p>


Sharp - 1g in the playoffs (yes, I know 2 are in his stats - but he didn't even shoot that puck vs Miller) - on 40 shots. He must score.</p>


Hossa - 2g in the playoffs in 47 shots</p>


 </p>


64g between these 2 in the regular season.  The fact the Hawks are in the conference finals with not much production from these two...can be a good sign.  They need to put the puck in the net.  It will make everyone else much more dangerous.  But when those 2 aren't producing - then the 13th forward seems to be a "big issue"</p>

 

[Pez68]

The problem is that the longer the playoffs go, the more important it is to get effective minutes from the 3rd and 4th lines. If the 4th line can't be trusted to play more than 4-5 minutes, it's going to take a toll on the energy levels of the big guns.</p>


 </p>


As you said, the Hawks have played a ridiculous amount of hockey. They will need the bottom six to generate energy, play physical, and chip in here and there while giving the top six a breather.</p>


 </p>


I really hope Shaw is back at some point in this next series. The Hawks miss his game and nobody is filling those shoes effectively in his absence.</p>


 </p>


The fact that Hossa and Sharp haven't gotten going yet really can be a good sign. Unless of course it is fatigue and they aren't going to break out of the slump, but I think they will. Sharp especially. He just needs a couple of good blow jobs to clear his mind and get him back into a relaxed place.... </p>

 

[PatrickShart]

Then if the 13th forward gang is expected to score goals/chip in....the the hossa/Sharp/Saad gang better be expected to finish every hit, get their ass on the ice to block shots...And contribute the way the 4th liners are

 

[genefoley]

Kings will have played 2 more games than the Hawks in the playoffs--2 game sevens. The Hawks went on to play 6 more games than the Kings last year in the Cup Finals. Both teams will be tired. Kings will have motivation from losing in 5 to the Hawks last year and missing the Finals. I can make such a strong argument for which team is better for the Hawks to play so I just don't care anymore. Play your best hockey with whoever is iced against you and you should be fine. I believe the Hawks played both teams well in the regular season. Although we've seen that those numbers don't really matter (Hitchcock: "what's the series at?")</p>


 </p>


I'm masturbating to the fact that the Hawks can meet Montreal in the Finals. I've dreamed about that match-up for as long as I can remember.</p>

 

[Variable]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pmxzus" data-cid="229876" data-time="1400191390">
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Then if the 13th forward gang is expected to score goals/chip in....the the hossa/Sharp/Saad gang better be expected to finish every hit, get their ass on the ice to block shots...And contribute the way the 4th liners are</p>
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 </p>


Playing well doesn't always mean scoring goals. It can just mean being able to trust a player out on the ice for more than 5 minutes a game.</p>

 

[PatrickShart]

When youre paid 6.5mil a year to score goals it matters

 

[Pez68]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pmxzus" data-cid="229876" data-time="1400191390">
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Then if the 13th forward gang is expected to score goals/chip in....the the hossa/Sharp/Saad gang better be expected to finish every hit, get their ass on the ice to block shots...And contribute the way the 4th liners are</p>
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 </p>


How you reached this conclusion based on my post.... I have no idea.</p>


 </p>


Since when does bottom 6 = 13th forward?</p>

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="The Canadian Dreamalchuk" data-cid="229868" data-time="1400184575">
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kings all the way not only because i like them.</p>


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 </p>


hawks destroy goalies like quick esp guys like kane who like to shoot high short side. quick plays strong low..hawks struggle low infront of goalies overall. plus that home ice is key even though the ducks and kings havent really been spectacular on either of theirs.</p>


 </p>


i also think the kings have to be more gassed now if they come back and win their series against the ducks. 2 series going 7 both come back wins? they gotta be feeling that now. on the flip side that might give them that healthy confidence. hawks can play the kings like they did last year and probably come out with the same outcome. only difference is they have to cover two offensive threats now with gaborik. just shutting down kopitar and doughty wont be enough.</p>
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 </p>


I get the feeling that Doughty is banged up. I know that in theory everybody is banged up right now, but he seemed to be hurting the past few games. Also, the absence of Regehr and recovery of Greene has been a blow. Greene looked alright last night, but only played 12 minutes. </p>


 </p>


Having Keith and Seabrook eating up 29 minutes, and Hammer and Oduya play 24 is not ideal. You would probably like to even it out drop both 3 minutes and give that to Leddy/ Brookbank/ Rosival, but it its certainly better than having them hurt and being in the Kings situation. </p>


 </p>


I am hoping we can see a strong series from Leddy, he has all the tools but has been pretty sporadic during these playoffs. However, Seabrook has been a beast, those 3 games off might be a blessing in disguise. </p>

 

[PatrickShart]

Because it seems that the bollig/Nordstrom/versteeg/Morin group is the most criticized on their play


Regin, Smith, bickell have had solid playoffs so far. As have toews and Kane.


Handzus and Kruger have been lights out on the pk...although I know handzus is also expected to score too


All i know is the minutes played, situations on the ice, and who they get to play with...3g between hossa and sharp is going to be a bigger disappointment than if the other guys don't score

 

[Rex]

I shit on the guy a lot for his stupid play and dumb penalties, but god I want Shaw back right now</p>

 

[CLWolf81]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="LordKOTL" data-cid="229861" data-time="1400183913">
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Kings vs. 'hawks:</p>


1st game:  3-1 Win.  Scrivens for the Kings, Raanta for the 'hawks.</p>


2nd game:  1-0 Shutout win.  Raanta for the 'hawks and Jones for the Kings.</p>


3rd game:  5-3 win.  Crawford for the 'hawks and Quick for the Kings.</p>
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 </p>


These results also were without Marian Gaborik on the Kings, and he's been red hot as of late... That alone bothers me. Sure we do well against them, but Gaborik might be their spark this year.</p>

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Hawks are saying Shaw will start skating this week end.</p>

 

[Variable]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pmxzus" data-cid="229879" data-time="1400195052">
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When youre paid 6.5mil a year to score goals it matters</p>
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 </p>


I'm talking about bottom six players. Those players playing well doesn't necessarily mean they have to score goals. The Hawks are a much better team when they can roll 4 lines out there. I don't know how that can be argued against, especially after last year, when Q finally started to dress the team to it's strengths.</p>


 </p>


Bollig is criticized because he can't do anything well except hit. Him being replaced in the line up should've happened at some point during the regular season. And when in some games in the playoffs when you're giving him literally just a few minutes, what the **** difference is that going to make? And Versteeg is criticized because he's just been horrible with the puck. Throwing the puck at the net and getting lucky with it going in after bouncing around some players doesn't somehow equal  him being as effective as Hossa has been just because he has one less goal. When Versteeg starts creating plays out of nothing like Hossa did on what would eventually stand to be the game winner in Game 5 on the Toews goal, let me know. Because he would've coughed the puck up a handful of times before that would've happened on that play.</p>

 

[CLWolf81]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Spunky Porkstacker" data-cid="229885" data-time="1400200652">
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Hawks are saying Shaw will start skating this week end.</p>
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Hell yeah!!!! </p>

 

[Tater]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="CLWolf81" data-cid="229887" data-time="1400201533">
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Hell yeah!!!! :icon-smile:</p>
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 </p>


x2</p>

 

[jaxhawksfan]

Sit Bollig, sit Versteeg.  Give some other guys ice time.  I know Sharp is a superstar, but if he hasn't show shit in the first two games, sit his ass too and bring someone else in.</p>

 

[Pez68]

Versteeg has been shit. This is a guy that is supposed to be a solid third liner who can spot fill in the top six. He has been one of the worst forwards on the ice in almost every game. It's almost criminal that he plays at this point. I'd take Bollig over him to be honest. At least Bollig makes smart decisions with the puck, regardless of his lack of talent. Nordstrom I don't understand either. As long as Regin is playing on the third line instead of him, I'm OK with it. But **** is he useless, and he should never be playing anything but 4th line minutes.</p>


 </p>


You don't sit a veteran like Sharp. Period. If people haven't figured out that he is either red hot or ice cold in all the time that he's been here, I have to ask what you've been watching. If he gets hot, the Hawks go back to the SCF and he's probably leading the team in goals in the playoffs. Again. His shooting percentage is not sustainable, and eventually it will even out. It simply has to. He didn't suddenly lose all of his talent in a month's time. He's just ice cold, frustrated, and pressing.</p>


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 </p>
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif;">All i know is the minutes played, situations on the ice, and who they get to play with...3g between hossa and sharp is going to be a bigger disappointment than if the other guys don't score </span></blockquote>


 </p>


I agree 100%, but I don't expect this trend to hold.</p>

 

[Variable]

Yeah with Sharp it should just be a matter of time or maybe he's hurt. The only player since 09' who has more goals than him in the playoffs is Kane. And Hossa is on a point per game pace so far, not even worried about him.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

I think I'd be more concerned with Sharp and Hossa if they weren't getting the shots or chances. We've played a lot of tight defensive games. That doesn't excuse them, especially Hossa who provides contributions outside of the score sheet, but they need to start finding ways to contribute offensively more.