TGDT: WCQF - 4/27 Blues (2) @ Blackhawks (3) 2:00PM NBCSN

[PatrickShart]

Saad, Sharp, Versteeg need to play better</p>

 

[LordKOTL]

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If the Hawks had managed to not parade to the box every game I'm not so sure our attitude towards Handzus would've changed. He was definitely a beast on the PK and it's obvious we need him on it, but the Hawks really could make their lives easier by staying out of the box. After game 2 I don't think anyone was calling for Zeus to sit. I still don't understand why Morin didn't get time over Nordstrom last game.</p>
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The best i could come up with is that Q maybe thought Smith has elevated himself into Versteeg's role, and as such thought that Nordstrom was better suited to rarely-playing-be-defensively-responsible type of 4th line playoff role than Morin was.</p>


 </p>


Either way, we won, so it was a wise choice.</p>


 </p>


I do hope the leash on Verpressboxed is as short as they come. Even though their icetime was limited, Nordstrom, and Bollig were relatively invisible--and since they're not meant to be gamebreakers this is not necessarily a bad thing since they will only be visible if they screw the pooch.</p>


 </p>


Verturnover, OTOH was very noticible in games 2-5 in terms of lackluster play--and especially if we draw the Avs--a team with the speed to really capitalize on mistakes and turnovers it can cost us the series.  I think Versteeg plays game 1 and hopefully the wake-up call worked.  If not, I hope he continues to schlep for Doc and Eddie.</p>

 

[PatrickShart]

Bollig in his limited time...does what he's supposed to do.  Be physical.  No problem for him to get his few minutes a game, as long as he finishes the hits he does on the Dmen.</p>


 </p>


Versteeg needs to simplify his game a little.  His series was no worse than Sharp's, and at least he compete's for loose pucks</p>

 

[Pez68]

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Bollig in his limited time...does what he's supposed to do.  Be physical.  No problem for him to get his few minutes a game, as long as he finishes the hits he does on the Dmen.</p>


 </p>


Versteeg needs to simplify his game a little.  His series was no worse than Sharp's, and at least he compete's for loose pucks</p>
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 </p>


Don't agree at all. Versteeg was noticeably worse than Sharp. Sharp was at least getting involved on the forecheck and throwing his body around. Was fairly good in the offensive zone, just couldn't finish. Versteeg was not credited with a SINGLE hit in the series and just kept making stupid play after stupid play. He also had only six shots. Sharp had 23. **** Versteeg. Morin is better in pretty much every way, and comparing Versteeg to Sharp is ridiculous.</p>

 

[LordKOTL]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pmxcodano" data-cid="227658" data-time="1398716569">
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Bollig in his limited time...does what he's supposed to do.  Be physical.  No problem for him to get his few minutes a game, as long as he finishes the hits he does on the Dmen.</p>


 </p>


Versteeg needs to simplify his game a little.  His series was no worse than Sharp's, and at least he compete's for loose pucks</p>
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I agree on the simplifying the game, but I disagree that he has a series equal to Sharp's.  Sharp, based on my eye-test, may have needed to be hooked like a bad vaudeville act to finally score, but he was about neutral when it came to play defensively and protecting the puck (Hoss OTOH, may have been snakebit but was very strong, defensively).  Versteeg on the other hand was a liability defensively and protecting the puck.  He'd hold onto it for too long, and get his pocket picked.  Against a team like the Avs that has speed to burn, it could cripple us.</p>


 </p>


But again, all it takes is him simplifying his game.  The caveat is that Smith was basically plugged in for him and played exemplary, so Versteeg is not critical to winning as much as, say, Sharp.  So it's possible to have him on a short leash.  I just really hope game 6 was a wake-up call for him. If not, Smith can take his spot and Morin, Regin, Officer Nordberg, etc. can fill in for him and if not scoring, at least shouldn't be a liability defensively.</p>

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

I wish Vancouver had made these playoffs, it would've been nice to lay the smack down on their dying franchise this year. </p>


 </p>


It is to the point where I almost feel bad for them....almost. </p>

 

[Variable]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pez68" data-cid="227661" data-time="1398717295">
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Don't agree at all. Versteeg was noticeably worse than Sharp. Sharp was at least getting involved on the forecheck and throwing his body around. Was fairly good in the offensive zone, just couldn't finish. Versteeg was not credited with a SINGLE hit in the series and just kept making stupid play after stupid play. He also had only six shots. Sharp had 23. **** Versteeg. Morin is better in pretty much every way, and comparing Versteeg to Sharp is ridiculous.</p>
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Yeah it's not for a lack of trying that Sharp hasn't really shown up on the stat sheet.</p>


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I just don't understand why if you're going to bench Versteeg, how Morin doesn't get that chance first.</p>

 

[PatrickShart]

Its simple</p>


 </p>


Nordstrom plays a responsible defensive game, Morin doesn't and the coaches aren't comfortable putting him in a playoff game when smarts matter.</p>

 

[Variable]

I think you can trust anyone to be defensively responsible for the two minutes of ice time he had.</p>

 

[PatrickShart]

Oh right...now he needs more ice time for the 12th forward in an elimination game


Probably should sit Kane a little more to get Morin/Nordstrom more ice time


Q is an idiot

 

[PatrickShart]

So with Kane, Hossa, Shaw as the RW's...who should Q taken ice time from to give Nordstrom or Morin more ice time for?

 

[Variable]

Never said to take away from Kane's ice time. I said if you're going to have him play limited minutes, may as well give it to the guy who's earned it with his play. It'd be a stretch to say the two minutes he plays  are soooo defensively irresponsible that it wouldn't be worth it when he's outplayed Versteeg, and I liked the Versteeg move at first.</p>


 </p>


The obvious, easy answer would be to not even play Bollig, but that's not going to happen. Hell I was surprised Versteeg got benched and Bollig will apparently never be benched, ever. I've come to terms with that, that's just the way it's going to be. Q could dress that guy and have him play for less than a minute and some people  will still say he's "needed" for a physical presence. </p>

 

[the canadian dream]

Yah because Bollig hasn't earned any ice time at all this year. None what so ever.</p>

 

[PatrickShart]

Well if you want to give someone more ice time to have to take time away from someone. Minutes don't fall out of the sky


And yes, bench Bollig, who has played to his strengths/role when you say dress people that 'deserve' it.


I guess you're right dream, Bollig doesn't deserve it...And Nordstrom apparently not either


So variable, when you played and were hit hard by a big winger on a forecheck, it didn't hurt/wear you down?

 

[Pez68]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pmxcodano" data-cid="227674" data-time="1398726409">
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So with Kane, Hossa, Shaw as the RW's...who should Q taken ice time from to give Nordstrom or Morin more ice time for?</p>
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 </p>


Shaw has played center most of the season. Pretty sure he only moved to RW in the last couple games, when Handzus was finally demoted to the 4th line in favor of Smith.</p>


 </p>


The reality of the situation is that Bollig and Handzus are both liabilities even strength, which is why both have had their ES time cut to almost nothing. Who that last forward is really doesn't matter when the coaching staff only trusts the 4th line enough to give them 2-4 minutes at ES.</p>


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So I guess you roll the top three lines and see how far it gets you.</p>

 

[Ton]

I don't know a single person that believes Nordstrom deserved to play over Morin except Q and pmx.</p>


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Then again, I don't know anyone.</p>

 

[the canadian dream]

Who gives a **** about Bolligs and Nordstroms minutes anyways?</p>


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What the ****? </p>


 </p>


 </p>


Hows about Saad score a fucking goal next round? How about Sharp not wait until the 3rd period in game 6 to hit twine? </p>


 </p>


Lets get priorities straight. **** Bollig, **** Nordstrom and **** Morin. Who really gives two shits about these guys? Those aren't the guys who have to have better games as the Hawks move forward.</p>

 

[PatrickShart]

I'll take that company


Same with Handzus too


Morin isn't the smartest player in the world. I don't want a mental giant like that sitting for 10-12 min then expect him to play. I'd rather trust a guy that has better defensive insticts


But lets play who the fans think they should vote in. And if they dress him, he better get equal ice time, I mean....mommy and daddy are in the stands


And yes, when they took the 5-7 penalties a game, you can roll 3 lines and win the series, just like they did. And if the next series dictates something different, you adjust - as the 3 time Stanley Cup winning coach has done

 

[PatrickShart]

Tcd...gramma Morin was at the game and didn't see poor Jeremy dress one time!!

 

[PatrickShart]

Oh...And Pirri tweeted free Morin...so see...he's not appreciated ..sniff sniff