NHL Thread

[autry_denson]

I'm in shock. There have been maybe 2 or 3 times in my life where I have had almost no hope that my team could possibly win, and then a miracle happened. Tonight was one of those nights. I'll remember it forever, what a game.

 

[nlroma1o]

One of the greatest come backs I have ever seen... Down 3 is a hell of a mountain to climb with like 10 mins left in regulation.

 

[blueNDgold44]

Feel so bad for Reimer, no doubt Leafs wouldn't have made it half as far without him.

 

[chicago51]

Really looking forward to Blackhawks vs Red Wings. Original 6, intradivision, and just a classic rivalry.

Lets Go Hawks!

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Not many ppl giving the Wings a chance against the Hawks...I think the Wings will give them a run for their money.

Go Wings!

 

[Andy in Sactown]

Not many ppl giving the Wings a chance against the Hawks...I think the Wings will give them a run for their money.

Go Wings!

Shark fans out here are of the loose consensus that the wings will wear the hawks down and are quite happy about it, but ultimately they believe the wings have no chance of taking the series.

 

[ACamp1900]

Remind me, how'd Philly do in their series???...



Okay back to big league hockey teams... Quick is getting in that 'zone'... That's bad news for everyone else...

 

[calvegas04]

Go Kings Go!!

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Remind me, how'd Philly do in their series???...



Okay back to big league hockey teams... Quick is getting in that 'zone'... That's bad news for everyone else...

Yeah, he definitely looks like he is getting back to last year's form. I think the main thing he was missing early in the season after his back surgery was his flexibility. He wasn't as flexible and he was getting out of position a lot. Now, he looks like he has his flexibility back and he just seems to be in position to make the big saves.

This series has me worried based on what the Sharks did to Vancupless, but if the Kings can keep up the play they showed last night, they will win.

How about Penner playing the human wrecking ball out there. He was knocking over anyone in his path. That dude is a beast! At least when he wants to be.

 

[chicago51]

I got a bad feeling about game 1 of Blackhawks v Red Wings tonight.

I think the Blackhawks who have been off for a good amount of time drop game 1 tonight. Though I think they take the series in 6.

 

[ACamp1900]

I think Penner and Brown just simply can't survive a whole season playing the way they want to... so they (rightfully imo) save their bodies for the post season for the most part...

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

I think Penner and Brown just simply can't survive a whole season playing the way they want to... so they (rightfully imo) save their bodies for the post season for the most part...

You're absolutely right. Brown has really learned how to prolong his physical health in to the playoffs.

 

[chicago51]

Great getting game 1 Blackhawks!

I expect a tough series. Red Wings looked great in that 1st period. That 2nd period I thought did them in as they were on the defensive that whole period and expanded too much energy.

Game 2 is a afternoon game on NBC. Blackhawks don't always do great with those.

 

[ChiRish]

Last 30 minutes of that game was pure, dominating hockey by the Hawks. They're so deep all over the ice that they can rely on their defensemen (and even have them pinch) and goalie, allowing their forwards to have an aggressive forecheck. You saw it last night, where the Hawks destroyed Detroit in their own zone merely fighting for pucks and getting shots on net.

I expect the Wings to adjust and try to pass the puck out of the zone instead of carrying it out, but when the Hawks are rolling three/four lines deep like that, with the skill and aggressiveness on the forecheck and in their offensive zone, they're damn near impossible to stop. Beautiful thing to watch, let's hope they keep it up.

 

[nlroma1o]

Red Wings defintely got worn down last night. The Wings won the first period. Even my Hawks buddy admitted he was happy getting out of that period tied. Could easily have been 2-1 wings going into the second.

Defense really stuggled just clearing the puck in the second. Someone said it earlier, the Hawks just wore down the Wings.

I fully expect to see the Wings bounce back on Saturday after a 3 day break though.

After game 2, i think this series is gonna start getting super physical and scrappy. Gonna be brutal. Cant wait

GO WINGS!!!

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

This ridiculous schedule definitely favors Detroit, but in the end it won't matter.
The better team will win unless Howard puts in a couple out-of-his-mind performances.
I think last night's game turned when Babcock put 13 and 40 on the same line.
It generated offensive chances early on, but 19 and 81 eventually turned the tide and cancelled them out.
It allowed the rest of the Hawks to run wild.
That game reminded me of watching the Wings of 5 years ago... cycling puck possession out the a$$.
Loving Bolland back i his natural role of checking center.
Allows him to do what he does best instead of trying to keep up with two offensively gifted players, which he obviously can't.
Best game he's played all season.

 

[chicago51]

As a Blackhawks fan it was nice to see Dave Bolland back on the nice.

I thought he missed a great opportunity on a break away attempt. It is good to have back though, and I expect his play to improve has the series goes on.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

This ridiculous schedule definitely favors Detroit, but in the end it won't matter.
The better team will win unless Howard puts in a couple out-of-his-mind performances.
I think last night's game turned when Babcock put 13 and 40 on the same line.
It generated offensive chances early on, but 19 and 81 eventually turned the tide and cancelled them out.
It allowed the rest of the Hawks to run wild.
That game reminded me of watching the Wings of 5 years ago... cycling puck possession out the a$$.
Loving Bolland back i his natural role of checking center.
Allows him to do what he does best instead of trying to keep up with two offensively gifted players, which he obviously can't.
Best game he's played all season.

Um... I concur on all of this.

Jimmy Howard played out of his mind last night for two periods though. I'll take Crawford over him any day though.

 

[chicago51]

As far as the schedule goes in the Hawks/Wings series.

I agree the schedule helps the Red Wings.

The reason it worked out that way is because if they were to go every other day. Then game 2 would have been Friday. However there was the potential for a Bulls v Heat game 6 on Friday. So the NHL had to wait till Saturday for game 2.

What I don't get though is why wait from game 3 on Monday all the way to Thursday to play game 4?

Anyway this a minor thing and really isn't worth getting worked up about.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Anyway this a minor thing and really isn't worth getting worked up about.

All it's gonna do in the end is add another week of fluffy manliness to my playoff beard....

 

[chicago51]

I think Bruins vs Rangers has the potential to be a fantastic series.

 

[chicago51]

Go Kings Go!!

I am really trying not to look past the Red Wings but as a Blackhawks fan the one team that scares me the most is the LA Kings. Started too look like the team that won it all a year ago.

 

[blueNDgold44]

We should do something like the Buccigross over time challenge if anyone is interested

 

[RuntheBall]

Pens game tomorrow... I'm pumped. We (minus Crosby) looked good in game 1, hopefully we can maintain that this time. We looked more physical and didnt turn the puck over nearly as much though we still have to clean that up a bit.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Tough break at the end there.
I thought the puck went off Carter's shoulder, but you really couldn't tell.
Refs can't make that call when it isn't totally clear, especially when they're already short handed.

Good comeback LA, you're going to be a very tough out.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Thinking about that call further and it's even more ridiculous.

The refs wouldn't call a penalty in that situation unless a Shark takes away an obvious scoring chance or practically kills someone.
Yet a puck tossed over the glass, when Carter's stick and shoulder were right there and possibly deflected it, put's them in a 5 on 3.



insane

 

[KPENN]

Thinking about that call further and it's even more ridiculous.

The refs wouldn't call a penalty in that situation unless a Shark takes away an obvious scoring chance or practically kills someone.
Yet a puck tossed over the glass, when Carter's stick and shoulder were right there and possibly deflected it, put's them in a 5 on 3.



insane

The whole delay of game penalty is ridiculous. They need to scrape it and just treat it like an icing.

 

[nlroma1o]

The whole delay of game penalty is ridiculous. They need to scrape it and just treat it like an icing.

Yeah I am all for that. The Wings have had something like 6 delay of game penalties this year. So unneccesary...

 

[ChiRish]

This ridiculous schedule definitely favors Detroit, but in the end it won't matter.
The better team will win unless Howard puts in a couple out-of-his-mind performances.
I think last night's game turned when Babcock put 13 and 40 on the same line.
It generated offensive chances early on, but 19 and 81 eventually turned the tide and cancelled them out.
It allowed the rest of the Hawks to run wild.
That game reminded me of watching the Wings of 5 years ago... cycling puck possession out the a$$.
Loving Bolland back i his natural role of checking center.
Allows him to do what he does best instead of trying to keep up with two offensively gifted players, which he obviously can't.
Best game he's played all season.

Definitely agree with this. He's thrived in that role his entire career, especially in the playoffs. I am a little mixed on Handzus on the second line, though. We need him for faceoffs but I feel like he'll struggle to maximize the offensive fire power of 10 and 88 on either side of him too. Which I guess leaves us in the same spot we were in prior to this season - in need of a good 2nd line center.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Definitely agree with this. He's thrived in that role his entire career, especially in the playoffs. I am a little mixed on Handzus on the second line, though. We need him for faceoffs but I feel like he'll struggle to maximize the offensive fire power of 10 and 88 on either side of him too. Which I guess leaves us in the same spot we were in prior to this season - in need of a good 2nd line center.

I hate Handzus on the second line. Kane and Sharp are attacking the net while he's still huffing through the neutral zone. Second line center has been a weak spot for the Hawks since the cup win. Worst part is, the second line center is STILL ON THE TEAM! Why Sharp isn't 2C baffles and infuriates me. It was good enough to win it all, yet Q would rather experiment with Kane, Bolland, Shaw whoever. Why?

Imo, the lines should be:
Saad Toews Hoss
Stalberg Sharp Kane
Bickell Bolland Shaw
Frolik Kruger Zeus

You can switch Stal out with Hayes or Smith if he's still in the doghouse and Zeus will take faceoffs for Kruger but defend and play the wing.