The whole 1st line has been bad, is Saad the problem? I suppose it's possible that he's dragging Toews and Hossa down, but I'm not so sure. Individually I don't really think he's looked any worse than his line mates. IMO, everyone in the top 6 not named Kane needs to step it up a notch or two.
- Ogilthorpe2[/quote]

Almost totally agree. Think Sharp's been ok but Toews has been near invisible other than a few sequences of some sustained pressure. Even though there are others who can pick up some of the scoring slack, really need him to show up starting with game 4.

No point in going out on the ledge after one loss. Forget Mayers unless its just to replace Bollig and be an extra faceoff man. Carcillo would automatically be in the lineup for me tomorrow night in place of #52. And Handzus would be back to 10-12 minutes and specialty situation time - don't want him as regular 2C.
- RickJ

Does Kruger move up to 2C then? Would be nice if Sharp would and stick Carcillo or Frolik on that line with Kane and Sharp.

have to give carcillo or mayers a chance....Hayes was not noticeable at all last spring against Phoenix. He's slow, and doesn't play to this size.....yet
- SteveRain

Yes, give carbomb a chance....I like his intensity.

Does Kruger move up to 2C then? Would be nice if Sharp would and stick Carcillo or Frolik on that line with Kane and Sharp.
- HawkintheD

It depends how close Bolland is to returning. If 36 will be back in game 5 then keep things the way they are (maybe swap 52 and 13 at most). When Bolland returns:

20 - 19 - 81
10 - 36 - 88
29 - 65 - 25
52/13/26 - 16 - 67

If Bolland isn't close to returning then I'd go with this:

20 - 19 - 81
10 - 16 - 88
29 - 65 - 25
52/13 - 26 - 67

It depends how close Bolland is to returning. If 36 will be back in game 5 then keep things the way they are (maybe swap 52 and 13 at most). When Bolland returns:

20 - 19 - 81
10 - 36 - 88
29 - 65 - 25
52/13/26 - 16 - 67

If Bolland isn't close to returning then I'd go with this:

20 - 19 - 81
10 - 16 - 88
29 - 65 - 25
52/14 - 26 - 67
- DarthKane

Who is 14? Or is that a typo and supposed to be 13?

Who is 14? Or is that a typo and supposed to be 13?
- NewToHockey

14 is Joe College.

PS. I'm free!!!!

As you have stated in so many words... Crawford isn't the guy making 6.3, 6 or 8 mil...
- ilinkhawk

speaking of the big $$$ players as the crawford dump fest continues....how about the captain....3 goals in his last 27 playoff gmes.....this team could use a few bad, good, or great goals from him....

The whole 1st line has been bad, is Saad the problem? I suppose it's possible that he's dragging Toews and Hossa down, but I'm not so sure. Individually I don't really think he's looked any worse than his line mates. IMO, everyone in the top 6 not named Kane needs to step it up a notch or two.
- Ogilthorpe2

Toews is the problem, every line has "the driver" and for that line its Toews. He hasn't been miserable, but he certainly hasn't been good or even close to great. Imagine how tough it is for the 20 year old kid when the all-star captain is pressing and not playing his best.

speaking of the big $$$ players as the crawford dump fest continues....how about the captain....3 goals in his last 27 playoff gmes.....this team could use a few bad, good, or great goals from him....
- bogiedoc

I'd say 3 in the last 16, its kind of arbitrary to break up the cup run when he had the third best playoffs pts wise since the lockout

....and if you had the same lineup that skates in front of Quick you would likely be down 2-1 also.

Blackhawks get deserved loss to Wild 3-2 in OT - MY FOX CHICAGO; http://bit.ly/18pnVwV
- Al

I didn't totally understand this, sorry Al. But Quick has been fantastic and comparing Crawford to him in these playoffs or overall is just silly

speaking of the big $$$ players as the crawford dump fest continues....how about the captain....3 goals in his last 27 playoff gmes.....this team could use a few bad, good, or great goals from him....
- bogiedoc

Not sure where you got those numbers...but they aren't right...

He had 2 vs Phoenix last year in 6
He had 1 vs Vancouver in 7
Zero this year in 3

I can remember game 2 vs SJ he had 2...so that's at least 5 in 26 games.....I think Kane is actually worse then that....Either way, core needs to step up

I'd say 3 in the last 16, its kind of arbitrary to break up the cup run when he had the third best playoffs pts wise since the lockout
- rollpards19

ok and those were all 1st round games...kane has 1 goal during that span (and yes he is playing much better all around) and hossa has only 3 goals during that span.

7 goals in 16 playoff gmes from your top 3 offensive guys; all first round gmes....not good; these guys need to start filling the net when it counts

I didn't totally understand this, sorry Al. But Quick has been fantastic and comparing Crawford to him in these playoffs or overall is just silly
- rollpards19

at least 2 soft goals I can think of...but hey he JQ con Smythe...not allowed to talk about those; but both were gme losers...

Jonathan Quick making me appreciate Corey Crawford

at least 2 soft goals I can think of...but hey he JQ con Smythe...not allowed to talk about those; but both were gme losers...
- bogiedoc

Bad timing, he'd been amazing up until now (minus the give away)

ok and those were all 1st round games...kane has 1 goal during that span (and yes he is playing much better all around) and hossa has only 3 goals during that span.

7 goals in 16 playoff gmes from your top 3 offensive guys; all first round gmes....not good; these guys need to start filling the net when it counts
- bogiedoc

For sure, that's why haven't won. Toews needs one of those 3 point dominate everybody games, I think he'll get it on Tuesday. Last year was tough for Toews too (broken brain)

What a shame Hiller gave up a "softie" to Datsyuk to tie it in the third.

Bad timing, he'd been amazing up until now (minus the give away)
- rollpards19

bad timing....what???

guess craw has bad timing to...

What a shame Hiller gave up a "softie" to Datsyuk to tie it in the third.
- ArlingtonRob

no way rob....only crawford does that....

BTW that was no soft goal...omg thatsa snipers shot; high just under the cross bar, extremely difficult for any goalie to snag that

Wait, so is Car bomb and Gorilla salad the same person? You (frank)ers and your nicknames

Wait, so is Car bomb and Gorilla salad the same person? You (frank)ers and your nicknames
- SotaPopinski

Wait, so is Car bomb and Gorilla salad the same person? You (frank)ers and your nicknames
- SotaPopinski

yes...one in the same...Daniel Carcillo

I don't even want to know how one acquires the nickname Gorilla salad

Oh my...it appears Elliott has given up 2 "softies" so LA has tied up the Blues late in the first.

14 is Joe College.

PS. I'm free!!!!
- Beaver-Warrior

Mre too..... them banana eaters can't keep me down