Myers reporting tonight's lines same as game four.

Myers reporting tonight's lines same as game four.
- Return of the Roar

Really? I'm surprised to see Carcillo back in the line-up.

But that's not San Jose's game, so I doubt they would completely change their strategy and play an unproven (for them) style.
- DarthKane

I am hoping you're right but if I were SJ and didn't think I could beat the Hawks I'd employ this system in a heartbeat. The End justifies the means.

Just want to point out that the Hawks and Q have minimally worried about match ups through out the year. Philosophy being, imo, having superior talent makes matching up the other teams problems.

That said, having Bolland back as "shut down" guy and/or switching to a reactionary matchup strategy is highly unlikely. Having Bolland back is a good thing, but the paradigm you are referencing probably is not part of the planning from Hawk perspective.
- TrueGrit

Welcome back!

Really? I'm surprised to see Carcillo back in the line-up.
- DarthKane

Me too. Hope he gets some playing time for a PHUCKING CHANGE.

Just want to point out that the Hawks and Q have minimally worried about match ups through out the year. Philosophy being, imo, having superior talent makes matching up the other teams problems.

That said, having Bolland back as "shut down" guy and/or switching to a reactionary matchup strategy is highly unlikely. Having Bolland back is a good thing, but the paradigm you are referencing probably is not part of the planning from Hawk perspective.
- TrueGrit

Good to see you back TG

Really? I'm surprised to see Carcillo back in the line-up.
- DarthKane

I'm not....Bollig really didn't do much while he was in there however, he did have more minutes than Gorilla Salad so in a way it's more of a "what's the point" kinda deal.

Good to see you back TG

- philco28

Thank you, gonna stick to cameos, been enjoying all the playoff action. Hoping for the closeout game tonight.

Welcome back!
- paulr

Thanks Paul, hope all is well up there.

The key to a Hawks-Sharks series will probably be Sharks PP vs. Hawks PK. If the Hawks hold SJ to about 15%, the series should be theirs. If SJ does 20-25% or better, the Hawks will be in trouble.

Noemi is also more likely to steal a series than Crawford is
- John Jaeckel

I wrote this last night.....what do you think-


If Detroit ends up losing this series and we have to play the Sharts then so be it.....they don't scare me and the Hawks pretty much owned them this year. Yes the regular season doesn't matter but it could serve a mental road block for SJ. Against the Nucks their PP was incredible but V'couvers PK was brutal. No sacrifice, poor support and never seemed to clog a lane. Compared to the team D of the Hawks this should be a concern for the Sharts. Also the Hawks rarely take stupid penalties and stay out of the box, the same cannot be said of the Nucks. It seemed like SJ was on the pp 3-4 times a period. Plus, against a more disciplined team like the Hawks SJ won't be able to rely on the pp to generate goals and gain momentum. It will be a physical series and like I said, against the bigger teams it's important for the Hawks to score first. Scoring.....Niemi....if this becomes a battle of goalies we as Hawk fans may be disappointed with the results. Up until the last game Niemi was phenomenal. Now, the Hawks seem to have figured out Niemi this season. Like he was with the Hawks, rebounds in front of the net are plentiful and it will be how the Hawks will score the majority of their goals. Net presence will win this series as well as a strong PK. The Sharts really don't have the depth and as good as they played against the Nucks it was more of Vancouver playing stupid and not focused than anything else. Now if Detroit wins this series....then I just wasted ten minutes of my life....anyway those are my thoughts.....

Great story by Jason Botchford, Canuck beat writer, about the Canucks being the biggets whinners and divers in the league and the only way to ditch that reputation is to shut up. Good and truthful read.

http://www.theprovince.co...hining/8357415/story.html

Thanks Paul, hope all is well up there.
- TrueGrit

Getting decent weather finally, that sure helps!

I'm not....Bollig really didn't do much while he was in there however, he did have more minutes than Gorilla Salad so in a way it's more of a "what's the point" kinda deal.
- UnnamedSource

From an output perspective it's not a big deal who plays, but I find that Bollig is less likely to take a stupid penalty so I thought he may play.

Thank you, gonna stick to cameos, been enjoying all the playoff action. Hoping for the closeout game tonight.
- TrueGrit

Good stuff bro....and think every Hawk fan here is hoping the same re: your last comment


Any word on if Backstrom is in the hemp hut tonight ? Have to think if he padded up to backup last game...he'll play tonight with the season ON THE LINE.

Good stuff bro....and think every Hawk fan here is hoping the same re: your last comment


Any word on if Backstrom is in the hemp hut tonight ? Have to think if he padded up to backup last game...he'll play tonight with the season ON THE LINE.
- philco28

Myers tweeting all three goalies are at practice - Harding with his own net and Backstrom and Kuempfer sharing the other. Retweets Russo - Harding also taking all the shots from the D and looking slow to get up. He thinks he still starts.

EDIT: Yeo talking to Mason by bench. Now they're looking at Backstrom and Kuemper. Backy doesn't look good either. Not a good situation. (Russo Min Star Trib)

Good stuff bro....and think every Hawk fan here is hoping the same re: your last comment


Any word on if Backstrom is in the hemp hut tonight ? Have to think if he padded up to backup last game...he'll play tonight with the season ON THE LINE.
- philco28

OK Philco Bowen!

I wrote this last night.....what do you think-


If Detroit ends up losing this series and we have to play the Sharts then so be it.....they don't scare me and the Hawks pretty much owned them this year. Yes the regular season doesn't matter but it could serve a mental road block for SJ. Against the Nucks their PP was incredible but V'couvers PK was brutal. No sacrifice, poor support and never seemed to clog a lane. Compared to the team D of the Hawks this should be a concern for the Sharts. Also the Hawks rarely take stupid penalties and stay out of the box, the same cannot be said of the Nucks. It seemed like SJ was on the pp 3-4 times a period. Plus, against a more disciplined team like the Hawks SJ won't be able to rely on the pp to generate goals and gain momentum. It will be a physical series and like I said, against the bigger teams it's important for the Hawks to score first. Scoring.....Niemi....if this becomes a battle of goalies we as Hawk fans may be disappointed with the results. Up until the last game Niemi was phenomenal. Now, the Hawks seem to have figured out Niemi this season. Like he was with the Hawks, rebounds in front of the net are plentiful and it will be how the Hawks will score the majority of their goals. Net presence will win this series as well as a strong PK. The Sharts really don't have the depth and as good as they played against the Nucks it was more of Vancouver playing stupid and not focused than anything else. Now if Detroit wins this series....then I just wasted ten minutes of my life....anyway those are my thoughts.....
- UnnamedSource

San Jose has been a different team since the last time the Hawks played them. Moving Brent Burns to forward was a genius move on their part.

Good stuff bro....and think every Hawk fan here is hoping the same re: your last comment


Any word on if Backstrom is in the hemp hut tonight ? Have to think if he padded up to backup last game...he'll play tonight with the season ON THE LINE.
- philco28

no apparently Yeo thinks this great big secret of who is in net will have a big impact on how the hwks approach this gme...

comic relief...it really does not matter coach

San Jose has been a different team since the last time the Hawks played them. Moving Brent Burns to forward was a genius move on their part.
- MartiniMan

And if we are relying on net presence from the Hawks to be a factor.....

Very much agree - SJ a much different and better team.

Thanks Paul, hope all is well up there.
- TrueGrit

Hi TG

Great story by Jason Botchford, Canuck beat writer, about the Canucks being the biggets whinners and divers in the league and the only way to ditch that reputation is to shut up. Good and truthful read.

http://www.theprovince.co...hining/8357415/story.html
- paulr

Next is to blame the statue:

Roll up to the Rogers Arena entrance and what greets you is a statue of Roger Nielsen, raising a stick high in the air with a towel draped on the butt end like a white flag. It lampoons the refs, immortalizing their ineptness, while whispering in every fan’s ear, “Your team didn’t lose, it got screwed. Royally.”

Oh how true, oh how true. And Mr. Nielsen achieved that fame in none other than Chicago Stadium, 1982 Campbell Conference Finals.

San Jose has been a different team since the last time the Hawks played them. Moving Brent Burns to forward was a genius move on their part.
- MartiniMan

Also getting rid of the human pylons Clowe and Murray automatically improved the overall team speed.

Also getting rid of the human pylons Clowe and Murray automatically improved the overall team speed.
- paulr

Don't forget Handzus. Not exactly lightning fast himself.

Don't forget Handzus. Not exactly lightning fast himself.
- Return of the Roar

Shhhhhhh

Shhhhhhh
- paulr

Yeah - wouldn't want to harm my credibility.