Time to start watching some other teams. The Sharks have been re-tooled and became a damn sight better after they lost those 2 turtles the fans here loved.
so much - Douglas Murray and Ryan Clowe.

Couture, Thornton, Pavelski and Gomez down the middle will be a chore for any team to handle. Vancouver certainly couldn't do it, and it definitely exposed that great candidate for the Hawks 2C position Derek Roy - totally useless in the series.

Would much prefer to see the Sharks and Raffi Torres play the Kings or Blues.
- RickJ

Really good point. Remember when Pit clinched the cup with their deadline acquisitions? Or Vancouver just became a cup contender with the best 2C available in Derek Roy? The Hawks obviously should have given up 3 draft picks for Ryan Clowe. The same Clowe who has made the SJ Sharks soooo much better, just be NOT being on their team haha.

I'd much rather face the Wings than the Sharks.
- John Jaeckel

Picking opponents or having a wish list is something I'd rather not want to do, however, if the hockey Gods are smiling on 1901 W. Madison St., the Wings eliminate the Mallards & face the 'Hawks. What's left of LA/StL gets into a steel cage death match with the Big Fish and the 'Hawks meet what's left of all that in the WCF.

3 DOWN, 13 TO GO

3 points in 4 games is no numbers? He has a goal and 2 assists.
- John Jaeckel

OK, not "no numbers". His 3-zone play has impressed me more overall. And has a huge tricke down affect on the other lines.

I really expected to see the 1st line do more. Don't know why but at 4 games, I really expected to see Hoss and Toews with 5-6 pts each.

The poster who said Hossa has been awful in this series is a fairly regular Saad booster. Others as well have said the issue with the non-production of the first line isn't Saad but "the other two guys." OK . . .

And hey, Saad has 0 points and is -4. Certainly not off limits (to anyone looking at it objectively). it absolutely has something to do with him. He's a "first line player" who has been a ghost thus far.
- John Jaeckel

Fair, but blaming Saad for Toews and Hossa struggling is too easy. Two of the best players in the game should be able to contribute regardless of who else is on the wing. Toews and Hossa need to start dominating a little more like we all know they can if this team wants to go far.

Really good point. Remember when Pit clinched the cup with their deadline acquisitions? Or Vancouver just became a cup contender with the best 2C available in Derek Roy? The Hawks obviously should have given up 3 draft picks for Ryan Clowe. The same Clowe who has made the SJ Sharks soooo much better, just be NOT being on their team haha.
- coldsteelonice

Roy? Don't think a lot were clammoring here for him? Were they? I wasn't.

PGH? Fleury could be their downfall if Vokoun doesn't bail them out; who knows.

Clowe could have been a great addition here; depending on who it cost the 'Hawks. SJ is just clicking now. But don't forget, they're in the Nux minds now like Buff was in 09/10. They also played a team full of choke & cheap-shot artists.

The poster who said Hossa has been awful in this series is a fairly regular Saad booster. Others as well have said the issue with the non-production of the first line isn't Saad but "the other two guys." OK . . .

And hey, Saad has 0 points and is -4. Certainly not off limits (to anyone looking at it objectively). it absolutely has something to do with him. He's a "first line player" who has been a ghost thus far.
- John Jaeckel

And also, I think Saad is a "future first line player" but that was the one spot I was hoping the Hawks traded for at the deadline. Iginla/Clarkson. I didn't want to have to rely on Saad in the playoffs. But the bright side is that Saad's experience on the 1st line this year has been tremendous for his development, and the playoff experience will pay dividends in the future. I just don't see many better options there right now. Maybe swap Saad and Stalberg, but otherwise Saad stays top 6.

Roy? Don't think a lot were clammoring here for him? Were they? I wasn't.

PGH? Fleury could be their downfall if Vokoun doesn't bail them out; who knows.

Clowe could have been a great addition here; depending on who it cost the 'Hawks. SJ is just clicking now. But don't forget, they're in the Nux minds now like Buff was in 09/10. They also played a team full of choke & cheap-shot artists.
- blackhawk24

Every time there was a trade, THAT was the missing piece that Bowman failed to get. Didn't matter the player ha.

If announcers and fans can pronounce Ko-Petch-Key as "Kopetsky," then I can spell a Swede's name the German way.
- Q...argh

Fair enough, but I recommend you take Ogi's lead and emphasize the H more...

...Viktor StaHlberg

And also, I think Saad is a "future first line player" but that was the one spot I was hoping the Hawks traded for at the deadline. Iginla/Clarkson. I didn't want to have to rely on Saad in the playoffs. But the bright side is that Saad's experience on the 1st line this year has been tremendous for his development, and the playoff experience will pay dividends in the future. I just don't see many better options there right now. Maybe swap Saad and Stalberg, but otherwise Saad stays top 6.
- coldsteelonice

Apart from one neutral zone turnover, thought Saad played a nice game yesterday in all 200 feet feet of ice and showed his speed.

And how about that backcheck by #88 in the first period!

It's nice to see Bickell playing so well, I really hope Stan brings him back.
- DarthKane

I'd agree. When he plays a physical game, I prefer him over Stalberg. While Nik has the wheels, he's the Nook LaLoosh of hockey when finishing.

Fair, but blaming Saad for Toews and Hossa struggling is too easy. Two of the best players in the game should be able to contribute regardless of who else is on the wing. Toews and Hossa need to start dominating a little more like we all know they can if this team wants to go far.
- coldsteelonice

Who's doing that? Not me. That line has struggled because MN has focused some great defensive players on it and Harding has stood on his head at times.

Toews is getting a lot of chances and Hossa has been fine. He was very good last night.

Carcillo and Bollig have both been useless in this series...Can I please seen Ben Smith?
- waitforawhistle

yeah. once again we see why Carcillo is useless. no matter what, he is always going to be called for something. this was very apparent last year...if he was in the area and anything sketchy happened, he was going to the box.

i'm not saying he's always guilty, but it doesn't matter anymore. if he's going to keep getting sent to the box, he can't be out there.

Apart from one neutral zone turnover, thought Saad played a nice game yesterday in all 200 feet feet of ice and showed his speed.

And how about that backcheck by #88 in the first period!
- RickJ

In fairness, Saad had a terrific backcheck as well, he is a good two way player.

Really good point. Remember when Pit clinched the cup with their deadline acquisitions? Or Vancouver just became a cup contender with the best 2C available in Derek Roy? The Hawks obviously should have given up 3 draft picks for Ryan Clowe. The same Clowe who has made the SJ Sharks soooo much better, just be NOT being on their team haha.
- coldsteelonice

Let's not get ahead of ourselves though, as the Hawks are beating an undermanned (Backstrom, Pominville, Heatley) Wild team. Not that I expected them to lose to this team even with those guys, the Hawks haven't won the Cup yet, and it's only going to get more difficult. Should the Hawks lose in the second round, some people are going to lose the minds.

Roy? Don't think a lot were clammoring here for him? Were they? I wasn't.

PGH? Fleury could be their downfall if Vokoun doesn't bail them out; who knows.

Clowe could have been a great addition here; depending on who it cost the 'Hawks. SJ is just clicking now. But don't forget, they're in the Nux minds now like Buff was in 09/10. They also played a team full of choke & cheap-shot artists.
- blackhawk24

I didn't want him either...and their really weren't any solid 2C's out there to acquire.
I want Sharp at 2C...wanted it since 2011 and still waiting.

In fairness, Saad had a terrific backcheck as well, he is a good two way player.
- John Jaeckel

Yes, same end of the ice as Kane's. Showed terrific speed and hustle on that play.

John:

Just here to say I told you so regarding the Sharks vs. the Canucks.

I don't think the Sharks will make it out of the second round if they face the Blackhawks, which perversely has me cheering for the Red Wings.

However, your prediction of a Canuck victory in the series was misguided given what had happened in the regular season.

I want to see this guy on the 4th line tomorrow

yeah. once again we see why Carcillo is useless. no matter what, he is always going to be called for something. this was very apparent last year...if he was in the area and anything sketchy happened, he was going to the box.

i'm not saying he's always guilty, but it doesn't matter anymore. if he's going to keep getting sent to the box, he can't be out there.
- dr_boloney

That penalty on Carcillo was an absolute joke. Explain how that was any different than Clutter##uck on Seabrook?

Who's doing that? Not me. That line has struggled because MN has focused some great defensive players on it and Harding has stood on his head at times.

Toews is getting a lot of chances and Hossa has been fine. He was very good last night.
- John Jaeckel

They really came back and played much better last night, 19 and 81 are pretty much the last guys I worry about every night.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves though, as the Hawks are beating an undermanned (Backstrom, Pominville, Heatley) Wild team. Not that I expected them to lose to this team even with those guys, the Hawks haven't won the Cup yet, and it's only going to get more difficult. Should the Hawks lose in the second round, some people are going to lose the minds.
- howiehandles

Backstrom is terrible, everyone making him out to be Pekka Rinne or something, he was one of the worst starting goalies in the NHL this year, he wasn't changing anything. Heatley is quite possibly the most overrated player in the NHL. I'd much rather have Bolland and Emery for the playoffs than Backstrom and Heatley. If the Wild had played better and secured a playoff spot, maybe Pominville wouldn't have had to play the Kings and gotten hurt. I hate this "undermanned" we should be beating them by more, the goal differential is 1.5 per game, pretty consistent with the Hawks regular season, people on this board treat optimism like the freaking plague

Carcillo and Bollig have both been useless in this series...Can I please seen Ben Smith?
- waitforawhistle

When Bolland comes back both Carcillo and Bollig will be one the bench.

I want to see this guy on the 4th line tomorrow


- prd797

I think we'll see him in the bottom 6 next season.

Really good point. Remember when Pit clinched the cup with their deadline acquisitions? Or Vancouver just became a cup contender with the best 2C available in Derek Roy? The Hawks obviously should have given up 3 draft picks for Ryan Clowe. The same Clowe who has made the SJ Sharks soooo much better, just be NOT being on their team haha.
- coldsteelonice

Remember when LA acquired Jeff Carter and finally scored enough goals to win/stabalized their lineup? Remember when the Bruins traded for Peverly and Kelly to give them the best 3rd line in the playoffs? Remember when the Sharks traded for Raffi Torres to make their team way better? I hate the trades don't work theory

Remember when LA acquired Jeff Carter and finally scored enough goals to win/stabalized their lineup? Remember when the Bruins traded for Peverly and Kelly to give them the best 3rd line in the playoffs? Remember when the Sharks traded for Raffi Torres to make their team way better? I hate the trades don't work theory
- rollpards19

Sometimes trades work and sometimes they don't. So far the Handzus trade has been a smashing success. But I don't think there was anyone that was traded that made me feel that Stan really missed out.