So NHL refs can't find one minor penalty to call against the Rangers for 4 plus periods, but the Sens break the rules 70 seconds into game 1 tonight...
- ArlingtonRob

I HATE complaining about the officials. I certainly don't believe in conspiracies. But that caps/rangers series had some weird inconsistencies

will miss having you guys in the west.....next time we have a series is the finals
- nellie

It is killing me....grew up in Detroit, but live in Chicago. Love this rivalry, and I genuinely like both teams.

I will also miss the west coast games. During the season, it is when I get a chance to sit down with some peace and quiet and actually watch, instead of just having the game on.

I wish Q, Kitchen, and Kompon would interrupt their slumber party with fuzzy slippers and Bonbons to watch this Pens power play. Maybe they'd learn something.

That Pageau kid is pretty slick.

So NHL refs can't find one minor penalty to call against the Rangers for 4 plus periods, but the Sens break the rules 70 seconds into game 1 tonight...
- ArlingtonRob

At least no quick whistle on Sens goal.

At least no quick whistle on Sens goal.
- eagle50

Ref was right behind the net - could clearly see the puck just sitting there.

Ref was right behind the net - could clearly see the puck just sitting there.
- StLBravesFan

Are you saying give them time?Just joking,easy to buy into referee conspiracy theories or not.

- philco28

I HATE complaining about the officials. I certainly don't believe in conspiracies. But that caps/rangers series had some weird inconsistencies
- miked23

I fully understand the idea of "letting the teams play" during intense playoff games, but to completely swallow the whistle after an entire season calling games a particular way...

...that just doesn't seem right.

Watching the 3rd period of game 7 between the Bruins and Leafs was a classic example of swallowing the whistle. But I don't think that had an impact on the result.

Good Hawks-Wings preview by Kevin Allen here:

http://www.usatoday.com/s...iew-second-round/2159449/

Are you saying give them time?Just joking,easy to buy into referee conspiracy theories or not.
- eagle50

They see what the want to see.

Love your blogs JJ and I know the Sens are a popular upset choice but Pens have too much fire power for even Anderson ..even though McClean is an Antigonish Nova Scotia boy


I hate the Kings boring dump and chase ....clog up the neutral zone so I tend to cheer for fast offensive teams like the Hawks and Pens

As fans we don't need to go back to dull boring Hockey

Don't forget the olesz moments....
- UnnamedSource

A little slice of heaven.

A little slice of heaven.
- HawkintheD

Memories

One thing that hasn't been discussed is with all the talk about Smith being inserted in the line up, it pretty much means if healthy there will be a roster spot for him next year.......

One thing that hasn't been discussed is with all the talk about Smith being inserted in the line up, it pretty much means if healthy there will be a roster spot for him next year.......
- UnnamedSource

I think it's still a bit too early to discuss that. Who knows what moves the organ-I-zation is going to make between now and the first couple of days of free agency?

I will agree, barring any roster changes and good health, Smith has a better shot than most of the other kids in Rockford at making the Hawks roster this fall.

One thing that hasn't been discussed is with all the talk about Smith being inserted in the line up, it pretty much means if healthy there will be a roster spot for him next year.......
- UnnamedSource

He is making roster money next year,But he is on a 2 way?I think that like a lot of people here,Q likes him as well.

One thing that hasn't been discussed is with all the talk about Smith being inserted in the line up, it pretty much means if healthy there will be a roster spot for him next year.......
- UnnamedSource

Hope he gets a legit shot for sure. I liked him in the limited time I saw mostly because at the time he seemed to be the only player besides Toews willing to get his nose dirty to get a goal.

It's too bad his career's been derailed a bit with the injuries.

He is making roster money next year,But he is on a 2 way?I think that like a lot of people here,Q likes him as well.
- eagle50

No, Smith and Bollig both have NHL contracts next season.

It is killing me....grew up in Detroit, but live in Chicago. Love this rivalry, and I genuinely like both teams.

I will also miss the west coast games. During the season, it is when I get a chance to sit down with some peace and quiet and actually watch, instead of just having the game on.
- TedJacob

Hey Ted tough choices to have...saw your info about Jim Nill earlier...think he'll be good for the Stars...still Nieuwendyk gave away some real talent I thought...Ott and Ryder in particular. I would have loved to see Ryder here with the Hawks. Physical and can put the puck in the net.

No question Nill should pick his own coach.. ex Hawk Curt Fraser coached in their system and is the Asst. Coach down there and has been retained by the team...hmmm...

Hey Ted tough choices to have...saw your info about Jim Nill earlier...think he'll be good for the Stars...still Nieuwendyk gave away some real talent I thought...Ott and Ryder in particular. I would have loved to see Ryder here with the Hawks. Physical and can put the puck in the net.

No question Nill should pick his own coach.. ex Hawk Curt Fraser coached in their system and is the Asst. Coach down there and has been retained by the team...hmmm...
- DK002

And fraser played in their organization. That was a tough trade. I want to say maybe a little after christmas in 88, I think. Fraser was one of my favrite hawks. Great 2nd line with murray and eddie o. But graham was a great pro, too. Him and sutter were such a great penalty-killing tandem

Love your blogs JJ and I know the Sens are a popular upset choice but Pens have too much fire power for even Anderson ..even though McClean is an Antigonish Nova Scotia boy


I hate the Kings boring dump and chase ....clog up the neutral zone so I tend to cheer for fast offensive teams like the Hawks and Pens

As fans we don't need to go back to dull boring Hockey
- PEIHawkFan

3-1 Pittsburg after 2

I always hated teams that get outplayed 5-on5 but win by just scoring powerplay goals. Where would the pens be over the last decade without their powerplay?

And fraser played in their organization. That was a tough trade. I want to say maybe a little after christmas in 88, I think. Fraser was one of my favrite hawks. Great 2nd line with murray and eddie o. But graham was a great pro, too. Him and sutter were such a great penalty-killing tandem
- tomcat24

They were really deep with Savard-Secord-Larmer, troy Murray & curt Fraser, Doug wilson, tony o & banner man ...

Those were the days. It was disappointing when Keenan broke up that team, But he seems to have realized early that the game was changing.

They were really deep with Savard-Secord-Larmer, troy Murray & curt Fraser, Doug wilson, tony o & banner man ...

Those were the days. It was disappointing when Keenan broke up that team, But he seems to have realized early that the game was changing.
- Q...argh

I always wondered if they were good enough to win Cups if it wasn't for always playing the oilers. And how good was Bannerman? He has one of the most famous goalie names here thanks to pat foley but was he good enough to win a Cup with? And if only those keenan teams had a sniper or 2 they could have won a few Cups with that great D and belfour