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?
- tomcat24

It's part of the game and it's called talent

Power Plays are created by creating chances that take penalties to stop

Hooking...tripping ...holding and interference

But you knew all that

Hawks take less penalties than any team in the league...it all adds up

Pens destroying the Sens

It's part of the game and it's called talent

Power Plays are created by creating chances that take penalties to stop

Hooking...tripping ...holding and interference

But you knew all that

Hawks take less penalties than any team in the league...it all adds up

Pens destroying the Sens
- PEIHawkFan

When the penalties are warranted. Sure a lot of times the penalties are called because one team dominates the other and force them to take penalties. Not all the time, though. But yeah that post was just heat of the moment. I don't think the pens would lose 82 games if they didn't get pp goals

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
- tomcat24

Not really, no ... definitely a step down from espo, but he did have one pretty decent year IIRC.

Hawks were great, but OMG Edmonton was just unbeatable. They were stacked to the point of being unfair.

Not really, no ... definitely a step down from espo, but he did have one pretty decent year IIRC.

Hawks were great, but OMG Edmonton was just unbeatable. They were stacked to the point of being unfair.
- Q...argh

.

82-83 I really had hopes (ISLES IIRC). 85-86, I think, was the year that should have been ours. Or maybe I'm just senile ...

Not really, no ... definitely a step down from espo, but he did have one pretty decent year IIRC.

Hawks were great, but OMG Edmonton was just unbeatable. They were stacked to the point of being unfair.
- Q...argh

Thanks. I didn't think bannerman was that good, either. Yeah those oilers were fun to watch. It is too bad about the salary cap because the hawks could have been another dynasty. Not on par with those other dynasties but still a dynasty either way

.

82-83 I really had hopes (ISLES IIRC). 85-86, I think, was the year that should have been ours. Or maybe I'm just senile ...
- Q...argh

What year did steve smith have that famous screw-up into his own goal? I think calgay won the Cup that 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

Not if they lose and he's bad

What year did steve smith have that famous screw-up into his own goal? I think calgary won the Cup that year.
- tomcat24

'88-89 they won it. Smith had the OG in 86. Flames went to the finals and lost.

Not if they lose and he's bad
- rollpards19

For sure....the fact that he is even in the conversation at this point in the season says a lot though.

When the penalties are warranted. Sure a lot of times the penalties are called because one team dominates the other and force them to take penalties. Not all the time, though. But yeah that post was just heat of the moment. I don't think the pens would lose 82 games if they didn't get pp goals
- tomcat24

Fair enough

Love how the Hawks have a great PK and can roll four lines

The PP has not been the same since Campbell left town
A true Blue Line Quarter Back

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
- tomcat24

actually we had roenick and larmer (100+ points I think) thomas creighton goulet, graham played with a cracked kneecap---we had no more prayer vs mario lemieux and pens then we did against oilers----and belfour wasn't very good in the finals.....

not thinking Bannerman was close to ever being an all-star...the shame was that Hasak never got comfortable with us and he was maybe the best in the world

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

You would think Fraser is a possibility.

Every time there is a coaching opening, I can't help but think of whatever became of Mike Haviland, it is as if his name has completely dropped of the candidate radar.

Game 1 Pens vs. Sens

Boring...

Fair enough

Love how the Hawks have a great PK and can roll four lines

The PP has not been the same since Campbell left town
A true Blue Line Quarter Back
- PEIHawkFan

Losing campbell was a huge blow. I don't know if we get by vancouver those 1st 2 years with him and a great powerplay. Same with san jose. Our pk will need to continue being great afainst detroit. This could decide the series. But like you said rolling 4 capable lines will be hard to stop. I'm excited to have bolland back

actually we had roenick and larmer (100+ points I think) thomas creighton goulet, graham played with a cracked kneecap---we had no more prayer vs mario lemieux and pens then we did against oilers----and belfour wasn't very good in the finals.....

not thinking Bannerman was close to ever being an all-star...the shame was that Hasak never got comfortable with us and he was maybe the best in the world
- nellie

And belfour always had a bad habit of choking in game 1's. Imagine having roenick and lindros with hasek in goal. I forgot what the lindros trade was? Belfour, steve smith, other players and picks and cash? Can't remember the other players involved.

Fair enough

Love how the Hawks have a great PK and can roll four lines

The PP has not been the same since Campbell left town
A true Blue Line Quarter Back
- PEIHawkFan

It really hurts they don't have a one-timer guy, so many PP goals are scored like that. I've always wondered why Sharp can't take a one timer. He'd score 40 goals if he learned how to do it

he is definately one helluva phhhuuuckin bad influence on all of us here...what a jackwagon ICEHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


- bogiedoc

after reading jj's blog and al the posts here's my $.02

saad has not played well and is a potential replacement by bolland or smith

the secind line will stay as is
the third line will stay as is but stalberg will start hitting and shooting more from the deep corners to provide rebound opportunities. If all three of those gys are finishing checks the detroit defense will wear down quickly

the fourth line wing occupied by carcillo or bollig could be where smith finds ice time.
i dont see any other spots that warrant changes
this is just my $.02

he is definately one helluva phhhuuuckin bad influence on all of us here...what a jackwagon ICEHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


- bogiedoc

I hold him personally responsible for influencing my phucking bad behavior

after reading jj's blog and al the posts here's my $.02

saad has not played well and is a potential replacement by bolland or smith

the secind line will stay as is
the third line will stay as is but stalberg will start hitting and shooting more from the deep corners to provide rebound opportunities. If all three of those gys are finishing checks the detroit defense will wear down quickly

the fourth line wing occupied by carcillo or bollig could be where smith finds ice time.
i dont see any other spots that warrant changes
this is just my $.02
- molly2522

I can agree with this

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

That is why I hate the phrase "He took a penalty". Every player has committed a penalty or more every game. It's a great play if the refs don't call it.

That is why I hate the phrase "He took a penalty". Every player has committed a penalty or more every game. It's a great play if the refs don't call it.
- powerenforcer

I just hope they call a fair series with us

Not sure I agree with this. I think the forward lines match up pretty evenly, and this has been borne out in 5 on 5 play this year.

The difference is that the Wings D (2 and 27 in particular) don't handle the cycle down low pressure well. The fact that the Hawks have 4 if not 5 D that are very capable of pinching/ jumping in the play to sustain that pressure is big.

In the Hawks end the emergence of Abelkader on Datsyuk's line means that Seabrook will be dealing with 8 in front of the net. I am sure he can handle that, but it does leave Cleary, Bertuzzi and Samuelson free to spend more time in front of the net with someone other than Seabrook. I have a feeling Bertuzzi may end up playing with Andersson and Nyquist on the third line.

I also think 2/27 will be more aggressive than normal pinching and jumping into the play. They will give up some plays this way, but in the long run are better off applying the pressure rather than retreating to the area that they have a weakness with.

The Wings do have PP problem in particular the right point spot on the second unit.

I think the Hawks win, but this has the ability to be a great series, with both teams having a solid reason to apply aggressive play from the point or D jumping the rush in transition.

Q will have some decisions to make on forward as to wether to go with speed or grit.

This series (and type of play I expect) will offer Jimmy Howard the opportunity to graduate from excellent regular season goalie to Big Time status worthy of a 6 year 30 million dollar deal.

I CANT WAIT FOR FACEOFF TIME
- TedJacob

The Hawks defense is a big advantage but the Wings do one thing as well as anyone...

Get traffic in front of a goalie and send shots at the net...Simple hockey which not every Hawk line does as consistently.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

The Hawks defense is a big advantage but the Wings do one thing as well as anyone...

Get traffic in front of a goalie and send shots at the net...Simple hockey which not every Hawk line does as consistently.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

And they hold and interfere with the best of them

Sharts seem rusty and sluggish....hope the time off doesn't have the same impact on the Hawks.