The Hawks have put themselves into this hole by being very very bad at the power play.

There is no excuse . Look at all the talent on this team, zero results with the man advantage.

Disquesting.

Having a good goal taken away from you on the road never helps but the Hawks should never have been in that situation to vegin with...
- mrpaulish

The powerplay is a very small part of the problem. The real problem was Management's philosophy in deciding finesse play would beat out defense and physical play in the playoffs when there was no precedent for thinking this.

Detroit owns both slots. Simple. That's no accident. Babcock does more than just juggle lines. Plus he had 19, 7, 2 in the Olympics. I got roasted in the Daily Herald site for saying he would figure out how to beat the hawks from that experience, but the hawks didn't play Detroit in 2010. Man is snarky but a real good coach.

I have to believe something is wrong with Toews. I dont think there is a better hockey player alive. But he is off, and I cant believe hes this frustrated with the work of HZ. Maybe Im making excuses, guess Ill find out in about a week...

Okay....to go after Bowman now is ridiculous....A lot of teams have 2c on their list of wants....
- UnnamedSource

My problem with Bowman hasn't changed since he was handed the gig by McCub. Bowman doesn't know how to build a roster. We've known we've needed a #2 center as long as the Bears have needed a left tackle. Remember Stan's grand plan - Kane would work...then Morrison then Kruger then Kane...Edzo even called Stanley out after the loss to the Yotes last season in regard to this and nothing. 30% at the dot last night once again exposes a weakness that should have been addressed long ago.

The other problem is Bowman's thinking that this team has a physical side to it...
you need players that are physical and that can actually play with the puck - will grind and go into the corners and oh my gosh go to the net - the Ladd/Buff/Versteeg/Brouwer types. Outside of Shaw who have we got? A token guy like Carcillo or Bollig playing a few minutes a night isn't that.

I have to believe something is wrong with Toews. I dont think there is a better hockey player alive. But he is off, and I cant believe hes this frustrated with the work of HZ. Maybe Im making excuses, guess Ill find out in about a week...
- Iknockuout

I agree he must have an injury.

I have to believe something is wrong with Toews. I dont think there is a better hockey player alive. But he is off, and I cant believe hes this frustrated with the work of HZ. Maybe Im making excuses, guess Ill find out in about a week...
- Iknockuout

Could be, but Zetterberg held Crosby to 3 goals, 6 assists in 13 SCF games (one game he had two goals on home ice).
Or it could be a combo of the two. Hank shutting down an all world player like Toews in not something that hasn't happened before. Especially someone a few years younger.

Could be, but Zetterberg held Crosby to 3 goals, 6 assists in 13 SCF games (one game he had two goals on home ice).
Or it could be a combo of the two. Hank shutting down an all world player like Toews in not something that hasn't happened before. Especially someone a few years younger.
- MedicineMan

I don't think he's hurt (injured, that is - everyone's hurt at this point) , I think he's simply being out-played and getting frustrated.

He still looks strong on his skates and is doing a lot of the things he normally does - i.e. making strong plays on the puck, etc. I think that the 'Wings are doing a fantastic job of shutting him down, and Q needs to employ a different look, either via lineup or strategy adjustment, to give him some breathing room.

For those still clamoring for Byfuglien, this is the situation when a big-bodied power forward helps to open up the ice tremendously. Maybe put Bickell up to the top line - as he's the closest they've currently got.

I don't think he's hurt (injured, that is - everyone's hurt at this point) , I think he's simply being out-played and getting frustrated.

He still looks strong on his skates and is doing a lot of the things he normally does - i.e. making strong plays on the puck, etc. I think that the 'Wings are doing a fantastic job of shutting him down, and Q needs to employ a different look, either via lineup or strategy adjustment, to give him some breathing room.

For those still clamoring for Byfuglien, this is the situation when a big-bodied power forward helps to open up the ice tremendously. Maybe put Bickell up to the top line - as he's the closest we've currently got.
- FredoXV

If he's not hurt, I do think having saad on the wing is killing him... He's the proverbial "black-hole" where the puck enters and never comes back out...

Could be, but Zetterberg held Crosby to 3 goals, 6 assists in 13 SCF games (one game he had two goals on home ice).
Or it could be a combo of the two. Hank shutting down an all world player like Toews in not something that hasn't happened before. Especially someone a few years younger.
- MedicineMan

I guess another question to ask....has Toews ever had a great playoff series against Zetterberg in his career?...when healthy? Expectations is that he should just because he is Toews...MVP, Cup winner...but that Cup didn't go thru Detroit that year.

A question to ponder for an intellectually honest Hawks fan.

If he's not hurt, I do think having saad on the wing is killing him... He's the proverbial "black-hole" where the puck enters and never comes back out...
- Iknockuout

+1

If he's not hurt, I do think having saad on the wing is killing him... He's the proverbial "black-hole" where the puck enters and never comes back out...
- Iknockuout

I think they need a different look in the top six - the chemistry is stale and they are being stifled. Maybe time to put 19 and 88 back together and see if they jump-start one another.

I guess another question to ask....has Toews ever had a great playoff series against Zetterberg in his career?...when healthy? Expectations is that he should just because he is Toews...MVP, Cup winner...but that Cup didn't go thru Detroit that year.

A question to ponder for an intellectually honest Hawks fan.
- MedicineMan

Series is FAR from over bro. And Toews/Zetts met once in the playoffs when Zetterberg had 5 full seasons under his belt and Toews was in just his 2nd year.

LONG WAY to go...don't book them Cali flights yet.

Could be, but Zetterberg held Crosby to 3 goals, 6 assists in 13 SCF games (one game he had two goals on home ice).
Or it could be a combo of the two. Hank shutting down an all world player like Toews in not something that hasn't happened before. Especially someone a few years younger.
- MedicineMan

Agreed. THere is no cup for a team with an underachieving first line center...and toews hasnt shown up yet. He could score on the power play-that would help. He has to be our best player, period. The only thing I take from 2010 is that toews should be better than he is now. Our role players have done their job. Kane got goals his last two games-playing with nobody. Hossa is hOssa, sharp is sharp. Its johnny. he makes the money, wears the C, gets the glory. If we had hank and they had toews we would be up 3-0 right now. He shows up or we are done. Same as last year-when he didnt show up and we lost.

when toews pots 2 (1 on the pp) and we lose the game, then I'll debate the merits of a stlberg vs smith, or Crow vs emery. But none of it matters if our Capt doesnt show.

I guess another question to ask....has Toews ever had a great playoff series against Zetterberg in his career?...when healthy? Expectations is that he should just because he is Toews...MVP, Cup winner...but that Cup didn't go thru Detroit that year.

A question to ponder for an intellectually honest Hawks fan.
- MedicineMan

Honestly its a battle of two great players. Z has the edge right now. Asking if Toews has ever had a great series is implying that this is an annual playoff matchup between the two when it's not. They've met one other time in the postseason. Not really a huge sample size IMO.

I have to believe something is wrong with Toews. I dont think there is a better hockey player alive. But he is off, and I cant believe hes this frustrated with the work of HZ. Maybe Im making excuses, guess Ill find out in about a week...
- Iknockuout

that 32 game playoff only injury is a brutal one

Series is FAR from over bro. And Toews/Zetts met once in the playoffs when Zetterberg had 5 full seasons under his belt and Toews was in just his 2nd year.

LONG WAY to go...don't book them Cali flights yet.

- philco28

Never said that.

What I'm referring to was every one was assuming that he HAS to be injured and that is the reason he isn't producing. My point is that Zetterberg has a history shutting down players like himself. The onus is on him and Q to break thru.

Personally. I would be quite surprised if it isn't 2-2 going back to UC here this weekend.

Series is FAR from over bro. And Toews/Zetts met once in the playoffs when Zetterberg had 5 full seasons under his belt and Toews was in just his 2nd year.

LONG WAY to go...don't book them Cali flights yet.

- philco28

i'm with ya philco...no way we go away in games 4 and 5..a good showing in game 4 and everybody will be feeling good again. i remain confident

Never said that.

What I'm referring to was every one was assuming that he HAS to be injured and that is the reason he isn't producing. My point is that Zetterberg has a history shutting down players like himself. The onus is on him and Q to break thru.

Personally. I would be quite surprised if it isn't 2-2 going back to UC here this weekend.
- MedicineMan

Obviously less than thrilled with the outcome, but it has been a really fun series to watch thus far - rising blood pressure issues aside.

that 32 game playoff only injury is a brutal one
- flyershockey

not bad,

I dont like it..but i appreciate the wit

Honestly its a battle of two great players. Z has the edge right now. Asking if Toews has ever had a great series is implying that this is an annual playoff matchup between the two when it's not. They've met one other time in the postseason. Not really a huge sample size IMO.
- golfbard

True. And point taken. The guy is only 25. You guys have enormous expectations of him.

As a Wings fan, I'm pleasantly surprised being up 2-1. Seeing whoever Zetterberg is being matched up against under achieving is not a surprising. He has done it consistently for the last 7 years or so.

After a night of rest, this team just needs to perform.... Plain and simple. Toews needs to finish that post shot early, Stalberg needs to pot that breakaway. Crawford needs to stop one or two of those goals yesterday. They played well at times, just think they are gripping their sticks a little tight. Let's see what Q is made of, can he get this team to fight?

True. And point taken. The guy is only 25. You guys have enormous expectations of him.

As a Wings fan, I'm pleasantly surprised being up 2-1. Seeing whoever Zetterberg is being matched up against under achieving is not a surprising. He has done it consistently for the last 7 years or so.
- MedicineMan

Oh expectations should be high. He's one of the best players in the league. It's sorta ok to have zero goals when your team is leading the series but when your trailing, it's an issue. Sort of a double standard but that's the way it is. All the credit in the world goes to the Wings. Z and Datsyuk are world class players, the young kids are growing up and Babcock is proving once again he's arguably the best coach in the NHL.

True. And point taken. The guy is only 25. You guys have enormous expectations of him.

As a Wings fan, I'm pleasantly surprised being up 2-1. Seeing whoever Zetterberg is being matched up against under achieving is not a surprising. He has done it consistently for the last 7 years or so.
- MedicineMan

Absolutely. Everybody does: fans, managment, the league, his teammates and HIM! He is a franchise player-who gets paid and treated like royalty. ALL DESERVED in my opinion. BUT if the team doesnt produce-and he's one of the reasons/or if he doesnt produce than he has to be held MORE accountable than his mates-in my opinion. I support him FULLY--but, if he wants to be considered the best-he has to outplay WHOEVER is in front of him. He hasnt done that yet. I believe he can and will..and our cup dreams will live on!!

My point is that Zetterberg has a history shutting down players like himself. The onus is on him and Q to break thru.
- MedicineMan

Zetterberg is a stud and has a long history of performing. Don't think Q has the brainpower to figure things out. For those that don't know, it took Scotty's suggestion in 2010 when Pronger and the Flyer thugs were making things tough to make some line changes. Q is either too dumb or stubborn to see things clearly.

I still think this applies:



Sack up Jonny or you'll be polishing your clubs after Saturday.

The powerplay is a very small part of the problem. The real problem was Management's philosophy in deciding finesse play would beat out defense and physical play in the playoffs when there was no precedent for thinking this.
- paulr

No it's not. The PP is a very large issue and Scotty Bowman said well before the playoffs started that if the Hawks couldn't convert on their opportunities that teams would take more and more liberties because they had no fear of being burned. Very prophetic - so far.