I won't argue about the PP, it is what we are watching. Futile to say the least.

But there were some very effective hits in the game last night - led by Shaw who had 3 good, clean ones that I counted where he shook the Wing player up. And Hammer threw a couple as well. But if you are looking for an all out assault Blues-Kings style, forget it, team isn't constructed that way.

You want to axe the coaching staff - fine. But remember, they don't score goals or take faceoffs. Difference in the game - Howard stopped Saad, Sharp and Stalberg point blank one on one at various points in the game. Our goaltender unable to stop Datsyuk when the tide was swinging in Chicago's favour midway thru the 3rd period.

Outscored 7-2 in the last 2 games.
- RickJ

Yeah, that sucked. I can't stand watching Crawford when he gives up a bad goal. He looks like he's going to cry. Everything is between the ears with that guy.

I won't argue about the PP, it is what we are watching. Futile to say the least.

But there were some very effective hits in the game last night - led by Shaw who had 3 good, clean ones that I counted where he shook the Wing player up. And Hammer threw a couple as well. But if you are looking for an all out assault Blues-Kings style, forget it, team isn't constructed that way.

You want to axe the coaching staff - fine. But remember, they don't score goals or take faceoffs. Difference in the game - Howard stopped Saad, Sharp and Stalberg point blank one on one at various points in the game. Our goaltender unable to stop Datsyuk when the tide was swinging in Chicago's favour midway thru the 3rd period.

Outscored 7-2 in the last 2 games.
- RickJ

As you mentioned...Can't win many while scoring 2 goals in 120 mins...

As frustration sets in, Blackhawks fall again to Detroit 3-1 - FOX 32 Chicago:http://bit.ly/10JVgvt

Yeah, that sucked. I can't stand watching Crawford when he gives up a bad goal. He looks like he's going to cry. Everything is between the ears with that guy.
- eburgio

Yeah...its Crawford's fault....


TWO GOALS IN SIX PERIODS. That is the other eighteen's fault.

I don't think enough credit is being given to Howard for the spectacular game he played again.

The last two games have looked like the Phoenix series. Lots of Chicago chances, Lots of quality ones, And little or nothing to show on the board.

They need to solve Howard.

So if the Kings repeat, which they will, would you grant that the way this team is constructed is wrong for deep playoff runs?
- Return of the Roar

Just my opinion - the Hawks are not good enough or big enough down the middle of the ice at the center position to be a force against very good playoff teams. Couple that with average goaltending with the opponent's netminder playing better and the results are not that surprising.

Mike Smith outgoaled CC last year; Howard is doing it so far this year - sound like the Philly Flyers problems for 35 years yet? Great forwards, not good enough between the pipes.

And don't be so fast to annoint the LA Kings yet - without Jonathan Quick they would be in alot of trouble in this year's playoffs. He won that series with the Blues nearly himself. And so far he has been better than Niemi or the Sharks would be ahead.

I don't think enough credit is being given to Howard for the spectacular game he played again.

The last two games have looked like the Phoenix series. Lots of Chicago chances, Lots of quality ones, And little or nothing to show on the board.

They need to solve Howard.
- fattybeef

A lot like Phoenix. 90% of their shots coming from the perimeter. Not net traffic, can't get to the middle of the ice and one shot and the Wings clear the rebound. Detroit is doing a great job in this series and I have very serious doubts about the Hawks being able to solve the problems the Wings are posing.

Yeah, that sucked. I can't stand watching Crawford when he gives up a bad goal. He looks like he's going to cry. Everything is between the ears with that guy.
- eburgio

Disagree. Disagree a lot actually.

Crawford is an Average to slightly + Average goaltender. He lacks the athleticism and anticipation skills to steal a game. Has nothing to do with his brain but everything to do with his physical ability.

Just my opinion - the Hawks are not good enough or big enough down the middle of the ice at the center position to be a force against very good playoff teams. Couple that with average goaltending with the opponent's netminder playing better and the results are not that surprising.

Mike Smith outgoaled CC last year; Howard is doing it so far this year - sound like the Philly Flyers problems for 35 years yet? Great forwards, not good enough between the pipes.

And don't be so fast to annoint the LA Kings yet - without Jonathan Quick they would be in alot of trouble in this year's playoffs. He won that series with the Blues nearly himself. And so far he has been better than Niemi or the Sharks would be ahead.
- RickJ

That's like saying without Datsyuk, without Crosby, without Niemi, etc..... Quick is the Kings goalie. He's a big reason they won last year and are likely to get to the WCF this year.

A lot like Phoenix. 90% of their shots coming from the perimeter. Not net traffic, can't get to the middle of the ice and one shot and the Wings clear the rebound. Detroit is doing a great job in this series and I have very serious doubts about the Hawks being able to solve the problems the Wings are posing.
- Hawks64

Disagree, they had a lot of quality chances, a lot of chances in the paint and got some jam in on Howard. Credit to Howard for standing tall for 60.

I won't argue about the PP, it is what we are watching. Futile to say the least.

But there were some very effective hits in the game last night - led by Shaw who had 3 good, clean ones that I counted where he shook the Wing player up. And Hammer threw a couple as well. But if you are looking for an all out assault Blues-Kings style, forget it, team isn't constructed that way.

You want to axe the coaching staff - fine. But remember, they don't score goals or take faceoffs. Difference in the game - Howard stopped Saad, Sharp and Stalberg point blank one on one at various points in the game. Our goaltender unable to stop Datsyuk when the tide was swinging in Chicago's favour midway thru the 3rd period.

Outscored 7-2 in the last 2 games.
- RickJ

Sorry, but I have never been a fan of Q. F'n idiot to keep putting #2 out there on the PP. Besides that, HTF can your PP be that bad with all the stars on this team??

i hear dat
- philco28

I feel very Phil'ish this morning.

Disagree. Disagree a lot actually.

Crawford is an Average to slightly + Average goaltender. He lacks the athleticism and anticipation skills to steal a game. Has nothing to do with his brain but everything to do with his physical ability.
- fattybeef

A well coached team (read Detroit) knows that Crawford goes down early and leaves the upper part of the net open. Datsyuk snapped off a laser right under the crossbar, and that is more about taking advantage of tendencies than lack of athleticism

Sorry, but I have never been a fan of Q. F'n idiot to keep putting #2 out there on the PP. Besides that, HTF can your PP be that bad with all the stars on this team??
- z1990z

Been beating this drum forever. Duncan Keith is phucking CLUELESS as is his coach, the great Q.

The ONLY time the PP even has a sniff of an opportunity is when Leddy is out there. Would love to hear Q's explanation of why Keith's EV TOI was nearly DOUBLE that of Leddy?

Q has been and ALWAYS WILL BE HARD-HEADED. He's got his favorites and he has NO ABILITY to help grow young talent. The only leap those guys make is on their own. Has Q had anything to do with the growth in Leddy's game? In Stalberg's game? Nope.

I have posited this before -- had Q been the Head Coach here when Toews and Kane 1st made the roster, they would not have developed at all. He just does not know what or how to handle these young guys. It's a good thing my namesake was Head Coach during this timeframe. He gave 19 and 88 a fair amount of confidence to do things on the ice even they may not have thought they were capable of against NHL players.

Just like Q trotting out Keith all the time. On PP and EV. And yanking Stalberg (good for you Stals for standing up for yourself) around and even Leddy. Q's getting his just dessert against Babcock. Q, you're not in the same league as Babcock.

Gah . . . I would just LOVE to see what a really good coach would be able to do with this club.

Yeah...its Crawford's fault....


TWO GOALS IN SIX PERIODS. That is the other eighteen's fault.
- Return of the Roar

Hold up, hoss. I didn't say it (the loss) was Crawford's fault. I said I can't stand watching him react the way he does when he gives up a soft goal.

But at some point, you can't continue to keep giving up 1 softie a game, especially when the games become tighter. He's going to need to steal a win or two to keep this train rollin'.

Disagree. Disagree a lot actually.

Crawford is an Average to slightly + Average goaltender. He lacks the athleticism and anticipation skills to steal a game. Has nothing to do with his brain but everything to do with his physical ability.
- fattybeef

Just responded to Return of the Roar on this. See that post.

Sorry, but I have never been a fan of Q. F'n idiot to keep putting #2 out there on the PP. Besides that, HTF can your PP be that bad with all the stars on this team??
- z1990z

Don't bother asking John Tortorella for advice - he's got Richards, Nash and stars too and they can't score to save their life. And the Bruins can't score on the PP either. And the Red Wings with Datsyuk and Z can't score against the Hawks PK.

The Hawks - a lovely, pretty perimeter passing game on the PP but no road graders down low creating space and occupying defenceman. And stars as you describe them don't score very often from the sideboards 40 feet from the goal. You know who I am talking about I'm sure.

Another observation is that the Wings' young players are improving as the Hawks' young players are plateauing or regressing. See: Shaw, Andrew; Saad, Brandon.
- Return of the Roar

I see it differently, Shaw has been putting in a solid effort and has been playing well. He is also demonstrably the most passionate Blackhawk which is starting to become a negative and which the coaching staff need to address. Saad started slowly but has played better each game.

The issue is the trap employed by the Red Wings which is frustrating everyone associated with the Hawks from the players, coaching staff management to us the fans. The Hawks have no answer to the trap and to make it worse the Wings are hitting, are using picks and are goading the Hawks into getting into after the whistle skirmishes which feeds right into the Wings hands.

What is frustrating as a Hawk fan is why did Management not understand that this team as currently built would have a difficult time in the playoffs because they are unable to play the dump and chase game required for playoff success?

Disagree. Disagree a lot actually.

Crawford is an Average to slightly + Average goaltender. He lacks the athleticism and anticipation skills to steal a game. Has nothing to do with his brain but everything to do with his physical ability.
- fattybeef

I think most of Crawford's issue's have been mental, but he has been improving.

I'd like to see Q shake up the lineup for game 4. By no means am I blaming Crawford for the 2 losses, but I wouldn't be upset with Q starting Emery in game 4 (assuming he's healthy). I wouldn't be opposed to sitting Handzus either, he was brought here for a reason (face offs) but he hasn't delivered in this series.

Yeah, that sucked. I can't stand watching Crawford when he gives up a bad goal. He looks like he's going to cry. Everything is between the ears with that guy.
- eburgio

Disagree. Disagree a lot actually.

Crawford is an Average to slightly + Average goaltender. He lacks the athleticism and anticipation skills to steal a game. Has nothing to do with his brain but everything to do with his physical ability.
- fattybeef

Shade of grey argument boys. End result is the same, CC is Average at best.

I don't think enough credit is being given to Howard for the spectacular game he played again.

The last two games have looked like the Phoenix series. Lots of Chicago chances, Lots of quality ones, And little or nothing to show on the board.

They need to solve Howard.
- fattybeef

yeah.. wings played great..particularly Howard. But three posts and toews can still bust out..hawks can remain confident

The Wings are like flies on a elephant's bum. They are persistently checking (grabbing and holding) every Indian head sweater they see. They are hard on the puck, have great sticks, and play a team game. Also, they know how to protect their own net. I give them credit, they played like crap Game 1 and have completely changed their game...and its working efficiently.

It's Q's move now.

Just a few more things that bother me abouth the Hawks

- As stated by many, please take Keith off of the PP

- Why is Bolland taking PP faceoffs? I see him in for the draw and know instantly that the puck is going to be cleared down the ice

- Every year the topic comes to how great the opposing goalie is...could it be the hawks help make the goalie look all world? Perimeter play, no net presence, no deflections and no rebound chances make it way to easy.

The Wings are like flies on a elephant's bum. They are persistently checking (grabbing and holding) every Indian head sweater they see. They are hard on the puck, have great sticks, and play a team game. Also, they no how to protect their own net. I give them credit, they played like crap Game 1 and they completely changed their game...and its working efficiently.

It's Q's move now.
- Chicago

Saad needs to come off the top line, we can't have 2 forwards on the top unit sporting goose eggs. I think it's also time to reunite Toews and Kane.

Frolik - Toews - Kane
Saad - Sharp - Hossa
Bickell - Shaw - Stalberg
Carcillo - Kruger - Handzus

I think most of Crawford's issue's have been mental, but he has been improving.

I'd like to see Q shake up the lineup for game 4. By no means am I blaming Crawford for the 2 losses, but I wouldn't be upset with Q starting Emery in game 4 (assuming he's healthy). I wouldn't be opposed to sitting Handzus either, he was brought here for a reason (face offs) but he hasn't delivered in this series.
- DarthKane

I don't know if his problems are mental or not - haven't psychoanalyzed him, none of us know how mentally tough he is (or isn't).

But we can see the physical issues, which he has improved on, but they still show up:

Goes down too quickly, leaving the top shelf exposed.

Reacts to opponents move too quickly, flopping around a lot like on the first goal last night, instead of staying up and trying to be square with the shooter

Loses the post too often, especially stick side (left side) - he gets beat a lot short-side like Datsyuk beat him last night

Has trouble absorbing the puck and (sometimes) finding it on the ice after stopping the initial shot

Now, all goalies have their issues - and Crawford doesn't do the above all of the time - he makes a lot of very nice saves - but at the worst times, he can tend to revert to old, bad habits, and that's when he gives up the back-breaking soft goals.

Must be hard to see his name on that 2010 championship..
- Iknockuout

i dont have a problem with his name on the cup. but lets not break out the injury excuse for a playoff slump that lasts 30+ games over multiple playoff seasons.