Never blamed one player....But often the team with the best 3rd-4th lines make long playoff runs...Many times win the Cup.

I thought as well as others Shaw's 3rd line was the best in the NHL....He needs to be on the ice and productive as do his mates for the Hawks to have an edge.

It's not the trapping it is how the players adapt and handle it....

Like I wrote today...When your best players are not as good as the better players on the otherside and the supporting cast gets outplayed as well....You lose.

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

If your players are not able to play the dump and chase games be it because they can't play that game or if it is not in the coach's playbook there is a problem. Kane, Toews and Hossa will not skate and stickhandle through that quagmire in the neutral zone, it just ain't gonna happen!

Forgot to add, where is Hossa, is he playing, lol
- flyerdude17

Yeah I was wondering if he was golfing with his Flyer buddies.

I corrected the above because, believe it or not, it was BRUNNER (of all people) facing off against Shaw! And winning the board battle.

That play just pissed me off big-time. Not only does Seabrook get faked out of his blades but then Crawford looked like a buffoon as well.

I watched the replay again -- it clearly was a set play on both sides. I haven't paid close enough attention but they (the Hawks and this line) must have tipped that off and run it before. And Babcock knew it and had his guys ready -- they knew EXACTLY what to do.

That play does NOT happen by chance. Bickell vacates the left circle as soon as the linesman releases the puck. I mean, Bickell did not wait to see if it was going to be a 50/50 puck in the dot where he could go get it -- he drove immediately forward and then towards the net.

Stalberg stood there clueless. He doesn't pay a whit of attention to Nyquist, who immediately takes off out of the zone. That's Stalberg's guy and he's 10 ft ahead of him heading out of the zone before Stalberg even looks up to realize it.

HTF does Shaw so badly lose the board battle that gives Brunner enough time and space to backhand the puck up and over in a hail mary?

Yessir, Q has REALLY lost the mind battle with Babcock and his assistants. Gotta think that Kompon and Kitchen, as well as Q, are WAY OVERMATCHED.

Get your tee times ready boys. Methinks they'll be hitting the links after Saturday's tilt.
- savvyone-1

Oh, Brunner...even better

Yeah I was wondering if he was golfing with his Flyer buddies.
- paulr

Don't worry, they will all be golfing with their Flyer buddies despite the fact it appears Hossa's mind is already on the golf course.

If your players are not able to play the dump and chase games be it because they can't play that game or if it is not in the coach's playbook there is a problem. Kane, Toews and Hossa will not skate and stickhandle through that quagmire in the neutral zone, it just ain't gonna happen!
- paulr

Anyone that has played the game knows that dump and chase is a game of will, not skill. It is purely a game of desire, one that has to have players dedicated to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to skate your ass off, retrieve the puck and/or make it VERY DIFFICULT for the defense to move the puck out of their defensive zone.

Repeated, relentless pressure on defensemen WILL cause turnovers and great scoring oportunities. Again, it is having the WILL, the HEART and DESIRE of a champion to get the job done. It's not pretty but the hard work wins games when faced with the kind of game the Wings are playing.

It's all about Q not knowing what to do or not being able to get his guys to buy into what needs to be done. ANY player, no matter their size and weight is quite capable of getting the necessary job done.

Fact is, not many are willing on this team.

Well the first part is indisputable, the second is opinion...mine just happens to be right
- Ogilthorpe2

What a tool, typical Ogilthorpe2 attitude just like Coach Q, clueless.
Hawks can still win this but have to makes some serious adjustments.

Never blamed one player....But often the team with the best 3rd-4th lines make long playoff runs...Many times win the Cup.

I thought as well as others Shaw's 3rd line was the best in the NHL....He needs to be on the ice and productive as do his mates for the Hawks to have an edge.

It's not the trapping it is how the players adapt and handle it....

Like I wrote today...When your best players are not as good as the better players on the otherside and the supporting cast gets outplayed as well....You lose.

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

One thing to remember is that it just became Shaw's line again yesterday, after 2 weeks of practice and a few games. Q's genius.

Agree he has to reel it in a bit.

Nice write up and measured take to the game.

Anyone that has played the game knows that dump and chase is a game of will, not skill. It is purely a game of desire, one that has to have players dedicated to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to skate your ass off, retrieve the puck and/or make it VERY DIFFICULT for the defense to move the puck out of their defensive zone.

Repeated, relentless pressure on defensemen WILL cause turnovers and great scoring oportunities. Again, it is having the WILL, the HEART and DESIRE of a champion to get the job done. It's not pretty but the hard work wins games when faced with the kind of game the Wings are playing.

It's all about Q not knowing what to do or not being able to get his guys to buy into what needs to be done. ANY player, no matter their size and weight is quite capable of getting the necessary job done.

Fact is, not many are willing on this team.
- savvyone-1[/quote]

Exactly my point.

And knowing the Hawks were incapable of playing this style prior to the trade deadline I question why the powers that be didn't also understand this.

Yeah I was wondering if he was golfing with his Flyer buddies.
- paulr

2009. Hawks down 2-1 to Canucks after getting lambasted in game three at home. They reel off three straight and take the series. With niemi in net he can steal a game.................................wait oh phuck we have crawf. Damn. Were done!

Anyone that has played the game knows that dump and chase is a game of will, not skill. It is purely a game of desire, one that has to have players dedicated to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to skate your ass off, retrieve the puck and/or make it VERY DIFFICULT for the defense to move the puck out of their defensive zone.

Repeated, relentless pressure on defensemen WILL cause turnovers and great scoring oportunities. Again, it is having the WILL, the HEART and DESIRE of a champion to get the job done. It's not pretty but the hard work wins games when faced with the kind of game the Wings are playing.

It's all about Q not knowing what to do or not being able to get his guys to buy into what needs to be done. ANY player, no matter their size and weight is quite capable of getting the necessary job done.

Fact is, not many are willing on this team.
- savvyone-1

Anybody that had an isolated camera on Patrick Kane last night would agree with what you are sating in the last 2 sentences.

If your players are not able to play the dump and chase games be it because they can't play that game or if it is not in the coach's playbook there is a problem. Kane, Toews and Hossa will not skate and stickhandle through that quagmire in the neutral zone, it just ain't gonna happen!
- paulr

I get what your sayin but...

You need others to be able to dump and chase...3rd/4th lines and at times your top six. That's how the Hawks won the Cup...They had the best bottom 6 in the NHL.

Right now the Red Wings support players have made more of an impact and their top players have been better as well.

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

2009. Hawks down 2-1 to Canucks after getting lambasted in game three at home. They reel off three straight and take the series. With niemi in net he can steal a game.................................wait oh phuck we have crawf. Damn. Were done!
- bonecrusher27

Very untimely injury for Emery, he instills confidence but I am not sure he is in game form at this point. Crawford has not been real bad but he has been outplayed by Howard so far.

One thing to remember is that it just became Shaw's line again yesterday, after 2 weeks of practice and a few games. Q's genius.

Agree he has to reel it in a bit.

Nice write up and measured take to the game.
- TrueGrit

Yes...Like we discussed that's the rsik Q. took when your most consistent line is messed with.

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

Fact is, not many are willing on this team.
- paulr[/quote]

Exactly my point.

And knowing the Hawks were incapable of playing this style prior to the trade deadline I question why the powers that be didn't also understand this.

Paul -- I believe that's on the coaching staff as much as anything.

It's almost impossible for me to believe that you can't, as a staff, call a meeting with guys making (a million to millions) and get them to buy into a particular style for a series in order to move on to the next round.

I just don't buy the "incapable of playing this style" comment -- there is NO hockey player incapable of playing this style. They are all capable of skating hard, skating smart, making it tough on teams to exit their defensive zone.

Something is rotten in Denmark if this, in fact, is the case. And you know rotting is from the head (coach) on down!

Q should be able to get these guys to play any style. It is Q's reluctance (or refusal) to do these things -- or it is the guys tuning out Q, in which case, Q needs to go.

All is great when things are going good, but the real test (once again) of this club will be the adversity in front of them and their willingness to pay the price. No one gets their name on the CUP by simply showing up. Or by luck. As we know, it's a war and it is the hardest prize to win. We'll see if these boys have the will to get there.

I haven't seen it. And we're seeing that our Captain is not living up to his letter.

Very untimely injury for Emery, he instills confidence but I am not sure he is in game form at this point. Crawford has not been real bad but he has been outplayed by Howard so far.
- flyerdude17

Crawford has not been outplayed in any playoff game thus far whereby he has been the reason for the loss. Actually in the Minny loss he was the best player on the ice.

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

Lundqvist has trouble with those over the shoulder 85 mile an hour shots as well.

Last night Howard was vg but the Hawks made him look better and the post was his friend quite a few times.

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

If only Crawford makes the save on Datsyuk, then the offense would have actually scored.

Nobody finds any irony in the most skilled team making every goalie look like a world beater. But I am the one that is delusional.

To be more than a grinder, which I believe he should be, Shaw has to be smart.

Mouthing off to refs and taking undisciplined penalties isn't going to cut it.

NHL refs have long memories...

Your last point is something to be concerned about.

Intead of overanalyzing Crawford realize the lack of production has to be fixed.

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

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Shaw's playing on the edge, but on the "slashing call" he went in looking for a loose puck, barely grazed the goalie, then took repeated cross checks on the ice while he was prone and HE GETS THE ONLY PHUCKN' PENALTY.

PHUCK OFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF.

And the washed out goal was another PHUCKING JOKE.

Shaw can be smarter but this LOSS wasn't on him.

[quote=savvyone-1]Anyone that has played the game knows that dump and chase is a game of will, not skill. It is purely a game of desire, one that has to have players dedicated to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to skate your ass off, retrieve the puck and/or make it VERY DIFFICULT for the defense to move the puck out of their defensive zone.

Repeated, relentless pressure on defensemen WILL cause turnovers and great scoring oportunities. Again, it is having the WILL, the HEART and DESIRE of a champion to get the job done. It's not pretty but the hard work wins games when faced with the kind of game the Wings are playing.

It's all about Q not knowing what to do or not being able to get his guys to buy into what needs to be done. ANY player, no matter their size and weight is quite capable of getting the necessary job done.

Fact is, not many are willing on this team.
- paulr[/quote]
When the Hawks won in 2010 they could play any style but that was a Tallon team and Tallon did draft and trade for will, skill, heart and some nastiness (e.g., Ladd in a trade)

Exactly my point.

And knowing the Hawks were incapable of playing this style prior to the trade deadline I question why the powers that be didn't also understand this.

Shaw's playing on the edge, but on the "slashing call" he went in looking for a loose puck, barely grazed the goalie, then took repeated cross checks on the ice while he was prone and HE GETS THE ONLY PHUCKN' PENALTY.

PHUCK OFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF.

And the washed out goal was another PHUCKING JOKE.

Shaw can be smarter but this LOSS wasn't on him.
- philco28

Phil,

Never came close to blaming him or any player but that line needs to make an impact.

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

Shaw's playing on the edge, but on the "slashing call" he went in looking for a loose puck, barely grazed the goalie, then took repeated cross checks on the ice while he was prone and HE GETS THE ONLY PHUCKN' PENALTY.

PHUCK OFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF.

And the washed out goal was another PHUCKING JOKE.

Shaw can be smarter but this LOSS wasn't on him.
- philco28

Phil,

Never came close to blaming him or any player but that line needs to make an impact.

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

Paul -- I believe that's on the coaching staff as much as anything.

It's almost impossible for me to believe that you can't, as a staff, call a meeting with guys making (a million to millions) and get them to buy into a particular style for a series in order to move on to the next round.

I just don't buy the "incapable of playing this style" comment -- there is NO hockey player incapable of playing this style. They are all capable of skating hard, skating smart, making it tough on teams to exit their defensive zone.

Something is rotten in Denmark if this, in fact, is the case. And you know rotting is from the head (coach) on down!

Q should be able to get these guys to play any style. It is Q's reluctance (or refusal) to do these things -- or it is the guys tuning out Q, in which case, Q needs to go.

All is great when things are going good, but the real test (once again) of this club will be the adversity in front of them and their willingness to pay the price. No one gets their name on the CUP by simply showing up. Or by luck. As we know, it's a war and it is the hardest prize to win. We'll see if these boys have the will to get there.

I haven't seen it. And we're seeing that our Captain is not living up to his letter.
- savvyone-1

The bottom line is this as I have experienced this many times. When a great team gets down and has its back to the wall they either respond or they are not a great team. I will predict if the Hawks can rebound from the last two games and then go on to win the series there is a good chance they will go to the finals. It is that fine line of winning and losing and overcoming adversity that makes a team great.

Shaw's playing on the edge, but on the "slashing call" he went in looking for a loose puck, barely grazed the goalie, then took repeated cross checks on the ice while he was prone and HE GETS THE ONLY PHUCKN' PENALTY.

PHUCK OFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF.

And the washed out goal was another PHUCKING JOKE.

Shaw can be smarter but this LOSS wasn't on him.
- philco28

Agreed, if the other 20 Hawks had his heart this would be a certain series win but too many guys not putting out. Shaw crossed the line only because he has the burning desire to win and that comes out in competitive people. Coach Q has to have a chat with him and just make him a little smarter without putting out his fire.

Yes...Like we discussed that's the rsik Q. took when your most consistent line is messed with.

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

Not to beat the horse, but what if Q started the series saying, we respect Detroit, they are a dangerous team. But I like our guys and what they have accomplished so far and am sure they are ready and focused on the next series.

Then if you come out, after giving your guys the benefit, and you struggle, then you push a button. It is great listening to Babcock stand behind all his guys as though he truly believes in them and knows they can do well. He expects them to do well.

It really falls to the players to simply want it more than detroit. I am confident they can do it. Just have to be engaged and play their style, not this hodgepodge stuff.

Embrace who you are, no matter what it is and battle.

I get what your sayin but...

You need others to be able to dump and chase...3rd/4th lines and at times your top six. That's how the Hawks won the Cup...They had the best bottom 6 in the NHL.Right now the Red Wings support players have made more of an impact and their top players have been better as well.

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

And I have said this since the middle of that 'not so important anymore' winning streak. Bowman had his chance to bolster the lineup with playoff type players. he chose to try to re-invent the wheel and try to go deep with an all finesse line-up instead.

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

I think they are 2 tough young forwards and 1 clear-clearing D-man away. Maybe upgrade in goal. 2010 team showed you need both. I don't want the league to turn into the kings: a bunch of steroid-abusers who hold the hell out of you and rely on a goalie to bail them out a lot. I see maybe 4 skilled forwards the rest are average grinders. The league needs exciting and skilled teams with grit