I'm leaning Hawks in 7 as well.

I think this is the series where Jonathon Toews propels himself to the front of the Conn Smythe race.
- CBHawks88

If the hawks find a way to go the distance, Crow is my odds on favorite for that award. He will need to be that good.

The Hawks need the same intensity they showed the last three games versus the Wings. If they don't have that type of intensity, a couple of Hawks are going to be leaving the ice on stretchers. I said at the beginning of the playoffs teams like L.A., Anaheim, St. Louis, and Boston were the types of teams that will give the hawks the most problems. The Kings will come after you with every line and absolutely hammer you into submission. The Hawks need to win every home game they got because L.A. does not lose at the Staples Center in the playoffs. The Kings present a huge task for the Hawks. Do I think the Hawks can win this series? Yes, but the hawks have to be at their absolute best every game. I picked the Hawks to win Rounds 1 and 2 in 7 games each. Missed the boat badly the Minnesota series, but got Round 2 pegged perfectly. This time hope I am way wrong and miss the boat again badly, but I am picking L.A. in 6. The Hawks just do not respond to teams like L.A. at all, and sadly there is not much throw back from the Hawks when they get pounded on by the bigger, stronger teams. A pretty game does not win in the NHL playoffs, and at this stage, pretty does not win most of the time. You have to be willing to go to the dirty areas to score, I just don't know how many Hawks like those areas. Hope I am wrong, but I am thinking in about a month L.A. is going to be back to back champs.

Truest statement. This is a total clash of styles this series wont be won by the 3rd line. The Hawks top 6 has to dominate the games at home. Quick has been fantastic but early goals on him can get him rattled or even make him more aggressive than usual which leads to more goals.

I just don't see how the Hawks D wont be able to shut down the Kings for long stretches of time. The Kings will dump the puck in , Hawks have to beat them to the puck and then get the phucking put out in 1 pass. Is that possible ? I don't know. We'll see.
- mrpaulish

Even-strength shot attempt differentials. Best data-set we have when measuring possession. LA was one, Chicago was two.

Takeaways and giveaways are more or less irrelevant. They don't really say anything and are also laughably tracked, the home/road disparities are always particularly hilarious.
- Travis Yost

Disagree. Takeaways especially are the hallmark of a good puck possession team. Further any disparities in how they're tracked home or away are evened out by playing home, away and in different buildings.

You can't have it both ways. "My stat is relevant, yours isn't."

nobody on the Kings gave a (frank) for game 1 of the season, in fact i bet more than half were probably still drunk
- ikn

Evidently, you were in the dressing room.

The Kings were still on vacation during the first game of the season.

You're silly.
- Ersberg

Then I guess it was the Oilers who showed up and wore Kings uniforms.

I guess you haven't been watching round 1 and 2 when the Kings were chasing St Louis and San Jose and yet still only needed that playoff moment where they score those WTF goals? As long as Quick plays his game the Kings will be able to claw their way through the series and Chicago lacks the same smothering defense that San Jose and St Louis brought to the game.
- LAKingsfan626

No, it's you who haven't been watching. The entirety of the regular season and the playoffs.

But whatever fits your desired narrative.

Here's how you catch up. GO look at the defensive stats on nhl.com.

As far as disagreements with the blogger.

Saying so is fine and welcome. Saying I'm way off base or even a homer is fine—but have some facts and stats to back up your claim, not chest-pounding, we're gonna kick yer ass schoolyard crap. Or that my stats don't matter.

As I said earlier, you mess with the bull, you get the horns, sweetie.

How are the Kings going to score ?

Kings are averaging 2 goals per game against the Sharks and Blues. The Hawks Defense is superior to both of those clubs as is the Hawks PK superior .

I know Quick is so awesome but I just cant see how the Hawks wont out chance LA 2-1 on average and win the series.

Unless you're telling me that the Kings will pound the Hawks into such submission the Hawks cry mercy.

We'll see I guess .

As far as disagreements with the blogger.

Saying so is fine and welcome. Saying I'm way off base or even a homer is fine—but have some facts and stats to back up your claim, not chest-pounding, we're gonna kick yer ass schoolyard crap. Or that my stats don't matter.

As I said earlier, you mess with the bull, you get the horns, sweetie.
- John Jaeckel

Love your fire. May need you in the lineup today

How are the Kings going to score ?

Kings are averaging 2 goals per game against the Sharks and Blues. The Hawks Defense is superior to both of those clubs as is the Hawks PK superior .

I know Quick is so awesome but I just cant see how the Hawks wont out chance LA 2-1 on average and win the series.

Unless you're telling me that the Kings will pound the Hawks into such submission the Hawks cry mercy.

We'll see I guess .
- mrpaulish

No, Matt, a Kings fan has declared the following:

"Chicago lacks the same smothering defense that San Jose and St Louis brought to the game."

Even though the Hawks have had a better defense—GA, takeaways and penalty kill—in both the regular season and playoffs than either club.

So, it's over. Don't bother watching.

No, Matt, a Kings fan has declared the following:

"Chicago lacks the same smothering defense that San Jose and St Louis brought to the game."

Even though the Hawks have had a better defense—GA, takeaways and penalty kill—in both the regular season and playoffs than either club.

So, it's over. Don't bother watching.
- John Jaeckel

I think the D seemed to be smothering because the LAK were a bit too slow. ....

Love your fire. May need you in the lineup today
- ilinkhawk

Although which Hawk team is going to show up is always a valid concern with this team, I can't see them showing up and throwing their sticks out there, at least not today. Detroit brought out the best in this club over the last three games and the memory of the near embarrassing elimination can't be forgotten at this point.

I think the big question will be how the Hawks will adjust to the greater size and physicality of the Kings.

That said, anyone thinking the Kings have some magic formula by which their defensemen will neutralize the Hawks' speed—that hasn't already been tried—needs to watch more than just the Kings' series.

And let me say this, what the Kings will do will work. And it will work a lot. The question is, will it work enough.

Because on the other end, while the Kings fan above and some others actually think that the Hawks don't play defense like the Sharks and Blues do, they're wrong. The Hawks typically play better defense. Well, the Hawks play a different style of defense, predicated on speed, possession and takeaways, but they are marginally more effective. The numbers don't lie.

How are the Kings going to score ?

Kings are averaging 2 goals per game against the Sharks and Blues. The Hawks Defense is superior to both of those clubs as is the Hawks PK superior .

I know Quick is so awesome but I just cant see how the Hawks wont out chance LA 2-1 on average and win the series.

Unless you're telling me that the Kings will pound the Hawks into such submission the Hawks cry mercy.

We'll see I guess .
- mrpaulish

It's kind of funny....the Hawks are the only ones who think their defense is far superior! Let me give you some advice. Throw out the regular season. It matters NOT!St Louis was superior to the Hawks and we beat them. As Darryl Sutter said and I quote: On rooting for Detroit to beat Chicago, considering the Kings have won 14 in a row at home:

“Regular season doesn’t mean screw-all to me, quite honest.”

It's kind of funny....the Hawks are the only ones who think their defense is far superior! Let me give you some advice. Throw out the regular season. It matters NOT!St Louis was superior to the Hawks and we beat them. As Darryl Sutter said and I quote: On rooting for Detroit to beat Chicago, considering the Kings have won 14 in a row at home:

“Regular season doesn’t mean screw-all to me, quite honest.”
- arh777

You are right my friend about the regular season not mattering buttttttttt , statistics kinda matter , Who on St. Louis would be a top 4 D man on Chicago ?

You are right my friend about the regular season not mattering buttttttttt , statistics kinda matter , Who on St. Louis would be a top 4 D man on Chicago ?
- mrpaulish

Jay Bouwmeester maybe ?

It's kind of funny....the Hawks are the only ones who think their defense is far superior! Let me give you some advice. Throw out the regular season. It matters NOT!St Louis was superior to the Hawks and we beat them. As Darryl Sutter said and I quote: On rooting for Detroit to beat Chicago, considering the Kings have won 14 in a row at home:

“Regular season doesn’t mean screw-all to me, quite honest.”
- arh777

Get your facts straight, especially when assailing someone else's facts: Hawks were superior defensively to St. Louis in the regular season and have been in the playoffs.

No one is disparaging the Kings defense (at all) beyond saying they can, conceivably, be beaten by a team with superior speed. Just as the Hawks' defense, plausibly and as shown against Phoenix last year, can be beaten by a big team with a stong forecheck. But if you can't accept that the Hawks can win as a plausible hypothesis, go get a permit and start your parade today.

You are right my friend about the regular season not mattering buttttttttt , statistics kinda matter , Who on St. Louis would be a top 4 D man on Chicago ?
- mrpaulish

Pietrangelo, probably Bouwmeester. Just saying.

Although which Hawk team is going to show up is always a valid concern with this team, I can't see them showing up and throwing their sticks out there, at least not today. Detroit brought out the best in this club over the last three games and the memory of the near embarrassing elimination can't be forgotten at this point.

I think the big question will be how the Hawks will adjust to the greater size and physicality of the Kings.

That said, anyone thinking the Kings have some magic formula by which their defensemen will neutralize the Hawks' speed—that hasn't already been tried—needs to watch more than just the Kings' series.

And let me say this, what the Kings will do will work. And it will work a lot. The question is, will it work enough.

Because on the other end, while the Kings fan above and some others actually think that the Hawks don't play defense like the Sharks and Blues do, they're wrong. The Hawks typically play better defense. Well, the Hawks play a different style of defense, predicated on speed, possession and takeaways, but they are marginally more effective. The numbers don't lie.
- John Jaeckel

I have been whining about having a bigger top 6 for 3 years now..
This is the series you really need it. The addition of a snarly Bickell and Zus helps this cause. I have a feeling the Kings are going to need to score more than 2 to win. We will see where they get it if they do....

No, Matt, a Kings fan has declared the following:

"Chicago lacks the same smothering defense that San Jose and St Louis brought to the game."

Even though the Hawks have had a better defense—GA, takeaways and penalty kill—in both the regular season and playoffs than either club.

So, it's over. Don't bother watching.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, i thought the Detroit series began to swing in our favor when our forwards really started pressing deep on the forecheck. Best Hawks' forecheck i've seen all year. Usually all 3 Hawks pressing enemy d-men south of their faceoff circles. That full court pressure created a lot of turnovers/chances for us.

Instead of Detroit suffocating us like they did in games 2, 3, 4, it was us pressuring them all over the ice, but it started with our forwards getting deep and hurrying enemy d-men. No reason that cannot continue.

You are right my friend about the regular season not mattering buttttttttt , statistics kinda matter , Who on St. Louis would be a top 4 D man on Chicago ?
- mrpaulish

Team defense isn't just the "defensive positions" It's the 200' players on the O who back check. St lu are a complete team who just lacked finishers. You guys have the finishers however L A collapsing defense will keep you guys on the perimeter IMO. If you want to talk defense lets talk team defense and the system being implemented. Playoffs are a different animal. We shall see who shows up. Not to long now. Good luck!

I have been whining about having a bigger top 6 for 3 years now..
This is the series you really need it. The addition of a snarly Bickell and Zus helps this cause. I have a feeling the Kings are going to need to score more than 2 to win. We will see where they get it if they do....
- ilinkhawk

As you know, Illini, I have been right there with you. But—and while the Wings are not the Kings—I was pleasantly surprised at how this team responded physically in that series.

detroit clearly thought they could intimidate the Hawks and they didn't. By the end of the series, aside from Quincey mugging Saad (who needs to seriously man up by the way), it was the Hawks punishing the Wings. Less hit numbers but much bigger hits: Bickell, Hjalmarsson, Shaw, Seabrook, Rozsival—even Kruger and Bolland. The Hawks will not match the Kings as hitters, nor should they try. But if anyone thinks the Hawks aren't capable of inflicting damage physically, they are mistaken.

Watching the special on NHL channel interviewing Kings how special winning the Cup was and how emotional they all were. They still want this bad. I immediately thought about Keith's comments the year after. Big contrast. Hopefully that fire is back. The Kings certainly still want this very badly.

Team defense isn't just the "defensive positions" It's the 200' players on the O who back check. St lu are a complete team who just lacked finishers. You guys have the finishers however L A collapsing defense will keep you guys on the perimeter IMO. If you want to talk defense lets talk team defense and the system being implemented. Playoffs are a different animal. We shall see who shows up. Not to long now. Good luck!
- arh777

Dude, go look at the numbers. Backchecking? Seriously? You are way off base.

Collapsing defense that will keep the Hawks on the perimeter? You act as though no one has ever tried that. It IS the way to defense the Hawks. Nothing new however. Will it work? Dunno. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't.

Team defense? Which TEAM has the Selke finalist, and Hossa, and Sharp, and Kruger, and Bolland, and Frolik? Which TEAM is 41 for 42 on the PK in the playoffs?

Let me help you out. Go to nhl.com. Look at the TEAM stats (Playoff and regular season, Chicago, St. Louis, san Jose AND L.A.). Then come back and let's talk about TEAM defense. We can't have a discussion if you choose to ignore FACTS.

Team defense isn't just the "defensive positions" It's the 200' players on the O who back check. St lu are a complete team who just lacked finishers. You guys have the finishers however L A collapsing defense will keep you guys on the perimeter IMO. If you want to talk defense lets talk team defense and the system being implemented. Playoffs are a different animal. We shall see who shows up. Not to long now. Good luck!
- arh777

This will be the key. Once we posted up Detroit, we got back in the series. We do it to L.A. and no reason we can't win.