this is true. before any playoff game, check stubhub and notice how "somebody" is mysteriously selling banks of 18 tickets in sections all over the 300 level.

furthermore, when they released tickets for the first and second rounds, i couldnt get a pair of tickets through ticketmaster. only tickets available were singles. then the day of game, you could get a pair through ticketmaster (and not through the resale site, but the actual ticketmaster site)

silliness.
- dr_boloney

There's a 4 block in 102 row 1 that I know for a fact belongs to the Hawks. They showed up on Stubhub for 2995 per ticket for game 7. They were then dropped to 2500 before immediately disappearing...

That is a plausible argument.

Quick is going to see more pressure however. Maybe a lot more. And more than he saw vs. The Blues.
- John Jaeckel

I can agree with this. But Howard hanging in there until Game 7 OT bodes well for Quick ***I hope***

That is a plausible argument.

Quick is going to see more pressure however. Maybe a lot more. And more than he saw vs. The Blues.
- John Jaeckel

He saw a lot of pressure. Blues couldn't capitalize. (Not a big surprise)

Hawks definately have better finishers, but Quick has been out of this world and I have a feeling it is going to continue against the Hawks.

How many games now has it been where he has let in 3 goals or less in the playoffs? Thirty something? And he has only allowed 3 in a few of them. This year twice, but the Kings still won both of those games 4-3.

Only one team this year possessed the puck better than Chicago. They're playing them.

I think LA's a better team, but Chicago getting four of seven at home makes it sort-of a coin-flip to me.

I can't argue with any of that, it's all pretty spot on... I was at the season opener when we got boat raced/curb stomped... the kings were flat and getting beat up and down the ice and chasing in the D- zone. I think they are playing a bit differently now, but I feel like the hawks won't have trouble getting goals on quick because they usually work the puck around and find open men/nets and create out numbered attacks... thats what I am expecting to see a lot of. of course I want the kings to win or at least give the hawks a hard time but I really feel like the underdog in this one... good luck to both teams, I never have had any issue with the blackhawks ever, respect them and the organization tons and the fans on here have been real sportingly/gentlemanly/classy/knowledgeable and I sure appreciate that...

as for the guy who was blasting us kings fans and essentially discrediting our fandom suggesting we are johnny come lately's which also implies we know nothing about the sport... I just want say that we are used to that, its been happening for as long as I can remember and that smack is old and meaningless to me as I am sure it is to a lot of us long time kings fans.. but just to be straight and throw my stats up here. it goes as follows as far as my time line of being a Kings fan....

1973 - 1989: did not know what hockey was or that it was a sport or even existed... only knew that the beach, skateboarding, music and promiscuous females existed.

1989 - 2013: die hard kings fan, quit varsity basketball to play hockey, have been a long suffering kings fan for all those years...

P.S. it was 2011 when I discovered hockeybuzz so that my friend is the only area you can call me a johnny come lately and that too bothers me not one bit

enjoy the series everyone !!!

Only one team this year possessed the puck better than Chicago. They're playing them.

I think LA's a better team, but Chicago getting four of seven at home makes it sort-of a coin-flip to me.
- Travis Yost

Speed.

Speed.
- John Jaeckel

What about speed?

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.

Yeah, it's lame when Detroit fans play that card over here. Lame when played on Kings fans.
- John Jaeckel

The downtrodden tend to be pretty quiet, and until recently god knows our franchises have not had a lot going for them. So we tended to stay in the shadows.

Anyway we have the last laugh now, we have young teams, with a strong core that should keep both teams competitive and contenders for several years going forward.

And while I take exception to the idiotic comment one individual made, is it such a bad thing to have more people watching hockey even if they just started in the last year. Always thought the goal was to grow the sport..

I can't argue with any of that, it's all pretty spot on... I was at the season opener when we got boat raced/curb stomped... the kings were flat and getting beat up and down the ice and chasing in the D- zone. I think they are playing a bit differently now, but I feel like the hawks won't have trouble getting goals on quick because they usually work the puck around and find open men/nets and create out numbered attacks... thats what I am expecting to see a lot of. of course I want the kings to win or at least give the hawks a hard time but I really feel like the underdog in this one... good luck to both teams, I never have had any issue with the blackhawks ever, respect them and the organization tons and the fans on here have been real sportingly/gentlemanly/classy/knowledgeable and I sure appreciate that...

as for the guy who was blasting us kings fans and essentially discrediting our fandom suggesting we are johnny come lately's which also implies we know nothing about the sport... I just want say that we are used to that, its been happening for as long as I can remember and that smack is old and meaningless to me as I am sure it is to a lot of us long time kings fans.. but just to be straight and throw my stats up here. it goes as follows as far as my time line of being a Kings fan....

1973 - 1989: did not know what hockey was or that it was a sport or even existed... only knew that the beach, skateboarding, music and promiscuous females existed.

1989 - 2013: die hard kings fan, quit varsity basketball to play hockey, have been a long suffering kings fan for all those years...

P.S. it was 2011 when I discovered hockeybuzz so that my friend is the only area you can call me a johnny come lately and that too bothers me not one bit

enjoy the series everyone !!!
- MikeOxbyg

What happened in 1989 ?

I think the combination of Chicago being really good at home and LA being really bad on the road makes this interesting. Hawks in 7. Personally, i want to see a Hawks-Pens final, since that will be an extremely entertaining series.

Only one team this year possessed the puck better than Chicago. They're playing them.

I think LA's a better team, but Chicago getting four of seven at home makes it sort-of a coin-flip to me.
- Travis Yost

What metrics are you using?

Takeaways

Playoffs: Chicago, 98 LA, 66
Regular: Chicago 467 (1st), LA 226 *dead last)

Giveaways

Playoffs: LA 118, Chicago 85
Regular: LA 426, Chicago 345

What happened in 1989 ?
- mrpaulish

hahahahahahaaa yeah pretty much what you think... saw my best friends little brother roll through the house on a pair of roller blades and a hockey stick and I asked "what the hell is that git up? and what are you doing" he then popped in a Gretzky video into the VHS lol and showed me what the great one was and told me that we have a team in LA and that they just landed this guy, I was sold instantly... quit varsity basketball, sold my drums and bought both roller and ice hockey gear immediately LOL true story

Always thought the goal was to grow the sport..
- fsanford

yep... game 7 wed night set all-time cable tv ratings nationally by > 5%. hopefully thats a good sign of growing interest and not just market-sensitive.

Or as the guidance counselor in th Breakfast Club said: "You mess with the bull, son, and you get the horns."
- John Jaeckel

That has to be one of your favorite movies classic, no doubt. I don't know which one I like better, that or 16 candles?

What about speed?
- Travis Yost

Speed is the Hawks' advantage—especially re: puck possession, they're also better on draws.

What are your puck possession metrics?

What happened in 1989 ?
- mrpaulish

Coincidentally that is when I started getting season tickets when I moved to L.A that year.

Kings marketing department did a great job selling the team

Glad I jumped on the bandwagon back then and there was no message board guy telling me I was not a true fan because I did not buy tickets before then, might have made me jump off.

What metrics are you using?

Takeaways

Playoffs: Chicago, 98 LA, 66
Regular: Chicago 467 (1st), LA 226 *dead last)

Giveaways

Playoffs: LA 118, Chicago 85
Regular: LA 426, Chicago 345
- John Jaeckel

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.

What happened in 1989 ?
- mrpaulish

we made lil wayne's head bleed

QUICK is the reason to take Los Angeles.

You ride that pony.

I see this as the biggest series between diverse styles and thinking about the new game.

I think lots of things have to line up for the hawks including more PP goals.

I just know that everyone I know hwo watch the Sharks Kings series have emailed me and said, as viewers they never felt that the Sharks were out-matched in series.

Calls and non-calls with factor in, but until the teams take to the ice and we see how they all respond to each other, it is tough to get a better read than seaosn games give us.
Besides the Stoll head ringing, the rumor of two Kings upper end forwards being injured is one that no one will ever substantiate.

I think we pretty much will know which two Kings ARE those guys after watching the first game, if that isn't some horse plop....

we made lil wayne's head bleed
- Sconnie

that was 93' hahahahaaa god I loved that game, coincidentally that was was my career path in 93' after the RHI cut me, and now I am 40 and still making video games...

that was 93' hahahahaaa god I loved that game, coincidentally that was that was my career path in 93' after the RHI cut me, and now I am 40 and still making video games...


- MikeOxbyg

Wraparound glitch version iirc.

I can't argue with any of that, it's all pretty spot on... I was at the season opener when we got boat raced/curb stomped... the kings were flat and getting beat up and down the ice and chasing in the D- zone. I think they are playing a bit differently now, but I feel like the hawks won't have trouble getting goals on quick because they usually work the puck around and find open men/nets and create out numbered attacks... thats what I am expecting to see a lot of. of course I want the kings to win or at least give the hawks a hard time but I really feel like the underdog in this one... good luck to both teams, I never have had any issue with the blackhawks ever, respect them and the organization tons and the fans on here have been real sportingly/gentlemanly/classy/knowledgeable and I sure appreciate that...

as for the guy who was blasting us kings fans and essentially discrediting our fandom suggesting we are johnny come lately's which also implies we know nothing about the sport... I just want say that we are used to that, its been happening for as long as I can remember and that smack is old and meaningless to me as I am sure it is to a lot of us long time kings fans.. but just to be straight and throw my stats up here. it goes as follows as far as my time line of being a Kings fan....

1973 - 1989: did not know what hockey was or that it was a sport or even existed... only knew that the beach, skateboarding, music and promiscuous females existed.

1989 - 2013: die hard kings fan, quit varsity basketball to play hockey, have been a long suffering kings fan for all those years...

P.S. it was 2011 when I discovered hockeybuzz so that my friend is the only area you can call me a johnny come lately and that too bothers me not one bit

enjoy the series everyone !!!
- MikeOxbyg

Nice post. Good luck to you as well.

Hawks puck retrieval in game 1 and those first 10 - 15 games - particularly on the PP - was unreal. Maybe a conditioning advantage? Who knows. It isn't there now like it was then.

I think the games will play more like the last 2 with LA. Quick seems to be past the back issues. No question the best goalie in hockey.

If the officials allow the clutch and grab like they did with Detwat it will be tough.... Will definitely see several Hawks planted in this series.

Not sure where the johnny come lately garbage comes from.... Most Kings fans I know have been die hards for decades. Hard to not like the style they play now.

Unfortunately, officiating may be a factor again. This should be a great series. Hope they call it fairly.

Even-strength shot attempt differentials. Best data-set we have when measuring possession.
- Travis Yost

Wouldn't TIME of POSSESSION be the best data set how you measure time of possession?

And besides, unless the teams play the very same opponents the same number of games it is skewed stat too.

As a 35 year mathematics teacher, I feel you coming along to argue this aspect is a silly as me telling you it is hilarious.

But we all didn't come here to give opinions that don't hold water, right?

I liked it when you just said which team you liked to win and why....that's all I am saying....

Wraparound glitch version iirc.
- Travis Yost

that and the laser shots from the top of the circle with sandstrom and kristich