Well, I for one think that having a team for 45 years (right?) kind of means there just might be an established fan base. And I also have fond memories of going to a handful of games at the Forum back in the 80s. Yes, it was kind of weird then to go a hockey game in California (to me at least), but it was clear that there was a fan base that followed the game.

In any case, here's to a good series. Don't hate the Kings, even if there might be a few moments along the way that might change that slightly. Finally, I always loved Darryl Sutter as a Blackhawk player and coach (his work ethic, he's all business). Thus, worse things could happen than losing to the Kings (like losing to the underdog Wings, the Canucks, or eventually the Penguins).
- AL SEC0RD

The forum was awesome, I miss those days...

I'm sure at some point the role players will get chippy, brown will dive or make a questionable hit, just like that could happen with someone on the hawks as well, the refs always could become a factor... but for the record, I don't talk about penalties or dirty plays or dives, non calls... you will see after every game on here, I point to the scoreboard and either give congrats or accept them.. thats just how I roll. I really didn't want to face the blackhawks, its weird playing a team that I don't hate for once... LOL

love have sutter at the helm, loved him when he was with the hawks as well, its great to have his pedigree and brand leading us, and so fun to watch his presser's

look forward to chatting with you all as the series progresses.

The Kings have gotten premium play out of their premium players. What happens when that starts to happen for the Blackhawks? They are in the conference final without it. The Hawks have more ways to win. Hawks in 6.
- ilinkhawk

IF that even happens at all. I agree, that if Sharp, Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith and Seabrook all play at or near the top of their game out chances of winning greatly improve. Especially if the likes of Shaw, Bickell, Frolik and Hjalmarsson keep playing like they have been.

Special teams will be a big story in this series but so will LA's defense. Will they be able to contain the speed of the Blackhawks forwards?

This is the biggest load of poop I've ever written. I still thought you were a homer by the end of it.

My 2 cents for what it’s worth!

I feel the early part of this schedule benefits the Hawks.
The Hawks have played maybe 5 grueling games compared to 13 for the Kings.
That’s gotta play some sort of a factor.
Game 1 is vital, win that and ride that wave into game 2 and I can see the Hawks flying to LA up 2-0.
Split in LA and it becomes a short series. Like when playing the Blues, scoring first is essential.

Lose game 1 and LA either takes the series or the Hawks somehow find a way in 7 games.

You are correct. Man, I loved those old hockey video games, I would sit around with my buddies and play for hours. They always made Belfour the best goalie back then, it was great.
- DarthKane

And Roenick was the highest rated player, at least for '94, no? Those damn blackhawks...

The Kings have gotten premium play out of their premium players. What happens when that starts to happen for the Blackhawks? They are in the conference final without it. The Hawks have more ways to win. Hawks in 6.
- ilinkhawk

Aside from Quick and Doughty not sure if I agree with you 100% on getting premium play from premium players.

Until the last game Kopitar, Brown and Williams were pretty bad.. Williams finally scored a couple last game.

Seems both teams were lacking production from their top guys..

Fortunately guys like Bickell and Voynov were able to chip in with goals to help their teams move forward.

And Roenick was the highest rated player, at least for '94, no? Those damn blackhawks...
- cryptical77

I think he was, or at least he was right up there.

first john:

kings went to six games with st louis.
second: don't base anything on the regular season. greene was hurt in the opening game, mitchell hasnt played since last playoffs, so our D has been patched up with muzzin and ellerby and regehr.
third: quick was ineffective during the season, but so far in these playoffs, he hasn't allowed more than 3 goals . and as for the faceoffs, you can thank torres for busting up stoll. regardless, the kings can win this series as long as brown, kopitar, carter, richards, williams and the other guys who can score, score.
- KingsFan30

Sure Quick hasn't allowed more than 3 goals in a game but how times has Crawford allowed more than 3 goals? Once.

Quick is an elite goaltender and if the Kings win this series it will be because of him. However, Quick hasn't faced nearly close to the depth of speed and finish that the Blackhawks will bring.

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

King started out really bad this year. Really bad. So bad some were saying they would not make the playoffs. The first 10 games the Hawks potted 13 more goals than the Kings.

For the rest of the season Hawks scored 5 more goals than the Kings

While the Hawks have a very good offense the Kings actually are not that far off if we factor in once the Kings shook the hangover..

Maybe we will see a couple of high scoring games..

Okay probably not..

Sure Quick hasn't allowed more than 3 goals in a game but how times has Crawford allowed more than 3 goals? Once.

Quick is an elite goaltender and if the Kings win this series it will be because of him. However, Quick hasn't faced nearly close to the depth of speed and finish that the Blackhawks will bring.
- Bjm84

I think San Jose was a decent gauge on how the Kings will respond to a speed game. Unfortunately, Minnesota was a non-series (not the 'Hawks fault) and Detroit won't give them any indication of how they'll respond to the Kings' physicality. It seemed early on as though Detroit taking liberties with the Hawks top players seemed to throw them off their game. I expect that LA will bring that same type of game, but ten-fold. Hopefully Toews et al. have learned how to overcome that and make it a tight series.

King started out really bad this year. Really bad. So bad some were saying they would not make the playoffs. The first 10 games the Hawks potted 13 more goals than the Kings.

For the rest of the season Hawks scored 5 more goals than the Kings

While the Hawks have a very good offense the Kings actually are not that far off if we factor in once the Kings shook the hangover..

Maybe we will see a couple of high scoring games..

Okay probably not..
- fsanford

How long would the lockout have to last to negate that hangover?

Aside from Quick and Doughty not sure if I agree with you 100% on getting premium play from premium players.

Until the last game Kopitar, Brown and Williams were pretty bad.. Williams finally scored a couple last game.

Seems both teams were lacking production from their top guys..

Fortunately guys like Bickell and Voynov were able to chip in with goals to help their teams move forward.
- fsanford

I don't group or put all of them on the same level. Kane / Toews. Quick Doughty more like it. I know brown and Kopitar are good. But you don't hear anyone saying the Kings win this with how they are going to take over a game.

How long would the lockout have to last to negate that hangover?
- LondonSen

First games of the season are first games of the season, you step on that ice after winning, there is going to be less of an edge in your game because you achieve a goal you worked so hard to obtain. You have to re-calibrate yourself to find that same drive to win it again. Sometimes it takes getting you butt kicked a few games to push the reset button.

Not to mention the time it takes to get adjusted having a big target on your back.

You could sit out a year and even then I would say the champion would still have to deal with complacency of the first 2-3 weeks.

That and the Kings having like 3 home games in their first 15 or 20 games might have had an impact as well.

Hey guys, making a trip to Chicago next week to see the Jays/Sox. Where would be a good highend Sports Bar/Steak House downtown to catch game 5 next Saturday?

We are staying at the Fairmont if that helps.

Thanks

I don't group or put all of them on the same level. Kane / Toews. Quick Doughty more like it. I know brown and Kopitar are good. But you don't hear anyone saying the Kings win this with how they are going to take over a game.
- ilinkhawk

Not sure about that. Kopi is still our go-to guy, if and when he can turn it back on. Although Quick certainly seems to be taking that title away.

Not sure about that. Kopi is still our go-to guy, if and when he can turn it back on. Although Quick certainly seems to be taking that title away.
- cryptical77

If the Hawks had Quick every objective analyst would pick the Hawks in 4 or 5. Here's to hoping that Crawford comes up big.

Not sure about that. Kopi is still our go-to guy, if and when he can turn it back on. Although Quick certainly seems to be taking that title away.
- cryptical77

Your go to guy is Quick. If he doesn't so well (which I see no reason why he won't) how will you win this series? Kopitar? I have also read about 10 series previews. Nowhere do I see Kopitar being the key for the Kings.

Hey guys, making a trip to Chicago next week to see the Jays/Sox. Where would be a good highend Sports Bar/Steak House downtown to catch game 5 next Saturday?

We are staying at the Fairmont if that helps.

Thanks
- Lanny9

Just north of the Fairmont (over the river) is where there is a ton of restaurants and bars. I'm sure every TV will be tuned into the game. I can't really think of a sports bar per se to watch the game. If you are looking for a great steak, try the Chop House, Morton's, Harry Carey's, or Ruth Cris. There will be a ton of great places to watch the game so it won't be tough to find a place. You will want to make reservations if you are going to one of the steak houses.

Cheers, and hope you have a great time.




Edit: Forgot about Mother Hubbards Sports Bar, it's pretty good.

Your go to guy is Quick. If he doesn't so well (which I see no reason why he won't) how will you win this series? Kopitar? I have also read about 10 series previews. Nowhere do I see Kopitar being the key for the Kings.
- ilinkhawk

Hence why that may be changing. But for this core, Kopi has always been at the top of the list since the rebuild. Although maybe not the case anymore.

I think San Jose was a decent gauge on how the Kings will respond to a speed game. Unfortunately, Minnesota was a non-series (not the 'Hawks fault) and Detroit won't give them any indication of how they'll respond to the Kings' physicality. It seemed early on as though Detroit taking liberties with the Hawks top players seemed to throw them off their game. I expect that LA will bring that same type of game, but ten-fold. Hopefully Toews et al. have learned how to overcome that and make it a tight series.
- LondonSen

plus like i said, we have a patched up d line, with mitchell not there. add in muzzin regehr and there ya go. and with greene out a while.

Your go to guy is Quick. If he doesn't so well (which I see no reason why he won't) how will you win this series? Kopitar? I have also read about 10 series previews. Nowhere do I see Kopitar being the key for the Kings.
- ilinkhawk

This is the problem, he has sucked so bad lately that people don't consider him as difference maker.

He scored many big goals in the playoffs last year. O.T winner in Jersey. This year not much.

Kopi, can dominate games due his size and great hand.
By many considered a top 10 center in the league. Lots of teams would give up a lot to get this guy. And yet he is Claude Raines for the most part in these playoff's.

He hurt his knee in early Jan. playing in Europe, the rumor is something is tore or damaged in said knee.. Will see at the end of the season.

Quick cannot win 0-0 games. Need Kopitar to step up this series for the Kings to have a shot.

Last year when LA faced a very fast and skilled team that would rather not play the strong game, they beat them in 5.

Now before anyone jumps on me, I don't think that's going to happen here... However, speed is something that the Kings can handle, they have done it in the past.

It's going to depend on who can force the other into playing their game.

Wow! You're definitely in the minority here. If you're a true Homer, you'll go to Vegas and throw down some cash. You'll get some pretty good odds. Good luck!


- URKillinMe

Blackhawks are the favorites in Vegas.

http://linemakers.sportin...tanley-cup-playoffs-vegas

>JJ, a balanced review with just the right "homer" seasoning -- of course you should pick the Hawks
>Besides the Kings having 3 slow Dmen and a poor track record at the dot, LA gives the puck away an awful lot
>Kings generate few shots and few goals
>BUT the Kings have Quick, tons of confidence, and know how to win
>Hawks need to make this an all-out track meet -- and no Hawk player should be standing still on any shift
>Hawk Dmen should be jumping up to join offensive rushes at every opportunity
>Hawk Dmen should also be banking the puck off the endboard to a teammate on the other side of the net when Quick comes way out to challenge a point shot
>The team that can continually extend the other team's shifts -- will take control of games -- Hawks will try with puck possession -- LA will try with sheer muscle
>If the Hawks play as a unit of 5 all over the ice, with high-tempo, they will be very hard to beat -- regardless of Quick
>With the first 3 games over in just 4 days, this could be a very short series
>Think the Wings style of play and Babcock's focus of "being hard on the Hawks' top players" was the perfect prelude for the Hawks to beat the Kings