Are they starting out 1-0 since they won game 7 twice?
- NewToHockey

I so do miss the Nuck trolls. They had so much more passion and hate in their comments.
- Beaver-Warrior

Be patient Beav...the Hawks and their fans don't have the same history with the Kings. Meeting in the playoffs breeds contempt...

Give it time to gestate...kinda like a foot fungus, you'll develop a good hate and intolerance eventually.

And the Kings are not the Wild or Wings. Chicago should figure that out quickly.
- scootty

We know that. Ironically you are all posting on a Chicago blog and generally being the ones talking smack while most Chicago fans are acknowledging this is going to be a very tough series and that Quick is a very, very good goalie.

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

Its an interesting matchup because of the contrast in styles. Almost like the Islanders of the 80's (solid right thru the lineup) playing the high octane Oilers.

I look for the Kings to make Chicago's defence work like hell by hitting them as much as possible after dumping the puck into the corners. I look for the Hawks to expose a couple of the turtles on LA's defence. Kopi and Richards can't skate with Toews over a long series.

If I had to wager my last $ I would probably put it on the Kings to win a squeeker because of their goaltending. But this isn't a bad matchup for the Hawks, their speed is going to cause the Kings plenty of problems and make Doughty log huge minutes.

Its an interesting matchup because of the contrast in styles. Almost like the Islanders of the 80's (solid right thru the lineup) playing the high octane Oilers.

I look for the Kings to make Chicago's defence work like hell by hitting them as much as possible after dumping the puck into the corners. I look for the Hawks to expose a couple of the turtles on LA's defence. Kopi and Richards can't skate with Toews over a long series.

If I had to wager my last $ I would probably put it on the Kings to win a squeeker because of their goaltending. But this isn't a bad matchup for the Hawks, their speed is going to cause the Kings plenty of problems and make Doughty log huge minutes.
- RickJ

That could be a huge key. We have already seen the effectiveness of Suter in round one and then Kromwall in round two fade as the minutes piled up.

You won't see a sharper contrast between styles than in this series. Brute force vs. finesse. The Hawks are the best at the speed and finesse game. The Kings are the best at the crash and bang game. We can debate endlessly about which is better. I say neither. Whichever team plays their own style better and sticks to their system has the better chance of winning this series.

But in the end, the whole thing will come down to heart and will to win. After battling back from a 3-1 defecit, I like our chances in that department. As long as the boys realize that this isn't just a 7 game series, it's a war.

Hawks in 6, low scoring, very close games.

LA Kings fans
Est. June 2012

Someone photoshop a t-shirt.. think it's pretty appropriate.
- golfbard

Not funny, or accurate when Wangs fans say it about us, not funny or accurate to say about Kings fans now. Be better than that.

That could be a huge key. We have already seen the effectiveness of Suter in round one and then Kromwall in round two fade as the minutes piled up.
- NewToHockey

I hope you're right, but Doughty has more physical and mental endurance than Kronwall for sure, and possibly more than Suter. I think he'll stay effective for longer, which is why secondary scoring is going to be huge in this series.

That could be a huge key. We have already seen the effectiveness of Suter in round one and then Kromwall in round two fade as the minutes piled up.
- NewToHockey

For years in the NHL, it always has had a big bearing on the outcome of a playoff series. If Sutter has to overuse Doughty it will become a big factor by Game 4. And there already been been a few inches of tread taken off those tires from the 2 very physically demanding playoff series the Kings played in.

I like this LA matchup for the Hawks better than the Red Wings . SJ played extremely well but beyong Couture, Thornton, Pavelski, Burns and occasional participant Patrick Marleau, they didn't have the weapons to throw at LA that Chicago has up front or on the blueline.

You won't see a sharper contrast between styles than in this series. Brute force vs. finesse. The Hawks are the best at the speed and finesse game. The Kings are the best at the crash and bang game. We can debate endlessly about which is better. I say neither. Whichever team plays their own style better and sticks to their system has the better chance of winning this series.

But in the end, the whole thing will come down to heart and will to win. After battling back from a 3-1 defecit, I like our chances in that department. As long as the boys realize that this isn't just a 7 game series, it's a war.

Hawks in 6, low scoring, very close games.
- EvilLeprechaun

Exactly right. It will come down to heart and will. Do the hawks want it badly enough to deal with the million grinders on LA? Eventually I hope the hawks get pissed off with all the abuse and do a lot of it themselves. Shaw will be huge in this series.

Its an interesting matchup because of the contrast in styles. Almost like the Islanders of the 80's (solid right thru the lineup) playing the high octane Oilers.

I look for the Kings to make Chicago's defence work like hell by hitting them as much as possible after dumping the puck into the corners. I look for the Hawks to expose a couple of the turtles on LA's defence. Kopi and Richards can't skate with Toews over a long series.

If I had to wager my last $ I would probably put it on the Kings to win a squeeker because of their goaltending. But this isn't a bad matchup for the Hawks, their speed is going to cause the Kings plenty of problems and make Doughty log huge minutes.
- RickJ

Our d STUNK up the UC in the first 10-15 minutes of period 3 in G7 vs Detroit.

TURNOVER AFTER TURNOVER AFTER MAPHCKN TURNOVER



Fear it could only get worse with Kings m/o of sending wave after wave of bangers on the forecheck. Our D (and forwards for that matter) CANNOT PHUCK around with the puck inside our own blue line. Too many guys overstickhandling in our zone and getting pickpocketed last game. That is a recipe for DISASTER. The intensity of the L.A. forecheck creates an even greater urgency for quick and clean d'zone exits.

Oduya is a TURNOVER MACHINE so i don't expect him to read and absorb any of this. He's been in the league for 7 years now and is still making braindead, rookie mistakes. But I hope Joel and his bumboys make the OTHERS understand that PHUCKING AROUND WITH THE PUCK inside your own blueline is a losing strategy.

Puck possesion game or not...get the PUCK OUT FAST EVERY TIME. Force L.A. to regroup and re-enter. Don't gift wrap chances through DUMB TURNOVERS.

LA has a nice defense but not as fast or as skilled as Hawks although some muscle.

I wouldn't lay the 8/5 the Hawks will win the series but couldn't go against.

The Hawks best with the home ice edge will beat LA.

The issue is the "best" can't happen one out of every 3/4 games.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Exactly right. It will come down to heart and will. Do the hawks want it badly enough to deal with the million grinders on LA? Eventually I hope the hawks get pissed off with all the abuse and do a lot of it themselves. Shaw will be huge in this series.
- tomcat24

Also, which Bickell will show up?

Also, which Bickell will show up?
- NewToHockey

He was our BEST FORWARD BAR NONE the whole last series. I would expect L.A. to target him, but he's HARD AS PHUCK and can more than take care of himself. I'm looking for a chin strap rattling encore performance from 29.

LA has a nice defense but not as fast or as skilled as Hawks although some muscle.

I wouldn't lay the 8/5 the Hawks will win the series but couln't go against.

The Hawks best with the home ice edge will beat LA.

The issue is the "best" can't happen one out of every 3/4 games.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Doughty is 1-2 the best defenceman in the NHL despite who Gary Bettman picked out of a hat as Norris nominees. Voynov is rapidly improving and has potted some important goals in the playoffs.

But the rest are much more about hard work than skill and speed. Those are the guys the Hawks have to cause problems for.

He was our BEST FORWARD BAR NONE the whole last series. I would expect L.A. to target him, but he's HARD AS PHUCK and can more than take care of himself. I'm looking for a chin strap rattling encore performance from 29.
- philco28

Would be lovely to see him crush Dustin Brown a few times.

Our d STUNK up the UC in the first 10-15 minutes of period 3 in G7 vs Detroit.

TURNOVER AFTER TURNOVER AFTER MAPHCKN TURNOVER



Fear it could only get worse with Kings m/o of sending wave after wave of bangers on the forecheck. Our D (and forwards for that matter) CANNOT PHUCK around with the puck inside our own blue line. Too many guys overstickhandling in our zone and getting pickpocketed last game. That is a recipe for DISASTER. The intensity of the L.A. forecheck creates an even greater urgency for quick and clean d'zone exits.

Oduya is a TURNOVER MACHINE so i don't expect him to read and absorb any of this. He's been in the league for 7 years now and is still making braindead, rookie mistakes. But I hope Joel and his bumboys make the OTHERS understand that PHUCKING AROUND WITH THE PUCK inside your own blueline is a losing strategy.

Puck possesion game or not...get the PUCK OUT FAST EVERY TIME. Force L.A. to regroup and re-enter. Don't gift wrap chances through DUMB TURNOVERS.
- philco28

right on phil!!! Will the PizzaMan strike once again????
wish there was a place for ben smith & carbomb this series . Saad & Stalberg have to "ball up" and use their size. Good luck Hawks in this 1!

Would be lovely to see him crush Dustin Brown a few times.
- RickJ

Let's get him before he gets us

right on phil!!! Will the PizzaMan strike once again????
wish there was a place for ben smith & carbomb this series . Saad & Stalberg have to "ball up" and use their size. Good luck Hawks in this 1!
- wonthecup10

Did Steve Yzerman ever take a sh it in Detroit ?

I don't know if anyone mentioned earlier...

Alex Broadhurst signed a ELC today.

http://icehogs.com/news/icehogs/?article_id=3823

Doughty is 1-2 the best defenceman in the NHL despite who Gary Bettman picked out of a hat as Norris nominees. Voynov is rapidly improving and has potted some important goals in the playoffs.

But the rest are much more about hard work than skill and speed. Those are the guys the Hawks have to cause problems for.
- RickJ

Time to put Seabrook with Keith and watch Oduya closely...

Our d STUNK up the UC in the first 10-15 minutes of period 3 in G7 vs Detroit.

TURNOVER AFTER TURNOVER AFTER MAPHCKN TURNOVER



Fear it could only get worse with Kings m/o of sending wave after wave of bangers on the forecheck. Our D (and forwards for that matter) CANNOT PHUCK around with the puck inside our own blue line. Too many guys overstickhandling in our zone and getting pickpocketed last game. That is a recipe for DISASTER. The intensity of the L.A. forecheck creates an even greater urgency for quick and clean d'zone exits.

Oduya is a TURNOVER MACHINE so i don't expect him to read and absorb any of this. He's been in the league for 7 years now and is still making braindead, rookie mistakes. But I hope Joel and his bumboys make the OTHERS understand that PHUCKING AROUND WITH THE PUCK inside your own blueline is a losing strategy.

Puck possesion game or not...get the PUCK OUT FAST EVERY TIME. Force L.A. to regroup and re-enter. Don't gift wrap chances through DUMB TURNOVERS.
- philco28

Oduya is fine #5/#6 ....I have written too many times but time to say it again...

He has never before been a #3/#4 on a very good team...

He has played well over the season and the coaching staff has leaned on him a bit too much...

More minutes more mistakes...Really not more complicated than that.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Would be lovely to see him crush Dustin Brown a few times.
- RickJ

That is all it might take, too. The rumors say he and kopitar are badly banged up. Maybe more than sharp and hossa. Keep hitting brown and kopitar.

I don't know if anyone mentioned earlier...

Alex Broadhurst signed a ELC today.

http://icehogs.com/news/icehogs/?article_id=3823
- EKolb13

Saw him play once this year...not overly impressed, but he did get better as the year went on. Like the Illinois lineage.

Oduya is fine #5/#6 ....I have written too many times but time to say it again...

He has never before been a #3/#4 on a very good team...

He has played well over the season and the coaching staff has leaned on him a bit too much...

More minutes more mistakes...Really not more complicated than that.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

4-5-6...he's still got to MINIMIZE (read: ELIMINATE) the BLATANT GIVEAWAYS.