Not surprised at all. I think the Kings will be pumped in front of the home crowd and desperate to avoid going down 3-0. Quick should be rested and ready for redemption as well. To me, it seems a game 4 win may be more likely than game 3.
- grinder10

Not sure I see either team being "rested," including Quick. We are a month into the playoffs, nearly, have less than 2 days between games, and LA flew back to LA last night (a 4.5 hour flight) after a game that ended at 9:30 CST. Even best case scenario, they didn't take off until midnight CST.

Nobody is rested this time of year.

This is a strong rumour and when they published this in Finnish media there must be some truth. Vesa Rantanen from IS Urheilu says that Chicago is winning the Antti Raanta race : http://www.iltasanomat.fi...hl/art-1288570638184.html

If true, this is a good news! Low risk/high reward type of signing but not a sure bet. Potential is there but how things work out is to be determinated. Still a rumour though, could be heading elsewhere too..
- MjulQvist

Yeah, but what kind of fighter is he?!

wondering about opinions on how easy people think it will be to move bolland at his cap number this summer?

i know there's only one year remaining (which makes him a bit more attractive) but with cap going down there might not be a lot of teams wanting to take a chance on bad money. at this point, i wouldn't care what i got in return as long as they took his contract so we are not put into a hard spot in signing leddy, bickell, and kruger if leddy gets offer sheeted or bickell's price is around 3.5.

wondering about opinions on how easy people think it will be to move bolland at his cap number this summer?

i know there's only one year remaining (which makes him a bit more attractive) but with cap going down there might not be a lot of teams wanting to take a chance on bad money. at this point, i wouldn't care what i got in return as long as they took his contract so we are not put into a hard spot in signing leddy, bickell, and kruger if leddy gets offer sheeted or bickell's price is around 3.5.
- Sconnie

You are assuming that most teams view Bolland as bad money. He's a one-year investment at a reasonable contract number, for a guy who has shown he's a shutdown D center and a one-time, possibly-two-time SC winner. Many teams would drool to land that kind of player. Plus, I'm sure the Hawks will sell his playoff performance as just recovering from a minor injury.

When you factor in the Hawks likely asking price (a pick, maybe an EL-type player), I would be floored if the Hawks couldn't trade Bolland.

Again... How , besides with hopes and dreams do the Kings get fast enough to keep up with the Hawks ?
- mrpaulish

They don't. Their only hope is to play the "come in waves and get in your face" style that led to so much success for them the last two years. One of the ways to accomplish that is for the Hawks to ALLOW it to happen by abandoning, or forgetting, what has worked for them the last 5 games. They need to continue to play their speed game and exploit the Kings lack of it. First two periods will be key.

You are assuming that most teams view Bolland as bad money.
- QStache

yes, that is my view but was wondering how other teams will view him. i hope that is the case.

What did you say?!?
- HawkintheD

Shawshank Redemption

Few notes from last night.

-I had the pleasure of going to the game and aside from Hawks/Preds game 5 in 2010, it was the 2nd best game I've ever been at. The roof damn near blew off the place when CC came to Toews' aid.

-From Game 5 of rd 2 till now, the Hawks look like a different team. They are playing fast, aggressive, smart hockey. They look ultra confident out there too.

-Tomorrow is the game LA is supposed to win to make this a series so the Hawks much match their desperation and try and get the W. If LA wins, its a series again.....if the Hawks win, this thing is over.

-My prediction for tomorrow, 2-1 Hawks in OT. They're playing too damn well to bet against them right now.

Few notes from last night.

-I had the pleasure of going to the game and aside from Hawks/Preds game 5 in 2010, it was the 2nd best game I've ever been at. The roof damn near blew off the place when CC came to Toews' aid.

-From Game 5 of rd 2 till now, the Hawks look like a different team. They are playing fast, aggressive, smart hockey. They look ultra confident out there too.

-Tomorrow is the game LA is supposed to win to make this a series so the Hawks much match their desperation and try and get the W. If LA wins, its a series again.....if the Hawks win, this thing is over.

-My prediction for tomorrow, 2-1 Hawks in OT. They're playing too damn well to bet against them right now.
- dan9189

For tomorrow night :

I feel like the Hawks jump out to a 3-0 lead during the 2nd period , Q puts Hawks in shell and the Kings make a frantic desperate push but lose game 3 by the score of 3-2 .......

For tomorrow night :

I feel like the Hawks jump out to a 3-0 lead during the 2nd period , Q puts Hawks in shell and the Kings make a frantic desperate push but lose game 3 by the score of 3-2 .......
- mrpaulish

Hawks just need to play their game and dictate the pace. LA will come out with some jump because of the home crowd but if the Hawks can score first it could deflate them. Richards injury will be key as is the biggest enemy of the Hawks.....themselves....playing complacent. I would like to think the Detroit series made them better and taught them a few things......I believe it did but time will tell.

"ALL OF IT ?"
- mrpaulish

Thanks Mr P! That was the line I was looking for.

Shawshank Redemption
- waitforawhistle

Got the movie reference; came up with the wrong quote.

Thanks Mr P! That was the line I was looking for.
- HawkintheD

Still trying to process Game of Thrones last night....watched it after the Hawks game

Dude this really sucks......the more and more i read the more it seems certain that Bickell is gone after this year, that there is no way we can resign him. Like, really? we lose big buff after we win it all.....and now that we've FINALLY replaced him, this guy is gonna be gone too?!?!?!?!?! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why did he have to play so good these playoffs? Why! I hate the fact that some team is jus gonna throw him some amount of $ that he just cant refuse. There is literally NOTHING we can do to stop it from happening, jus really, REALLY sux.....Im gonna miss him. I'd say there's like a 1% chance he stays, 99% that he's gone.

Still trying to process Game of Thrones last night....watched it after the Hawks game
- UnnamedSource

I did too. One episode left for this season!

Yeah, I hear ya, but its not likely the way the Hawks are playing. I hope The Kings, at the very least, put up a better fight the rest of the series. I've read a lot of this blog.....I like the Chicago fans here. Good hockey talk and a lot of class when talking about the Kings. I like the Hawks as a team as well. If and/or when they rep the west I hope Chicago keeps up this strong play and puts a whoopin on the east.
- dprice818

With a few exceptions, the LA posters here have been decent as well. Certainly classier than the Wings trolls. Not to mention the always classless Nuck burners as well.

This series is nowhere near over. Unless these injuries to Richards, Kopitar et al end up being catastrophic then it will take some major mistakes by LA to not be back here tied 2-2 this weekend.

Still trying to process Game of Thrones last night....watched it after the Hawks game
- UnnamedSource

OT:

George Marin is a serial killer more than a writer. Twisted mind. The books are a decent read but you can see where he believes he is a mix of Steven King and Tolkien. What he ends up doing is killing his most fascinating plot directions with his pre-occupation with killing primary characters.

Dude this really sucks......the more and more i read the more it seems certain that Bickell is gone after this year, that there is no way we can resign him. Like, really? we lose big buff after we win it all.....and now that we've FINALLY replaced him, this guy is gonna be gone too?!?!?!?!?! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why did he have to play so good these playoffs? Why! I hate the fact that some team is jus gonna throw him some amount of $ that he just cant refuse. There is literally NOTHING we can do to stop it from happening, jus really, REALLY sux.....Im gonna miss him. I'd say there's like a 1% chance he stays, 99% that he's gone.
- SimpleJack

The more I read about Bickell the more I'm certain he'll stay. After losing Byfuglien and to a lesser extent Brouwer (sorry JJ) Stan won't let another big physical forward walk. Stan will find a away to keep Bickell, but I think Stalberg is as good as gone.

Dude this really sucks......the more and more i read the more it seems certain that Bickell is gone after this year, that there is no way we can resign him. Like, really? we lose big buff after we win it all.....and now that we've FINALLY replaced him, this guy is gonna be gone too?!?!?!?!?! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why did he have to play so good these playoffs? Why! I hate the fact that some team is jus gonna throw him some amount of $ that he just cant refuse. There is literally NOTHING we can do to stop it from happening, jus really, REALLY sux.....Im gonna miss him. I'd say there's like a 1% chance he stays, 99% that he's gone.
- SimpleJack

I would be shocked if Bickell left,he likes it here.Bickell took a lower salary after the cup for an opportunity to play.If they do not come to terms I will not blame him if he moved on.A deal will be made or Stan will look bad.

Do you expect Bickel to perform the way he has in the playoffs throughout the entire 2013-'14 season. Bickel has been known to have motivational issues in the AHL and NHL.

It is asking a lot to be motivated to play a physical checking style through the regular season. How many players on each team do, in fact, make a living by playing rough and tough?

Being on a top scoring line and with a new contract are motivators. But players do get by coasting throughout the season....sometimes stars get away coasting and with a weak effort defensively. Note: Bickel,is not a star, but could be a fairly important member on the team next season.

My guess is the Bickel could be hitting his stride in the NHL. But he will continue to have games or a stretch here and there where he doesn't accomplish much. Perhaps just not as frequently will he play that way. He will be counted upon to be more like his 2013 playoff self.

Do you expect Bickel to perform the way he has in the playoffs throughout the entire 2013-'14 season. Bickel has been known to have motivational issues in the AHL and NHL.

It is asking a lot to be motivated to play a physical checking style through the regular season. How many players on each team do, in fact, make a living by playing rough and tough?

Being on a top scoring line and with a new contract are motivators. But players do get by coasting throughout the season....sometimes stars get away coasting and with a weak effort defensively. Note: Bickel,is not a star, but could be a fairly important member on the team next season.

My guess is the Bickel could be hitting his stride in the NHL. But he will continue to have games or a stretch here and there where he doesn't accomplish much. Perhaps just not as frequently will he play that way. He will be counted upon to be more like his 2013 playoff self.
- jhawk59

Most physical forwards do, look at Lucic for example. I'm fine with this, Bickell has show he steps up when it counts.

The more I read about Bickell the more I'm certain he'll stay. After losing Byfuglien and to a less extent Brouwer (sorry JJ) Stan won't let another big physical forward walk. Stan will find a away to keep Bickell, but I think Stalberg is as good as gone.
- DarthKane

I heard that potentially someone's gonna throw him around 4 yrs and 10+ mil. We will only be able to do somethin like 3 yrs and 8 mil. Stalberg is gone for sure i agree.

He'll, Rantaa, maybe be starting opening night of 2014-15. Especially if he starts to push Crawford next year....

Kings down 2-0, just gotten beaten down pretty good, Quick got pulled, I expect a very low scoring game tomorrow night. Stay out of the box, and withstand the 1st, 10 minutes of what shoudl be fire and brimstone...and you have a chance. If not, pressure flips back to the Hawks to win game 4, and not go home with a series even....LA with all the momentum, and a goalie who steals games in his sleep.

That is why everyone getting giddy, needs to relax. Series is FAR from over. ...Hawks haven't seen the Kings best punch yet...its coming....
- SteveRain

Rantaa isn't going to be a starter opening night or anytime close to opening night.

Maybe someday or he could be another over hyped goalie that many drooled over like Alexander Salak.

Never know with goalies especially when they not only have to adjust to the NHL but also to an entirely different culture.

Hawks continue to roll with a 4-2 victory, Quick looks human - "Soft" Hawks taking care of tough Kings:FOX Chicago:http://bit.ly/15ynJtj

Rantaa isn't going to be a starter opening night or anytime close to opening night.

Maybe someday or he could be another over hyped goalie that many drooled over like Alexander Salak.

Never know with goalies especially when they not only have to adjust to the NHL but also to an entirely different culture.

Hawks continue to roll with a 4-2 victory, Quick looks human - "Soft" Hawks taking care of tough Kings:FOX Chicago:http://bit.ly/15ynJtj
- Al

Looks stronger than Salak. Garth's blog says the Wild were looking to sign him to be their new starter next year. Several other teams made offers.

Crow is UFA when 15? He will want Howard plus money. If he keeps playing like this he may deserve it. Isn't that a departure from the Bowman formula?

Still trying to process Game of Thrones last night....watched it after the Hawks game
- UnnamedSource

I really think Martin puts all of the main character's names in a hat, draws 1-3 out, towards the end of each book, and kills them off, just to keep you guessing.