If it was 4-1 game in favor of Kings, I bet you CC would have dropped them... CC is a very smart man and knows how to read the situation!!!
- Nerko77

He's winning my respect. Definitely has evolved and matured in these playoffs. Every round he wins, you can see it.

THIS

I don't mean this as a kick in the gonads, however, me thinks a lot of "Johnny come latelys" who watch this team/hockey casually don't grasp that aspect.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Correct...I sense the same arrogance with this series we saw after game 1 vs Detroit.....

They dont lose at home....as I keep on saying...this series is FAR from over.
- SteveRain

Very true, BUT quick also does not give up more then 3 goals in games....

The Kings team you will see Tuesday night is nothing like what we've seen Saturday and Sunday.

Lets give some respect to the defending champs....This propaganda of thinking the series is over because they won 2 games, is a joke. The Hawks dominated 95% of the game on Saturday and barely won...thanks to Quick. Imagine if the Kings actually play well....Last night, Quick gave up some very bad goals, and the Kings were lost....

When the Kings throw their best bunch ,and the Hawks win...I'll join you...until then....all the Hawks have done is win 2 games, and last time I checked, it takes 4 to win a series....
- SteveRain

what magical thing will happen in their building? It's not like they haven't been finishing their checks or going into the corners or didn't have their goalie stand on his head saturday night and still could only score on a goofy goal.

I'm not saying we can just show up but I think we sure learned our lessons about playoff hockey from detroit.

Everything I was so sure of about size and smashing and physicality has been proven untrue by a speed team that has shown a willingness to play thru it and because our 3 lines are such weapons and our 4th line doesn't really get scored against even or on the PK, so it doesn't turn into a match up game.

Did you see what was going on with Sharp and Greene? Did you ever see a guy yelling "come get me" at a D man as he was skating at him him the puck? This is something special. We're not going to quit because of their size. This is amaxing stuff we are seeing.

THIS

I don't mean this as a kick in the gonads, however, me thinks a lot of "Johnny come latelys" who watch this team/hockey casually don't grasp that aspect.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Don't they say a series doesn't really begin until the home team loses a game?

I'm with ya here...lot of positives to take out of the last two, but series far from over. Kings are dynamite at home. They'll be able to get the matchups they want. Should change the dynamic some.

Correct...I sense the same arrogance with this series we saw after game 1 vs Detroit.....
- SteveRain

Series certainly isn't over - wouldn't be surprised (or concerned) at all if the series came back to Chicago at 2-2.

But as for arrogance: I assume you don't mean the players - they seem properly deferential and understanding of play-off hockey, especially playing the defending champs with a perfect record at home.

If you mean us fans - well, we don't know sh!t, but I still don't see very much "series is over, bring on Boston" sentiment. We just have too much time on our hands between games - have to talk about something.

I know it's an intangible theory you want to live and die by but you don't know that is true anymore than I know it isn't. I look at the tangibles, the trap, the clutching and grabbing and the fact that Toews, among others allowed themselves to lose focus by being frustrated by the game Detroit employed. Also factor in the 'Stalberg incident' the screaming match Stalberg had with Quenneville that left Q no choice but to bench him
- paulr

You are insinuating I am a kook for this theory, which as a former athlete, I know exists and is true, regarding coaches effing with a teams karma. Additionally, you justify the move based upon hearsay of what happened, or just as likely did not happen, between Q and 25. The screaming match probably occurred, when 25 said, why am I not on my line and q told him he had a hunch about something.

For the last time, and it amazes me that people do not see this, I do not care if Detroit had guys driving Zamboni's on the ice and whatever stunt or scheme they wanted to use. Chicago was far and away the best team in the league, especially vs Detroit. Until Detroit PROVED, they could stop or stymie the hawks and the way they beat them 10 plus times in a row, you don't go changing things in anticipation. If you are correct and they still get flustered, then yes you make the adjustment. But you don't alter what you do, and do well and best, because you MIGHT have trouble with something. Just a horrible mindset in battle.

Lastly, I will argue in the end I was right, because Q backed off and went with his starting line up he used all year...and they won.

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..

This is a strong rumour and when they published this in Finnish media there must be some truth. Vesa Rantanen from IS Veikkaaja 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

Holy umlat. My finnish is rusty. What does that article say?

Don't they say a series doesn't really begin until the home team loses a game?

I'm with ya here...lot of positives to take out of the last two, but series far from over. Kings are dynamite at home. They'll be able to get the matchups they want. Should change the dynamic some.
- eburgio

And your first statement is 100% true. Logic tells you if you have a seven game series the team who only has 3 home games has to win a game on the road. If the Hawks steal one in LA this series is over in 5 UNLESS Quick does what he does so often in an elimination game/Game 5 scenario and plays out of his mind...

This is a strong rumour and when they published this in Finnish media there must be some truth. Vesa Rantanen from IS Veikkaaja 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

WHOA!!!! This is actually REALLY big time news.... (and I'm not being sarcastic).

Holy umlat. My finnish is rusty. What does that article say?
- eburgio

That Blackhawks has signed Antti Raanta according to IS Urheilu. Raanta wasn´t willing to commentate this. Jussi Varjus has tweeted earlier also that Blackhawks has signed Raanta..guess we´ll no soon if this is legit.

JJ,

Lets fast forward to July 6th, 2013....

What kind of moves do you see the Hawks making?

Who gets traded / not resigned / resigned on this roster.... who do you see making a run at a roster spot from Rockford?

My thinking is that you wont see zus, bolland, rozsival, stalberg, montador and olesz (buyouts) back

Does any of TT, Danault, Mcneill, Pirri, Stanton, Clendening make the roster next year?

And your first statement is 100% true. Logic tells you if you have a seven game series the team who only has 3 home games has to win a game on the road. If the Hawks steal one in LA this series is over in 5 UNLESS Quick does what he does so often in an elimination game/Game 5 scenario and plays out of his mind...
- CaptainBlackhawk

Like anything else...it comes down to matchups...WE saw what Q prefers and they dominated LA.

Now we get to see what Sutter prefers....I also hate to say it, but the refs calling the clutching/grabbing/crap will also be BIG. Figure LA will aim to slow down the Hawks, and if they can get away with it at home, they could extend this series...

The Hawks "physicality" is what has impressed me quite a bit here these first two games. They key to this entire series has simply been: Dent the net against Quick and they'll do quick (see how I did that!) work of the Kings.
- CaptainBlackhawk

While I agree that has been impressive, the Hawks have shown the ability at home to be as physical as any opponent when they want to be. I think it will be a challenge to maintain that level out in L.A. They can still win though if they continue to get the amount of open ice they're getting. That has been the biggest impression to me over the first 2 games. Detroit had us in a straight jacket compared to what we're seeing from L.A. You give these guys that much room and you're gonna get burned, I don't care how good Quick is.

JJ,

Lets fast forward to July 6th, 2013....

What kind of moves do you see the Hawks making?

Who gets traded / not resigned / resigned on this roster.... who do you see making a run at a roster spot from Rockford?

My thinking is that you wont see zus, bolland, rozsival, stalberg, montador and olesz (buyouts) back

Does any of TT, Danault, Mcneill, Pirri, Stanton, Clendening make the roster next year?
- ChicagoDave

Mybe the rockford roster

And your first statement is 100% true. Logic tells you if you have a seven game series the team who only has 3 home games has to win a game on the road. If the Hawks steal one in LA this series is over in 5 UNLESS Quick does what he does so often in an elimination game/Game 5 scenario and plays out of his mind...
- CaptainBlackhawk

That whole team has been off so far this series. We have not seen the Kings' best effort. If Richards comes back on Tuesday, I imagine they'll be full of piss and vinegar on home ice. I used to think the Kings were such a 'heavy' team until I saw them in Game 7 vs SJ. They were flying and just smothering the Sharks. I anticipate that game tomorrow.

This is a strong rumour and when they published this in Finnish media there must be some truth. Vesa Rantanen from IS Veikkaaja 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

There's been a lot of rumours going around about this guy, I've read about him going to Chicago, Edmonton and Winnipeg. I've read that he tweeted he made his decision but wasn't saying where just yet. If Raanta signed with a team that's not playing right now I'm sure he would have announced it. This could point to Chicago, but that's really just a guess on my part.

IF true (about Raanta) he'd be Crawford's backup next season and Emery would not be back. I'd be very curious to see what his cap hit would be as he was heavily wooed by many teams in the NHL.

Today's article...

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

John Jaeckel: Feeling 2010-ish
- John Jaeckel

On paper, this team is not as good as the one in 2010, IMO, but as far as their drive, persistence, chemistry and the will to win goes, these Hawks are probably superior to the 2010 team.
I don't think anybody is stopping you this year.

JJ,

Lets fast forward to July 6th, 2013....

What kind of moves do you see the Hawks making?

Who gets traded / not resigned / resigned on this roster.... who do you see making a run at a roster spot from Rockford?

My thinking is that you wont see zus, bolland, rozsival, stalberg, montador and olesz (buyouts) back

Does any of TT, Danault, Mcneill, Pirri, Stanton, Clendening make the roster next year?
- ChicagoDave

Let's not. Let's enjoy the current playoff run as long as it lasts. There will be plenty of time for this discussion later.

Let's not. Let's enjoy the current playoff run as long as it lasts. There will be plenty of time for this discussion later.



- DarthKane

Amen!

There's been a lot of rumours going around about this guy, I've read about him going to Chicago, Edmonton and Winnipeg. I've read that he tweeted he made his decision but wasn't saying where just yet. If Raanta signed with a team that's not playing right now I'm sure he would have announced it. This could point to Chicago, but that's really just a guess on my part.
- DarthKane

Yup - it would have been announced. No doubt IF he's coming here to Chicago the org-an-EYE-zation doesn't want a distraction of.. "Why did you sign him with how well Crawford has played these playoffs?"

And.. if true... this 100% confirms my notion that the Hawks STILL don't see Crawford as their long-term solution. Or they simply realize they have zero organization goalie depth.. but then.. you wouldn't sign this guy to accomplish that.

While I agree that has been impressive, the Hawks have shown the ability at home to be as physical as any opponent when they want to be. I think it will be a challenge to maintain that level out in L.A. They can still win though if they continue to get the amount of open ice they're getting. That has been the biggest impression to me over the first 2 games. Detroit had us in a straight jacket compared to what we're seeing from L.A. You give these guys that much room and you're gonna get burned, I don't care how good Quick is.
- Sconnie

i look at our motors. Shaw, Sharp, Hossa, Keith, bickel, stalberg, toews, fro, kruger. They just KEEP PUMPIN. If our physicality has stood out-I believe you see it most in our effort. Honestly, matchups, goalies, special teams-meh. I feel we're healthier, confident and flat out outworking them!