The 1st two games are huge. The madhouse is going to be crazy wednesday and saturday. Need to take advantage and come out firing. But, boston won't have the pressure so they have nothing to lose. Can be loose. All they need is to win 1 at chicago and they could be in great shape

The 1st two games are huge. The madhouse is going to be crazy wednesday and saturday. Need to take advantage and come out firing. But, boston won't have the pressure so they have nothing to lose. Can be loose. All they need is to win 1 at chicago and they could be in great shape
- tomcat24

The fact is the Hawks have an issue at center ice and Kane should not play with Handzus.

Like I wrote today if Bolland is really back the Hawks are in much better shape...

Patrick Kane hat trick leads Blackhawks to Stanley Cup Finals. Dave Bolland finally arrives?? - FOX 32 Chicago:http://bit.ly/160jOWc
- Al

>As you say, Al, if Bolland is healthy enough to cover 200 feet at a good clip, the Hawks are that much better down the middle
>In 2010, Bolland was a key PKer and had a beautiful shorty in the Game 1 Finals -- which was a breakaway from the Hawks defensive blueline all the way down to Flyers net
>A faster, stronger Bolland gives them excellent full ice coverage on every line as Hossa defends 200 feet like a center

JJ
What a great blog! I couldn't agree with your analysis any more than to add the following. Boston has overcome one major adversity - their game 7 comeback from elimination against Toronto in the 3rd period (which is still blows my mind). The Hawks came back 3 times from elimination against Detroit and in game 7 overcame what was a brutal call by the ref. Then they had they had the will to win in LA without Keith and finally win in double overtime after "blowing" a lead with 10 seconds left. There is something very special about this team guys!!! GO HAWKS!!!!

What does the Kelly injury do to the Bruins ? Is he that much of a loss ? Equal to the Hawks Frolik ?

I'm with you.

The World is Over hyping the Bruins sweep of the Penguins.

Again, the Penguins had the worst D corps in this years playoffs. Worst goalies too.

If the Hawks skate away from dumb penalties they should win this series. The rest of the world will be "Shocked" but that's silly considering the Hawks have been the best team all year long and they have beaten Howard and Quick , the two best Goalies in the West , better goalies than Rask.
- mrpaulish

I don't mind this. It's best to be under-rated. Ask the Kings last year. Who would have predicted that an 8th seed would win? GO HAWKS!!!

What does the Kelly injury do to the Bruins ? Is he that much of a loss ? Equal to the Hawks Frolik ?
- mrpaulish

The Kelly injury? Or do you mean Campbell?

What does the Kelly injury do to the Bruins ? Is he that much of a loss ? Equal to the Hawks Frolik ?
- mrpaulish

I think you mean Campbell, and it hurts the PK and the 4th line, Soupy is a big loss for the B's.

I think you mean Campbell, and it hurts the PK and the 4th line, Soupy is a big loss for the B's.
- Rayven

Is every Campbell nicknamed "Soupy"?

Some creativity, people, please.

Not sure if anyone posted -

NHL Public Relations ‏@PR_NHL
NHL #StanleyCup Final Officials: Referees McCauley, O'Halloran, Rooney and Watson. Linesmen Heyer, Murphy, Racicot and Sharrers.
- SloanKetter1ng

Not Walkom and McCreary? I like out chances.

I think a major difference in whether you played or not is in the players you can tell people favor. I would guess that if you asked those who haven't played who the best player on the Hawks is, you'd get the majority saying Kane, and that's blatantly untrue.
- rollpards19

I never played the game but I did Coach my sons midget team and I guarantee you I know as much as anyone on this blog about hockey who played the game

The best thing about Chicago continuing on is we get to read JJ!!!

Great insight and as I tweeted yesterday I feel this series becomes a split based on the style of game the officials want.

If they allow the Bruins to wear them down and dare them to call every infraction it's Boston in 6.

However, if they call it the way players behave then Chicago can run and gun without fear and it's Chicago in 6.

Don't underestimate what Crawford has done this post season.
- Peter.Tessier

Good point. Look at the Bruins OT winner. Clear hook leads to the game winner going the other way. If they call it tight, I like the Hawks' chances.

I never played the game but I did Coach my sons midget team and I guarantee you I know as much as anyone on this blog about hockey who played the game
- Maggie

Keep reading the posts after that one and I assume we'll be all good

Smile and walk away . That will 1/2 defeat the Bruins scheme . Play through all the non calls , dont even look or speak to officials. This will be the key to the Hawks winning.

Hawks speed and skill plus the Hawks magnificent team defense will win them this series.

For the Bruins to win the Hawks will have to be goaded into stupid penalties.

I am extra hoping the Hawks win so that Bryan Bickell , who had his name left off the Stanley Cup in 2010 gets to have his name on the Cup. In 2010 he scored a couple of big goals but didnt appear in a game vs. Phili.
- mrpaulish

I wonder if Q would conspire to get Carcillo, Mayers, and Brookbank a game in the finals if they have a solid series lead. All three have been good soldiers, but didn't have enough regular season games to get their names on the cup.

Any Bears fans: Brad Briggs on Twitter said Bears send Carimi to TB for a pick (non-conditional), waiting for details.

Brad Biggs ‏@BradBiggs 13m
The draft pick #Bears receive will not be conditional. So, team gets something for Carimi now and he gets a fresh start elsewhere.

Brad Biggs Brad Biggs ‏@BradBiggs 13m
#Bears have traded former 1st rd pick Gabe Carimi to the Buccaneers for a draft pick. Adam Jahns first reported the move.
- ikeane

Never fully healthy I thought after that dislocated kneecap as a rookie. According to some stats, the best run blocking tackle in football last year, but something like the second worst pass blocker.

I wonder if Q would conspire to get Carcillo, Mayers, and Brookbank a game in the finals if they have a solid series lead. All three have been good soldiers, but didn't have enough regular season games to get their names on the cup.
- NewToHockey

The best thing about Chicago continuing on is we get to read JJ!!!

Great insight and as I tweeted yesterday I feel this series becomes a split based on the style of game the officials want.

If they allow the Bruins to wear them down and dare them to call every infraction it's Boston in 6.

However, if they call it the way players behave then Chicago can run and gun without fear and it's Chicago in 6.

Don't underestimate what Crawford has done this post season.
- Peter.Tessier

Oh (frank) off! You can blow JJ anytime. No need to on a hockey site.

Call me arrogant but I think this series won't be as great as many think. Hawks in 5....maybe 4.
- dan9189

You are totally wrong, trust me he will be a starter for a long time. He forced the Bears to trade him by not attending the OTA's and he got what he wanted, a fresh start

How was that not a double minor? Top of Shaw's nose was bleeding... Not that our PP would do anything about it, nor does it matter now.
- CBHawks88

I was kinda glad it was only two minutes. Didn't need to give LA more time to score another shortie. Keep it 5v5 as much as possible.

Oh (frank) off! You can blow JJ anytime. No need to on a hockey site.
- whipper334

play nice Whipper or toddle off, there's a good lad

Oh (frank) off! You can blow JJ anytime. No need to on a hockey site.
- whipper334

Somebody's upset that the last playoff game his team played it was Iginla wishing a 21 year old Toews good luck in the next round

The Kelly injury? Or do you mean Campbell?
- paulr

Yup Campbell

Somebody's upset that the last playoff game his team played it was Iginla wishing a 21 year old Toews good luck in the next round
- rollpards19

The hawks have opened as a -150 favorite to win the Cup...

So let's pretend we are Kompon for just a moment. Is there anyone here that would have had Bickell on the bench for a 5 on 3 PP in game 4? I still can't believe what a complete imbecile Kompon is. Can someone please buy this guy a one way ticket to Timbuktu to never be heard from again? Please!!!!!