Hawk page is one of the VIBRANT on HB....kudos to JJ and all the awesome posters who bring their passion and insights to this page.

- philco28

Well said Phil.

Well said Phil.
- EKolb13

Cheers EK and keep those awesome Rockford farm reports coming ya hear

Go ahead and trim...That's my vote.

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

Hey Al!

Nice article! But no prediction? Or are you waiting to give that to us another day? Do you think the Hawks can use their speed and skill against the Bruins? Or are you of the group that thinks the Bruins will stomp the Hawks in the end? How mobile are their D men when compared to LA's for example? Anyone catch any of their action? Some people claim that the Bruins have trouble with speed teams, citing the Maple Leafs series where the Leafs were giving them all sorts of trouble

Does anyone have a good seat they want to sell for Game 2 or game 5

That's right Beav! You tell him!
- EKolb13

Howdy E! I almost went ape on him. It wouldn't have been pretty.

Does anyone have a good seat they want to sell for Game 2 or game 5
- PEIHawkFan

Got a great one in front of a 47" LCD.

Not sure that is possible. I say engage him between whistles within the rules and make sure we're in the officials ear all night long... about the notorious cheap post whistle stuff he and they like to pull.
- philco28

Definitely engage him, just Legally. No cheap shots in front of refs. I don't know how he gets away with all of it. Everyone knows he is dirty and cheap

Hey Al!

Nice article! But no prediction? Or are you waiting to give that to us another day? Do you think the Hawks can use their speed and skill against the Bruins? Or are you of the group that thinks the Bruins will stomp the Hawks in the end? How mobile are their D men when compared to LA's for example? Anyone catch any of their action? Some people claim that the Bruins have trouble with speed teams, citing the Maple Leafs series where the Leafs were giving them all sorts of trouble
- captainserious

There will be an articles out o Tuesday.

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

Got a great one in front of a 47" LCD.
- Beaver-Warrior

I had a great seat last night at some friends 55" LCD, 'cause they asked me to eat pizza and watch the game with them. But they're a married couple and both hockey illiterate, so I had to explain why they called offsides, what it meant to "keep it in" the zone etc., and it was sort of distracting.

I'm as social as the next person, but I prefer watching it alone on my humble 32", since I'm in Iowa and don't have any hockey fan friends here.

I know it's just trivia, but it blows my mind that a 20 year old Jagr was on the Lemieux-led Pens team that trounced our Hawks in '92, and we'll be seeing a 41 year old Jagr at the UC on Wednesday.

I am cheering for Chicago, but I can see Boston winning this. Chicago has to get past Rask who is playing lights out right now. He's given up 3 goals in his last 5 games.
- Ben37

I can see Boston winning too... but as for this reasoning- Howard and Quick were also playing "lights out" and the Hawks beat them (I'd say they got to Quick pretty bad)

Maybe Rask will continue his dominating play, but maybe not. Hawks come at you in waves with tons of speed.

I had a great seat last night at some friends 55" LCD, 'cause they asked me to eat pizza and watch the game with them. But they're a married couple and both hockey illiterate, so I had to explain why they called offsides, what it meant to "keep it in" the zone etc., and it was sort of distracting.

I'm as social as the next person, but I prefer watching it alone on my humble 32", since I'm in Iowa and don't have any hockey fan friends here.

I know it's just trivia, but it blows my mind that a 20 year old Jagr was on the Lemieux-led Pens team that trounced our Hawks in '92, and we'll be seeing a 41 year old Jagr at the UC on Wednesday.
- Tugboat

We OWE him.

I can see Boston winning too... but as for this reasoning- Howard and Quick were also playing "lights out" and the Hawks beat them (I'd say they got to Quick pretty bad)

Maybe Rask will continue his dominating play, but maybe not. Hawks come at you in waves with tons of speed.
- patorioto

When even the pundits admit they have no idea how the two teams match up, an average fan like me has no chance to make a prediction. But if the Hawks can solve Quick, they can solve Rask. But it's going to warfare along the boards and behind the nets, and whoever wins the battles there will probably win the series.

I had a great seat last night at some friends 55" LCD, 'cause they asked me to eat pizza and watch the game with them. But they're a married couple and both hockey illiterate, so I had to explain why they called offsides, what it meant to "keep it in" the zone etc., and it was sort of distracting.

I'm as social as the next person, but I prefer watching it alone on my humble 32", since I'm in Iowa and don't have any hockey fan friends here.

I know it's just trivia, but it blows my mind that a 20 year old Jagr was on the Lemieux-led Pens team that trounced our Hawks in '92, and we'll be seeing a 41 year old Jagr at the UC on Wednesday.
- Tugboat

Well the next you go over there. It should be a bit better,don't ya think?
Now they know what Offsides is.

Definitely engage him, just Legally. No cheap shots in front of refs. I don't know how he gets away with all of it. Everyone knows he is dirty and cheap
- tomcat24

Bowman Sr. must be active in lobbying to make sure this runt doesn't get away with that vs us.

Boston in 5

We OWE him.

- philco28

LOL... It's sort of another time and place, though, isn't it? Different team, and Jagr is in an entirely different role now. In '92, he was an up-and-coming scorer and not yet a marquis threat (think Saad, sort of). Now he's an elder statesmen who's role (from what I've seen at least) is to support in the areas of grit, defense, and smart passing (think rich man's Zeus), and his HOF career all happened in-between.

So it's not like there's a revenge factor at work, though he did score a couple of big goals in the '92 finals, I think.

Well the next you go over there. It should be a bit better,don't ya think?
Now they know what Offsides is.
- Beaver-Warrior

Maybe. But have you ever tried, say, to explain the
infield fly rule to someone who is from a non-baseball country? I have, and it's really effing hard.

Great write-up, J.J.

I can see this series going either way. Very difficult to pick, because both teams are playing so well. Boston's physicality is really tough, but the Hawks just came out of a series, and a game, where they were out-hit by a large margin, and won in five.

Boston kept Crosby and Malkin quiet, which I thought before the series would have been impossible. I think the Hawks are a lot faster than the Pens, and unlike what Garth may think, I think their ability to take away the puck is a major factor.

I should be picking the Bruins, since they took out the Rangers. However, I am going the other way.

Hawks in 7.

Boston in 5
- Canuckfan2006

I believe there are ways to stream charity golf tournaments over the internet if you want to cheer for Burrows, Kesler and the Sedins over the next couple of weeks.

LOL... It's sort of another time and place, though, isn't it? Different team, and Jagr is in an entirely different role now. In '92, he was an up-and-coming scorer and not yet a marquis threat (think Saad, sort of). Now he's an elder statesmen who's role (from what I've seen at least) is to support in the areas of grit, defense, and smart passing (think rich man's Zeus), and his HOF career all happened in-between.

So it's not like there's a revenge factor at work, though he did score a couple of big goals in the '92 finals, I think.
- Tugboat

Jammy's deffo had an amazing HOF career and has thrilled fans wherever he's played. His longevity and production are testament to how professional he's been in taking care of himself and staying healthy.

It would just be nice to return the favor for '92.

Very difficult series to predict. Both teams seem to be playing their best hockey at the same time. The Hawks transition game and creating turnovers could be the difference.


Again....Like he was against Quick, Crawford doesn't have to be as good as Rask, he just needs to be good enough.

Has Kane finally come out of his slump? If this is the beginning of a hot streak he certainly picked the right time.

boston will destroy them. they'll continue to beat up the opposition as long as chicago can't score on the PP. toews is easily frustrated. kane is invisible when it gets rough. boston will smell blood and attack. if chicago's PP does click, boston's talent is better this playoffs.

chara >>> keith
seidenberg > seabrook

rask > crawford

krejci/bergeron/marchand all > toews (this playoffs)
horton = hossa (this playoffs)
lucic > kane (this playoffs)
jagr < sharp/bickell both better (this playoffs)

the rest of boston > the rest of chicago

chicago fans = boston fans

chicago goal song >>> boston goal song
- therealagent

Thanks for your highly insightful commentary! Hope you're enjoying your usual early golf game tune up this offseason as well!

Oh! And just to show how "fantastic" this commentary is.. I don't believe there is a better defensive player in the 2013 playoffs, including Charra, than Keith. And you have it as a >>>. Good stuff.

I like the Hawks chances. But the Bruins are one heck of a skilled, tough and deep team as well.

My biggest fear with Boston, really comes down to how the Hawks handle the Bruin tactic to get under your skin. I think Boston does this better than anyone, and it can work wonders for them.

Marchant will be relentlessly talking trash, poking, prodding, instigating. Chara will be a tower of power. Lucic will be throwing his weight.

If the Hawks stay focused on a strong forecheck and team backchecking defence....and they finish checks without getting lured into extra riff-raff trouble...then they should be OK.

I worry a little about Bolland, Shaw, Bickell...and yes, even our Captain..Toews, getting caught up in the unnecessary provoking. IF we can stay to our game, we have a GREAT chance for another Cup.

Go Hawks!!!
- hawk35

After the Wings, I doubt they can shake them off their game. Kings tried.

Unlike Crosby and Malkin, Toews learns from mistakes.

Once again, the major factor will be the officiating. If they go FULL WALKUM and ignore grabbing, clutching, interference the Bruins will roll.

Last night they were making/not making calls based on the score or edge in play. When the Hawks were dominating in the 1st they could have called the Kings for 2-3 clear penalties which may have put the game out of reach.

Nice Blog JJ ...Tough one to pick ...Boston is a pretty complete Hockey team .. But I will say that pittsburgs goaltending was suspect in the last series ...Vokoun didnt impress me that much ...Seems like pitt couldnt overcome it .... The hawks speed will be a factor no doubt ...

boston will destroy them. they'll continue to beat up the opposition as long as chicago can't score on the PP. toews is easily frustrated. kane is invisible when it gets rough. boston will smell blood and attack. if chicago's PP does click, boston's talent is better this playoffs.

chara >>> keith
seidenberg > seabrook

rask > crawford

krejci/bergeron/marchand all > toews (this playoffs)
horton = hossa (this playoffs)
lucic > kane (this playoffs)
jagr < sharp/bickell both better (this playoffs)

the rest of boston > the rest of chicago

chicago fans = boston fans

chicago goal song >>> boston goal song
- therealagent

And then there is Vancouver......

Woops. The only acceptable way to rate anything about the Nucks is with smoke signals from a burning car.

Will have to wait for your next playoff exit I guess. .. May be a long wait as you probably will not make the playoffs now that you are in a real division.