Yeah, the Sharks are playing well and getting healthy, so I'm not discounting them at all. I guess I still fear Quick and LA's shut down ability. Whoever plays in that 2/3 series out there are in for a real battle! That will be fun to watch.
- mohel

SJ still needs to show they can win in the playoffs. This won't be the first time they have been one of the best teams going into them, and have yet to advance, Same goes for the Blues, yeah, at this point they look dangerous, but the playoffs are a different story

Ok, here's the thing for all of those who are trying to diminish the importance of tomorrows game simply based off of how it will effect the standings:

Ur right....but if tomorrow isn't quite yet the end of the line as far as tolerable losses go, then its as close to it as it gets.

The point being that we need to impress, make a statement, show our championship resolve, gain momentum, whatever u wanna call it, before the 82 games are up. BUT THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE AGAINST ELITE TEAMS! We cant just lose again to the Blues....and then beat the Canes, Preds, and reeling Stars right afterwards and think all is well....If not tomorrow then the last chances we have to establish ourselves would be the game at Boston and the final game against the Blues in early April. Thats it. But that is just 5 games before the playoffs...and id personally like to get things rolling a bit before then.

Running out of chances to change the momentum and end the funk. Tonights game could have been a start, but we failed yet again.

I love being optimistic, but if we get outplayed by the Blues and lose or settle for 1 pt against them again...even if we dont lose ground in the standings, its gonna sting BIG TIME. And then we'll be looking at a worrisome wait until we stumble into Boston(who's playing lights out.....so much for the playoff fatigue being a factor i guess....).

Very similar, and the Kostka thing makes it even stranger, imo. It seemed they put Kostka on waivers to get some roster flexibility, and then they got right back in the same situation. I'd like to hear the rationale on that one.
- mohel

It makes me think there was a deal somewhere that was nixed at the TDL. Really makes no sense otherwise.

Will 40 minute efforts win a team a Cup?

Hey, I get what you're saying - some nights a 40 minute effort will get a team through. However, the Hawks are past the midpoint of the season where a team can get away with it.

It time to start ramping up for the playoffs and not coast into the end of the season with 40 minute efforts. Teams that coast into the end of the season do not do well in the playoffs. This team needs to pull it together now. Forget the standings, just win as many as they can.
- EKolb13

That is all well said, Eli. I would only change the last sentence to this - "forget the standings, just play your ass off in every game until the end of the season." Just a small difference, but I'd like to see full effort. If they lose because of a fluke goal, no biggie.

Ok, here's the thing for all of those who are trying to diminish the importance of tomorrows game simply based off of how it will effect the standings:

Ur right....but if tomorrow isn't quite yet the end of the line as far as tolerable losses go, then its as close to it as it gets.

The point being that we need to impress, make a statement, show our championship resolve, gain momentum, whatever u wanna call it, before the 82 games are up. BUT THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE AGAINST ELITE TEAMS! We cant just lose again to the Blues....and then beat the Canes, Preds, and reeling Stars right afterwards and think all is well....If not tomorrow then the last chances we have to establish ourselves would be the game at Boston and the final game against the Blues in early April. Thats it. But that is just 5 games before the playoffs...and id personally like to get things rolling a bit before then.

Running out of chances to change the momentum and end the funk. Tonights game could have been a start, but we failed yet again.

I love being optimistic, but if we get outplayed by the Blues and lose or settle for 1 pt against them again...even if we dont lose ground in the standings, its gonna sting BIG TIME. And then we'll be looking at a worrisome wait until we stumble into Boston(who's playing lights out.....so much for the playoff fatigue being a factor i guess....).
- SimpleJack

Amen.


Hawks are 4-5-1 in their last ten games. That should be a concern.

i fear every team. I remember in 2012 playoffs. everyone was overjoyed when we drew phoenix which i am thinking everyone thought was an easy round 1 victory. our other option was Nashville.

The team i fear the most - SJ because of one super idiot - Torres. He basically knocked the Hawks out of the 2011 and 2012 playoffs. lol
- Topshelf2010

I was hoping for phoenix. They still should have beaten them. I still can't believe how many times they scored in the final minute I agree about Torres. He still runs around like an idiot

That is all well said, Eli. I would only change the last sentence to this - "forget the standings, just play your ass off in every game until the end of the season." Just a small difference, but I'd like to see full effort. If they lose because of a fluke goal, no biggie.
- mohel

Thanks. I've had a few to drink tonight. I'm only giving it a 40 minute effort.

Because they are thin up front. No one carries 8 D. And who really cares if they miss out on him. How good can he be? He can't get into the Coyotes line-up and they aren't exactly stellar on the back end.
- Elbows15

So what $750K per season superstar forward was Stan going to get instead for the 2nd rounder he was offering? He likes Runblad, thought he was cheap and worth the move. End of story.

Amen.


Hawks are 4-5-1 in their last ten games. That should be a concern.
- EKolb13

Yes indeed. The never ending mediocrity is starting to become unbearable.

Ok, here's the thing for all of those who are trying to diminish the importance of tomorrows game simply based off of how it will effect the standings:

Ur right....but if tomorrow isn't quite yet the end of the line as far as tolerable losses go, then its as close to it as it gets.

The point being that we need to impress, make a statement, show our championship resolve, gain momentum, whatever u wanna call it, before the 82 games are up. BUT THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE AGAINST ELITE TEAMS! We cant just lose again to the Blues....and then beat the Canes, Preds, and reeling Stars right afterwards and think all is well....If not tomorrow then the last chances we have to establish ourselves would be the game at Boston and the final game against the Blues in early April. Thats it. But that is just 5 games before the playoffs...and id personally like to get things rolling a bit before then.

Running out of chances to change the momentum and end the funk. Tonights game could have been a start, but we failed yet again.

I love being optimistic, but if we get outplayed by the Blues and lose or settle for 1 pt against them again...even if we dont lose ground in the standings, its gonna sting BIG TIME. And then we'll be looking at a worrisome wait until we stumble into Boston(who's playing lights out.....so much for the playoff fatigue being a factor i guess....).
- SimpleJack

I don't believe the Hawks are of the belief they can't beat the Blues. You post read to me like you are the one that needs that re-affirmation. I'm right with you - I do, too. But I don't think the Hawks do. Keep the faith - they can do it, but they need to get their heads out of their asses soon.

Will 40 minute efforts win a team a Cup?

Hey, I get what you're saying - some nights a 40 minute effort will get a team through. However, the Hawks are past the midpoint of the season where a team can get away with it.

It time to start ramping up for the playoffs and not coast into the end of the season with 40 minute efforts. Teams that coast into the end of the season do not do well in the playoffs. This team needs to pull it together now. Forget the standings, just win as many as they can.
- EKolb13

I agree totally. It's the "must win" comment that bugs me. Unless it's an elimination game, none of them are must win, and none of them have any statistical meaning to how they will do in the playoffs.

SJ still needs to show they can win in the playoffs. This won't be the first time they have been one of the best teams going into them, and have yet to advance, Same goes for the Blues, yeah, at this point they look dangerous, but the playoffs are a different story
- TheTrob

I think time is running out on the sharks, too. Their core is a pretty veteran group. They have some good youngsters, though.

So what $750K per season superstar forward was Stan going to get instead for the 2nd rounder he was offering? He likes Runblad, thought he was cheap and worth the move. End of story.
- RickJ

Guess you missed the point where they could bring someone up who plays forward instead of a guy who won't play in another game all season.

Thanks. I've had a few to drink tonight. I'm only giving it a 40 minute effort.
- EKolb13

That's what I thought when Mr. Crankypants peeked out of his hole for a moment!

That's what I thought when Mr. Crankypants peeked out of his hole for a moment!
- mohel

You should be the last person mentioning anything about popping out of a hole after you disappeared down the rabbit hole.

So what $750K per season superstar forward was Stan going to get instead for the 2nd rounder he was offering? He likes Runblad, thought he was cheap and worth the move. End of story.
- RickJ

You asked a question and two people answered it. Why ask if you're going to be a douche about the answer? Take a nap.

I don't believe the Hawks are of the belief they can't beat the Blues. You post read to me like you are the one that needs that re-affirmation. I'm right with you - I do, too. But I don't think the Hawks do. Keep the faith - they can do it, but they need to get their heads out of their asses soon.
- mohel

Its not so much about their confidence or my confidence that they can beat the Blues in a playoff series. I know they can, and i know they know they can. Its just about gaining swagger for momentum heading into the playoffs. Just so happens that out of the last 3 legit chances we have in the regular season to make the proper statement, 2 of them are against the Blues.

You should be the last person mentioning anything about popping out of a hole after you disappeared down the rabbit hole.
- Elbows15

That hole was not rabbit...

My advice is to load up on the booze for the thumping they are going to take tomorrow night.

So what $750K per season superstar forward was Stan going to get instead for the 2nd rounder he was offering? He likes Runblad, thought he was cheap and worth the move. End of story.
- RickJ

I don't think it's necessarily a question of being thin up front, and like you said, $750,000 isn't going to buy a team a superstar. It more of the point of leaving some maneuvering room both cap and roster wise to possibly bring up or bring in someone who could possibly help spark this team - like Morin or Teravainen. Granted, there is no guarantee that it would work, but its better than being handcuffed to a guy who's a depth defenseman sitting in the press box most nights.

That hole was not rabbit...
- mohel

what you and your sheep do together is not my concern.

Think Rob jumped?

Its not so much about their confidence or my confidence that they can beat the Blues in a playoff series. I know they can, and i know they know they can. Its just about gaining swagger for momentum heading into the playoffs. Just so happens that out of the last 3 legit chances we have in the regular season to make the proper statement, 2 of them are against the Blues.
- SimpleJack

The Hawks will be playing their third in four days while the Blues have been here hitting up the Rush Street hoes since last night. Hawks are good in back-to-backs but a lot of the big guys played hard minutes tonight. I don't think the outcome matters much, but I think the effort level matters a lot.

I agree totally. It's the "must win" comment that bugs me. Unless it's an elimination game, none of them are must win, and none of them have any statistical meaning to how they will do in the playoffs.
- TheTrob

It's a must win because the Hawks are 4-5-1 in their last ten. At this point, they're all must win games. No momentum going into the playoffs greatly decreases their chances of getting past the first round.

what you and your sheep do together is not my concern.
- Elbows15

Hit that hanging curve pretty good!