Couldn't they play Pittsburgh or Boston as well in the 1st?
- jmatchett383

They could, but it would have to be as a wild card team. Meaning both Columbus and Rangers would have to pass us in the standings. We have 3 points on Columbus, and 1 point but 2 games in hand on the Rnagers. And with OT points while it isnt out of the realm of possibility, it is unlikely BOTH will pass us.

I was reading the Blackhawks thread and a lot of the posters were shredding Raanta for Giroux's goal. I think he was screened by Keith, not to mention the shot was a laser perfectly placed in the top corner. Raanta is the reason why the Hawks came away with a point last night.... Well Raanta and the goal posts.
- PLindbergh31

Should have told them they would have lost in SO anyway.

I was reading the Blackhawks thread and a lot of the posters were shredding Raanta for Giroux's goal. I think he was screened by Keith, not to mention the shot was a laser perfectly placed in the top corner. Raanta is the reason why the Hawks came away with a point last night.... Well Raanta and the goal posts.
- PLindbergh31

I don't think that any Goalie in the World stops that shot. It was through a screen, with a lot on it. And perfectly placed.

I was reading the Blackhawks thread and a lot of the posters were shredding Raanta for Giroux's goal. I think he was screened by Keith, not to mention the shot was a laser perfectly placed in the top corner. Raanta is the reason why the Hawks came away with a point last night.... Well Raanta and the goal posts.
- PLindbergh31

I thought Raanta was just OK. He got better as the game wore on. Hawks fans should be happy they walked away with a point. Flyers totally outplayed them for the last 55 minutes of the game.

Its like the people who complained about Bryz last year. He wasn't part of the problem or the solution (off ice things notwithstanding). The team needed to play better no matter who was in net.

That debate on creeps up from the idiots when Couts goes a week without scoring. No one values defense until the other team starts scoring a lot.

Its like the same thing with big defenseman. No one likes Schenn and Grossmann until we take them away and the PK gets worse.
- PhillySportsGuy

Very true, Grossmann is huge on the pk and gets little, if any, credit for it.

I don't think that any Goalie in the World stops that shot. It was through a screen, with a lot on it. And perfectly placed.
- MJL

I would say Keith shares just as much blame for letting that shot get through.

Very true, Grossmann is huge on the pk and gets little, if any, credit for it.
- BiggE

But but but but CORSI....

I thought Raanta was just OK. He got better as the game wore on. Hawks fans should be happy they walked away with a point. Flyers totally outplayed them for the last 55 minutes of the game.

Its like the people who complained about Bryz last year. He wasn't part of the problem or the solution (off ice things notwithstanding). The team needed to play better no matter who was in net.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think Hawks fans should be complaining about anything.

I don't think that any Goalie in the World stops that shot. It was through a screen, with a lot on it. And perfectly placed.
- MJL

Absolutely!
That was a wrist shot worthy of Lindros or Rick Macleish!

That debate on creeps up from the idiots when Couts goes a week without scoring. No one values defense until the other team starts scoring a lot.

Its like the same thing with big defenseman. No one likes Schenn and Grossmann until we take them away and the PK gets worse.
- PhillySportsGuy

This team is getting their golf clubs ready, and looking through vacation brochures, if it wasn't for the strength of their PK. And Grossmann and Schenn have a lot to do with that.

I would say Keith shares just as much blame for letting that shot get through.
- PhillySportsGuy

Absolutely. Not sure how he got that shot through,

So, Keith sucks defensively.
Karlsson's a -3

Weber's a shoe-in for Norris.

I would say Keith shares just as much blame for letting that shot get through.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yup, either block the shot or get out of your goalies way

I don't think that any Goalie in the World stops that shot. It was through a screen, with a lot on it. And perfectly placed.
- MJL

We agree! It's a miracle.

I don't think Hawks fans should be complaining about anything.
- PLindbergh31

Theres a difference between complaining and taking an honest look at the team. I don't think any of them are calling for anyone's head, but I think its fair to criticize them if warranted. They've played some lazy hockey lately. Flyers won almost every board battle.

But but but but CORSI....
- jmatchett383

Some people just don't get the fact that while stats are nice, there is a reason why they actually go and play the games!

Absolutely. Not sure how he got that shot through,

So, Keith sucks defensively.
Karlsson's a -3

Weber's a shoe-in for Norris.
- jmatchett383

Suter?

Absolutely. Not sure how he got that shot through,

So, Keith sucks defensively.
Karlsson's a -3

Weber's a shoe-in for Norris.
- jmatchett383

Other than that moment, I thought Keith had a strong defensive game. He has great hands and reads plays well. Very Savvy player to go along with his outstanding physical ability.

That debate on creeps up from the idiots when Couts goes a week without scoring. No one values defense until the other team starts scoring a lot.

Its like the same thing with big defenseman. No one likes Schenn and Grossmann until we take them away and the PK gets worse.
- PhillySportsGuy

There really wasn't much reason to pick Hamilton over Couturier at the time of the pick. We just traded Richards and Carter. Our only Centers were Giroux and Briere. Schenn had only played 7 NHL games by that time, so we weren't overloaded with Centers at the time.

Plus we still had Pronger and the Defense never looked better. Meszaros was still healthy, Carle and Coburn were performing good paired with Pronger and Timonen... No reason to think we would desperately need defense.

And on top of that Couturier was among the top overall prospects until he got Mono. He should have gone much higher then 8th overall. Picking Couturier was a no-brainer.

Now Laughton over Maata was a "No-Brainer" but the other kind of no-brian.

Claude Giroux is 4th in the NHL in scoring and is 3 points away from tying Ryan Getzlaf for second place.

Just wow.

Theres a difference between complaining and taking an honest look at the team. I don't think any of them are calling for anyone's head, but I think its fair to criticize them if warranted. They've played some lazy hockey lately. Flyers won almost every board battle.
- PhillySportsGuy

On NHL radio this morning the hosts were wondering if after a long season the Hawks were finally suffering from a post Cup letdown.

I think they are still a team no one looks forward to playing in the playoffs and one of the favorites as well.

Other than that moment, I thought Keith had a strong defensive game. He has great hands and reads plays well. Very Savvy player to go along with his outstanding physical ability.
- PhillySportsGuy

Duncan Keith is flat out awesome. He can do it all. There was a debate yesterday over choosing Keith or Karlsson. No brainer for me. Keith all the way.

Theres a difference between complaining and taking an honest look at the team. I don't think any of them are calling for anyone's head, but I think its fair to criticize them if warranted. They've played some lazy hockey lately. Flyers won almost every board battle.
- PhillySportsGuy

Hawks didn't play well last night, a lot of that has to do with the Flyers. They are playing the Blues tonight as well, so perhaps some of their focus was shifted.

This team is getting their golf clubs ready, and looking through vacation brochures, if it wasn't for the strength of their PK. And Grossmann and Schenn have a lot to do with that.
- MJL

PK has been great lately. Its not even like they're riding a hot goaltender either. They are just breaking up passes and limiting scoring chances.

I would, also, like to point out the Flyers improvement in face-offs. Blackhawks are a great face-off team and the Flyers went toe to toe with them all night. Not a small thing when you recognize how good of a puck possession team Chicago is. Lose a draw and you never know when you'll get the puck back.

Absolutely!
That was a wrist shot worthy of Lindros or Rick Macleish!
- BiggE

Agreed.. I believe it was karma fro hitting 6 posts...

I don't think that any Goalie in the World stops that shot. It was through a screen, with a lot on it. And perfectly placed.
- MJL

That shot was fueled by destiny and pure awesome, no player could have stopped it.