Trotz out in Nashville.

http://www.tennessean.com...oach/7696215/?sf24994954=

relax.....we will be okay...this round.
- UnnamedSource

Nice avatar.

Well, I'm not nervous about the outcome...probably more anxious just to get the whole thing started. What happens, we'll never know. I stopped rooting for certain matchups after I wanted the Hawks to play Phoenix.

They are going to face some tough opponents if they want to progress...might as well get a tough test early.

Sharp-Shaw-Hossa line should be put together for the playoffs at some point...however, with Toews and Kane coming back from injury, I'd like to see:

Saad-Toews-Hossa
Sharp-Shaw-Kane
Bickell-Regin-Morin
Bollig/versteeg-Kruger-Smith

The only reason i say "/Versteeg" on the 4th line is because thats the only way he deserves to be in right now. But he was a decent performer in the playoffs in the past so i wouldnt mind him getting a shot.

Super excited, Go Hawks

Sharp-Shaw-Hossa line should be put together for the playoffs at some point...however, with Toews and Kane coming back from injury, I'd like to see:

Saad-Toews-Hossa
Sharp-Shaw-Kane
Bickell-Regin-Morin
Bollig/versteeg-Kruger-Smith

The only reason i say "/Versteeg" on the 4th line is because thats the only way he deserves to be in right now. But he was a decent performer in the playoffs in the past so i wouldnt mind him getting a shot.

Super excited, Go Hawks
- BlazinMike

I don't see any realistic scenario where Versteeg does not start the playoffs and I don't see him on the 4th line either.

I do like Regin on the 3rd line, he's a better option than Handzus, although I fully expect Zeus to start the playoffs as well.

JJ,

Any isnight to the rumor that per a source I know....Toews' injury is more severe than previously thought / mentioned....and will require surgery to the shoulder in the offseason?
- ChicagoDave

If there is any truth to this rumor, then there had better be some players ready to step up and keep the Blues from going after him from the beginning. We didn't do a good job of protecting him from Detroit going after him repeatedly last year and it almost cost us a Stanley Cup. I still think that the borderline illegal hits on him didn't end until Bickell stepped up and took Kronwall through the end boards.

I don't see any realistic scenario where Versteeg does not start the playoffs and I don't see him on the 4th line either.

I do like Regin on the 3rd line, he's a better option than Handzus, although I fully expect Zeus to start the playoffs as well.
- DarthKane

Didn't Stan say that it was his plan to start Zus in the 2nd Line Center spot once the playoffs began?

JJ,

Any isnight to the rumor that per a source I know....Toews' injury is more severe than previously thought / mentioned....and will require surgery to the shoulder in the offseason?
- ChicagoDave

We'll find out early on Thursday as I'm sure Toews will be targeted and hit every chance that is their for the Blues. See how he responds to that.

I just find it very odd.....that if it's just a shoulder that he's not been skating since all of 2-3 days ago. he took some large hits in the Olympics and based on his past.....I think he also was fighting off some concussion symptoms. Q kept using the word "rest" when speaking about Toews. Didn't hear much about a schedule which usually describes some sort of rehab program.

relax.....we will be okay...this round.
- UnnamedSource

I think so as well. As long as the Hawks keep their game simple and crash the net. Now is NOT the time to go back to tic-tac-toe hockey just because 19-88 are back. Stay with the approach that got them back in a groove.

Hawks have 2 guys on the bench, Regin and Morin, who arguably should push other role guys to play well or Q can easily make a change. That's a good problem to have.

The only negative is.....there is no other option behind Crawford. Raanta isn't ready to be a reliable back up in the NHL. Maybe after a year or two in Rockford, but that Khabibulin signing may go done as Bowman's worst.

As I like to term it: Heart Attack hockey!

I cannot wait to be at the UC on Monday and Wednesday night!

Just a quick thought...

The Blues were the best team in hockey for 95% of the season. People need to stop writing them off simply because they had a tough stretch here.

This series aint going to be easy!

Didn't Stan say that it was his plan to start Zus in the 2nd Line Center spot once the playoffs began?
- eburgio

I dont doubt it. If he can give what he gave last post season then i would be ok with it.

As I like to term it: Heart Attack hockey!

I cannot wait to be at the UC on Monday and Wednesday night!

Just a quick thought...

The Blues were the best team in hockey for 95% of the season. People need to stop writing them off simply because they had a tough stretch here.

This series aint going to be easy!
- CaptainBlackhawk

Agreed....the 2005 White Sox tried to find every way possible to give back the division late in their regular season......

Blues are a very good team, with a lot of depth/veteran guys who know their roles. Lot of pressure on them to win.....I think this series is going 7 games.

Who keeps writing off Hossa? Let me at 'em... Let me at 'em!! Nobody writes off Hossa and gets away with it. He'll average 3 points a game and next year the doctors will find out he has developed Benjamin Button Syndrome and is actually getting younger. in 2021 he will declare for the 2022 draft! Go Big Hoss!

I dont doubt it. If he can give what he gave last post season then i would be ok with it.
- BlazinMike

in this series when goals should be at premium and the Blues aren't a quick skating team....I'm OK with him playing. If this was Colorado I'd say it's a huge mistake.

I also think I'd go:

Bickell-Toews_Kane
Sharp-Handzus-Hossa
Saad-Shaw-Versteeg
Bolig-Kruger-Smith

I think you have to put Bickell up with Toews and Kane for protection. You can't have Toews with Hossa, Sharp. Guys will take liberties and somebody has to help out the captain.

Trotz out in Nashville.

http://www.tennessean.com...oach/7696215/?sf24994954=
- MartiniMan

Good man, but he had his run.

Didn't Stan say that it was his plan to start Zus in the 2nd Line Center spot once the playoffs began?
- eburgio

Stan also said "we mad our BIG MOVE getting Versteeg."

As I like to term it: Heart Attack hockey!

I cannot wait to be at the UC on Monday and Wednesday night!

Just a quick thought...

The Blues were the best team in hockey for 95% of the season. People need to stop writing them off simply because they had a tough stretch here.

This series aint going to be easy!
- CaptainBlackhawk

(frank) the Blues



They aint poop until they learn how to rock

in this series when goals should be at premium and the Blues aren't a quick skating team....I'm OK with him playing. If this was Colorado I'd say it's a huge mistake.

I also think I'd go:

Bickell-Toews_Kane
Sharp-Handzus-Hossa
Saad-Shaw-Versteeg
Bolig-Kruger-Smith

I think you have to put Bickell up with Toews and Kane for protection. You can't have Toews with Hossa, Sharp. Guys will take liberties and somebody has to help out the captain.
- SteveRain

The combinations may change but these are the 12 forwards we'll be going to battle with. The only possible change is Handzus, he could come out and make room for Regin or Morin.

The combinations may change but these are the 12 forwards we'll be going to battle with. The only possible change is Handzus, he could come out and make room for Regin or Morin.
- DarthKane

Agreed. Unless Q gets royally pissed at sits them out like he did in 2010 when played Bickell in Nashville in game 4. Otherwise, I think Handzus becomes the most logical to be replaced....unless there is an injury.

This is going to be a fantastic series. Love the old playoff format coming back. The building should be electric Monday night.....Norris hockey is coming back.

Stan also said "we mad our BIG MOVE getting Versteeg."

- philco28

Actually it was Q that said Zus is our 2nd line center and Stan said Our big move was Versteeg……personally I think the big move should sit in favor of Jeremy Morin. Which kind of lets you know what I think of the big move…..Anyway your still applies.

Good man, but he had his run.
- philco28

He will likely have his choice where here wants to go: possibly Toronto, Vancouver, Washington, etc. He's at the top of the list of available coaches now.

He will likely have his choice where here wants to go: possibly Toronto, Vancouver, Washington, etc. He's at the top of the list of available coaches now.
- MartiniMan

He's a Manitoba man, but if Toronto can get him they should lay out the red carpet.

He's a Manitoba man, but if Toronto can get him they should lay out the red carpet.
- Return of the Roar

I'm not sure what the Leafs want to be? They are a contradiction. They have some highly skilled guys like JVR (would love to have him) and Kessel. Then they have these plodders like Clarkson, Phaneuf and Franson.

Trotz out in Nashville.

http://www.tennessean.com...oach/7696215/?sf24994954=
- MartiniMan

One thing he was never blessed with was offensive talent. That said, he'd be a perfect fit for the Islanders who have a lot of offensive talent but no structure especially on D. Problem is Charles Wang is married to his puppets Garth Snow and Jack Capuano.

I'm not sure what the Leafs want to be? They are a contradiction. They have some highly skilled guys like JVR (would love to have him) and Kessel. Then they have these plodders like Clarkson, Phaneuf and Franson.
- eburgio

If he could teach them how to pl;ay defense with actual offense in front of them...that could be a very good thing. But you are 100% right.

To me in this series, the biggest keys will not be individual player efforts as much as it will be to stay out of the GD penalty box (Looking at you Andrew Shaw), and converting power play chances.

Crawford will be fine.

Toews will be healthy.

My pick for unsung hero will be Weeble - Ben Smith.
- Return of the Roar

Mine too. I'm hoping Morin has played his way into the playoff lineup and can continue his scoring pace as well.