He looks like a male lesbian....
- CaptainBlackhawk

A portly one at that

And they don't have shootouts in the playoffs, so they had one regulation win.
- prd797

The Hawks need to play their game then it wont matter which players the Blues put on the ice. Hawks in 5
- Cup-Bearer

Someone is optimistic...have you seen the Hawks the last few months?

Kaner said as much in his lengthy interview yesterday.
88 opining that the Hawks needn't get caught up in physicality war
with the Blues.
- philco28

Hopefully hawks remember the way big bad bruins team was defeated last postseason.

But wouldn't a Bickell Regin Morin 3rd line be good? I mean the last few games they played in the regular season they looked great...Am having a hard time remembering last year's third line...

Bickell Stalberg Shaw...
- captainserious

Maybe

Jeremy Rutherford @jprutherford
Pietrangelo and Jackman are also back and even Morrow just stepped on the ice. #stlblues
- prd797

Just from reading transcripts and listening to interviews with Hitch, he comes across like the type that would mess with the injury reports on a daily basis just to screw with the other team. No idea if its true just an impression i get some times.

Kaner said as much in his lengthy interview yesterday.
88 opining that the Hawks needn't get caught up in a physicality war
with the Blues.
- philco28

Will be interesting to see how the refs call the first couple games will set the tone for the series.

3-2 for them, but we've won last 2 meeting
- philco28

If you look at the head to head stats for this match-up it paints an interesting picture.

Goals For: Chicago 17 / St Louis 12
Goals Against: 12 / 17
PP%: 35.7% / 26.7%
PK%: 73.3% / 64.3%

Crawford: 1.72 GAA, 935 Save %
Miller: 3.38 GAA, .910 Save %

Blackhawks leading scorers: Kane (2G 4A), Sharp (2G 4A), Toews (1G 3A)
Blues leading scorers: Bouwmeester (0G 5A), Pietrangelo (0G 5A), Tarasenko (2G 2A)

Just from reading transcripts and listening to interviews with Hitch, he comes across like the type that would mess with the injury reports on a daily basis just to screw with the other team. No idea if its true just an impression i get some times.
- Gerk

There's a lot on this in the NHL - makes it tough when picking a playoff bracket! I'd like to see all players on both teams; it would make for some good hockey.

He looks like a male lesbian....
- CaptainBlackhawk

Well, she sounds hideous.

Someone is optimistic...have you seen the Hawks the last few months?
- captainserious

sure, vs the Blues twice. Boston is the real threat this year. Think about the Penguins/Wings back to back finals. St Louis shows a real weakness in terms of team play when it matters. Av's have NO defense.

It's pretty obvious that UnnamedSource was using Mashinter to poke a little fun at some of the folks around here that love "red ass" hockey.

Beyond that, let's be serious here - Mashinter is of no help to the Hawks and probably never will be. He's a bit on the slow side, which means he really can't help this team on the ice. He takes bad penalties, which is something that would drive Q up a wall. About all Mashsinter is could do for the Hawks on the ice is to play the role of a pugilist, and even then he'd be a bit shaky at that. He can throw a mean right, but he isn't overly skilled as a "prize-fighter."

How Mashinter helps the organization is in regards to playing enforcer at the AHL level to protect the Hawks investment in prospects. He skates and plays the role of a power forward just well enough to barely keep up with your Pirri's and Teravainen's of the world. He's essentially filling a role in Rockford that's been vacant since the graduation of Bollig to the NHL. Since Bollig had moved onto Chicago, that role has been filled by Wade Brookbank's tired ass, and as much as I like the guy, he should have hung up his skates a couple of seasons ago.

That's why Mashinter has a two way contract. It's a reward to him and he will make $100,000 per season with Rockford for the next two seasons, and the organization has someone competent enough to protect the kids on the ice in Rockford. He'll probably get to ride with the big club as a Black Ace during the playoffs, but that is something of a gesture of good will, or an extra bonus for Mashinter.

If we do see Mashinter dress for a game in the playoffs, then this team has been decimated by injury and the Hawks chances of winning are beyond (frank)ed.
- EKolb13

I really only hoped to see Mashinter dress for a game if our team doesn't handle the ultra physical style that the Blues likely bring. And then I would limit his minutes. He has a purpose but I never meant to suggest that he would play much at all. The Blackhawks were tough enough in the last playoffs. Just a tad concerned how they handle the rough play after seeing the poor response to Orpik's check.

Well, she sounds hideous.
- StLBravesFan

She should, She's a man

And my love for Hammer's deal continues to grow
- prd797

One of the best bargains out there.

Anyone else think Anaheim seems suspect again this year? While I think they dispatch Dallas, I can't see them beating the opponents they could face in round two.

And I think Philly could beat Pitt if both of those teams emerge from their first round series.

Just from reading transcripts and listening to interviews with Hitch, he comes across like the type that would mess with the injury reports on a daily basis just to screw with the other team. No idea if its true just an impression i get some times.
- Gerk

The hell you say!! Coaches not telling the truth about injuries to everyone including the teams they are playing against? I don't believe it....That would never happen

Sorry Grek...nothing against you....well...except that you are a Blues fan

Just messing around...should be a good series

Probably not to some posters here...
- EKolb13

I still find it funny that as the 'enforcer' that Mashinter has 4 times as many points as Kyle Beach does

Anyone else think Anaheim seems suspect again this year? While I think they dispatch Dallas, I can't see them beating the opponents they could face in round two.

And I think Philly could beat Pitt if both of those teams emerge from their first round series.
- prd797

If Lehtonen plays at the top of his game the Stars could upset the Ducks. Of all the wild card match-ups this is the one with the biggest potential for an update. Detroit/Boston would be pretty close too.

I don't think Philly will get by the Rangers, they don't have the goaltending.

One of the best bargains out there.
- MartiniMan

Amen, brotha.

How are the locals feeling about the South Stars's return to the playoffs?

sure, vs the Blues twice. Boston is the real threat this year. Think about the Penguins/Wings back to back finals. St Louis shows a real weakness in terms of team play when it matters. Av's have NO defense.
- Cup-Bearer

Bear...Boston is as much of a threat as the Pens,Wings,Blues,Avs,Sharks etc....No one has a clue what will happen when the playoffs start....The Hawks have beaten the Blues in regulation a few times, and the Blues have beaten the Hawks a few times....it's all up in the air...and it sucks that it's only Tuesday.....I'm gonna hate having to wake up Thursday to watch the game, but as soon as the puck drops I'm gonna be going crazy

If Lehtonen plays at the top of his game the Stars could upset the Ducks. Of all the wild card match-ups this is the one with the biggest potential for an update. Detroit/Boston would be pretty close too.

I don't think Philly will get by the Rangers, they don't have the goaltending.
- DarthKane

On the same level as Lundqvist, you are definitely right. But it seems like Mason has been alright this year.

A lot IMO depends on if Philly can keep their mouthbreathers like Downie and Rinaldo on a leash. Those are the kinds of guys who would commit series-changing acts of stupidity.

I'd say both forward corps are pretty even, NY has a better D-corps and goalie, but Hank is certainly capable of sputtering in the playoffs

Bear...Boston is as much of a threat as the Pens,Wings,Blues,Avs,Sharks etc....No one has a clue what will happen when the playoffs start....The Hawks have beaten the Blues in regulation a few times, and the Blues have beaten the Hawks a few times....it's all up in the air...and it sucks that it's only Tuesday.....I'm gonna hate having to wake up Thursday to watch the game, but as soon as the puck drops I'm gonna be going crazy
- captainserious

Agreed this break has us all itching for game. Kids playing street hockey last night in the snow was Soldier-esk.

Will be interesting to see how the refs call the first couple games will set the tone for the series.
- Gerk

You mean whether the Blues will have prayer if they can interfere and obstruct all over the ice? Doubtful. But I'm sure it'll be the refs fault when you guys lose, just like every year!

On the same level as Lundqvist, you are definitely right. But it seems like Mason has been alright this year.

A lot IMO depends on if Philly can keep their mouthbreathers like Downie and Rinaldo on a leash. Those are the kinds of guys who would commit series-changing acts of stupidity.

I'd say both forward corps are pretty even, NY has a better D-corps and goalie, but Hank is certainly capable of sputtering in the playoffs
- prd797

It seems like if I try hard enough I can make a case for just about any of these teams to win their first series. I guess Minny and Dallas are the toughest cases, but they are both playing teams that, according to the advanced stats, are due to come down to earth.

Will be interesting to see how the refs call the first couple games will set the tone for the series.
- Gerk

Chicago is the third least penalized team in hockey
The Blues are the 2nd most penalized team in hockey

If the Hawks don't have a clear advantage in penalty minutes at the end of this series then it's a huge break from what happened over an 82 game schedule (and something that can specifically be pinpointed to officiating).