I'm picking the hawks to win the cup
I think this years team is more talented than last years team
- molly2522

A very bold statement about the talent level of this team. I might actually agree with u, though im thinking that most wont.

Trotz in Washington? That would be hilarious!

Trotz and Ovie would be butting heads in no time...
- EKolb13

I don't often take the other side with Tini but...

I don't see Trotz at the top of any list

He is known as a guy who teaches defense first and station to station play...That doesn't sell tickets and unless u have a vg defense and a high end goalie it won't work.

Heard an interview with Q this morning on the AM radio saying that Toews was 100%. I know he could be fudging a little but that's what he said and said it like he meant it.
- Lido_Shuffle

I agree. he said right after the game it wasn't "Serious" and Toews has been "resting". I highly doubt it's something extreme that would require surgery. he also said that if the playoffs were going on, Toews would play. I think Toews had some minor concussion symptoms, and they wanted to get him right for the playoffs.

We'll know Thursday when the Blues are finishing their checks on him how he is health wise. If Sharp didnt' require surgery after last year, I don't 'see Toews needing it.

Trotz in Washington? That would be hilarious!

Trotz and Ovie would be butting heads in no time...
- EKolb13

I can't really think of many markets that are looking for coaches that have the requisite players to fit what it seems is a Trotz system. Think Kessel, OV, or Vancouver players will work well with a D-minded coach? My money is nope.

However, No-neck Barry is as experienced a coach as one can find, and I'd think he'll do better with some actual scoring talent and $$$ behind him.

He'll get a job before Torterella, Carlyle or Muller do, IMO.

Maybe Uncle Dale gives him a ring to have Trotz stay in the South?

I don't see it, as much as the Commited Indian would probably throw a party if he did. Bolig was on arguably their best shut down line with Kruger and Smith. In a series that will be extremely physical, we want to sit one of the few guys who will throw his weight around? For whom? Regin? Morin?

If Bolig isn't taking dumb penalties and serving his purpose...I don't see it. if anyone who should sit it should be Handzus. Smith can go into a center role and that opens up a spot on a wing.
- SteveRain

I think Q is guy who will look at all options, he isn't hesitant to scratch guys who would normally be in the line up come playoff time.

I don't see Bollig sitting against the Blues. In a certain situation, maybe, just maybe, he sits against an Avs team. But I think Hawks need that big body against a very bruising Blues attack.

To me the success of the fourth line is a result of Kreugers improved play first and foremost
- molly2522

I think Q is guy who will look at all options, he isn't hesitant to scratch guys who would normally be in the line up come playoff time.
- dan9189

Call me crazy but I could see Bolig having a big series. Guy has a very underrated shot, and playing against his hometown team will motivate him either further. Not saying he's going to lead the team in scoring, but he may very well score some big goals against this Blues team.

I really don't care who sits but Morin should be playing, that is without question.

I'm picking the hawks to win the cup
I think this years team is more talented than last years team
- molly2522

not sure what will happen but i'm keeping my fingers crossed for a wings/hawks final. if the rivalry has to end soon that would be the perfect finale. I know its a long shot but if the wings play to their strengths I think they can outskate the bruins just like the hawks did last year

To me the success of the fourth line is a result of Kreugers improved play first and foremost
- molly2522

Smith and Bolig had a lot to do with that.

Kruger's faceoff percentage is a large variable, but it's not all Marcus Kruger. Bolig has had a great year becoming a solid role guy and not just a guy throwing upper cuts. That's why the Hawks resigned him. Something that Ben Smith still hasn't see as of today.

I respectfully disagree. Trotz wasn't given a lot during his time there. He maximized a true small market team to the best of his ability. Very good in game manager and gave the 2010 Hawks all they could handle, and if it wasn't for Martin Erat god only knows what happens.

Poile is an idiot. Gave way too much $$ to Stalberg, and reading the behind scenes selection of Team USA just proves what an ego this guy. Good for the rest of the Central division, and bad for Nashville fans.
- SteveRain

Trotz had the NHL's top pairing defensemen in Suter and Weber and probably the top goalie...And couldn't get to the 2nd round of the playoffs.

He was awful in the series when they had the Hawks by the throat and was the main reason they lost the series.

Allowing Kane to score while on the power play with little time remaining was a huge blunder...That was all on him.

When I looked at the bench the players looked like a deer in headlights and so did he after Kane scored.

To have Erat on the ice at all and 2 forwards below the goal line and he was one of them, has to go on the head coach.

....And that club was never the same afterward although Suter, Weber and Rinne continued to shine.

If you are right he will get a job within the next 2 weeks...But I doubt it.

Overrated the last 5 years and like I wrote Poile is next.

I really don't care who sits but Morin should be playing, that is without question.
- dan9189

I like Morin's snarl....If it were I would sit Handzus and roll Toews, Shaw, Smith, Kruger with Morin playing a wing.

Wouldnt mind seeing this against the banged-up yet physically imposing Blues...

29/20-19-88
10-26-81
29/20-65-11
52-16-28

...and then this against the speedy Avs...

29/20-19-88
10-65-81
29/20-12-23
11-16-28

Chuck Berry lives in St. Loo. He might be from there too. That proves St. Loo's claim to Rock-n-Roll.
- EKolb13

Chuck Berry was born in St. Louis, but the city's musical claim is more for jazz and blues musicians riding the river up from New Orleans, especially barrelhouse piano players.

Memphis is the Rock & Roll city.

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

I agree, it should be a great series.

The last regular season stretch has really brought down expectations here in St Louis and across the NHL though for the Blues. Maybe that will be a good thing. Instead of the hunted, we become the hunter again. If we can get guys back healthy, we can be dangerous again. Big if though as so many guys have been hurt lately.

Wouldnt mind seeing this against the banged-up yet physically imposing Blues...

29/20-19-88
10-26-81
29/20-65-11
52-16-28

...and then this against the speedy Avs...

29/20-19-88
10-65-81
29/20-12-23
11-16-28
- SimpleJack

Didnt we all have this conversation last post season about physical teams matching up against the Hawks? Why is it that the Hawks have to be the ones who change their lineup to better matchup with the Blues? Why dont the Hawks roll the most effective 4 lines out there and let the Blues adjust to them. If something goes wrong and poop aint working, then you change it up. But Bickell-Regin-Morin i think should be the 3rd line to start the playoffs

Trotz had the NHL's top pairing defensemen in Suter and Weber and probably the top goalie...And couldn't get to the 2nd round of the playoffs.

He was awful in the series when they had the Hawks by the throat and was the main reason they lost the series.

Allowing Kane to score while on the power play with little time remaining was a huge blunder...That was all on him.

When I looked at the bench the players looked like a deer in headlights and so did he after Kane scored.

To have Erat on the ice at al,l and 2 forwards below the goal line and he was one of them, has to go on the head coach.

....And that club was never the same afterward although Suter, Weber and Rinne continued to shine.

Overrated the last 5 years and like I wrote Poile is next.
- Al

How was that on Trotz?

I was at that game and the Predators were moving it down in the zone and cycling....only when Erat tried to push it to a d man and had it bounce off the side of the net did it cost them....that's not on the coach, that's on the player. They pushed the Hawks to the brink and nobody ELSE came close the rest of the 2010 playoffs.

He played a very frustrating system that bottled up the Hawks with a large disparity in talent. Only when Q adjusted did the Hawks take charge....and even then it almost wasn't enough (see game 5).

Trotz in my book Is a top coach and I bet he gets a gig pretty quickly. Hopefully outside of the western conference. His pred teams always gave the Hawks major problems.

Smith and Bolig had a lot to do with that.

Kruger's faceoff percentage is a large variable, but it's not all Marcus Kruger. Bolig has had a great year becoming a solid role guy and not just a guy throwing upper cuts. That's why the Hawks resigned him. Something that Ben Smith still hasn't see as of today.
- SteveRain

Smith isn't going anywhere. Probably more a case of him and his agent not wanting to worry about it during the season.

Didnt we all have this conversation last post season about physical teams matching up against the Hawks? Why is it that the Hawks have to be the ones who change their lineup to better matchup with the Blues? Why dont the Hawks roll the most effective 4 lines out there and let the Blues adjust to them. If something goes wrong and poop aint working, then you change it up. But Bickell-Regin-Morin i think should be the 3rd line to start the playoffs
- BlazinMike

Why would u not change your lineup to better matchup against a particular opponent if u have the depth to do so? Those most 4 effective lines against 1 team might not be the most 4 effective lines against another team that plays an entirely different style.

Game 1 is always a big game. In this series it will be huge. The Hawks need to come out and pin the blues ears back. Picks and bodies to the net early and often.
And if Backes wants to try to block a shot, I would blast one right at his foot.

I don't know how to post pics off my stupidphone...but here is an interesting link:

https://twitter.com/hawkn...status/455775195106525184

I don't know how to post pics off my stupidphone...but here is an interesting link:

https://twitter.com/hawkn...status/455775195106525184
- captainserious

Why are there three columns for team records if they are regulation games????

Why are there three columns for team records if they are regulation games????
- carcus

Because.

Why would u not change your lineup to better matchup against a particular opponent if u have the depth to do so? Those most 4 effective lines against 1 team might not be the most 4 effective lines against another team that plays an entirely different style.
- SimpleJack

Obviously as of right now, nobody knows what the most effective 4 lines would be. IMO though, 20-19-81: 10-65-88: 29-12-11: and 52-16-28 are the best lines. Just because the Blues are slower yet more physical does not mean that the Hawks need to play the slower, more physical (arguably) players to combat it. The Hawks should play the fastest best lines they have, because thats what the Hawks do. Play fast, play defense, score goals.

No matter who you put in the lineup, they wont be trying to out hit, or crash and bang better than the Blues. They're gonna play the Hawks style no matter what, so why use slower, less effective players? They finally found a 3rd line that works, and they're gonna blow it up before the playoffs start because Versteeg and Handzus need to play. Its Garbage