Jeremy Rutherford ‏@jprutherford 4m
Backes and Sobotka are on the ice today. No Oshie or Berglund.
- mrpaulish

They may be practising but that doesn't mean they're ready to play or of they play their are 100%.

I just hope they boys don't take this situation lightly and figure it will be an easy series given the Blues injuries and recent slump. Right now the Blackhawks can be their own worst enemy if they decide not to give 100%.

Right now the Blackhawks can be their own worst enemy if they decide not to give 100%.
- DarthKane

This...by a mile!

EDIT: You forgot the whole 60 minutes part.

If the only thing Versteeg did was remove the blind/bad pass from his game he'd be a much more reliable player. You can live with the weak/non-existent backcheck as long as he does not hurt you in the offensive zone.
- Return of the Roar

I know Steeger's been getting a lot of heat lately, but I still think he can bring a lot of value to the team. It's nice to have the luxury of having a forward that can play anywhere in the top 9 when needed. If he was 100% consistent he'd be a regular top 6 forward, but he's not.

I want Morin in the line-up as much as anyone, but I would take out Handzus or Bollig before Versteeg.

This...by a mile!

EDIT: You forgot the whole 60 minutes part.
- EKolb13

Do you really think Morin is somewhat slow? My perception has been he looks quick but then again at my age there have been games where Zeus has looked like Bobby Hull. Those are long nights.

I know Steeger's been getting a lot of heat lately, but I still think he can bring a lot of value to the team. It's nice to have the luxury of having a forward that can play anywhere in the top 9 when needed. If he was 100% consistent he'd be a regular top 6 forward, but he's not.

I want Morin in the line-up as much as anyone, but I would take out Handzus or Bollig before Versteeg.
- DarthKane

As much of a non-proponent of 26 that I am as well, the need to have him in the lineup beyond assessing his ability to keep up is that when (not if) the Blues find they can't keep up, they will resort to a fairly singular physical style of play. Zus is a bear on the boards and a load to move off of the puck. They will need assets like him and Bollig when the STL game goes pure grind.

The key is fast, early and often scoring. STL will not be able to play catch up.

Tracey Myers ‏@TramyersCSN 4m
Good news: the lines I analyzed yesterday are still together: 23-19-20, 10-26-81, 29-65-88, 52-16-28. #Blackhawks

Maybe on Playoff EVE jj would grace us with a couple of links from the past . Who knows ?
- mrpaulish

I tried checking the archive but it only goes back to april 2009.

From Down Goes Brown's playoff preview:

Do you really think Morin is somewhat slow? My perception has been he looks quick but then again at my age there have been games where Zeus has looked like Bobby Hull. Those are long nights.
- Canardhawk

After watching him in Rockford for the last few season, I can tell you that he's no speed demon by any means, and never will be. His skating is improved, but I think it's reached it's peak.

For example, you're not going to see him get a lot of breakaway situations because defenders usually are able to close the gap on him fairly quickly. He's adapting to the situation better, and has improved fighting through them to get by them.

After watching him in Rockford for the last few season, I can tell you that he's no speed demon by any means, and never will be. His skating is improved, but I think it's reached it's peak.

For example, you're not going to see him get a lot of breakaway situations because defenders usually are able to close the gap on him fairly quickly. He's adapting to the situation better, and has improved fighting through them to get by them.
- EKolb13

I will try to be more observant.

Today's article...
Hawks-Blues Preview-Are Hawks up to the task? Who has to shine? What is Vegas saying? On The Blackhawks-Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/1qJPcT0

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

I will try to be more observant.
- Canardhawk

I don't think that's the problem. You have to realize, I get to observe a different player than you probably see when they get to Chicago. Usually (you hope that) the organization is sending a fairly well rounded player to Chicago by then.

Today's article...
Hawks-Blues Preview-Are Hawks up to the task? Who has to shine? What is Vegas saying? On The Blackhawks-Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/1qJPcT0

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

So you're saying I should throw a $100 bill on the Stars, move over to the Stars thread and hope to score big money?

This...by a mile!

EDIT: You forgot the whole 60 minutes part.
- EKolb13

The only team that beats Chicago ? Is Chicago.

They may be practising but that doesn't mean they're ready to play or of they play their are 100%.

I just hope they boys don't take this situation lightly and figure it will be an easy series given the Blues injuries and recent slump. Right now the Blackhawks can be their own worst enemy if they decide not to give 100%.
- DarthKane

Right on! If the hawks are fully engaged nobody could beat them 4 times. Boston would be a very tough series, though. They should win this series with all those blues players less than 100% but they need to compete. The Blues are really going to come out swinging. Hawks have to be smart

So you're saying I should throw a $100 bill on the Stars, move over to the Stars thread and hope to score big money?
- EKolb13

I don't think I wrote that but if you want.. (should be in red)

I guess the lesson is dson't lay 5/13 on such a big favorite to win a division...Too many variables and too little return for me.

Today's article...
Hawks-Blues Preview-Are Hawks up to the task? Who has to shine? What is Vegas saying? On The Blackhawks-Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/1qJPcT0

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

If Tarasenko is indeed back in the lineup and healthy, he becomes the difference that puts the blues over the top. I am not saying this to antagonize any of you, nor am I rooting against the hawks. This is my logic vs emotion exercise.

Blues in 6

If Tarasenko is indeed back in the lineup and healthy, he becomes the difference that puts the blues over the top. I am not saying this to antagonize any of you, nor am I rooting against the hawks. This is my logic vs emotion exercise.

Blues in 6
- TrueGrit

the only player that can put St. Louis over the top is Ryan Miller and he seems very beatable lately. Tarasenko is good but he's not going to put the blues on his back like miller potentially could

I don't think I wrote that but if you want.. (should be in red)

I guess the lesson is dson't lay 5/13 on such a big favorite to win a division...Too many variables and too little return for me.

Today's article...
Hawks-Blues Preview-Are Hawks up to the task? Who has to shine? What is Vegas saying? On The Blackhawks-Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/1qJPcT0

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Very interesting on the odds tow in the cup, AL.

I was on vegasinsider a few days back, and Boston was the clear favorite, but the Hawks, Avs, and Blues were all at 6 to 1 to win....Interesting to see the Hawks dropped to 8 to 1. Has to be STL is possibly healthier then what is originally thought.

Taresenko taking shifts and on the PP tells me he's ready to go.

The only team that beats Chicago ? Is Chicago.
- philco28

That's profound, I hope the other Chicago isn't playing Morin and Regin

If Tarasenko is indeed back in the lineup and healthy, he becomes the difference that puts the blues over the top. I am not saying this to antagonize any of you, nor am I rooting against the hawks. This is my logic vs emotion exercise.

Blues in 6
- TrueGrit

I have it going 7.....its' gong to come down to special teams and goaltending. Can the Hawks stay out of the box and kill penalties at 95%? Lets hope so...

I'll also say scoring 1st each game will be HUGE. Hawks score, forces the Blues to open up and Hawks can use their speed to counter. Blues scores 1st, and Blues can sit back and force the Hawks to chip it in and cycle...not their greatest strength.

the only player that can put St. Louis over the top is Ryan Miller and he seems very beatable lately. Tarasenko is good but he's not going to put the blues on his back like miller potentially could
- EnzoD

He just got the cast off his hand on Monday...how close to 100% could he be?

If Tarasenko is indeed back in the lineup and healthy, he becomes the difference that puts the blues over the top. I am not saying this to antagonize any of you, nor am I rooting against the hawks. This is my logic vs emotion exercise.

Blues in 6
- TrueGrit

He will most likely not be back until Game 3 at the earliest.

Bigger concern for them is how effective Backes is because they can't win without him..


Today's article...
Hawks-Blues Preview-Are Hawks up to the task? Who has to shine? What is Vegas saying? On The Blackhawks-Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/1qJPcT0

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

- Ogilthorpe2

If the Blackhawks knock off the Blues, I am going to be rooting hard for Tampa. I like their team a lot, and am still a huge fan of Bishop.

He just got the cast off his hand on Monday...how close to 100% could he be?
- Glenman12

Real close. They have closed practices, but reports have stated that he wasn't holding back when he was shooting. He has been skating the whole time, so that shouldn't be an issue.

I honestly won't be surprised if he is ready for Thursday or Saturday.