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.
- Elbows15

And Blackhawk fans will be pissed when Toews gets hit cleanly and grabs his shoulder after........

Because.
- Elbows15

Let's just say that I don't trust that at all.

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

I want the physical power forward Bickel with Kane and Toews
Saad should stay on the third line for balance

And Blackhawk fans will be pissed when Toews gets hit cleanly and grabs his shoulder after........


- carcus

You are just asking for bad karma for your team with that statement

You are just asking for bad karma for your team with that statement
- molly2522

The hockey gods are always watching.....

And Blackhawk fans will be pissed when Toews gets hit cleanly and grabs his shoulder after........


- carcus

Meh. Its the playoffs. No whining allowed.

I want the physical power forward Bickel with Kane and Toews
Saad should stay on the third line for balance
- molly2522

I'd be ok with that. I just dont want to see the Hawks putting Handzus out there simply because he is a big body. Like i said in a previous post, no matter who is out there, the Hawks wont be crashing and banging like the Blues do, so might as well put the most effective lines out there (mainly 29-12-11 because of the way they have played together of late) and let the big bad Blues try to keep up.

You are just asking for bad karma for your team with that statement
- molly2522

Just like someone saying that they want the Blackhawks to blast one off of Backes foot? Bad karma?

I wasn't stating that they should do anything dirty to Toews. Just pointing out that it will likely go both ways. Both teams are likely going to target guys coming back from injury to try and limit their play. A clean check on Toews to see how his shoulder really is, no different than someone shooting at Backes foot if he is in a shooting lane.

I am not trying to start stuff.

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

Games can't be tied at the end of regulation?

And Blackhawk fans will be pissed when Toews gets hit cleanly and grabs his shoulder after........


- carcus

That's ok if you want to play that way. Chicago beat StL without Toews. How did StL do without Backa$$?

OH, and I like your location. I have to ask, it isn't stopped by Miller, is it?

Just like someone saying that they want the Blackhawks to blast one off of Backes foot? Bad karma?

I wasn't stating that they should do anything dirty to Toews. Just pointing out that it will likely go both ways. Both teams are likely going to target guys coming back from injury to try and limit their play. A clean check on Toews to see how his shoulder really is, no different than someone shooting at Backes foot if he is in a shooting lane.

I am not trying to start stuff.
- carcus

No, invoking karma would be to blast one at Jackass' face.

I want the physical power forward Bickel with Kane and Toews
Saad should stay on the third line for balance
- molly2522

Assuming Bickell plays physically. I would think he will, he's been playing better down the stretch.

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

Because it's done by another guy who has no idea how to put a report together:

The "regulation Win %" column is really the percentage of available total points won.

But it's interesting that as bad as the Hawks were in their division, they did very well against brother (or sister) play-off teams.

Games can't be tied at the end of regulation?
- Sandus

Yeah, I guess they can. I was thinking that they were only looking at games decided in regulation. (not all games and if they extended past regulation everything gets lumped into the tie category)

Assuming Bickell plays physically. I would think he will, he's been playing better down the stretch.
- DarthKane

DK. Thursday is so far away. I think we are going to be over geeked.

That's ok if you want to play that way. Chicago beat StL without Toews. How did StL do without Backa$$?

OH, and I like your location. I have to ask, it isn't stopped by Miller, is it?
- powerenforcer

Even with our terrible late season skid, we finished 3rd in GA.

Yes, the puck is still stopped here in St Louis.

Even with our terrible late season skid, we finished 3rd in GA.

Yes, the puck is still stopped here in St Louis.
- carcus

How bad is it going to look when Elliot starts Game 1 carcus?

Reading Toews quotes....

1. Kudos for him for saying Oprik hit was clean.

2. Doesn't read like a guy with some major shoulder injury. Reads like a guy who had a minor injury, and was held out to be fresh/healthy as can be when the important games started.

Which tells me the Hawks viewed Colorado/STL in a similar fashion in regards to being a threat...Speaking of which...as does Vegas who has all 3 tied for 2nd, behind Boston, for odds to win the cup.

How bad is it going to look when Elliot starts Game 1 carcus?
- Elbows15

Yeah, that would be pretty bad.

But that isn't happening.

A clean check on Toews to see how his shoulder really is, no different than someone shooting at Backes foot if he is in a shooting lane.
- carcus

Toews is good and Backes is evil obviously and it's easier to hit than to shoot at the foot hence Blues deserve more punishment from heaven

I want the physical power forward Bickel with Kane and Toews
Saad should stay on the third line for balance
- molly2522

Maybe Q switches to 29-19-88 only when something is wrong? Like it is last chance.

Toews is good and Backes is evil obviously and it's easier to hit than to shoot at the foot hence Blues deserve more punishment from heaven
- Uncheckable21

Guranteeeeeed Keith hits Backes in the foot with a shot..... You know it's getting blocked anyways....

Trotz in Washington? That would be hilarious!

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

As soon as I heard the news I thought Washington. Trotz brings Washington to the Finals getting the head case from Russia in line or out of town.

As for the keys, we can all agree it will take an A+ from all lines, goal and Q to win a cup. If Towes and Kane have to play on the same line like against the Wings...so be it. Every game there has to be 5 or more guys/plays that when in review are big momentum changers. In the end Crawford gets the Smyth or makes the first golf reservations.

Toews is good and Backes is evil obviously and it's easier to hit than to shoot at the foot hence Blues deserve more punishment from heaven
- Uncheckable21

I like this. Howdy Bear!

DK. Thursday is so far away. I think we are going to be over geeked.
- Elbows15

Does anyone else have the shakes? Damn hockey withdrawals.