I read all the time but don't post too often. This was one of your better write ups JJ. These are way more fun to read when you dig into stats and analyze the games than just offering lines ups and predictions. Keep the good work coming!
- aoskilanec

Don't you agree that Elbows is the biggest putz on the board?

Feel free to pull up an internet bar stool and order an internet beverage of your choice!

Well, it worked - two championships with him.

Just wouldn't work now with the cap hit.
- StLBravesFan

As the #2C?

No one reads my shiit.
- StLBravesFan

I do - all the time, Sage.

As the #2C?
- EKolb13

Ahhh - sometimes I lose track of the threads.

Ahhh - sometimes I lose track of the threads.
- StLBravesFan

Don't feel bad, I lose track of the days.

I do - all the time, Sage.
- EKolb13

Whose stuff?

Don't feel bad, I lose track of the days.
- Canardhawk

Whose stuff?
- mohel

Don't worry, I read yours too.

Don't feel bad, I lose track of the days.
- Canardhawk

Days? pfft.
I'm pretty sure it was Christmas just last week.

Don't feel bad, I lose track of the days.
- Canardhawk

Good to know I may not be the only one who suffers from Craft's disease (Can't Remember A Franking Thing).

Days? pfft.
I'm pretty sure it was Christmas just last week.

- InvisibleOrange

I have a fool proof system for remembering what day of the week it is. I allocate so many beers per day and when the refrigerator is empty it's Saturday.

I have a fool proof system for remembering what day of the week it is. I allocate so many beers per day and when the refrigerator is empty it's Saturday.
- Canardhawk

Are you so sure about that system being fool-proof? You could get poop-faced some night watching the game while drinking up your week's supply, and wake up thinking it is Saturday...

Are you so sure about that system being fool-proof? You could get poop-faced some night watching the game while drinking up your week's supply, and wake up thinking it is Saturday...


- EKolb13

It works great in the off season.

Apparently the Hawks the most mediocre defending champions in the playoffs!

Looks like you guys are in for more of the same opposing team media coverage, at least here at HB! Jason Lewis writing how the Kings outplayed, outshot, outchanced, outworked and pretty much out did the Hawks in every category except out scoring!

Sounds vaguely familiar!

How about diving is automatically 4 mins??


Hawks stay perfect at home, win Game 1. Plus trying to make sense out of the NHL :On The Blackhawks: Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1gHw0oq
- Al

no...thats to much for a highly subjective and interpretive call by the ref....its not always that obvious..

i don't like the four minute for drawing blood with the high stick...have no idea what that double minor is attempting to prevent....

break a guys jaw or nose but no blood and its still only 2 minutes....

the over all stick enforcement policy and calls and non calls by the refs is another league wide embrassment

I have a fool proof system for remembering what day of the week it is. I allocate so many beers per day and when the refrigerator is empty it's Saturday.
- Canardhawk

Growing up, my mom told me to never put limits on what i could achieve.

Growing up, my mom told me to never put limits on what i could achieve.

- InvisibleOrange

My mom said the same thing but then I got married.

I am really overly down on this class.

You know that many of the lower teams in need will keep kids up if there is any chance they have scoring in place.

I really think none are ready.

Ekblad is a real big kid and could stya b/c of his skating.
I don't think he makes any impact...heck he didn't have enough of his game in place to help the Canada Junior teams win with him as a solid part of any five man units.
But he may stay.

The big German kid, Leon Draisaitl, is a candidate too only because he is big horse. There are other big bodied forwards in my top ten who teams might keep around.
Next year, 2015, you will get a better chance at plug n' plays...
- wiz1901

Thanks. Guess it is true about this year being pretty weak. But usually the top 5 or 6 are generally going to be really good. This year doesn't even sound like that. I was curious about bennett because I hear a lot compare him to Toews or maybe doug gilmour because of his height

In a larger sense, the Kings looked tired. Which is not surprising in light of their finishing a tough 7-game series Friday night then flying almost immediately to Chicago for Sunday’s matinee. The Hawks, by contrast, were coming off a 4-day rest, having played two less games than the Kings thus far in the playoffs as well.

That will likely even out somewhat in the series, especially once the Hawks start travelling out West.

John Jaeckel: Game 1 Follows Script, Hawks Up 1-0
- John Jaeckel

I don't want to sound dumb but I don't fly much so maybe someone could explain something about the travel to me.

There's always a big deal made when an Eastern team makes a West Coast trip but not vice versa. Especially in a series like this when both teams are only playing each other . When the game is over they both have to get on a plane and fly back to play each other even though one sleeps in their own bed and the other stays in a luxury hotel with room service.

Apparently the Hawks the most mediocre defending champions in the playoffs!

Looks like you guys are in for more of the same opposing team media coverage, at least here at HB! Jason Lewis writing how the Kings outplayed, outshot, outchanced, outworked and pretty much out did the Hawks in every category except out scoring!

Sounds vaguely familiar!
- MnGump

Ok, seriously, what's up with your boner for the Hawks? I've been seeing it constantly in Hawks threads, and I just don't get it with you being a Wild fan. Let's try and keep the Kings thread clear of it, please.

How about diving is automatically 4 mins??
- Al

I've been advocating for this for years as long as the Refs have the [part Q likes to grab] to make those calls.

Another option would be very hefty fines, not like $5k water bottle squirt fines.

Ok, seriously, what's up with your boner for the Hawks? I've been seeing it constantly in Hawks threads, and I just don't get it with you being a Wild fan. Let's try and keep the Kings thread clear of it, please.
- PancakesPenner

Perhaps this would be better suited being posted in the Kings thread in the first place, instead of the Hawks thread?

Ok, seriously, what's up with your boner for the Hawks? I've been seeing it constantly in Hawks threads, and I just don't get it with you being a Wild fan. Let's try and keep the Kings thread clear of it, please.
- PancakesPenner

You just can't stand those impartial view points, can you.

You just can't stand those impartial view points, can you.
- Canardhawk

Well played.

From the Kings board:
I was encouraged by their play given the short turnaround after two brutal 7 game series, as well as the fact that it was a noon game against a more rested team. The NHL essentially did everything they could to give Chicago the upper hand in this game, so I didn't expect a win.

That being said, they're going to need to come out with a vengeance on Wednesday if they want to win this series. They'll have some time to rest, but you know Chicago is going to play a really strong game, so LA needs to be better than them. If they can do that then I like their chances in these playoffs. If not then they could be in trouble.
___________________________

The excuses are starting already.....
- CaptainBlackhawk

Genius! Why hasnt anyone thought of this before?