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

1st

Today's article...

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

JJ - Lot of discussion about the decline in shots on goal for the Hawks. Is this something to be concerned about in your estimation?

Wiz/Al - I'll throw this question your way too since it was a big topic of discussion on the prior thread and I've noticed it as well.

Q re: 4th line being reunited in G1

"Looked like the band was back together."

JJ - Lot of discussion about the decline in shots on goal for the Hawks. Is this something to be concerned about in your estimation?

Wiz/Al - I'll throw this question your way too since it was a big topic of discussion on the prior thread and I've noticed it as well.
- golfbard

Not as long as we're WINNING

Last follow up to the other thread from me....

If my only two options are Elliott at 3yrs 7.5mm or Miller at 5 yrs 30mm, it's an easy call for Elliott and giving Allen a chance. If it doesn't pan out, we could always go for Niemi after next season

Aside from that, the Kings looked outmatched much of the afternoon in losing 3-1.

It's just semantics, but you say outmatched, I say outplayed. To me, outmatched implies that was the best the Kings had, but couldn't get it done. They were outplayed for at least half that game, but I definitely expect a better showing Wednesday after some rest. Whether that better showing translates to a win remains to be seen.

Very encouraging victory yesterday.

I keep underrating not only how slow LA's blue line is, made only slower by the surprise addition of Willie Mitchell, but just how dumb they can be. Jake Muzzin looked like he was skating after his own tail half the game. And Voynov is going to bank pass into an on charging Hawk at least once a game.

Still, for a team that had just played a game 7 two days ago, the Kings got some things done. They marked Kane right off the ice. They'll probably pump up the physicality a notch or two. Of course the Hawks can alter as well.

I feel much better after watching that game. As a person who was absolutely terrified of the Kings, it was nice to see the Kings have some issues and hurdles to clear when it comes to the Hawks….

onwards.

Anyone put together a Crawford second period save percentage? Has to be unreal. His second period play saved at least two games, probably more.

He is defining keeping your team in the game and giving them a chance to win.

LA couldn't win a game when the league was handing it to them.

Totally agree on the speed issue. Same as in boxing - the big guy better catch the fast guy early, otherwise he's gonna wear himself out trying.

JJ has mentioned before about the difference between skating fast and playing fast. I think the defensive style described is all about playing fast - quick passes to get out of their own zone. The Hawks play fast AND skate fast (most of them ), and this causes all kinds of trouble for the heavy teams. Especially as the series wears on...

The Hawks looked very good in spots yesterday, but man has the 2nd period this post season been a real eye sore. Talk about relying on Crow a little too much!! I still think this is going to be a long series, whether it be fatigue or just a straight fact, the Hawks speed was definitely a whole lot for the Kings to try to handle. Excited, but not overconfident, but game 1 was very encouraging.

Very encouraging victory yesterday.

Still, for a team that had just played a game 7 two days ago, the Kings got some things done. They marked Kane right off the ice. They'll probably pump up the physicality a notch or two. Of course the Hawks can alter as well.
- yahoodi

The Kane thing was absolutely noticeable, but I wonder if it comes at a price. You have 2-3 guys running at Kane, which means that there is a whole lot of ice remaining for someone else to fill the slot. This might be the time to reunite Smith with Kane and Sharp. If LA keeps bum rushing Kane on his rush, I foresee Sharp potting a few more goals this series.

Last follow up to the other thread from me....

If my only two options are Elliott at 3yrs 7.5mm or Miller at 5 yrs 30mm, it's an easy call for Elliott and giving Allen a chance. If it doesn't pan out, we could always go for Niemi after next season


- stljam

I agree it is an easy call. Miller showed he wasn't the answer. Spend the money at forward.

Anyone put together a Crawford second period save percentage? Has to be unreal. His second period play saved at least two games, probably more.

He is defining keeping your team in the game and giving them a chance to win.
- stljam

Great points and sorry on the last thread. I initially didn't give Elliot the props he deserves. Could be a great move for The Loo.

Anyone put together a Crawford second period save percentage? Has to be unreal. His second period play saved at least two games, probably more.

He is defining keeping your team in the game and giving them a chance to win.
- stljam

It was .941 in the second period.

Anyone put together a Crawford second period save percentage? Has to be unreal. His second period play saved at least two games, probably more.

He is defining keeping your team in the game and giving them a chance to win.
- stljam

Stopped 16 of 17, I believe, for a .941 SV%.

Edit - damn that 'stache is fast.

I'm not one for conspiracies but I don't know what to make of the start of this series. Including the scheduling.

For the Kings to have only 3 games in a week after being pushed to 7 games is pure BS on the NHL's part. If anything this series should have game 2 tomorrow, and then game 3 and 4 on Friday/Sunday to give teams the extra day of rest after flying across 2 time zones. A helluva lot more straining on the body/mind then the cush travel the east has. So the Hawks are rewarded for finishing their series early....with game 1 and that's it.

I also have no clue what the hell those clowns were doing on the Toews disputed goal. Fine....contact. Blow it dead as the rule states and move on...yet they reviewed to see if the puck from the initial shot went in? Why? That was as bad as it gets...NBC had no clue, and the explanation was even worse. A huge black eye for the league who is consistently having 4 paid professionals miss basic calls of too many men far too often this postseason. I used to criticize the NBA for their "wink-wink" bs, but after these playoffs....Gary Bettman and friends are pulling some huge strings back in the war room.

Very encouraging victory yesterday.

I keep underrating not only how slow LA's blue line is, made only slower by the surprise addition of Willie Mitchell, but just how dumb they can be. Jake Muzzin looked like he was skating after his own tail half the game. And Voynov is going to bank pass into an on charging Hawk at least once a game.

Still, for a team that had just played a game 7 two days ago, the Kings got some things done. They marked Kane right off the ice. They'll probably pump up the physicality a notch or two. Of course the Hawks can alter as well.

I feel much better after watching that game. As a person who was absolutely terrified of the Kings, it was nice to see the Kings have some issues and hurdles to clear when it comes to the Hawks….

onwards.
- yahoodi

Your boys don't seem too terrified. LA is 2-10 vs the hawks since the beginning of last year. Pretty much the matchup I didn't want. But we'll see if LA can kick it into another gear with 2 days of rest.

I'm not one for conspiracies but I don't know what to make of the start of this series. Including the scheduling.

For the Kings to have only 3 games in a week after being pushed to 7 games is pure BS on the NHL's part. If anything this series should have game 2 tomorrow, and then game 3 and 4 on Friday/Sunday to give teams the extra day of rest after flying across 2 time zones. A helluva lot more straining on the body/mind then the cush travel the east has. So the Hawks are rewarded for finishing their series early....with game 1 and that's it.

I also have no clue what the hell those clowns were doing on the Toews disputed goal. Fine....contact. Blow it dead as the rule states and move on...yet they reviewed to see if the puck from the initial shot went in? Why? That was as bad as it gets...NBC had no clue, and the explanation was even worse. A huge black eye for the league who is consistently having 4 paid professionals miss basic calls of too many men far too often this postseason. I used to criticize the NBA for their "wink-wink" bs, but after these playoffs....Gary Bettman and friends are pulling some huge strings back in the war room.
- SteveRain

Remember, Gary came from the NBA. It is what he knows best.

In regards to the game...>Rozsival needs to sit...and never return unless an injury/suspension occurs. Another brutal game for 32 as his speed is gone. Leddy is forced to race back and beat Rozsival's check to the puck, with Rossival out of position every time. Lot to ask for #8 to do. And if Brookbank is good enough to play top minutes with Keith while seabrook was out, he's good enough to play 3rd pair minutes vs LA. Free Brookbank.

Sharp was a ghost and found himself on line 3. At this point, any production out of him may be a blessing. I really hope he's hurting bad, otherwise this production is just not good enough. Kane will be a marked man all series long. No room to "ramp it up" and do his dangle and find the trailer in the zone. La is on him and trying to pressure him into bad decisions to counter the other way.

Toews-Hossa were sensational yesterday. As was Keith, Seabrook, and the swedes. Crawford outplayed Quick....again.

Bolig-Kruger-Smith allowed Q to roll 4 lines, and Regin and Versteeg were very good. Shaw returns, tough call for Q to make. Bolig goated Martinez into a bad penalty, finished his checks, and played a nice game.

Also....loved watching Hossa open up and destroy Brown. My goodness. 23 will think twice running 81 again.

I'm not one for conspiracies but I don't know what to make of the start of this series. Including the scheduling.

For the Kings to have only 3 games in a week after being pushed to 7 games is pure BS on the NHL's part. If anything this series should have game 2 tomorrow, and then game 3 and 4 on Friday/Sunday to give teams the extra day of rest after flying across 2 time zones. A helluva lot more straining on the body/mind then the cush travel the east has. So the Hawks are rewarded for finishing their series early....with game 1 and that's it.

I also have no clue what the hell those clowns were doing on the Toews disputed goal. Fine....contact. Blow it dead as the rule states and move on...yet they reviewed to see if the puck from the initial shot went in? Why? That was as bad as it gets...NBC had no clue, and the explanation was even worse. A huge black eye for the league who is consistently having 4 paid professionals miss basic calls of too many men far too often this postseason. I used to criticize the NBA for their "wink-wink" bs, but after these playoffs....Gary Bettman and friends are pulling some huge strings back in the war room.
- SteveRain

Totally agree on the scheduling bullsh!t. The reason is probably television. Games three and four are both now on Memorial Day weekend. To get that they had to spread out the games. Still crap, though.

On the disputed goal, I thought they put it behind them well and kept going. Also, fun to watch Q have a fit out there.

The Kane thing was absolutely noticeable, but I wonder if it comes at a price. You have 2-3 guys running at Kane, which means that there is a whole lot of ice remaining for someone else to fill the slot. This might be the time to reunite Smith with Kane and Sharp. If LA keeps bum rushing Kane on his rush, I foresee Sharp potting a few more goals this series.
- QStache

Sure the Kings, at times, just smoothered Kane but alot of that was Kane going in 1 on three or four while Zeus the Hawks were changing. It will burn the Kings soon enough, Kane will make a mad pass and then look for the flashing light

I'm not one for conspiracies but I don't know what to make of the start of this series. Including the scheduling.

For the Kings to have only 3 games in a week after being pushed to 7 games is pure BS on the NHL's part. If anything this series should have game 2 tomorrow, and then game 3 and 4 on Friday/Sunday to give teams the extra day of rest after flying across 2 time zones. A helluva lot more straining on the body/mind then the cush travel the east has. So the Hawks are rewarded for finishing their series early....with game 1 and that's it.

I also have no clue what the hell those clowns were doing on the Toews disputed goal. Fine....contact. Blow it dead as the rule states and move on...yet they reviewed to see if the puck from the initial shot went in? Why? That was as bad as it gets...NBC had no clue, and the explanation was even worse. A huge black eye for the league who is consistently having 4 paid professionals miss basic calls of too many men far too often this postseason. I used to criticize the NBA for their "wink-wink" bs, but after these playoffs....Gary Bettman and friends are pulling some huge strings back in the war room.
- SteveRain

Whats crazy was the 4 games in 6 nights to start the NYR-PIT series. Now that was messed up.