Jason Lewis: Where Have the Hawks Gone Wrong So Far?

Jason Lewis: Where Have the Hawks Gone Wrong So Far?
- Jason_Lewis

Good observations Jason! You can technically say the Kings PP is 4 for 8 as the goal last night was scored 2 seconds after the penalty expired. The Kings appear to be wearing the Hawks down. It doesn't help when their big line has to kill PP's also. GKG!

Great article. It seems like the Blackhawks have been playing well while the Kings are biding their time. Then, when it matters, the Kings step it up a couple gears and take it to em (Kind of really similar to how the Hawks beat the Wild). The ever crucial game 4 of the series will be quite the affair. Looking forward to it, just as soon as I get my digestive track in order...

Jason Lewis: Where Have the Hawks Gone Wrong So Far?
- Jason_Lewis

Which kind of make you wonder in the coming years how effective a Pearson-Vey-Toffoli line could be. That is when cap space requires freeing up some room on the wing again for Carter. Nice problem to have.

Which kind of make you wonder in the coming years how effective a Pearson-Vey-Toffoli line could be. That is when cap space requires freeing up some room on the wing again for Carter. Nice problem to have.
- cryptical77

Also excited about those young "D" that we may see next year. The future is bright! Lets hope we can close out Chicago quickly.

Great article. It seems like the Blackhawks have been playing well while the Kings are biding their time. Then, when it matters, the Kings step it up a couple gears and take it to em (Kind of really similar to how the Hawks beat the Wild). The ever crucial game 4 of the series will be quite the affair. Looking forward to it, just as soon as I get my digestive track in order...
- PuckAndSticks

This is how they beat the Ducks. Anaheim arguably outplayed the Kings for a majority of the 7 games but Quick is brilliant when he needs to be and the Kings really take advantage of mistakes. Plus, they really play well with the lead. It's a tough combo to beat.

That 70's line!

That 70's line!
- lakings35

Never seen the Hawks thread so quiet..

This is how they beat the Ducks. Anaheim arguably outplayed the Kings for a majority of the 7 games but Quick is brilliant when he needs to be and the Kings really take advantage of mistakes. Plus, they really play well with the lead. It's a tough combo to beat.
- duxcup07

Sorry can't pass this one up, bud.

Not to nitpick but depends on how you define "arguably". So outpossessing in all situations in 5 of 7 games, better yet in 6 out of 7 when looking at 5v5 close, somehow implies LA was lucky to get out of that series...

Against the Sharks? First couple games absolutely. Against the Hawks? Majority of games 1 and 2, ok. Against the Ducks? Not a chance.

Facts - call it step 1 to admitting you have a problem.

Never seen the Hawks thread so quiet..
- arh777

Screw em. Its time to go when I catch poop for saying Toews has been winning the matchup with Kopi.

Screw em. Its time to go when I catch poop for saying Toews has been winning the matchup with Kopi.
- cryptical77

They have some real jerks over there but most are ok. I just ignore and keep on posting.

They have some real jerks over there but most are ok. I just ignore and keep on posting.
- arh777

Yeah you're right though most are.

Yeah you're right though most are.
- cryptical77

f$@k'em! They panic a lot for having such a good team. They start bashing their own team, like Zues should not be playing. Or rosival shouldn't be either. Relax hawks fans, your the champ for a reason.

f$@k'em! They panic a lot for having such a good team. They start bashing their own team, like Zues should not be playing. Or rosival shouldn't be either. Relax hawks fans, your the champ for a reason.
- lakings35

Funny how being a Kings fan for the better part of 30 years I've learned to expect the worst but hope for the best. I won't feel comfortable until they win four games.

Funny how being a Kings fan for the better part of 30 years I've learned to expect the worst but hope for the best. I won't feel comfortable until they win four games.
- arh777

Ive been a fan for 21 years and I agree with you 100%

Funny how being a Kings fan for the better part of 30 years I've learned to expect the worst but hope for the best. I won't feel comfortable until they win four games.
- arh777

Oh for sure, been beat up for so long, can't help but to feel like an abused dog.

Funny how being a Kings fan for the better part of 30 years I've learned to expect the worst but hope for the best. I won't feel comfortable until they win four games.
- arh777

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I was watching some highlights from the world championships and as a Kings fan I had two thoughts. First I was laughing at Oscar Moller. He really made some poor choices and his career fell off the rails. The second was Jere Karalahtti. I know he retired and left the Kings due to an admitted heroine addiction. To see him playing hockey at 39 I can only hope that he has exercised his demons and good for him. Nice to see the story end that way with him overcoming that.

I think you're spot on about the Center depth, that is a major advantage for the Kings. Its usually always an advantage for whoever plays the Hawks, but especially against LA who arguably has the best Center depth in the NHL. I agree about Crawford, he has been outplayed by Quick. And i also agree that Sharp and Kane haven't done much of anything. But anyone who's really watched the Hawks in the playoffs knows that Patrick Kane doesn't do jack poop till games 5-6(or 7 if need be) of a series anyways. He's become known for waiting till late in the series to breakout and find his space to make plays, seemingly hoping that the opposition gets worn down over the course of the first 4 games.

Another huge factor is having Handzus plague that 2nd line and really hinder what Sharp and Kane are able to do. This is why we saw the switch to Ben Smith at 2C in the 3rd period of last nights game. Might see Shaw or Regin there in the future, as im hoping that Q has seen enough evidence that Handzus is killing that lines possession. Put Handzus on 4th line and PK duty where he belongs, swap out Bollig for Regin. Simple as that. Might see it happen soon in this series.

Im not so sure about the whole speed factor though. I think its obvious that the Kings new 2nd line really helps their overall speed. That line has been killing the Hawks. But i think you're underrating the speed of some of the Hawks bottom 6 forwards, mainly Kruger. Kruger can fly. Ben Smith is a pretty good skater himself, Saad is blazing fast, Shaw is fast, Regin is fast, and even though Versteeg isnt as fast as he was back in 2010 after his knee surgery, he's still a fast skater in general. Bollig is really the only Hawk forward in the bottom 6 who u could say isnt a fast skater, rather average(last year he was just downright slow, but he's really improved his skating this year).

Id still say player for player the Hawks bottom 6 is slightly faster(whether its either Bollig or Handzus on 4th line duty), and id still say the Hawks defense(Rozsival excluded) is still less susceptible to being broken down by the oppositions speed and counter attack than the Kings are.

If you're looking for the true reason the Kings have gained the upper hand I think the Special Teams has been the major factor in the outcome of games 2 and 3. The Hawks PK has finally been broken down again, and the Kings have gotten some huge timely PP goals. And conversely the Hawks have had moments in games 2 and 3 on the PP to put games away and extend leads but have failed to put one in. Between the special teams play and the goaltending(Quicks performances in the 2nd periods of games 2 and 3 have been world class) i think the Kings have found their formula for victory.

I think the Hawks have outplayed the Kings through the first 2 periods of games 2 and 3, yet couldn't breakthrough in game 2 and then gave up 2 goals on just 4 shots in game 3. Critical and both mainly due to Quick vs Crawford and special teams conversions. Much like how the Kings dominated the 2nd period of game 1 and yet lost the game because they failed to convert when they were really bringing the pressure. Gotta give mad props to Quick and the Kings PK, and also their ability to score on the PP at just the right time.

Jason Lewis: Where Have the Hawks Gone Wrong So Far?
- Jason_Lewis

Josh Beckett of the L A Dodgers just threw a no hitter against the Phillies!

Sorry can't pass this one up, bud.

Not to nitpick but depends on how you define "arguably". So outpossessing in all situations in 5 of 7 games, better yet in 6 out of 7 when looking at 5v5 close, somehow implies LA was lucky to get out of that series...

Against the Sharks? First couple games absolutely. Against the Hawks? Majority of games 1 and 2, ok. Against the Ducks? Not a chance.

Facts - call it step 1 to admitting you have a problem.
- cryptical77

See, this is why I don't even bother. Can't even pay them a compliment.

This is how they beat the Ducks. Anaheim arguably outplayed the Kings for a majority of the 7 games but Quick is brilliant when he needs to be and the Kings really take advantage of mistakes. Plus, they really play well with the lead. It's a tough combo to beat.
- duxcup07

Josh Beckett of the L A Dodgers just threw a no hitter against the Phillies!
- arh777

I KNOW


*Insert Time Warner/Dodger greed bashing comment here*

See, this is why I don't even bother. Can't even pay them a compliment.
- duxcup07

I know, I even felt like an bumhole writing it. But when we're talking ducks (and sharks) I can't help it. It is what it is.

I know, I even felt like an bumhole writing it. But when we're talking ducks (and sharks) I can't help it. It is what it is.
- cryptical77

don't forget Vancouver