Says the..Flamey fagg oty fan? Kinda rhetorical, no?
- Ersberg

Do you even know what Rhetorical means?

I don't think LA has to win 4 in a row, but if they really need to win game 4 to put a strangle hold on the series. If they win game 4 then I think they will win game 6 if it comes to that. LA seems to be getting stronger as games and series go along. The biggest thing that LA needs to do now is frustrate Chicago, they're taking penalties as a result, and Crawford has been visibly upset with a few goals the last two games. If LA can come out and press hard Monday night, get a goal or two early and rattle Crawford, I think they have a good chance. They need to make sure Chicago doesn't get a chance to establish their game. Neither of these teams will be able to shut the other down for 60 minutes, so LA needs to get pressure early so when Chicago does push back, they have some wiggle room.
- bluecoconuts

As far as penalties, I think you guys have taken one more then the Hawks. So by simple math, and your example. The kings must be "more frustrated" Right?
Crawford "has been visibly upset" I wonder why? He has given up WEAK goals, That's why.

Jason. I agree about center depth. But if you are going to use video to try and pump the Kings speed, Maybe you should have left out vid # 2 Where a "speedy" Carter cant even out race a slow footed Rosizal. Hawks had bodies to cover that play. They were not beaten by speed.

As far as penalties, I think you guys have taken one more then the Hawks. So by simple math, and your example. The kings must be "more frustrated" Right?
Crawford "has been visibly upset" I wonder why? He has given up WEAK goals, That's why.
- camfor

two accidental high sticking penalties in the offensive zone, two many men on the ice and over the glass penalty. Sounds frustrated to me..

Either way I'm not trying to craftily say anything I think the 2 best teams in the league are going at it and I would go as far to say the winner of game 4 is likely to win the series.
- QuicksEnnormous

This is more the point I was going for. The Blackhawks are the best team the Kings have faced, and likewise the Kings, the Hawks.

The Sharks, Ducks comment was more pertaining to the idea that they are more offensively minded teams, while the Blackhawks have been playing defense first teams. The Hawks changed their game for the Blues and Wild and seem to be having a tough time getting their offense going. This is not a so much a slight on the Kings defense. They just play a more offensively heavy game than the Blues and Wild...

This makes too much sense.

I, for the life of me, cannot figure out why Handzus is in the top-6 between Kane and Sharp and why Regin is playing center. Not to mention Smith being outside the top-6 and Kruger playing 4C. I hate to say so overtly that Quenneville is being outcoached to this point but... if it looks like a duck...
- Jason_Lewis

Jason, great write up and I think you have nailed it on the head here. Quennville, even yesterday, said he believes Zus and Kane have "chemistry". Hard to believe he is watching the same games.

Again, the players the King's have added since last year's WCF are better than the players the Hawks have replaced Bolland and Frolik with - particularly speed wise. Q is unable to roll 4 lines with Bollig and Zus out there (I think Versteeg belongs in that group as well). He rolls 3 lines and plays Bollig 5 minutes then you will have tired players in the 3rd period.

Smith/Regin should be 2C/4C. Bollig should sit. Versteeg as well. Zus can play on line 4 and the PK if he has to be out there at all.

Your forwards look really impressive. I believe Stoll's presence this year and what he brings to face offs and shadowing Kane may be the biggest difference from last year for your side (other than the absence of Frolik and Bolland).

I still think your D can be had but Q needs to adjust. He usually does but not seeing it yet.

Jason, great write up and I think you have nailed it on the head here. Quennville, even yesterday, said he believes Zus and Kane have "chemistry". Hard to believe he is watching the same games.

Again, the players the King's have added since last year's WCF are better than the players the Hawks have replaced Bolland and Frolik with - particularly speed wise. Q is unable to roll 4 lines with Bollig and Zus out there (I think Versteeg belongs in that group as well). He rolls 3 lines and plays Bollig 5 minutes then you will have tired players in the 3rd period.

Smith/Regin should be 2C/4C. Bollig should sit. Versteeg as well. Zus can play on line 4 and the PK if he has to be out there at all.

Your forwards look really impressive. I believe Stoll's presence this year and what he brings to face offs and shadowing Kane may be the biggest difference from last year for your side (other than the absence of Frolik and Bolland).

I still think your D can be had but Q needs to adjust. He usually does but not seeing it yet.
- tredbrta

Having Stoll and Richards both healthy enough to play is definitely huge compared to last year. It gives them depth at C that they couldn't have dreamed of with them out.

Do you even know what Rhetorical means?
- flamminghead

Your team originated from Atlanta...For a Canadian city that should be a slap in the the face. Go tend to your cattle now, ya bum

This is more the point I was going for. The Blackhawks are the best team the Kings have faced, and likewise the Kings, the Hawks.

The Sharks, Ducks comment was more pertaining to the idea that they are more offensively minded teams, while the Blackhawks have been playing defense first teams. The Hawks changed their game for the Blues and Wild and seem to be having a tough time getting their offense going. This is not a so much a slight on the Kings defense. They just play a more offensively heavy game than the Blues and Wild...
- PuckAndSticks

Its funny how a few games can change everyone's opinions..............kings are offensivly heavy.....no one would have said that a few weeks ago. Hawks need to match Kings speed.......Crawford is better than Quick.....only hawks fans said that but you don't hear that anymore. From a hawks fans point of view I can agree with most of everything you say, the one thing I disagree on is goals scored in the next game. I think this will be tighter game. The winner might score 2 goals.......an ot game is likely with all the implications facing the last three games.
With that said, goaltending with be extra huge. 1 bad goal could be the difference. It will be interesting to see the opinions change with the differences in this game. I think too much focus will be put on the speed line and kop is line will be the standout line for the Kings this game.

Its funny how a few games can change everyone's opinions..............kings are offensivly heavy.....no one would have said that a few weeks ago. Hawks need to match Kings speed.......Crawford is better than Quick.....only hawks fans said that but you don't hear that anymore. From a hawks fans point of view I can agree with most of everything you say, the one thing I disagree on is goals scored in the next game. I think this will be tighter game. The winner might score 2 goals.......an ot game is likely with all the implications facing the last three games.
With that said, goaltending with be extra huge. 1 bad goal could be the difference. It will be interesting to see the opinions change with the differences in this game. I think too much focus will be put on the speed line and kop is line will be the standout line for the Kings this game.
- dprice818

Wrong again. The consensus was Quick > Crawford. Also, go back to the pre-series threads. At least 2-3 of us pointed out that forward speed is significantly lower from last year for the Hawks and obviously higher for the Kings.

Every fan base has it's share of cowardly trash talkers (HI US!). Most of them aren't interested in the game - just in baiting.

two accidental high sticking penalties in the offensive zone, two many men on the ice and over the glass penalty. Sounds frustrated to me..
- arh777

LA- 2-holding, Chi- 1-holding
1- hooking 2- hooking
1- cross check 0- crosscheck
2- roughing 1- roughing
1- elbow 0- elbow
1- delay of gm 0- delay of gm
2- hi stick 1- hi stick
1- to many men 1- to many men
0- interference 2- interference
0- trip 1- trip

Sharp has been MIA, very disappointing.
I am not worried about Kane unless he doesn't start showing up more tonight.

Kruger has to play more instead of Zeus.

Regin should be in for Versteeg.

Play Bollig more than 5 mins or dress Nordstrum.

Time for Brookbank to replace Rozsival.

And last but not least, it's time for Q to mix up the lines more, just like at the start of the SCF game 4 last June. Enough is enough. This team always seems to put themselves in a precarious position before they turn it up.

Having Stoll and Richards both healthy enough to play is definitely huge compared to last year. It gives them depth at C that they couldn't have dreamed of with them out.
- PancakesPenner

And a healthy Sharp and Shaw would have helped this series but that is just the way it rolls. Keith looks like his shoulder is separated as well as rumored against the Blues.

Hard to get a read on tonight's game. Crawford has been letting in some terribly timed goals. If Crow can come back with confidence and Quennville makes the right adjustments (which he doesn't appear to be be yet based on his comments and lines yesterday) I expect it will be a tight game. Otherwise, anything can happen.

Officiating has been playing into almost every game. Really inconsistent. Can someone define interference? How about calling too many men? They seem to be pretty simple definitions - take out the "let em play" garbage and call it both ways all the time.

LA- 2-holding, Chi- 1-holding
1- hooking 2- hooking
1- cross check 0- crosscheck
2- roughing 1- roughing
1- elbow 0- elbow
1- delay of gm 0- delay of gm
2- hi stick 1- hi stick
1- to many men 1- to many men
0- interference 2- interference
0- trip 1- trip


- camfor

Interesting breakdown. Thx.

Amazing that there have been 2 interference calls on the Hawks and NONE on the Kings. They are clutching and grabbing as much as the Blues - and that says a lot. Dustin Brown jumped into Toews after hitting Oduya. Both officials in view and no call. Ridiculous.

Sharp has been MIA, very disappointing.
I am not worried about Kane unless he doesn't start showing up more tonight.

Kruger has to play more instead of Zeus.

Regin should be in for Versteeg.

Play Bollig more than 5 mins or dress Nordstrum.

Time for Brookbank to replace Rozsival.

And last but not least, it's time for Q to mix up the lines more, just like at the start of the SCF game 4 last June. Enough is enough. This team always seems to put themselves in a precarious position before they turn it up.
- blackhawk24

I like this.. Sharp is not just hurt but he is making terrible decisions. Versteeg has been useless. Plus, your Nordstrom option would give them more latitude to push Smith/Regin/Krueger in for Zus at even strength. That would up the speed element a lot.

How many draws did Kruger get? Heard someone on the radio say he may be hurt as well.

May need to see 3-1 before changes like this are made.

IMO, the best option for Hawks forward lines would be this:

29-19-81/88
10-65-81/88
20-12-23
26-16-28

Iv been wanting to see this for weeks now. Probly never gonna happen...

IMO, the best option for Hawks forward lines would be this:

29-19-81/88
10-65-81/88
20-12-23
26-16-28

Iv been wanting to see this for weeks now. Probly never gonna happen...
- SimpleJack

That would be nice but may be a problem on draws. I would even consider dropping Sharp down for Saad depending on their pace. Also would consider Smith up to 2 and Shaw down to 3 depending on their play. Would love to see Kane up with T and B again.

Interesting breakdown. Thx.

Amazing that there have been 2 interference calls on the Hawks and NONE on the Kings. They are clutching and grabbing as much as the Blues - and that says a lot. Dustin Brown jumped into Toews after hitting Oduya. Both officials in view and no call. Ridiculous.
- tredbrta

If, if, if, If the Kings weren't so injured and would have brought their A game last year, the Kings would be defending the cup! At this moment the Kings are the better team, period....will that change? I guess we'll find out! If the Kings go on to win in 5 will you admit to the Kings being the better team???

If, if, if, If the Kings weren't so injured and would have brought their A game last year, the Kings would be defending the cup! At this moment the Kings are the better team, period....will that change? I guess we'll find out! If the Kings go on to win in 5 will you admit to the Kings being the better team???
- arh777

Once again, I picked the Kings in this series before it began based on better forward depth. So did 1-2 other Hawks fans (on this thread). You seem to be as guilty of the trash talking as the people you accuse of it (constantly).

Also, even with Richards and Stoll you would have been rolled last year...

Once again, I picked the Kings in this series before it began based on better forward depth. So did 1-2 other Hawks fans (on this thread). You seem to be as guilty of the trash talking as the people you accuse of it (constantly).

Also, even with Richards and Stoll you would have been rolled last year...


- tredbrta

Where am I trash talking?? I was making a point in regards to most of your posters saying if this, or if that. If the hawks come back and win I'm more then happy to admit the hawks are the better team.
Edit: maybe not happy but willing

Its funny how a few games can change everyone's opinions..............kings are offensivly heavy.....no one would have said that a few weeks ago.
- dprice818

The general consensus from Blackhawks fans, self included, even before the Kings knocked off ANA, was that regardless of who came out, it would be a more offensively focused affair as opposed to the Blues or the Wild. I felt like that would be more advantageous for the Blackhawks, but it appears as though they haven't been able to find there offensive stride yet in this series (something that has been sparatically missing from their game since Jan. 1).

This is really what makes a hockey playoff series so fun/tantalizing. A great offensive game for the Hawks and everything swings to how the Kings will be able to answer... Where as now, some serious questions are being brought up as to how the Blackhawks even made the playoffs in the first place...

Interesting breakdown. Thx.

Amazing that there have been 2 interference calls on the Hawks and NONE on the Kings. They are clutching and grabbing as much as the Blues - and that says a lot. Dustin Brown jumped into Toews after hitting Oduya. Both officials in view and no call. Ridiculous.
- tredbrta

This was in response to a posters claim that the Hawks are taking penalties due to being frustrated! I pointed out that the Kings have one more penalty then the Hawks, so with their own reasoning the Kings must be the more frustrated team. Which then another poster pointed out the Kings penalties were of the non- frustrated variety, To many men, delay of game, and high sticking. So I thought I would point out to them that they also have taken a fair share of the "frustrated" variety as well.

Where am I trash talking?? I was making a point in regards to most of your posters saying if this, or if that. If the hawks come back and win I'm more then happy to admit the hawks are the better team.
Edit: maybe not happy but willing
- arh777

I overstated it. You aren't really a trash talker. This looked like it though.

" If the Kings go on to win in 5 will you admit to the Kings being the better team???"

Particularly when I am already on record saying you recently are the better team particularly based on the play of your forward group.

That said, GO HAWKS!

This was in response to a posters claim that the Hawks are taking penalties due to being frustrated! I pointed out that the Kings have one more penalty then the Hawks, so with their own reasoning the Kings must be the more frustrated team. Which then another poster pointed out the Kings penalties were of the non- frustrated variety, To many men, delay of game, and high sticking. So I thought I would point out to them that they also have taken a fair share of the "frustrated" variety as well.
- camfor

I back read and was agreeing with the overall point. A lot of uncalled garbage as well. Willie Mitchell looks like Jackman or Ott after every whistle. Still a Canuck in his soul. Brown's uncalled interference as well as the too many men non call Saturday could have been crucial. Will never know thanks to this group of Steve Walcom lead dufuses. "Let em play"... "it's the playoffs"... A penalty is a penalty.

I back read and was agreeing with the overall point. A lot of uncalled garbage as well. Willie Mitchell looks like Jackman or Ott after every whistle. Still a Canuck in his soul. Brown's uncalled interference as well as the too many men non call Saturday could have been crucial. Will never know thanks to this group of Steve Walcom lead dufuses. "Let em play"... "it's the playoffs"... A penalty is a penalty.
- tredbrta

Agreed. Although a non factor with the current PP.

That said if we could get a PP goal it would go a long way with confidence I would think.