I still hate the nucks....alex prissyass burrows blows a gasket with a dirty hit and then starts a fight with minutes to go...

(frank) the nucks....and go flames

It should be TT. That 4th line got manhandled in our zone last game..

I see posters pining for TT over Versteeg -that would be a mistake because Versteeg has been better and could have a goal or two with some luck. Some are basing their reasons for the 4th line staying intact because of their play late in the season. That level has not been evident in this series. I would sit Nordstrom and TT for more size and jam -esp with Weber on the sidelines.
- 67hawks

Appears you were bang on.

LOL....Bollig scored!

That was a nice shot too.
- ArlingtonRob

He's always had a nice shot

Was thinking the same. If we aren't hearing the 3rd pair's names (and they're playing) they are doing ok
- grinder10

Exactly. Those guys were really not terrible.

Exactly. Those guys were really not terrible.
- John Jaeckel

Thought Roszival was better and dare I say, solid. KT to me has that RunBlah look of scared about him, which in turn, scares the hell out of me.

Exactly. Those guys were really not terrible.
- John Jaeckel

As long as they can eat some minutes and not have too many lapses that end up in the back of the net, all good.

TOI

26:57 - Keith
22:08 - Oduya
21:58 - Hammer
19:37 - Rozy
19:21 - Seabs
10:06 - Kimmo

Yes, it does. Pucks hit players on the bench all the time, often with their gloves hanging over the dasher. The correct call is a stoppage of play for a puck striking a player on the bench. He was on the bench and had not entered play.
- scottak

It's also my opinion that rule book and logic should never be used in the same sentence. But you made a good spot and quoted the rule book. You could not be more technically correct.

In my opinion when the puck hits players it's almost always above the top of the boards and the puck would have gone out of play. That was not the case here and it wasn't close. But Keith didn't project his legs into the play, he was just hanging out. So by rule you made a good call.

As long as they can eat some minutes and not have too many lapses that end up in the back of the net, all good.

TOI

26:57 - Keith
22:08 - Oduya
21:58 - Hammer
19:37 - Rozy
19:21 - Seabs
10:06 - Kimmo
- HawkintheD

Hey D, love these times... much better...

what did Stalberg do to set off Hossa ?

Gotta assume Darling is out there in game 4. Crow maybe gets the call in game 5, if we win in game 4… That would give us “wiggle room” and maybe let crow get his feet back under him. But i cant see a situation where 50 is in net tomorrow.

I love 11. He should stay in the lineup over 42.
I would like to see TT get in over Versteeg. He’s just not doing enough.

20/19/81
29/91/88
10/80/65
11/16/86

Thats what id roll out there. I was ok with the Defensive TOI. I think we can put this one in the bag in 5. and then watch the other 6 teams continue to beat up on each other. Should be interesting to see if the Jets can get back in that series...

Gotta assume Darling is out there in game 4. Crow maybe gets the call in game 5, if we win in game 4… That would give us “wiggle room” and maybe let crow get his feet back under him. But i cant see a situation where 50 is in net tomorrow.

I love 11. He should stay in the lineup over 42.
I would like to see TT get in over Versteeg. He’s just not doing enough.

20/19/81
29/91/88
10/80/65
11/16/86

Thats what id roll out there. I was ok with the Defensive TOI. I think we can put this one in the bag in 5. and then watch the other 6 teams continue to beat up on each other. Should be interesting to see if the Jets can get back in that series...
- gnosox1986

My take is if Darling plays game 4 (which im in favor of) and he plays well and the Hawks win you do NOT remove him at that point. Not even close. That "wiggle room" you speak of is Nashville getting off the deck when the Hawks could potential end their season. You give them NO openings. If Crow goes back in and flames out again then Nashville has momentum and potentially regain foothold on this series.

Crawford had his chance, twice, and blew it. He only goes back in if Darling subsequently fails to deliver. Darling has faced something like 80 shots and has been taken twice, by two unsavable shots. Crow got the Hawks to the dance and played brilliantly this year, but his playoff performance thus far has been horrific.

I also think if the Hawks win game 4, they will close it out in 5. Look at the Hawks history...they always seem to scuffle early in a series and then not only rebound, but end the series quick.

2010-Nash up 2-1...Hawks win 4-2
Canucks get first game Hawks win in 6

2011-Hawks rally from 0-3 to take Canucks to 7

2013-Wings up 3-1, Hawks win
2013-Bs up 2-1, Hawks win 4-2

2014-Blues up 2-0, Hawks win 4-2
2014-Kings up 3-1, Hawks take it to 7

The ONLY team that ended the Hawks easily was the Coyotes and that was because of goal tending.

When the Hawks are down Or on the verge of getting eliminated or eliminating someone they are damn good.

Gotta assume Darling is out there in game 4. Crow maybe gets the call in game 5, if we win in game 4… That would give us “wiggle room” and maybe let crow get his feet back under him. But i cant see a situation where 50 is in net tomorrow.

I love 11. He should stay in the lineup over 42.
I would like to see TT get in over Versteeg. He’s just not doing enough.

20/19/81
29/91/88
10/80/65
11/16/86

Thats what id roll out there. I was ok with the Defensive TOI. I think we can put this one in the bag in 5. and then watch the other 6 teams continue to beat up on each other. Should be interesting to see if the Jets can get back in that series...
- gnosox1986

Totally agree with this. I was telling my brother yesterday that there is no reason to have Versteeg in the lineup. Teravainen is playing better hockey.

Hey D, love these times... much better...
- DK002

I was looking at that too. Gotta love no overtime and keeping the defensive minutes to a minimum.

Toews had only about 17 TOI.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2...-in-the-face-on-the-bench

Is this a joke? Frank this guy!

My take is if Darling plays game 4 (which im in favor of) and he plays well and the Hawks win you do NOT remove him at that point. Not even close. That "wiggle room" you speak of is Nashville getting off the deck when the Hawks could potential end their season. You give them NO openings. If Crow goes back in and flames out again then Nashville has momentum and potentially regain foothold on this series.

Crawford had his chance, twice, and blew it. He only goes back in if Darling subsequently fails to deliver. Darling has faced something like 80 shots and has been taken twice, by two unsavable shots. Crow got the Hawks to the dance and played brilliantly this year, but his playoff performance thus far has been horrific.

I also think if the Hawks win game 4, they will close it out in 5. Look at the Hawks history...they always seem to scuffle early in a series and then not only rebound, but end the series quick.

2010-Nash up 2-1...Hawks win 4-2
Canucks get first game Hawks win in 6

2011-Hawks rally from 0-3 to take Canucks to 7

2013-Wings up 3-1, Hawks win
2013-Bs up 2-1, Hawks win 4-2

2014-Blues up 2-0, Hawks win 4-2
2014-Kings up 3-1, Hawks take it to 7

The ONLY team that ended the Hawks easily was the Coyotes and that was because of goal tending.

When the Hawks are down Or on the verge of getting eliminated or eliminating someone they are damn good.
- kwolf68

It's about winning the Stanley Cup. Period. And putting the guys on the ice who best position you to do that—game to game. I have a blog going up in a little while that covers this. Q has the skins on the wall, fans and bloggers with their pet players don't.

I have grudgingly become a Corey Crawford fan. That said, he has looked almost as shaky in these playoffs thus far as he did against Phoenix in 2012. Darling? Just rock solid. So you ride Darling for now. It's a no-brainer. Desi? In. Absolutely. I think you stick with Vermette too, for a lot of reasons that aren't as visually evident (allowing Shaw to play W, defense, face-offs, toughness, experience).

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/04/predators-mike-ribeiro-punches-andrew-shaw-in-the-face-on-the-bench

Is this a joke? Frank this guy!
- nickmo2699

There's a lot more dog than fight in Ribeiro. Someone (probably Shaw) will line him up in Game 4.

Anyone else notice how he and Lu look separated at birth?

There's a lot more dog than fight in Ribeiro. Someone (probably Shaw) will line him up in Game 4.

Anyone else notice how he and Lu look separated at birth?
- John Jaeckel

Ribeiro is anything but a classy individual. Total coward on the ice and apparently off the ice as well according to reports of accusations from his former nanny in Dallas who claimed he sexually and physically assaulted her. He's a known problem off the ice and that's the sole reason he's played for so many teams since leaving Dallas based on his alcohol related issues, hell Phoenix didn't even want him. There's your go to guy right now Nashville. Heart and soul player. I don't have a high opinion of James Neal either.

Ribeiro is anything but a classy individual. Total coward on the ice and apparently off the ice as well according to reports of accusations from his former nanny in Dallas who claimed he sexually and physically assaulted her. He's a known problem off the ice and that's the sole reason he's played for so many teams since leaving Dallas based on his alcohol related issues, hell Phoenix didn't even want him. There's your go to guy right now Nashville. Heart and soul player. I don't have a high opinion of James Neal either.
- Ballam

Malkin's nickname for him in Pittsburgh was lazy. He would not of been traded if he was truly an asset bc he can score 30-40 a year and Pittsburgh needs those guys. Ribiero has and always will be a one dimensional player. Hopefully Shaw railroads him tomorrow night.

New blog is up!