Bad news for the Hawks...their playing at the UC for games 3 & 4.
- ArlingtonRob

yep the UC has been dog house on madison for the 2nd half of this year...

weber out is a huge plus for the hawks....take it to 'em tomorrow: hit and shoot early and often

Tampa with a nice blitz...4-0

Unlike game 1...the score reflects the play today.
- ArlingtonRob

bolts should blitz the red wheel 4 strt and move on

had to figure the blues would go all in to win this one....yet if minny can get next goal and make this 2-1.....maybe just maybe

Bogie...this stat line surprised me, and I know it's not all on Crawford...but considering the Hawks rep for defense...surprising nonetheless.

Mark Lazerus @MarkLazerus · 1h 1 hour ago
Goals allowed by #Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford in his last eight playoff games: 5, 4, 4, 4, 3, 5, 3, 6.

I really don't care who's in net, but the vitriol regarding Crawford is absurd.

Hockey stupid at it's finest.

Wonder if there's a controversy in Detroit today with Jimmy Howard sitting on the bench for the second straight game...and with Tampa up big.

Bogie...this stat line surprised me, and I know it's not all on Crawford...but considering the Hawks rep for defense...surprising nonetheless.

Mark Lazerus @MarkLazerus · 1h 1 hour ago
Goals allowed by #Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford in his last eight playoff games: 5, 4, 4, 4, 3, 5, 3, 6.
- ArlingtonRob

a robust 4 goals per game....need some regression to the mean or a lights out darling or seeya....

Happy Darling is in net, Q said they will take it game by game.

Crawford was pulled, given the start to redeem himself (as I expected him to) and it didn't happen. Back to Darling

Q saying possible lineup changes tomorrow forward wise.... We shall see.

I really don't care who's in net, but the vitriol regarding Crawford is absurd.

Hockey stupid at it's finest.

Wonder if there's a controversy in Detroit today with Jimmy Howard sitting on the bench for the second straight game...and with Tampa up big.
- ArlingtonRob

i would say 6 of those 9 goals he let in were on the "bad" side: soft or very poor positioning.

and for cc...his game is technique and positioning; when that goes south the lamp lites up...but he has had some really poor play in front of him.

for goodness sake that 1st goal by wilson is

he skates in along the goal line with a stickless oduya in his wake...craw is done way early and wilson snaps it top shelf

I really don't care who's in net, but the vitriol regarding Crawford is absurd.

Hockey stupid at it's finest.

Wonder if there's a controversy in Detroit today with Jimmy Howard sitting on the bench for the second straight game...and with Tampa up big.
- ArlingtonRob

Not vitriol, just plain fact. Crow has been less than stellar in the playoffs this year and the end of last year. Reminiscent of the Crow who yielded softies to the Yotes a few years back. If you want vitriol, just wait to see the Penguin fans unload on Fluery when they lose.

>JJ, well said
>The Hawks have been incredibly "easy" to play against so far -- starting with CC
>Hawk forecheck offers no resistance -- except Line 3 -- and the Preds have had a super-easy time through the neutral zone
>Gap control has been very bad -- with forwards and Dmen not at all in sync
>Toews with ZERO shots on goal with Weber out half the game
>Time for Q to get the right mix of players in the lineup and for the players to get their heads into the game and out of their behinds

Happy Darling is in net, Q said they will take it game by game.

Crawford was pulled, given the start to redeem himself (as I expected him to) and it didn't happen. Back to Darling

Q saying possible lineup changes tomorrow forward wise.... We shall see.
- ehawk

Versteeg should take a seat. Nordstrom should take a seat. Playoff Bicks needs to show up. Still cannot believe we have no alternative at the #5-7 D position. Oh, and how about a little gap control and playing to the end of a period. How many last minute goals do we have to see before this team wakes up.

Versteeg should take a seat. Nordstrom should take a seat. Playoff Bicks needs to show up. Still cannot believe we have no alternative at the #5-7 D position. Oh, and how about a little gap control and playing to the end of a period. How many last minute goals do we have to see before this team wakes up.
- ksilvy58

Versteeg needs to be watching from above, but I have a feeling he won't.

Blues...lucky bastards..

Not vitriol, just plain fact. Crow has been less than stellar in the playoffs this year and the end of last year. Reminiscent of the Crow who yielded softies to the Yotes a few years back. If you want vitriol, just wait to see the Penguin fans unload on Fluery when they lose.
- ksilvy58

Are you not listening to any radio? VITRIOL is mild for some of this garbage! Seething vitriol bordering on rage. Over-the-top ridiculousness.

Sure, he hasn't been good...but dial it back. It's just hockey, and he's won us a cup recently. I'm not "angry" at Crawford, I feel for the guy...he the last guy who wants to struggle. And for those who know the game...it's not entirely his fault.

Bartman-esque absurdity.

Versteeg needs to be watching from above, but I have a feeling he won't.
- ehawk

Yeah, i agree. But one can hope.

Versteeg needs to be watching from above, but I have a feeling he won't.
- ehawk

You're correct, he's apparently untouchable. Short of an injury Versteeg will play.

Are you not listening to any radio? VITRIOL is mild for some of this garbage! Seething vitriol bordering on rage. Over-the-top ridiculousness.

Sure, he hasn't been good...but dial it back. It's just hockey, and he's won us a cup recently. I'm not "angry" at Crawford, I feel for the guy...he the last guy who wants to struggle.

Bartman-esque absurdity.
- ArlingtonRob

Stopped listening to talk radio a while back. Mostly uninformed people who want to hear themselves talk. That being said, he is making $6M a year and deserves some heat for not earning it at the most important time of the year.

Looks like the blues will take this one and tie the series

Blues steal game 2...back to the twin cities even at 1 apiece.

Blues steal game 2...back to the twin cities even at 1 apiece.
- ArlingtonRob

Tarasenko with the hattrick. That's it blues are winning the cup

Stopped listening to talk radio a while back. Mostly uninformed people who want to hear themselves talk. That being said, he is making $6M a year and deserves some heat for not earning it at the most important time of the year.
- ksilvy58

A little heat sure...but what 'cha gonna do...not worth getting irate about.

Next man up.

...and I'll say it again.

Crawford is not the only problem, but according to many he's the only guilty party.

Good luck to Darling...but he'd better keep pucks out, cause the torches and pitchforks are close at hand.

Tarasenko with the hattrick. That's it blues are winning the cup
- ehawk

That would be Tarasenko with the Hat Trick*

*empty netters don't really count IMO since anyone can put a puck in a unprotected 4 x 6

That would be Tarasenko with the Hat Trick*

*empty netters don't really count IMO since anyone can put a puck in a unprotected 4 x 6
- ArlingtonRob

interesting - some questionable non calls late in the gam in the blues favor. Slash on Scandella's hands, then Scandella gets his stick broken. Also coyle hits the crossbar after being semi tripped after a nice move. That's the breaks though

That would be Tarasenko with the Hat Trick*

*empty netters don't really count IMO since anyone can put a puck in a unprotected 4 x 6
- ArlingtonRob

Hey Bickell couldn't.....can't remember the exact game but it the last 2 weeks of the regular season

Hawks have issues. it looks like the SB gambles not working out on player acquisition. Hawks do looks a step slow again, similarly to last year. Where the main guys don't have that extra umpf to make a 3rd period surge. They will play it safe and limit chances and play for the lucky bounces.

Also I really did not understand the lackadaisical play at the end of the first period, like they were waiting for the period to be over with 2mins left in the period and Nashville scores with 3 secs left.