As a self admitted outsider
- meyrman[ok troll ] to this thread, would someone please tell me what the big franking deal is with being "First". Who the hell cares ? What is this kindergarten!

You get cool internet points duh!

Well, too small was certainly tested versus Anaheim.

I think anyone who ever said they were too old or too slow needs their head examined.

The only guy who I would say is "long in the tooth" in terms of actual production is Sharp. Hossa is better than 98% of the league's 26 year-olds. Keith? Ha.
- John Jaeckel

Not playing in the top six surely gives Sharp the benefit of the doubt in terms of scoring production, I thought he has been excellent in the role of a third line player, playing a more defensive role.

The Conn Smyth trophy is Keith's to lose at this point. No one has had a greater impact in these playoffs. Not bad for a museum relic.

To answer your question from the previous blog....

Washington Redskins are easily one.

So were the Chicago Cubs under a common executive in control........
- SteveRain

The Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, New York Yankees all control the press as much as they can.

Oduya also didn't play in that 4-0 Hawks loss.
- golfbard

yeah....wasn't that Tampa loss a game or 2 right after Kane went down?

Hawks looked very flat in that game.......believe Darling started.

Not sure about Nordstrom.

q went with that line of thinking in game 3 vs Anaheim and Nordstrom cost them that game by failing to rotate over quick enough to stop the shot from the umbrella set up.

They will need whatever they can get out of Bickell and Kruger. Both those guys at 75% are a better option then Nordstrom at 100%.
- SteveRain

Different series, different opponent. If Bickell or Kruger are not 100%, you might see Nordstrom. Kruger would have to be completely unable to play.

Not playing in the top six surely gives Sharp the benefit of the doubt in terms of scoring production, I thought he has been excellent in the role of a third line player, playing a more defensive role.

The Conn Smyth trophy is Keith's to lose at this point. No one has had a greater impact in these playoffs. Not bad for a museum relic.
- paulr

I would agree with you on Sharp. That 3rd line has been dangerous with Vermette and Tervavien. Gives the Hawks a 3rd option for scoring. My only concern is IF Bickell is hurting that bad, then move him off the 2nd line with Richards and Hossa. I'd put Shaw up there, and put Bickell down with Kruger and Desjardin.

Keith's to lose unless kane or Toews catch fire in this series, or Keith's play drops a bit.

yeah....wasn't that Tampa loss a game or 2 right after Kane went down?

Hawks looked very flat in that game.......believe Darling started.
- SteveRain

Yes, yes and yes

Not playing in the top six surely gives Sharp the benefit of the doubt in terms of scoring production, I thought he has been excellent in the role of a third line player, playing a more defensive role.

The Conn Smyth trophy is Keith's to lose at this point. No one has had a greater impact in these playoffs. Not bad for a museum relic.
- paulr

My thoughts on conn smythe race:
Chicago wins: Keith wins. (Toews has a chance but still)
Tampa wins in less than 7: Johnson probably wins
Tampa wins in 7: Keith wins

I would agree with you on Sharp. That 3rd line has been dangerous with Vermette and Tervavien. Gives the Hawks a 3rd option for scoring. My only concern is IF Bickell is hurting that bad, then move him off the 2nd line with Richards and Hossa. I'd put Shaw up there, and put Bickell down with Kruger and Desjardin.

Keith's to lose unless kane or Toews catch fire in this series, or Keith's play drops a bit.
- SteveRain

Agreed on Vermette's line, Tampa has a serious matchup problem there.

But I would keep Shaw with Kruger. Great chemistry. Incredibly tough line that Q can use a variety of ways.

Different series, different opponent. If Bickell or Kruger are not 100%, you might see Nordstrom. Kruger would have to be completely unable to play.
- John Jaeckel

But the point is, given home matchup advantage, and facing arguably a better team.....Nordstrom didn't pay off. In fact, he hurt a lot more then he helped.

I just dont' see how you plug that kid in now. We saw this last year as well........Q tried plugging him in against Minnesota and that failed as well. He doesn't seem to able to keep himself mentally or physically ready if he sits for awhile.

If anyone possibly gets back in, it'll be Versteeg. I have a feeling this will be an offensive series, and depth scoring could be the difference. Tampa gets a lot of that and has a lot of speed.

Tampa in 4

Although I do agree with some of your points, I don't think the outcome is so black and white.

Crawford has struggled in this years play offs, just as much, if not more than Bishop has. To say that for the Bolts to win Crawford needs to have a meltdown and Bishop needs to stand on his head for 7 games is absurd. Let's not forget the terrible start Crawford had against Nashville, hell he's lucky to still be starting these play offs, let alone be part of them.

I don't have a horse in this race, and although I do hold Chicago in a higher regard, you can't deny the type of game Tampa Bay plays, and you also can't deny that Chicago is yet to play a team that plays a transition game as well and as potent as the Bolts.

This series will be nothing short of a war, and the more I read blogs like this, the more I want to lean towards Tampa winning.

Agreed on Vermette's line, Tampa has a serious matchup problem there.

But I would keep Shaw with Kruger. Great chemistry. Incredibly tough line that Q can use a variety of ways.
- John Jaeckel

I hear you on Shaw........just concerned that Bickell seems to drag down whatever line he is playing with. I would prefer to see him do that outside the top 6. Shaw seems to play well with top end skill guys.

I will say this........Richards got roasted a TON on this board and I believe somebody even suggested to have him cut early on..........He was HUGE in that Anaheim series. Guy is playing very well..........

Although I do agree with some of your points, I don't think the outcome is so black and white.

Crawford has struggled in this years play offs, just as much, if not more than Bishop has. To say that for the Bolts to win Crawford needs to have a meltdown and Bishop needs to stand on his head for 7 games is absurd. Let's not forget the terrible start Crawford had against Nashville, hell he's lucky to still be starting these play offs, let alone be part of them.

I don't have a horse in this race, and although I do hold Chicago in a higher regard, you can't deny the type of game Tampa Bay plays, and you also can't deny that Chicago is yet to play a team that plays a transition game as well and as potent as the Bolts.

This series will be nothing short of a war, and the more I read blogs like this, the more I want to lean towards Tampa winning.
- Timolis

Great good for you. Go post on their thread.

Tampa in 4
- Polecat

Great analysis with your prediction.

Although I do agree with some of your points, I don't think the outcome is so black and white.

Crawford has struggled in this years play offs, just as much, if not more than Bishop has. To say that for the Bolts to win Crawford needs to have a meltdown and Bishop needs to stand on his head for 7 games is absurd. Let's not forget the terrible start Crawford had against Nashville, hell he's lucky to still be starting these play offs, let alone be part of them.

I don't have a horse in this race, and although I do hold Chicago in a higher regard, you can't deny the type of game Tampa Bay plays, and you also can't deny that Chicago is yet to play a team that plays a transition game as well and as potent as the Bolts.

This series will be nothing short of a war, and the more I read blogs like this, the more I want to lean towards Tampa winning.
- Timolis

Tampa has to play stupid if they want to win. And I don't mean that in a bad way. I mean that in the, "we're young and don't know any better and go b@lls out without caring" way. If they start thinking, they are done. Only because of the experience of Q and the core of the Blackhawks. Of course, if you've watched the Blackhawks, that's what they do...get in the heads of opponents as the series moves along.

That's my .02 cents.

Great good for you. Go post on their thread.
- SteveRain

Maybe I will. Maybe I won't.

I feel so blessed when trolls come in here and give us such a great analytical breakdown to back up their.........gasp.........opposing team series victory OR offering their opinion like I care.........especially all these Leaf, or Flyer fans.

Makes my day. ......

My thoughts on conn smythe race:
Chicago wins: Keith wins. (Toews has a chance but still)
Tampa wins in less than 7: Johnson probably wins
Tampa wins in 7: Keith wins
- PrustandGlory

I'd agree with this except I'm a Hawks fan, so they aren't going to lose ....

Not sure about Nordstrom.

q went with that line of thinking in game 3 vs Anaheim and Nordstrom cost them that game by failing to rotate over quick enough to stop the shot from the umbrella set up.

They will need whatever they can get out of Bickell and Kruger. Both those guys at 75% are a better option then Nordstrom at 100%.
- SteveRain

Q cost them that game by scratching Vermette and Teravainen to begin with.

Vermette and TT walking past Q into the locker room after Game 4:

Maybe I will. Maybe I won't.
- Timolis

IF you actually read this thread on a regular basis you would understand that 90% of the posters here respect the opponent. Tampa is a very good team.

However, you would be hard to find a team that has top end talent who delivers in high pressured games, time after time like the Hawks.

I hope you do, to answer your post.

Completely Agree.

Nordstrom just doesn't do it for me at any level. He seems like a nice kid, hustles, etc. but he does not add a thing to this lineup.

He frequently gets beat by running around and pulling himself out of position, he adds nothing on the offensive end. Even when he does get chances, he doesn't/can't finish and if and when he is used on the PK he either is just off on getting into lanes, or fails to get pucks that he has clear possession of out.

On an extended note, all those who have penciled him into the lineup next year, don't be so sure. I think a few of the other Rockford options may be better, with more upside.

Tampa has to play stupid if they want to win. And I don't mean that in a bad way. I mean that in the, "we're young and don't know any better and go b@lls out without caring" way. If they start thinking, they are done. Only because of the experience of Q and the core of the Blackhawks. Of course, if you've watched the Blackhawks, that's what they do...get in the heads of opponents as the series moves along.

That's my .02 cents.
- CanOCorn

I agree with this 100%. Tampa will have to play like machines, and just play hockey. Don't get caught up in the mind games or playing with your heart on your sleeve. I think it's going to be a great series mainly because by now I think Tampa and Chicago feel they both have nothing to lose because they both weren't supposed to get this far.

Q cost them that game by scratching Vermette and Teravainen to begin with.

Vermette and TT walking past Q into the locker room after Game 4:



- MartiniMan

The hawks going 0-5 on the PP, and 0-4 in the 1st period cost them that game.

Pretty sure the Hawks lost by 1, and the winning goal happened on "Nordy's" watch. I don't disagree that 86/80 being out didn't help matters..........but if that PP actually converted..........and Nordstrom did his job........well...........

7 out of the 21 goals Tampa scored in the NYR series also came via power play, with 1 shorthanded goal

Tampa only averaging 1.85 goals per game 5 on 5 in the ECF. Chicago averaging 2.57 goals per game 5 on 5 vs Anaheim

STAY OUT OF THE BOX AND WE WIN THE CUP