no he is not....we live in a to each his own world...remember what you taught us mex: take all analysis with tablets of salt...
- bogiedoc

You're right, but not knowing the individual posters I was assuming has was being sarcastic. This is incredibly exciting hockey to watch.

They've been close. I don't think they're being as outplayed as everyone is saying. Thought last night was a pretty even game. With both teams having extended zone times. TB obviously trapped the Hawks in their D zone for the final 2 minutes or so cause they were pushing hard for the tie. Hawks were in position though to make the necessary plays to keep the puck outta the net.
- BlazinMike

Agreed. They didn't control the final 2 mins as we are used to seeing - not surprising considering how tired the group on the ice was... also probably why Cooper didn't use a timeout. The Tampa flying and dominating is just the new media meme. They'd actually be more accurate revisiting the "d men wearing out" theme from the last series. More applicable now - particularly with the Oduya injury.

The 2013 Hawks Bruins Final had a similar feel to this series. Every time Boston had the puck it felt like they were going to score, yet somehow the Hawks found a way. I don't really see how this series is any different.

Yeah, the Hawks have not played great, yet somehow they are 2-2. The "better", "faster", "harder-working" team this series somehow has nothing to show for it. The Hawks have been able to win when not playing all that great. To me, that should come as a bad sign for the Lightning. If the Hawks can put it all together, which they tend to do as these series get to this point, they will roll.
- PuckAndSticks

Came here to post this, not sure i could have put it as perfectly as you did.

How much of this is the fatigue factor with the forwards not wanting to be caught down too low, not having enough juice go get back on defense, and giving up odd man rushes?
- DMCsPulledHammy

Exactly right.

He was last night.

Another thing he was last night: invisible.
- John Jaeckel

If TT doesn't shoot or work aggressively his first few shifts Q glues him to the bench. Same with Vermette. Q needs to go back to regular shifts and use Vermette more. The more he skates the better he gets on faceoffs too. Calling him in cold puts him at a disadvantage.

Came here to post this, not sure i could have put it as perfectly as you did.


- SimpleJack

So the Hawks are better, faster and harder working than the Lightning?

Bruins and Lightning different animals.

Lightning much faster and more skilled plain and simple. There is not corelation other than series being tied at 2 games a piece.

Hawks should be very pleased with what Richards has given them
- grinder10

Absolutely, because he has shown up during the playoffs. This is why if he will accept another $2 million payday the Hawks will need to take a hard look at resigning him as it doesn't appear that Q values Vermette very much. We must remain strong down the middle for next year with all the changes coming.

This just isn't so. If Kane has a "spy", chasing him, then it would be easy for Kane to beat him one on one, and then break down the defence, but this just isn't the case. Tampa is playing what is called TALL around him, encouraging him to the outside...the frustrating thing is that Kane seems to be okay with this. He needs to skate hard with the puck (like he did in the 3rd period last night) and attack the net which will result in breaking down the defence...this creates opportunities and open space for the other forwards. Kane doesn't have to be the one scoring, but he does need to start generating chances and you can't do that from he boards!
- MexicoHawk

There is literally no space to attack. And there hasn't been anyone on that line to win a board battle or grind down low to open anything up.

It isn't a coincidence that Saad moved to that line, started winning battles, drawing other players out, and Kane all of a sudden had space to skate into. Richards and Kane have been getting destroyed in terms of shot differential at evens which is probably indicative or what is on their left as well as not adjusting to what TB has been doing from a tactical level.

Stamkos is probably the second most prolific goalscorer in the NHL and he isn't putting up points either... It isn't inconceivable to think that both of these teams are doing a tremendous job stopping the best player on the other team because its the Cup and such.

And for anyone who hasn't watched the Hawks the last 3 years. Kane has defied his mediocre shot differential share by slaying teams in transition. Since the transition game has been neutered and there is no one on that line to drive possession it really isn't surprising that his production has taken a hit. Pretty simple analysis and a much more reasonable answer to the problem than "try harder" "skate faster" "move feet" "paint the fence" or whatever other over done sports cliche you want to pretend fits the situation.

Good points, Snapper. Toews could have also helped a bit in the last minute or so by not losing two straight face offs with the empty net on the other side. Great face off numbers overall, but those two could have really hurt.
- mohel

He was dead tired! If you have ever been in those situations or taken an NHL faceoff you will know it takes strength in the wrists, forearms AND LEGS...Toews didn't have any left...did you see him collapse onto Saad while on the bench with under a minute to play?

Bogie, this is the same fate for any player that makes that kind of money and is perceived not to produce. Look at all the "heat" Kane is rightfully taking now. We are tight against the CAP (in fact, we far exceed it due to a loophole) and Q is forced to skate the likes of Runblad, KT, Cumiskey and TVR. These "high priced" players MUST produce to justify the existence of the 4 players I just mentioned.

Crawford has played well, but he has been up and down, and in a series where their net minders aren't letting in more than 2 goals, the spotlight is on Corey. Every time Corey lets in a relatively soft goal while the likes of TVR, Cumiskey, KT and Runblad are on the ice, his contract immediately becomes relevant; a tough reality, but fair nonetheless. The same can be said of Bickell. Tough to be paying him $4 million just to ride the pine!
- MexicoHawk

mex, your points are well made and taken....ask the penguins about what happens when you wrap 25-30% of your cap money in 2 players...they big $$$ guys can't do it alone to JUSTIFY those $$...cuz talent to support them is no longer "affordable"

the hawks won 2 cups with a generational core and then had to pay them....you can hiss/howl all you want about the dmen woes but no team has the $$ to fill all holes...ya gotta pick and chose and then hope to hell you picked right..

TVR was enormous surprise (which teams better have with this asssine cap), they needed to milk another year out of Rosi and it might of worked had he not gotten hurt...now your down 7,8,9 being forced to play 5-6...spot/hide them for 10 minutes a game to minimize disasters but the disasters still find them. Now oduya's playing with 1 hand/arm and some how...some how this team is in the finals 2-2.

and btw that bolt team has plenty of holes to exploit also....they aint perfect...other than the great hedmann that dcorp is quite pedestrian...hawks should be able to exploit that more...bishop is very beatable...his style is flop and hope the puck hits his 6'7 frame...he does not track pucks well....

Good points, Snapper. Toews could have also helped a bit in the last minute or so by not losing two straight face offs with the empty net on the other side. Great face off numbers overall, but those two could have really hurt.
- mohel

A poor puck decision is more egregious than a lost face-off.

Look at the players TB has that play against top 2 line right wingers....
Most credit needs to go their way.

Only players that have been noticeable in every game are Saad and Shaw at forwards followed by Hossa. Not a coincidence Saad and Shaw are younger guys.

It takes a lot of effort to drive to the net...That's what happened on both goals last night but for the most part not enough of that type of effort from enough of the forwards.

NHL Network Radio http://chirb.it/7xr0cm -Recap and look ahead.
Reasons to believe differently but even tho Hawks are gassed-imo to win Cup TB needs Gm 5.
@AlCimaglia
- Al

Right Al (bolded) and what I have been trying to say, along with others is NOT 1) trade Kane, 2) Kane sucks.

It is (until the 3rd period) he is not making an "honest" effort that he has in the past. Look, 1 thing that no one has pointed out (from my recollection) is of ANY of the core, he should be freshest and have the freshest legs.

He was off for how long? 7-8 weeks?
He certainly does NOT have the same level of wear and tear that Hossa, Toews, Saad and others have from the 2014-5 season.

I don't expect him to have tired legs. Of everyone, he should be one of the freshest. Whether he scores or not isn't of utmost importance but as others have said, he has the ability to disrupt another team's scheme but in order to do that, he has to have the effort there to make it happen.

I am hoping that the glimpse we saw of that in the 3rd last night carries over and is extended over the next 3 periods of hockey as a start. If he can bring that effort he's shown in the past, I like our chances. You know Hossa, Toews, Keith, Seabrook and Oduya are going to give you everything they have. Looks like Saad and Richards are as well.

Keeping hope alive -- they take that 5th game . . . .

He was dead tired! If you have ever been in those situations or taken an NHL faceoff you will know it takes strength in the wrists, forearms AND LEGS...Toews didn't have any left...did you see him collapse onto Saad while on the bench with under a minute to play?
- MexicoHawk

toews played with huge effort and compete last...plus he had the extra hard minutes of pp/pk....

that final 1:30 was hellacious I swear it seemed 10 of the bolts 24 shots were during that 6-5...geez hawks could not control a puck once during that sequence....

>On any given shift Kaner can either score or set up a goal
>Timonen's crossbar blast was set up by Kaner
>Kaner needs to get Tampa to chase him over bigger stretches of ice -- with or without the puck
>Would like to see Kaner actually exit the OZ when the Hawks have the puck and quickly re-enter into soft spots
>Cooper watched hours of tape on Kane -- all the Bolts are doing is denying him his usual "spots" -- there is plenty of other ice Kaner can find
>And as you say, go ahead and take it to the net more
>But the big picture is just get the "W" -- any way you can
- SnapitUpstairs

Great call on re-entry. Did you see that PP in the 3rd where they did the fake drop pass and Richards went cross ice Toews? I was ecstatic to see that.

They are collapsing on Kane. NO doubt. I hope he can adjust, and I do LOVE Kane. I have probably too high of expetations but we have seen this before......against LA in 13 where he was bottled up and a "ghost" and got a nice tap in off a Bickell shot and then went on a tear.

All it takes is one.....but as you said........all I care about now is getting the W any way they can.

Saturday is going to be one hell of a hockey game.........

A poor puck decision is more egregious than a lost face-off.
- John Jaeckel

I was very surprised to see Keith not try to hold the puck the against the boards with about 12 seconds or so left......like Tampa did at the end of games 2 and 3.

Stamkos is working, and as such he is creating all sorts of chances for his line mates. Stamkos has worked very hard during this series, he has been "unlucky" not to have at least 3 or 4 goals already. Kane is lucky to have one assist. You create your own breaks...don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!
- MexicoHawk

He was dead tired! If you have ever been in those situations or taken an NHL faceoff you will know it takes strength in the wrists, forearms AND LEGS...Toews didn't have any left...did you see him collapse onto Saad while on the bench with under a minute to play?
- MexicoHawk

Did my post say anything about blaming him? Fact is that those were two important face offs, losing them could have been big trouble, and contributed to the frenetic last few minutes. I'm sure Kane was tired, too, but it's not an excuse for him in earlier posts.

He was dead tired! If you have ever been in those situations or taken an NHL faceoff you will know it takes strength in the wrists, forearms AND LEGS...Toews didn't have any left...did you see him collapse onto Saad while on the bench with under a minute to play?
- MexicoHawk

Especially the hips.

One of the reasons JT is so great in the dot, his lower body is freakishly strong. Best FO guys use their hips to leverage into opponent, seal them off, kick the puck out—figuratively, not necessarily literally—one technique—speed and hands is another.But even using speed and hands requires an initial burst and balance from the legs and hips.

All Hawk forwards back check well, this is Coach Q's system of team defence and why we are in the top 3 every year. The problems we are experiencing simply come down to the fact that Q has been riding essentially 5 forwards and they are GASSED, while Tampa incredibly has no downtime in their game. This is why I have been advocating the urgent necessity for Q to go back to rolling 4 lines. You must have FRESH LEGS to play two way hockey!
- MexicoHawk

Couldn't agree more, MH. I'm not sure what Q sees that he is relegating his lower lines to such limited mins. Particularly at home with last change he should be using them more.

A poor puck decision is more egregious than a lost face-off.
- John Jaeckel

I wasn't disagreeing with a word Snapper said. Bad play by Kane cost possession, two lost faceoffs kept possession with the Bolts. Anything factually wrong with that?

Right Al (bolded) and what I have been trying to say, along with others is NOT 1) trade Kane, 2) Kane sucks.

It is (until the 3rd period) he is not making an "honest" effort that he has in the past. Look, 1 thing that no one has pointed out (from my recollection) is of ANY of the core, he should be freshest and have the freshest legs.

He was off for how long? 7-8 weeks?
He certainly does NOT have the same level of wear and tear that Hossa, Toews, Saad and others have from the 2014-5 season.

I don't expect him to have tired legs. Of everyone, he should be one of the freshest. Whether he scores or not isn't of utmost importance but as others have said, he has the ability to disrupt another team's scheme but in order to do that, he has to have the effort there to make it happen.

I am hoping that the glimpse we saw of that in the 3rd last night carries over and is extended over the next 3 periods of hockey as a start. If he can bring that effort he's shown in the past, I like our chances. You know Hossa, Toews, Keith, Seabrook and Oduya are going to give you everything they have. Looks like Saad and Richards are as well.

Keeping hope alive -- they take that 5th game . . . .

- savvyone-1

Kane seems pretty dangerous in this series when he starts weaving around the OZ with the puck and gets a Tampa defender chasing him. Hawks are pretty good at creating/working off "picks" in those situations and that's where clean looks are going to happen for him and others. Need more of that Saturday.

As a veteran #6/7 it isn't the worst of ideas.
- TommyHawk

God no. Would rather see a Schlemko or even an Engelland type over Jackhead.

I wasn't disagreeing with a word Snapper said. Bad play by Kane cost possession, two lost faceoffs kept possession with the Bolts. Anything factually wrong with that?
- mohel

No, it's just not "equal" blame and with all due respect, maybe just my misreading, the post sounded that way.

No, it's just not "equal" blame and with all due respect, maybe just my misreading, the post sounded that way.
- John Jaeckel

I said Toews could have helped in the last sequence by winning a faceoff. I don't think I said anything about Kane at all, until responding to Mex (where I acknowledged Kane's bone head play).

Agreed, but where do you put him right now?
- John Jaeckel

With Vermette and Shaw if the top 6 stays the same. Put Richards between Saad and Kane. Drop Versteeg to play with Kruger and Desjardins.