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.
- TrueGrit

A. Never said nor quoted anything that said anything about the Hawks being better, faster, or harder working than the Lightning.

B. In this series, just like in 2013, the Hawks are tied 2-2 despite being slightly outplayed(arguably). That was the point being made.

So here's the simple solution to Wiz's problem. From this blog forward, the contest to try to be "first" on the new blog is now changed to try to be the first person to post "last" on the old blog immediately after the new blog goes up. So when you see a new blog up, you don't race to type "first" on that blog. You go to the old blog and immediately type "last". First person to type "last" on the old blog with a time stamp after the new blog posting wins.

In this way, Wiz will always see "last" and know there's a new blog up and running.

You're welcome, Wiz. I love your insight and dont want you frustrated!
- Cmonalready

You also said the same about the Sharks, Colorado, Dallas and Ottawa. Am I missing anyone?
- paulr

You really are pathetic Paul. Don't worry we all know you and Mr. Sequin are the smartest guys on the board.

Now I know it may be tough seeing the monitor from under Q's desk, but if you look at what I said and the context, it may save you from debating yourself.

Recall a few years ago when the Sharks purged themselves of all the tug boats. Murray, Clowe and Handzuis, think there was one more. They REALIZED that glaciers do not do well in the modern NHL. At the same time, Q could not get enough of Handzuis.

The point I made then and will make again now, is that the Hawks cut their teeth, pioneered a new brand/style of hockey that led to a lot of success. Other teams were emulating that. And what I pointed out was that the Hawks were abandoning that.

Now see, nowhere does it say the Sharks are better than the hawks or anything like that. Ask Mr. Sequin to proof read if you need to.

See I can see too that the Hawks have much more talent then the Sharks or any team you mentioned. But like the LIghtning, there is one way to compete for a cup going forward in this league. And that is with players that can get up and down the ice.

I will never tell you that Zus, or Richards or Rosi or any guy like that can not be effective on the wall, on draws etc...what I am saying is that the other 70% of the game, they are not in the screen and struggle to keep up. Keep in mind, this is the 2 and half lines era of Q.

So as the world turns, we get the 3.5 d sequel. The Hawks may do it with their high end talent and winning pedigree, but it sure would be better if you actually found a way to play 6 defensemen and roll consistent lines.

Dallas and Colorado, have not passed the hawks. They have embraced their model of building a club and if they are fortunate enough to add or develop a few pieces, will be teams to be reckoned with. Ottawa too...they made an effort to make their team more dynamic.

So to put words in my mouth and/or project what you hear or believe as to what I said or believe, especially in the face of this common sense explanation, discredits your tired narrative and is quite foolish.

But by all means. Go on and on and on repeating something that I never said. In the mean time enjoy watching the Lightning, who are as I said, at the beginning of this series, the closest thing the hawks have seen that looks like a mirror, since they became cup champs in 2010.

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.
- Elbows15

q with deceptive line combos to start the game...you try to get something going and you mismatch somewhere esle: shaw at center, tt on 4th line with griders =


sharp with toews/hossa = great idea but sharp still can't finish...

13 games = 0 goals,

25 goals over his last 146

it is what it is and aint going to change

Hahaha I think the only one who despises the Leafs more than I do, is you!
- paulr

No, No, No......that would be ME!

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.
- Elbows15

I'm loving 65's game right now........

Leave the top 6 from last alone.......

I would be OK with your suggestion. Versteeg and Teuvo both need the puck to create. Versteeg made a very nice pass to Seabrook in the 2nd. If Desjardin can grind away and cycle, Versteeg could come out with room to either go right at the net or find a wide open back door D man.

Agreed! Some are blaming Kane for being lazy.
- paulr

All hail Saad. saad is getting space because they are surrounding Kane with 3 players. They have been all series and having poop on his left was making it easier. Lets see what happens over the next games that Saad is there. There is now someone who can make them pay.

q with deceptive line combos to start the game...you try to get something going and you mismatch somewhere esle: shaw at center, tt on 4th line with griders =


sharp with toews/hossa = great idea but sharp still can't finish...

13 games = 0 goals,

25 goals over his last 146

it is what it is and aint going to change
- bogiedoc

Sharp was better last night. Had some jump, had some chances. Made a nice pass over to Toews off that hossa play to pot the 1st one. Made a perfect shot on his breakaway, just hit the post.

He stays with Hossa and Toews, and when Toews comes out from behind the net Sharp should be able to blast one....hopefully through traffic.

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).
- mohel

OK, like I said, I probably misread what you were implying. No big deal.

A. Never said nor quoted anything that said anything about the Hawks being better, faster, or harder working than the Lightning.

B. In this series, just like in 2013, the Hawks are tied 2-2 despite being slightly outplayed(arguably). That was the point being made.
- SimpleJack

Fair enough, must have misunderstood your qoute or the one before it. Other than the 2 - 2 there is nothing similar at all. That series had tons of goals.

I'm loving 65's game right now........

Leave the top 6 from last alone.......

I would be OK with your suggestion. Versteeg and Teuvo both need the puck to create. Versteeg made a very nice pass to Seabrook in the 2nd. If Desjardin can grind away and cycle, Versteeg could come out with room to either go right at the net or find a wide open back door D man.
- SteveRain

Shaw has some chemistry with TT. It also will force Versteeg to keep his game simple which is when he plays his best. He gets in trouble when he tries to dangle everyone. Get it. Move it. Chase it. He then has the puck skills to take advantage in the zone. Not at the blue lines.

All hail Saad. saad is getting space because they are surrounding Kane with 3 players. They have been all series and having poop on his left was making it easier. Lets see what happens over the next games that Saad is there. There is now someone who can make them pay.
- Elbows15

Agreed......Saad is becoming a beast. Loved his drive to the net. Guy is on path to be a mini Hossa. Not on par yet, but he's mimicking his game, and what a great game to mimick.

Saad driving the net should also free up room for 88, something 29 refused to do.

The only guy 29 could replace would be 11, but 11 really has won so many board battles it would take a large gaffle to sit him. What a great deal by SB. Big fan of his. Simple, hard working guy. Has versatility as well.

All hail Saad. saad is getting space because they are surrounding Kane with 3 players. They have been all series and having poop on his left was making it easier. Lets see what happens over the next games that Saad is there. There is now someone who can make them pay.
- Elbows15

This, i agree with.

But it also seems to me that a lot of what Kane typically generates is off the rush/through transition and that's not there because of what Tampa is doing in the neutral zone.

Saad's down low/cycle game has improved a ton the last couple years and he is almost in that Toews/Hossa class and just what Kane needs as a complement to begin "operating" in the offensive zone, Saad can also finish, as can Richards.

Exactly.

If they want to try other options to get 88 room, alternate 20/10 between 1L/2L once in awhile.

Keep the 3rd and 4th lines: 23/80/86 and 11/16/65.

I figure it may be one of these things to watch and see how Cooper handles Hedman. One other thing: KEEP winning at the DOT! Surprised this wasn't mentioned much - I know I forgot - they were 67% last night. Three games in a row they're between 58-67% at the dot. Win draws on the road = re-establish your match ups a bit better
- blackhawk24

That has been great. I do feel like they lost a couple key faceoffs during the PK and at the end but you can't win them all. Is there any place where FO analysis is broken down further?

Agreed......Saad is becoming a beast. Loved his drive to the net. Guy is on path to be a mini Hossa. Not on par yet, but he's mimicking his game, and what a great game to mimick.

Saad driving the net should also free up room for 88, something 29 refused to do.

The only guy 29 could replace would be 11, but 11 really has won so many board battles it would take a large gaffle to sit him. What a great deal by SB. Big fan of his. Simple, hard working guy. Has versatility as well.
- SteveRain

Great minds . . .

OK, like I said, I probably misread what you were implying. No big deal.
- John Jaeckel

Great minds . . .
- John Jaeckel

- mohel

It is good to see you posting here.......

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.
- tredbrta

It's all about matchups with Q, and since Cooper is playing his top 6 heavier minutes, Q counters with heavy minutes for the top 6 and the 4th line. The 3rd line is what suffers reduced minutes. Boyle and Morrow played less than 7 minutes of 5v5 so the 3rd line wasn't getting asked to go out their much.

Again....Kane is arguably one of the best forwards in the game right now. Period. I'm sure he has seen this style played against him.

There is no way in hell you can spot him in and out of the lineup. He thrives on flow to his game, so to spot him in 4 on 4 or PP is a joke. Not happening. What he needs to do is adapt and adjust. Stop pulling up at the blue line looking for a trailer because the tampa back check is all over him. This isn't game 2. This has been going on now for 4 straight games. It's up to Kane to adapt his style. Kane has 1 on 1 moves and quickness to draw penalties and create space.

The bottom line is to your point, the biggest guy on the team refuses to crash the net and play a grind game. That's why he's watching in a suit up high.
- SteveRain

THIS. All he needs to do to be effective and create scoring chances is be dangerous.

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.
- John Jaeckel

I hate to sound like some of the somewhat hockey ignorant UC crowd now-a-days, but the Hawks really need to SHOOT THE PUCK. They passed up a whole bunch of seemingly open shot attempts to try for an extra pass, a "hot pass" or back-door play, etc. Put the puck on net, good things will happen. There was a play in the 3rd that was it in a nutshell. Richards, Kane and I believe Saad were breaking in on net. Richards was breaking in on the left wing and had an open path to the net and clear shot, he gave the puck up to Kane who was somewhat covered in the middle for a one timer, that the goalie made a nice stop on. If Richards shoots, he has Kane and Saad crashing the net for the rebound. If Kane was wide open, fine, make the pass, but he was covered and the pass was forced, the shot would have been a better option.

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.
- MexicoHawk

Richards will not be back. There is no way he will take another 2 million per year deal or anything less than 2 years. The Blachawks will not offer him either.

Anyone the Hawks get to play the center position will be from the system of from trades. I'd like them to target a guy like Anton Lander from the Oilers, sort of Frans Nielsen mold/upside, young and controllable for 2-3 years I believe, and around 1 million per.

Great minds . . .
- John Jaeckel

Saad might be a beast, but he's still a one man show. Gets tunnel vision when he sees an opening and almost never sees an open man. Just sayin.

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.
- fattybeef

Outstanding analysis. Kudos.

Saad might be a beast, but he's still a one man show. Gets tunnel vision when he sees an opening and almost never sees an open man. Just sayin.
- 6628

If that tunnel leads to the net like last night, I'm OK with it.