Just went over this with my pops. I love how they're good enough to win these games while they're still figuring out....how to win these games.

Me too. When he shot it I thought for sure it was in. Damn
- mrpaulish

If that had gone in, it would have not only lifted his game, but the entire team would've been riding that high. I think we'll see an even more motivated team come Saturday

When thinking about how the Hawks played and it wasn't great, need to factor in how different and defensive minded TBL's approach was with the new net-minder. If they open it up at home, you may see a better Hawks team out there trying to capitalize in transition.

man two "soft" goals by the russian....he kicked in the toews rebound and poor positioning going down early leaving his 5 hole exposed on the saad goal...

very lucky the hawks his 3 posts last night and sharp can't finish any more or that was a blow out....
- bogiedoc

Go read Crawford's quotes about games 2 and 3 where HE says he was OK but not good enough.........Gee..............are you going to argue with him as well?

Some nights you win pretty and some nights you win ugly. Last night was ugly but it beats losing ugly.

They did it on guts and a goalie...... a testament to the character of this group. I think the extra day off will help and I think the adrenalin rush of 2 games from a cup will also help.
Light at the end of the tunnel in this great escape.

Series reminds me of last years first round against the Blues. OT winner in game 5.

If Sharp is playing better on the first line let him win this mental battle with Q...... keep him there ...it's 2 more games maybe 3.

Some nights you win pretty and some nights you win ugly. Last night was ugly but it beats losing ugly.

They did it on guts and a goalie...... a testament to the character of this group. I think the extra day off will help and I think the adrenalin rush of 2 games from a cup will also help.
Light at the end of the tunnel in this great escape.

Series reminds me of last years first round against the Blues. OT winner in game 5.

If Sharp is playing better on the first line let him win this mental battle with Q...... keep him there ...it's 2 more games maybe 3.
- Colbyboy

Will the aftermath be less enjoyable if they have 2 more ugly wins?!

There were some sad penalty calls on both teams in the first and then in the third a player could remove the opposition player''s spleen and there'd be no call. Last night's refereeing was awful for both teams and for all hockey fans.
- paulr

O'Halleran has been on the HAWKS for years .Last year in game 7 against LA and the year before game 7 against Det he waved off Jhammer goal I believe . Hope we don't see that donkey behind again .
PS Number #9 was pretty darn good also ..

If the Hawks were to win it, it would be cool to see a vet like Kimmo win it.

I thought Seabs had an off game last night. The 4D all look exhausted. Keith is playing well but he hasn't taken control of a game or even a period the way he took over Game 6 vs. Anaheim. Oduya is a warrior well hell, they all are.
- RomanF

i agree with this completely. seabrook was terrible last night, and if it were number 44 or 57 they'd be getting roasted. he had at least 3 really bad turnovers that hes lucky didnt end up in the net. great game last night though to watch.

O'Halleran has been on the HAWKS for years .Last year in game 7 against LA and the year before game 7 against Det he waved off Jhammer goal I believe . Hope we don't see that donkey behind again .
PS Number #9 was pretty darn good also ..
- oldduffman

Walkum (sp?)

O'Halleran has been on the HAWKS for years .Last year in game 7 against LA and the year before game 7 against Det he waved off Jhammer goal I believe . Hope we don't see that donkey behind again .
PS Number #9 was pretty darn good also ..
- oldduffman

In school on days we were allowed to wear anything I was the only kid in a sea of Maple Leaf blue and white with a non Leaf jersey!

Scott Powers ‏@ESPNChiPowers · 11h11 hours ago
Crawford: Probably not my best games my last 2 but then again I can’t be thinking about what happened before. Got to worry about what’s next

Other than you're first sentence, Are you joking?

Of course Sharp's game picks up when he's on a line with Toews and Hossa. And he hasn't dragged his ass at all, he has played a role he isn't suited for and played it quite well. He was outstanding in the Anaheim series.

As for bad hockey??? This is the best hockey I have seen in years, two equally matched teams ,youth against veteran savvy, fast, tight checking, great defense, great goaltending and it's high level competition at it's finest. Maybe you're like Bettman and prefers the 14 - 11 All Star game scores?
- paulr

I am 100% serious. And I disagree, especially regarding Sharp. He has sucked on the boards, sucked at covering guys running through the zone. The only thing he can do is fly the zone and shoot the puck. That is it. And luckily with Toews and Hossa being awesome at everything he can do those things on that line.

High level competition at its finest was the LA series last year. Nothing can really beat that. The Nashville series was intense and fun to watch. The Ducks series at least had some emotion because they have a lot of villains this is crappy, pre lockout boring terrible hockey. Zero flow to the game. It is painful to watch.

First time blogger here.
I don't want to make a whole preamble, but I just wanted to say great writing Mr. Jaeckel and to the rest of you, great insight, glad to hear from other hockey fans and I look forward to good discussion.

Thank you

Will the aftermath be less enjoyable if they have 2 more ugly wins?!

- blackhawk24

Absolutely not!!!! Ugly ...pretty it's all the same

Just win baby....the late Al Davis once said

Go read Crawford's quotes about games 2 and 3 where HE says he was OK but not good enough.........Gee..............are you going to argue with him as well?
- SteveRain

Crow is allowed to be his worst Critic .And is one of the best at manning up . Until you or anyone else are in his skates at ice level, were they game is a lot faster and unpredictable , then on a couch or in a seat with a picture perfect view of the entire ice or slow motion replay . I would default to he tried his best if you get my Drift

Will the aftermath be less enjoyable if they have 2 more ugly wins?!

- blackhawk24

Nope, not at all -- as my teammates reminded me last night in the locker getting dressed for our game, there are no style points given in each game. So few get the chance to get to play for the CUP and even fewer get their name engraved. Fewer still multiple times.

Let's hope the training staff has something good up its sleeve to get these guys ready for Saturday night's tilt (hyperbaric chamber???) and that Q relies a little more on 3rd and 4th lines to take some minutes so top 2 can have fresher legs at the close of games.

First time blogger here.
I don't want to make a whole preamble, but I just wanted to say great writing Mr. Jaeckel and to the rest of you, great insight, glad to hear from other hockey fans and I look forward to good discussion.

Thank you
- 93Joe

Thx, Joe.

Mr. Jaeckel is my dad.

There were some sad penalty calls on both teams in the first and then in the third a player could remove the opposition player''s spleen and there'd be no call. Last night's refereeing was awful for both teams and for all hockey fans.
- paulr

THIS. The cross checking calls on Seabrook?!?! Really would have been fine if they'd called them consistently on everyone, but really?!?!!

Usually I am on cloud 9 after a win......not today.

That felt like an end of the road trip win where they just want to go home and find a way to grind out a game. Dear lord.

Crawford was sensational. I hope EVERYONE can see that. He made some huge point blank saves, got some great defense in front of him, and some luck on Stamkos biffing from deads nut in the slot. Those things happen but Crawford EARNED that win for the Hawks.

What I don't get is.........just an uninsipired flat performance. Richards said it best postgame. for a huge game they came out flat, and timid. They couldn't complete a pass, couldn't maintain a forecheck, and Tampa ran a train on them all 20 minutes.

The Sharp-Toews-Hossa line was good........Saad was a beast, Keith played outstanding. Hammer was very solid, and Oduya gutted out what looks to be a busted finger or wrist or some sort of hand injury.

Seabrook was too pumped up and had the yips. Lots of bad turnovers and unforced errors.

As far as 88 goes.........he needs to find it and fast. He needs to engage. Stop staying to perimeter. Kane isn't getting many chances which tells me he isn't working hard enough for them. They say when you hit a slump if you are still getting chances don't be too worried........when you aren't getting chances....worry. Kane isn't getting chances like he should be. He is too damn good of player to be this ineffective.

Game 5.....tampa will come out flying.........unless the Hawks do the same it's on Crawford to withstand what will be an absolute onslaught.

How about my boy 23? Even got a verbal tug from Pierre on a smart dump in play right after that goal by Saad, and even back checked hard. Yeah, but don't worry......he's hockey stupid and should be traded for a bag of pucks..........

Nope, not at all -- as my teammates reminded me last night in the locker getting dressed for our game, there are no style points given in each game. So few get the chance to get to play for the CUP and even fewer get their name engraved. Fewer still multiple times.

Let's hope the training staff has something good up its sleeve to get these guys ready for Saturday night's tilt (hyperbaric chamber???) and that Q relies a little more on 3rd and 4th lines to take some minutes so top 2 can have fresher legs at the close of games.
- savvyone-1

Whatever it takes, including any magic dust Kaner got for that clavicle.

First, the offense needs to exploit the pinching TBL D. I don't know how many times, I saw Hedman, Stralman, Garrison or the Russian d-man pinching or driving to the net. Gotta win the board battles and get it out. I'm sure the TBL forwards are covering for them, but unless it's Paquette, get that puck down ice!

Second, no...more...Shaw...at...center...EVER. PLEASE!!!!

no...more...Shaw...at...center...EVER. PLEASE!!!!
- CanOCorn

Agreed.

Crow is allowed to be his worst Critic .And is one of the best at manning up . Until you or anyone else are in his skates at ice level, were they game is a lot faster and unpredictable , then on a couch or in a seat with a picture perfect view of the entire ice or slow motion replay . I would default to he tried his best if you get my Drift
- oldduffman

He does man up. That's my point.........it's fair to criticize him OR any other Hawk when it's justified. That IS my point. It's not picking on him, its pointing out that he could have been better. Just grow tired of always having to hear people clamor to a players, coach's, front office personnel's defense and argue just for the sake of arguing.

I have praised Crawford when he has played well. See above.

You have noticed in the past when Kane has been on a no goals streak he then will change his game and get to the front a tad more and finish rebounds. Hopefully he does. Bish and Vish have been giving up a lot of rebounds with no one there to finish them

Quote not working. The problem with this is that with the rebounds given, there is a posse of Lightning defenders there to clear the puck or play the bodies that are there. And there no just clearing the puck, there moving it up the ice quickly to the forwards at that.

There is room behind the net to work. I keep saying but the Hawks can get down low and have the defenders cycle in with the forwards then it would create huge problems for Tampa, creating enough space to allow the point person to sneak in for a look in the slot.

The issue is that Hawk defenders don't have the legs left to do it and that all the riding of 4 guys is having an effect now. In my opinion, more needs to be asked of the forwards to cover for the cycling/pinching defenders.

With the reduced space and style demanded, there really can be no forwards or defenders, everyone has to be both.