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

Welcome!

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..........
- SteveRain

A win, is a win, is a win. 'Hawks have a $6M goalie and if he stands on his head to win the cup I am all for it.

Sure it's nice to see a 2-on-1 Toews and Kane break to win it in 2OT ala 2013 WCF.

However if the deciding goal in game 5 is another Shaw shin pads and the game 6 decider is a Toews 2015 WCF late game 5 behind the goal line shot, will we really care? I won't.

Thx, Joe.

Mr. Jaeckel is my dad.



Just a habit. My apologies JJ

This team is gassed.

The physical series with Anaheim has taken it's toll and the fact that they've been playing with 4 (now 3.5) D obviously hasn't helped. With that said, Q's distrust for the non-core players is part of the problem.

There was no reason to shake the lines up to start the game yesterday. Shaw is not a C and Richards is not a W. Vermette shouldn't be playing less than 10 mins...Versteeg 8 mins...

Coming into the series I thought the Hawks forward depth would help tilt the ice in their favor, but that hasn't happened. Get back to the lines that have been working and take some time off the core guys...they shouldn't be in the 20+ min range. As someone else mentioned, take a look at the numbers when they're playing that much...they get ugly.

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.
- SteveRain

Fair enough . I think you said not going to change anybody mind really anyway . Both on the same side .GO HAWKS !!!!!!!

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

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

The one I like best is:

"Coaches who can outline plays on a (frank)en blackboard are a dime a dozen. The coaches who win - they get inside their players and motivate." Vince Lombardi

And that's where Q and Cooper are at right now. Their players are going to win or lose it, ugly or pretty. Which team has enough left to grab the prize?

This team is gassed.

The physical series with Anaheim has taken it's toll and the fact that they've been playing with 4 (now 3.5) D obviously hasn't helped. With that said, Q's distrust for the non-core players is part of the problem.

There was no reason to shake the lines up to start the game yesterday. Shaw is not a C and Richards is not a W. Vermette shouldn't be playing less than 10 mins...Versteeg 8 mins...

Coming into the series I thought the Hawks forward depth would help tilt the ice in their favor, but that hasn't happened. Get back to the lines that have been working and take some time off the core guys...they shouldn't be in the 20+ min range. As someone else mentioned, take a look at the numbers when they're playing that much...they get ugly.
- Coca

And with all these problems the Hawks win the game and tie the series at 2. Maybe all of us Armchair head coaches don't know everything?

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!!!!
- CanOCorn

I think they have and its lead to a few odd man breaks. Problem is the Tampa forwards are so fast that they get back to muck it up even a little.

And with all these problems the Hawks win the game and tie the series at 2. Maybe all of us Armchair head coaches don't know everything?
- paulr

A lot of will.
A little luck.
Crawford. Good Crawford. Especially Saturday.

That's how the Hawks win this.

And with all these problems the Hawks win the game and tie the series at 2. Maybe all of us Armchair head coaches don't know everything?
- paulr

Not claiming to know everything...just my observation which you can take or leave. I should've added that on the bright side the series is ties 2 - 2 despite the fact that the Hawks have not played close to their capabilities.

This team seems to always find a way to win...let's hope the luck doesn't suddenly run out.

I think they have and its lead to a few odd man breaks. Problem is the Tampa forwards are so fast that they get back to muck it up even a little.
- golfbard

Not sure there's any easy answer here. Lob pass is hard for tired forwards to catch up to. Clean breakouts aren't there, Tampa forwards are jumping everything.

If Q can design something here, it would be huge.

The one I like best is:

"Coaches who can outline plays on a (frank)en blackboard are a dime a dozen. The coaches who win - they get inside their players and motivate." Vince Lombardi

And that's where Q and Cooper are at right now. Their players are going to win or lose it, ugly or pretty. Which team has enough left to grab the prize?
- RickJ

He has some great quotes.

It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up.

Vince Lombardi

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..........
- SteveRain

Saw that & also commented on it as well. Very simple, yet smart play by Steeger at a critical time--to help keep TB hemmed in a bit longer, rather than scoring a goal 12 seconds later

Not sure there's any easy answer here. Lob pass is hard for tired forwards to catch up to. Clean breakouts aren't there, Tampa forwards are jumping everything.

If Q can design something here, it would be huge.
- John Jaeckel

Forwards need to support the D better it would seem. Otherwise, any clue how they can figure this out?

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!!!!
- CanOCorn

I've never seen so many pucks stop just inside our blue line for TBL, it's like we're leaving them right there for the taking. Yes we get burned on bad exits, but this is a different phenomenon all together. It's like a magnet, or they're the best damn Dmen on the planet.

Not sure there's any easy answer here. Lob pass is hard for tired forwards to catch up to. Clean breakouts aren't there, Tampa forwards are jumping everything.

If Q can design something here, it would be huge.
- John Jaeckel

And the 'hawks flow was totally off last night. Vermette and Versteeg running into each other, etc. Instead of shifting lines E-W (forward to center, center to forward), line shifting should be N-S (line to line, but keeping players in position).

Also, question...can TBL keep up that forechecking for a whole series or does that take the legs out of you?

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.
- Bjm84

Agreed. But Q will have to roll 4 lines with guys on a mission. He may not be doing that now due to guys being nicked up...dunno.

He has some great quotes.

It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up.

Vince Lombardi
- Colbyboy

He was a beauty:

Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

I think he had just attended a couple of Toronto Maple Leaf games before he said those two.

Agreed. But Q will have to roll 4 lines with guys on a mission. He may not be doing that now due to guys being nicked up...dunno.
- grinder10

Yes. Something doesn't make sense here when this is an obvious strategy and the Hawks have the right personnel to pull it off(with enough two way players).

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..........
- SteveRain

Steve, glad you brought up Steeger. Came in, played his role, and got out. In a game where energy and fatigue looked like it hit us hardest, I thought 23 brought that jump. Great forced turnover to set up a kane to seabs opportunity in the second and played physical in his little ice time.

Should he play with 88-91, no. But a line of Shaw Krugs and steeger could bring some juice come game 5. If their is one thing that gives me confidence, it's that we will have a couple days to recuperate. But a lot like you I am not as giddy and positive going into what has been a hawks dominated stretch over the last 6-7 years. We will have a better idea Saturday.

He was a beauty:

Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

I think he had just attended a couple of Toronto Maple Leaf games before he said those two.
- RickJ

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

Would really love to see the Hawks win the Cup at the UC this time around! 2 more wins!

You know how everybody POSTS First when they are?

I again on the last blog and almost every other blog in the last month am always LAST.

It is not even funny at this point...

This team is gassed.

The physical series with Anaheim has taken it's toll....
- Coca

I can see it now coming out of Orange County: Ryan Kesler, "I told you our physical game would wear out the Blackhawks, I told you!"

You know how everybody POSTS First when they are?

I again on the last blog and almost every other blog in the last month am always LAST.

It is not even funny at this point...
- wiz1901

Like my father taught me decades ago; Pay attention!