Tampa started out with a 9-2 shots advantage, was it because Q's lines were in flux? Honestly the Hawks look worn out
- captainserious

I think it was more that the tampa forwards are working hard to take away space, get to pucks, and their defensive tree trunks are doing a lot of lumberjack work too.

This team is gassed.

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

Lack of 2 days off between games vs Anaheim was brutal for both sides. I believe it was only between games 6 and 7 there were two days off. Hawks have 2 days til Game 5 and it should pay dividends. Someone needs to step up and get this team energized as a whole. This is the Cup Final, let's go!

1) Goalie Win. Crawford earned every penny last night and will need to carry this depleted Defense for 2 more wins. Nobody is happier to see Crow steal a game like that than me and the rest of the Crawford "haters".

2) Idk if it is mental, physical, or whatever, but keep 10-19-81 together bc Sharp looked like he actually cared last night and was flying around.

3) Kimmo was tolerable in very limited minutes but still hold my breath when he tries to close a defenseivegap....

4) TVR had a rough night but I still liked his game 3 effort and he will only improve

5) Saad showing why he will earn at least $5 mil on his new Blackhawk's contract

6) Extra days off will prove to be HUGE for the legs of our veterans

7) Kane has no jump. His legs have anvils in them right now. Whether it is, injury or fatigue, 88 NEEDS to step up and be the $10million player he has been through his Stanley Cup career. If Kane steps up and Crow is a wall back there, Hawks in 6

The Hawks are like a prized fighter with no legs, standing in the corner and taking blow after blow after blow and refusing to get knocked out. It's remarkable.

2 days off may be a blessing. Tampa HAS played more games up to this point, so it's hard for me to use fatigue as an excuse. I just felt Tampa last night was digging deep and pushing hard for that win. Maybe playing the Russian kid refocused Cooper's team and had them simplify their game even more so. Who the hell knows.

what is a little alarming, and I never complain about officiating, but if Tampa's larger D men are going to be able to clear the crease with cross checks, etc then Seabrook, Hammer, and Keith need to do the same. Same with 44 IF he can get in position while the play is still going on.

Desjardin is battling but looks to be a step slow. All those recycles and board battles are wearing him down. Too bad they can't trust Bickell enough to insert back in, because this type of physicality in front of the net would be perfect for him and truly force Tampa to have to deal with that large body.

1) Goalie Win. Crawford earned every penny last night and will need to carry this depleted Defense for 2 more wins. Nobody is happier to see Crow steal a game like that than me and the rest of the Crawford "haters".

2) Idk if it is mental, physical, or whatever, but keep 10-19-81 together bc Sharp looked like he actually cared last night and was flying around.

3) Kimmo was tolerable in very limited minutes but still hold my breath when he tries to close a defenseivegap....

4) TVR had a rough night but I still liked his game 3 effort and he will only improve

5) Saad showing why he will earn at least $5 mil on his new Blackhawk's contract

6) Extra days off will prove to be HUGE for the legs of our veterans

7) Kane has no jump. His legs have anvils in them right now. Whether it is, injury or fatigue, 88 NEEDS to step up and be the $10million player he has been through his Stanley Cup career. If Kane steps up and Crow is a wall back there, Hawks in 6
- EnzoD

Summarized in bold. Crow = stud, Hawks win cup....! Corey!!

I think it was more that the tampa forwards are working hard to take away space, get to pucks, and their defensive tree trunks are doing a lot of lumberjack work too.
- wiz1901

Tampa just comes in waves, and their exits out of the defensive zone are remarkable. They rarely got pinned in there. Lots of 1 and dones for the Hawks far too often last night.

A few observations I have had:

-Tampa plays great along the boards
-killorn very tenacious and great netfront presence
-stamkos being given limited space but getting close
-kucherov quick and found cherry picking a few times
-would like to see TT on PP

1) Goalie Win. Crawford earned every penny last night and will need to carry this depleted Defense for 2 more wins. Nobody is happier to see Crow steal a game like that than me and the rest of the Crawford "haters".

2) Idk if it is mental, physical, or whatever, but keep 10-19-81 together bc Sharp looked like he actually cared last night and was flying around.

3) Kimmo was tolerable in very limited minutes but still hold my breath when he tries to close a defenseivegap....

4) TVR had a rough night but I still liked his game 3 effort and he will only improve

5) Saad showing why he will earn at least $5 mil on his new Blackhawk's contract

6) Extra days off will prove to be HUGE for the legs of our veterans

7) Kane has no jump. His legs have anvils in them right now. Whether it is, injury or fatigue, 88 NEEDS to step up and be the $10million player he has been through his Stanley Cup career. If Kane steps up and Crow is a wall back there, Hawks in 6
- EnzoD

Sharp is not a checker, while he was doing a reasonable job he earns big bucks to play in the top 6 not to go out with the primary duty of stopping other players.

Kane's jump isn't the issue, his lack of space is. When he has the puck he is used to the opposition backing off, effectively giving him more space by opening the gap. Tampa is attacking him, maintaining gap control and eliminating all his space rendering him ineffective. Couple that with the horrible soft cross ice giveaway in the third and Kane, in the role he's in is more liability than asset.

As I already posted it may be wise to spot Kane against lines and defensive pairings where he can excel, on the powerplay and on 4 on 4's.

I would rather play well and point to that as why we won rather than play well and wallow on the loss. But, a win is a win, a loss is a loss.

Seabrook had a tough game but as usual, when push came to shove, made the right play. If his stick isn't on the ice, Stamkos buries the game tying shot.

44 wasn't a giant liability. He took the body when needed and battled, which is something I didn't see with TVR.

With 3.75 defenseman (a one handed Oduya is worth 3/4), these guys need to stay out of the box. I think the Seabrook interference and the Toews high stick were questionable at best, but regardless, those are hard minutes.

I was shocked by the lack of urgency. I thought they would have learned by the Game 5 in Anaheim, but I guess not.

88 needs a wake up call. I don't care if Tampa is focusing on him. He's too good and gets paid too much to not impact the series.

Last night was just cemented the fact that 20 isn't going anywhere unless he wants to leave.

Is there a better net minder than 50 at saying "I sucked yesterday but today is a new day"?

Now that it's a 3 game series, can Q go back to the regular minutes for the lines? Some of those guys had no explosion in the 3rd.

An ongoing problem for the Hawks is they can’t (or didn’t) attack in layers. Either because of fatigue or Tampa’s speed or both, Hawk defensemen are laying back too much, creating too wide a gap between themselves and the forwards at times.

The above is from the main article and it is spot on. Tampa is a very smart, very disciplined team. They dump it in, make the Hawks 3-3/4 d turn around and fetch it and play 200 foot hockey. They NEED the extra day off.

A few observations I have had:

-Tampa plays great along the boards
-killorn very tenacious and great netfront presence
-stamkos being given limited space but getting close
-kucherov quick and found cherry picking a few times
-would like to see TT on PP
- 93Joe

Teravainen has been on the power play for the last 3 games.

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.
- fattybeef

U R Wrong.

From Minnesota Star tribune's Mike Russo on June 8th:

Former Gophers defenseman and free-agent-to-be Mike Reilly met with Chicago, the Wild, Columbus, Detroit, Edmonton, L.A., Montreal, the Rangers and Pittsburgh at the combine in Buffalo.

He’s working through the list and hopes to have it cut down to a handful of teams by the end of the week. As I wrote in my Reilly blog last week, I still firmly believe the Hawks are the frontrunners. In fact, GM Stan Bowman left the Stanley Cup Finals between Games 1 and 2 to fly from Tampa to Buffalo to meet with him. I believe the Wild’s second as of now. The Pens have publicly said they hope to fly Reilly in to visit the city and arena. As I wrote in that Reilly blog, I know the Oilers, Kings and Rangers all have significant interest.

he becomes a UFA on June 15th

I would rather play well and point to that as why we won rather than play well and wallow on the loss. But, a win is a win, a loss is a loss.

Seabrook had a tough game but as usual, when push came to shove, made the right play. If his stick isn't on the ice, Stamkos buries the game tying shot.

44 wasn't a giant liability. He took the body when needed and battled, which is something I didn't see with TVR.

With 3.75 defenseman (a one handed Oduya is worth 3/4), these guys need to stay out of the box. I think the Seabrook interference and the Toews high stick were questionable at best, but regardless, those are hard minutes.

I was shocked by the lack of urgency. I thought they would have learned by the Game 5 in Anaheim, but I guess not.

88 needs a wake up call. I don't care if Tampa is focusing on him. He's too good and gets paid too much to not impact the series.

Last night was just cemented the fact that 20 isn't going anywhere unless he wants to leave.

Is there a better net minder than 50 at saying "I sucked yesterday but today is a new day"?

Now that it's a 3 game series, can Q go back to the regular minutes for the lines? Some of those guys had no explosion in the 3rd.
- DMCsPulledHammy

With the extra day and as close to a must-win game as this was, Q leaned heavily on his top lines. Now they can take the extra day and hopefully get their legs back. Let's hope we get a G2 scenario, but with a win.

Sharp is not a checker, while he was doing a reasonable job he earns big bucks to play in the top 6 not to go out with the primary duty of stopping other players.

Kane's jump isn't the issue, his lack of space is. When he has the puck he is used to the opposition backing off, effectively giving him more space by opening the gap. Tampa is attacking him, maintaining gap control and eliminating all his space rendering him ineffective. Couple that with the horrible soft cross ice giveaway in the third and Kane, in the role he's in is more liability than asset.

As I already posted it may be wise to spot Kane against lines and defensive pairings where he can excel, on the powerplay and on 4 on 4's.
- paulr

You create your own time and space by moving your feet and/or the puck. Kaner has seen tight gap control and pressure since he came into the league. Nothing new here. Kane lives on his quick feet, springy legs and even quicker decision making with the puck. He is not moving like usual and his decision making in the defensive/neutral zone has been very bad. And no paul, limiting Kaner to 4-4 or PP is NOT how you get your star offensive talent going.

Hawks are 41-14 in Games 4-7 since 2009.

Funny how everyone praises Tampa this much even after a Hawks win last night but quickly forget how good the Hawks are later in series once they figure out opponents. Same thing happened vs Anaheim. Everyone wrote off the Hawks and here they are playing for the Cup. Series is 2-2 fellas R-E-L-A-X

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

Hand or maybe Elbow on Oduya. I think when he got slew footed he fell backwards and maybe smashed his elbow/wrist/hand hard on the ice. He played basically one armed last night and was still effective. His skating is fine, but he was poke checking and just pushing the puck around one handed much more than usual

From Minnesota Star tribune's Mike Russo on June 8th:

Former Gophers defenseman and free-agent-to-be Mike Reilly met with Chicago, the Wild, Columbus, Detroit, Edmonton, L.A., Montreal, the Rangers and Pittsburgh at the combine in Buffalo.

He’s working through the list and hopes to have it cut down to a handful of teams by the end of the week. As I wrote in my Reilly blog last week, I still firmly believe the Hawks are the frontrunners. In fact, GM Stan Bowman left the Stanley Cup Finals between Games 1 and 2 to fly from Tampa to Buffalo to meet with him. I believe the Wild’s second as of now. The Pens have publicly said they hope to fly Reilly in to visit the city and arena. As I wrote in that Reilly blog, I know the Oilers, Kings and Rangers all have significant interest.

he becomes a UFA on June 15th
- wiz1901

Sont know if Oduya is here bext year but a start to mext season of 2 7 4 tvr Johns Reilly would be ok.

Hand or maybe Elbow on Oduya. I think when he got slew footed he fell backwards and maybe smashed his elbow/wrist/hand hard on the ice. He played basically one armed last night and was still effective. His skating is fine, but he was poke checking and just pushing the puck around one handed much more than usual
- TheTrob

Thinking maybe he ruptured his bursal sac landing on the elbow. That's the pouch of fluid that protects the point of the funny bone. Doesn't hurt just standing around, but extremely painful to the touch. Would be hard for him to shoot the puck.

Hawks have been outshot 12 times and have a record of 11-1
When they outshoot their opponent they are 2-5
They are -70 in shots so far this year. amazing numbers

After the 2nd period I said the Hawks would win but had no idea how they would do it. After the win I have no idea how they did it, still don't have a handle on it. Tampa was so much better last night and in this series they have been great, as good or better than LA last year, yet its even. The Hawks will win their third cup, I have no idea how they will be able to do it just that they will.

You create your own time and space by moving your feet and/or the puck. Kaner has seen tight gap control and pressure since he came into the league. Nothing new here. Kane lives on his quick feet, springy legs and even quicker decision making with the puck. He is not moving like usual and his decision making in the defensive/neutral zone has been very bad. And no paul, limiting Kaner to 4-4 or PP is NOT how you get your star offensive talent going.
- EnzoD

No one has ever checked Kane as tightly as Tampa are in this series. If as you say Kane has lead in his legs, explain why he looked like his usual wizardly self in the 4 on 4 in game 3? It was because he had room to operate and Tampa couldn't or wouldn't pressure him.

And I did include spotting him against weaker lines along with the powerplay and 4 or on 4 time. I will say one more brutal mental mistake like he made last night and you will see Kane's ice time reduced dramatically.

Hand or maybe Elbow on Oduya. I think when he got slew footed he fell backwards and maybe smashed his elbow/wrist/hand hard on the ice. He played basically one armed last night and was still effective. His skating is fine, but he was poke checking and just pushing the puck around one handed much more than usual
- TheTrob

Definitely elbow/wrist from game 3 but looked like a back or hip from the Palat cheap shot in game 2.

Is Kucherov Russian for Corey Perry? Guy can fly but is cheap as they come. Loves to use that stick.

Pollock, McCauley, OHalloran.... sort of like choosing between Ebola, pancreatic cancer or the plague. Just when you think the officiating can't be any more inconsistent you see a game like last night. It hurt both teams but definitely the Hawks more. Watching Garrison et al cross check and interfere without whistles is ridiculous.

No one has ever checked Kane as tightly as Tampa are in this series. If as you say Kane has lead in his legs, explain why he looked like his usual wizardly self in the 4 on 4 in game 3? It was because he had room to operate and Tampa couldn't or wouldn't pressure him.

And I did include spotting him against weaker lines along with the powerplay and 4 or on 4 time. I will say one more brutal mental mistake like he made last night and you will see Kane's ice time reduced dramatically.
- paulr

I dont disagree that Tampa's gap control, board play and removal of time and space is bar-none this playoffs. Saad isnt having much trouble with their tight checking. Why?? Because he is moving his feet and skating. Kane is coasting around all series and does not have the compete level he needs and usually has. I hope he finds it bc with the 88 we have seen games 1-4 it will be tough to find scoring

Nice write up. If the bolts can get the power play working they can finish . Watching saad not play for my squad makes me saad

Hawks are 41-14 in Games 4-7 since 2009.

Funny how everyone praises Tampa this much even after a Hawks win last night but quickly forget how good the Hawks are later in series once they figure out opponents. Same thing happened vs Anaheim. Everyone wrote off the Hawks and here they are playing for the Cup. Series is 2-2 fellas R-E-L-A-X
- Assman22

Get outta here with that Aaron Rogers garbage.

Two days rest will help, and I didn't think the team played bad last night. They got trapped in their zone in the final 2 minutes seemingly, and it was heart attack central there, but they won because they had their sticks and (tired as (frank)) bodies in position to make the proper defensive plays.