Mashinter hasn't won an NHL fight since 2013. His fights this year are a joke. The physical pain that Panik/Weise can inflict on the Blues dman when their 220lb bodies are going NHL speed on the forecheck is far more impactful than anything Brandon Mashinter has done in a Blackhawks' uniform all season. Not to mention that Richard Panik has done EVERYTHING that could be expected of him, and he gets a healthy scratch for this gongshow, lead footed goon. Weise, whatever, he hasn't done anything. Panik...that's got to be really disheartening for him to play so well and see the press box game 1 of the playoffs...
- EnzoD

maybe one of you guys could have lazerus or kuc give you their press card and ask the questions they won't...can you just see Q give you the menacing stare down...



WTF you asking me?

Q does this every year.......... its almost unreal like he is messing with everyone....
- mrpaulish

This exactly--- and who would he want to mess with most? Why would he want to show his hand? Its a series not a one game elimination-- lets see what plays out and IF 53 is in the line up tomorrow- To me 14 & 25 and even 70 are better options-- but I'm not an NHL coach-- I don't know what these machinations mean between who is 'healthy' and skating to who is on line rushes-- to me its all very fluid when you get past the top 6 forwards and 4 d-- expect changes to line 3 maybe every game until something clicks-- and hopefully it does-- Line 1-2 -4 is solid

I am sure Coach Q has a good reason for going with Mash over Weise or Panik

Everyone is finally healthy for the Blues.

Game 1 is going to be the first time all season that we can dress our full lineup.

I still have questions about Allen, I hope he is actually healthy as I believe both of our goalies are going to get time in the series.
- carcus

Does that mean Ott is in the line-up? What is your thoughts on that? As a fan of the opposing team, I think that weakens your line-up a bit. But then again, Q is trotting Mash out there, so maybe that balances out the line-ups.

maybe one of you guys could have lazerus or kuc give you their press card and ask the questions they won't...can you just see Q give you the menacing stare down...



WTF you asking me?
- bogiedoc

I would gladly try to survive the Q Death Stare to get even close to an honest explanation for his decision to dress Mashinter over Panik for Game 1....

I would gladly try to survive the Q Death Stare to get even close to an honest explanation for his decision to dress Mashinter over Panik for Game 1....
- EnzoD

Wasn't it Eddie O that commented how the Leafs really went out of their way to take runs at Panik in their game back in (Jan/Feb)? I wonder if his attitude or professionalism is the reason he inexplicably sits. Still not enough reason for #53 to skate, just trying to piece it together.

Weise? Still don't understand that one either.

Wasn't it Eddie O that commented how the Leafs really went out of their way to take runs at Panik in their game back in (Jan/Feb)? I wonder if his attitude or professionalism is the reason he inexplicably sits. Still not enough reason for #53 to skate, just trying to piece it together.

Weise? Still don't understand that one either.
- phantasmo

Q is playing head games with his depth forwards and hoping he can still get a split in STL. I don't agree with it.

53

Daley is skating 20 mins a night with 6 goals and 22 assists over 53 games. It also looks like he is driving play in the right direction.

If there would have been some adjustments in terms of system to better fit the players they had, I think this could have worked a bit better. It isn't like the D could have been worse this year. But since the infallible winner of three Cups is incapable of adjusting his scheme for players who don't fit you run into issues. And I'm not saying Q is an idiot, the results speak for themselves, but I'd think he would be just a little more pliable.

3 Cups and two WCF finals later is the only argument for Q I can think of right now but it is also tough to see this player positively contribute in a significant way on another team with Stanley Cup aspirations constructed in a similar top heavy way like the Hawks.
- fattybeef

According to some here (some mostly no longer here), he was the worst defenseman in history. But now we have the "underrated" Rundblad back, and Ehrhoff, so all is well.

Q has been awfully stubborn all year this year.

Its early in the series strategy or just posturing, one of the 2. Q indicating to Hitchcock if you dress Reaves I will have my guy ready.

Neither one of them are worth a crap as hockey players so by the time the 3rd or 4th game rolls around both of them will be in the press box and the real players will decide the series.

Its much the same as when Sutter dresses Jordan Nolan or Tanner Glass plays for the Rangers in the playoffs - boneheads who ultimately have no influence on the outcome of a playoff series, unless of course they injure a very good player on the other team.
- RickJ

Mash doesn't really hit. 62 hits in 41 games ave 8 mins ice time a game.

Reaves is over 200 with about 60 games played.

#Blackhawks lines: Ladd-Toews-Hossa Panarin-Anisimov-Kane Mashinter-Teuvo-Fleischmann Desjardins-Kruger-Shaw
- jt19

And let me just say this, if the Hawks biggest problem is the "difference" in talent between Dale wise and Brandon Mashinter, schedule the parade.

In the meantime, focus on the blue line.

Mash doesn't really hit. 62 hits in 41 games ave 8 mins ice time a game.

Reaves is over 200 with about 60 games played.
- Gerk

BECAUSE HE CANT KEEP UP! Reaves is a legitimate NHL enforcer. Mashinter is a franking waste of space.

And let me just say this, if the Hawks biggest problem is the "difference" in talent between Dale wise and Brandon Mashinter, schedule the parade.

In the meantime, focus on the blue line.
- John Jaeckel

So you have no qualms with Q running 3 lines tomorrow? Bc after about 10 minutes into the first period Mashinter will be lucky to have another shift

This exactly--- and who would he want to mess with most? Why would he want to show his hand? Its a series not a one game elimination-- lets see what plays out and IF 53 is in the line up tomorrow- To me 14 & 25 and even 70 are better options-- but I'm not an NHL coach-- I don't know what these machinations mean between who is 'healthy' and skating to who is on line rushes-- to me its all very fluid when you get past the top 6 forwards and 4 d-- expect changes to line 3 maybe every game until something clicks-- and hopefully it does-- Line 1-2 -4 is solid
- jb3333

Imho this only hurts the hawks if hes playing mind games. Backes Brouwer and Berglund will get top assignment (prob Kane line). Stastny Steen Schwartz will get Towes line.

Does that mean Ott is in the line-up? What is your thoughts on that? As a fan of the opposing team, I think that weakens your line-up a bit. But then again, Q is trotting Mash out there, so maybe that balances out the line-ups.
- powerenforcer

Assuming he is ready and up to full speed. Would expect Reaves at home and Ott away. Depends on controlling matchups.

BLACKHAWKS: DALE WEISE averaged just 11:12 of ice time in 28 playoff games with Montreal the past two seasons but still managed five goals, three of which were game winners, and 10 points. A heart-and-soul checker like him emerges in Chicago every post-season. He’s playing with more confidence than ever and had already scored a career-best 14 goals when the Hawks acquired him at the trade deadline. He’s a natural fit alongside Andrew Shaw, who plays a similar game. The pair will wreak havoc on opposing D-men in the corners and after whistles.

From The Hockey News first-round preview........Poor author doesn't know that Weise may not even dress for game #1. Three game winning goals in two season means nothing to Q.
- ILGolfer

If Weise sits could someone explain why the Hawks traded Danault in the first place? I Thought he was a good, versatile young Hockey Player who was contributing nightly.

If Weise sits could someone explain why the Hawks traded Danault in the first place?Thought he was good and versatile young Hockey Player who was contributing nightly.
- Colbyboy

Good point and it underscores my view that the core players of this team overcome some of these stupid moves/ideas. The core is getting smaller, older, and worn down...eventually some of these moves are going to need to start making sense.

If Weise wasn't going to play over Mashinter just hang onto Phil. Zero sense.

If Weise sits could someone explain why the Hawks traded Danault in the first place?Thought he was good and versatile young Hockey Player who was contributing nightly.
- Colbyboy

Maybe the answer to the Wiese issue lies within your question. Is Q pissed at Stan for trading away Danault? I don't imagine this is it, but is it? I mean, something is going on for Mashinter to keep getting looks he is not qualified to get.

If Weise sits could someone explain why the Hawks traded Danault in the first place?Thought he was good and versatile young Hockey Player who was contributing nightly.
- Colbyboy

Maybe Q is mad about the trade?

Pure conjecture

edit: several beat me to it.

From James Tanner
But after that, it's insane how bad the team's (Arizona's) defense is. Klas Dahlbeck is potentially the worst player in the NHL. Nick Grossmann isn't much better. Michalek has declined so noticeably that it's hard to watch.

So you think it's easier to change the system for one player then for the player to change his game to the system? Remember, every other D-man (minus Rozy) has either come up through this system in Rockford or hasn't played anywhere else. So it's up to Q to change his system for Trevor Daley? Why can't we just say he didn't fit and move on? He fits in the Pens system better, great, more power to him. Scuds isn't with this team either...he fits better in Sutter's system. Good, more power to him, too.

Q's system works until it doesn't work anymore. Maybe they are on the cusp of that. But, it's much easier for one player to try to work into a system, then to change the system for one player.
- CanOCorn

It doesn't if you measure defensive success by shot suppression.

He should certainly tweak things to get the most out of the players he has.

The cycle game that the first line plays was not possible without Brandon Saad to carry the puck into the zone and help out with the heavy lifting. A great coach would have made a change there to help Toews with consistency and get Hossa his 500. The fact that they played the exact same way with mediocre success for the entire season is inexcusable.

The only defenders that have stuck are Keith, Hammer and Seabs. It took Oduya a year to figure it out. None of the players promoted through Rockford have stuck on the blue line. There is either an abhorrent lack of talent available or the coaching staff is doing a poor job coaching and making the adjustments necessary or giving the instruction necessary to have consistent success.

Patrick Kane and Corey Crawford saved this season which has nothing to do with the excellence of the guys behind the bench. Nor does it have anything to do with the system they play because Kane does what he wants and Crow just has to stop them.

Mash doesn't really hit. 62 hits in 41 games ave 8 mins ice time a game.

Reaves is over 200 with about 60 games played.
- Gerk

Wasn't afraid of the '14 Blues.

Def not afraid of the '16 Blues.

And let me just say this, if the Hawks biggest problem is the "difference" in talent between Dale wise and Brandon Mashinter, schedule the parade.

In the meantime, focus on the blue line.
- John Jaeckel

And therein lies the problem.
Our defence is our Achilles heel. Therefore we should be countering with the best forward lineup possible to compensate.

It doesn't if you measure defensive success by shot suppression.

He should certainly tweak things to get the most out of the players he has.

The cycle game that the first line plays was not possible without Brandon Saad to carry the puck into the zone and help out with the heavy lifting. A great coach would have made a change there to help Toews with consistency and get Hossa his 500. The fact that they played the exact same way with mediocre success for the entire season is inexcusable.

The only defenders that have stuck are Keith, Hammer and Seabs. It took Oduya a year to figure it out. None of the players promoted through Rockford have stuck on the blue line. There is either an abhorrent lack of talent available or the coaching staff is doing a poor job coaching and making the adjustments necessary or giving the instruction necessary to have consistent success.

Patrick Kane and Corey Crawford saved this season which has nothing to do with the excellence of the guys behind the bench. Nor does it have anything to do with the system they play because Kane does what he wants and Crow just has to stop them.
- fattybeef

I've been seeing the same thing all year. A failure to adapt while other teams have adopted the hawks style and tweaked it. This was a defense first team, carried by their smart, swift blueliners and a fierce commitment to hounding the puck and keeping it. The personnel are no longer adequate to keep it up, with all the new guys and holes in the roster. There have been a lot of square pegs in round holes all season long, and the ones that didn't fit right were benched, then shipped off. Most seem to be doing just fine elsewhere, funny enough.

I'm really curious to see how the Blackhawks come out in game 1. I kinda of feel like this would be a good one to steal. Keith is out, the Blues have their three injured players back, they are at home, they are probably feeling confident; maybe over-confident. If the Blackhawks can keep it close heading into the third, the Blues might have an energetic letdown and the Hawks could take this one. Have to keep it close in the first and second periods though.