Blues team looks different to me in ways. Stastny is being utilized correctly by Hitch this year. The addition of Brouwer could be huge for the playoffs. Less Lapierre/Jackman types - who were always good for stupid penalties against the Hawks. Unfortunately Ott is out of this series with karma colon.

Hitch knows this is his last chance there so he is ok with hockey over "imposing their will" (whatever that means this century). Backes and Reaves are still there though and Hitch - nice guy or not - can very easily revert to his past ways.

What the Blues always needed to win was the Hawks to be weakened off the ice and that happened last summer. Having Oduya here would mean continuity in the top 4 and a very strong bottom pairing with TVR and Rosi. TVR looks better at his natural side but will still need to be protected. Tougher even for Q with less options. Expect Rosi to get as much TOI as TVR.

Crow looked solid last night - better than the D in front of him but nothing last night showed he is 100%. Brouwer's elbow to Crow's head in March could be the key factor for the Hawks.

2014 may have been the Blues best chance to get past the Hawks. The Hawks grabbed that series from them on pure will and completely humiliated them in game 6.

If the Blues are finally going to slip by this year may be their chance. If not, that team will probably jettison Backes and Hitch this summer.

Hawks in 6.

And I want to mention what's bothering me about the East coast biased push for Crosby and the Hart Trophy. That seems to be the argument for this great player who has indeed had a tremendous season and his second half numbers speak for themselves.

But riddle me this, that argument for Kane seems that much stronger and nobody is talking about it. There is little mention in Hart debates of Kane's 26 game point streak and 9 ginos and 12 apples during a 12 game Hawks win streak. Golf clubs for all right now without that.

29 points separating Kaner from anyone else on his team and 18 for Sid the kid. History will rate Crosby as the better overall player and rightly so. He's incredible. But truly, there should be no MVP debate this season.

Blues in 7.

I don't see the Hawks "flipping the switch."
- teh_HAWKZ

Can the Hawks D stand up to what will be a constant barrage of bodies coming in the forecheck? Can 86 find his courage and stand in there to take the body? Is 81 healthy enough to even make it through the series? Lots of questions with this Hawks team at the moment. Mashinter/Bickell better not see the ice. Moose and Panik should be in. Can 50 get back into the swing after being out?

This group is/has been amazing in terms of finding that next gear for the playoffs. For it to happen to this year we need health, some luck and for Q not to shove his head into the blender.

Blues with chance to take it in 5, get it in game 6.

Different blues this year (that's good).
Different hawks this year (not good).

Blues in 6

Can the Hawks D stand up to what will be a constant barrage of bodies coming in the forecheck? Can 86 find his courage and stand in there to take the body? Is 81 healthy enough to even make it through the series? Lots of questions with this Hawks team at the moment. Mashinter/Bickell better not see the ice. Moose and Panik should be in. Can 50 get back into the swing after being out?

This group is/has been amazing in terms of finding that next gear for the playoffs. For it to happen to this year we need health, some luck and for Q not to shove his head into the blender.
- z1990z

Agreed with everything. Lots of question marks surrounding this team. Can the Hawks pull through? It's certainly possible. I could see this series playing out like the Nucks series in 2011. But as you said the amount of uncertainties is more concerning than not.

Register to make your picks party people


JJ BUZZ

http://bracketchallenge.n...rr_plyfmdl#/league/148836

I like the 'Hawks chances.
Two main concerns:
Health, and;
Giving up multi-goal leads.

Blues in 5. this Hawks team just doesn't feel right to me in making a big run this postseason. Defensively, the Hawks are a train wreck, and Crawford will be under siege every night. Hoping I am wrong, but the boys will be golfing early for the first time in a long, long time.

For those that care, Motte has a goal and an assist so far today against Manitoba.

For those that care, Motte has a goal and an assist so far today against Manitoba.
- EKB13

What game is that and is it televised?

For those that care, Motte has a goal and an assist so far today against Manitoba.
- EKB13

Is he in Rockford already??

I think there are a few keys to watch. If the Blues decide to play hockey (and not play the bully role), this will be a much tougher series. The Chicago defense MUST clear the crease, or there will be quite a few deflection/tip-in goals by the Blues.
My gut tells we Chicago loses this series by a goal much like LA scored 2 seasons ago.

Is he in Rockford already??
- z1990z

D'oh! I forgot he signed and was in Rockford. Nice start to his pro career.

D'oh! I forgot he signed and was in Rockford. Nice start to his pro career.
- EbonyRaptor

From what I read, he is 510/190'ish.. Nice stocky frame to go with his skill. Good to see some blue chippers in the pipe line.

Blues team looks different to me in ways. Stastny is being utilized correctly by Hitch this year. The addition of Brouwer could be huge for the playoffs. Less Lapierre/Jackman types - who were always good for stupid penalties against the Hawks. Unfortunately Ott is out of this series with karma colon.

Hitch knows this is his last chance there so he is ok with hockey over "imposing their will" (whatever that means this century). Backes and Reaves are still there though and Hitch - nice guy or not - can very easily revert to his past ways.

What the Blues always needed to win was the Hawks to be weakened off the ice and that happened last summer. Having Oduya here would mean continuity in the top 4 and a very strong bottom pairing with TVR and Rosi. TVR looks better at his natural side but will still need to be protected. Tougher even for Q with less options. Expect Rosi to get as much TOI as TVR.

Crow looked solid last night - better than the D in front of him but nothing last night showed he is 100%. Brouwer's elbow to Crow's head in March could be the key factor for the Hawks.

2014 may have been the Blues best chance to get past the Hawks. The Hawks grabbed that series from them on pure will and completely humiliated them in game 6.

If the Blues are finally going to slip by this year may be their chance. If not, that team will probably jettison Backes and Hitch this summer.
- tredbrta

Agree with several points here. And yes, you've got to think that Hitchcock is in the hot seat. Would add Boudreau and Vigneault to the group of coaches who have to do something significant in this year's playoffs to protect their jobs.

Blackhawks in 5.

Chicago will win in 6

I dunno if I can say the Blackhawks even win the series based on lots of things have said here before, but mostly because I don't know how nicked up Shaw and Hossa are.

Blues can and will play heavy for the most part.

I see one Blackhawk line that needs to be shut down.

I don't see #14 the way others do because he can't hold the puck on many passes and along the wall.

I just am not sure we have four clicking lines or even n idea who the four lines are.

Elliott is not great but he is Crawford lite on most nights and he wins.

and then there is Hitch's job....

toss it up

Is he in Rockford already??
- z1990z

Motte's 3 year deal starts next season. He is on a tryout deal with Rockford. That will protect him from a possible expansion draft as well.

For those that care, Motte has a goal and an assist so far today against Manitoba.
- EKB13

Thanks Eli. How does Motte's speed look against AHL competition? Watched some highlights of his line yesterday. Compher and Connor could really move. He benefited a lot being on that line. Not sure if it skewed his numbers a little or a lot.

Vessey's father was interviewed and said he is recommending his son not start playing with his hometown Bruins and Poile has indicated he may file tampering charges against the Leafs if he signs there. If I were the Hawks I'd be making a hard pitch for Vessey this summer. He and Motte coming in at 1LW and 3 or 4 LW would be very nice. The holes will probably be here to fill. Not really any contenders with legit LW chances next year like the Hawks.

Agree with several points here. And yes, you've got to think that Hitchcock is in the hot seat. Would add Boudreau and Vigneault to the group of coaches who have to do something significant in this year's playoffs to protect their jobs.
- etchtech

What is Sakic thinking keeping Roy? The guy is not an NHL coach. Some GMs could be in trouble. Fletcher in MN may need to win a round. What happens with Wilson in San Jose if they are out in the 1st? DeBoers has done a nice job so Wilson may have saved himself there. Good pickup with Jones too.

i am out of the team prediction business, but this series will be 5 or 6 games and will break hard for one team or the other...

Christopher Kamka ‏@ckamka 22h22 hours ago

Career goals:
251 ea Toews & Kane
85 Seabrook, 84 Keith

Truly amazing symmetry considering the number of seasons, the injuries, etc.

Nice breakdown JJ, good read

I may be hoping here, but my spidy senses tell me the Hawks are a team ultimately preparing all season for playoff hockey

This is a very unusual year

Blackhawk had the heaviest schedule of any team in the NHL, played 55 games by the all star break when most teams played about 47.

Krugs missing most of the season

If Crawford, Hossa, Shaw and Anisimov are in fact healthy it's going to be a tough series for the Blues

I expect to see some great backchecking and defense by the forwards

#12 was more for the regular season, #25 is why he's here now

Ladd, Anisimov, Weise, and Shaw will all go to the net, no matter how good the goalie is he can't stop what he can't see

Tarasenko will see a lot of Kruger and Toews