In my opinion one of the toughest first round match ups not only in the West but in the NHL. Other teams have to be somewhat pleased knowing that if they advance to the 2nd round, that at least one very good team will not be there. The Blues do seem deeper and for what its worth have the incentive of what the Hawks did to them a couple of years ago. I also feel that there are lots of questions with the Hawks. How healthy is Crawford and how sharp is his game? How effective will our injured players be? Will missing Keith for one game be that much of a disadvantage? Both coaching staffs are experienced. In the past there has been all sorts of talk about the Hawks resolve and such. Well its going to be tested right away in the first round. With our inconsistent play the past few months and not beating a Western Conference playoff team in how many weeks, I think if we are able to beat the Blues, we might get better the deeper we go. Lets go Hawks

This series has more possibilities than past seasons. I have no idea what Hawk team is going to show up. Either the Hawks win in six or they are going to lose in five.

The biggest variable is Crawford. Does he have that extra gear in him right now? Darling is a fine backup, but I haven't seen that extra gear that we saw from Crawford before he got hurt. When Crawford has that extra gear working, he is good enough to steal games. In previous years we would talk about the guys in front of him, but this season has been Crawford's year to shine, and he should get the Vezina. If the Hawks go all the way, he will probably win the Conn Smythe.

Given how Q was auditioning centers last night to play with 72 and 88, I have to wonder how soon Anisimov returns.

Hawks in 7

My problem with the Blues is will they show up to play hockey or try to show how tough they are by trying to finish checks above gaining possession of the puck. I also am not a fan of their captain and his ability to lead the team to victory. Hoping Toews gets into his head and he starts taking dumb penalties

Hawks in 5

I'm gonna go against the trend and pick the Blues in 5. Hawks rebound next season to be a dominant force again.

Putting the cart before the horse,


anyone think we can keep shaw ala the way we kept kruger this year?

If he wants to stay for real, like kruger did, could see him waiting past the point of Bickell needing to go on LTIR (first day of the season iirc) and taking a stunted pay day to stay, and then signing for a better # like kruger.

Obviously the main man to sign is Panarin, but I'd love to keep Shaw if at all possible.

I also would like to point out in 2013 when line 1 was struggling to score in the playoffs 11 total goals, Line 2 carried us with 22 goals, it looks like history may have to repeat itself in order to raise the cup this year.

2015 /2014/2013
Line 1, 22/17/11
Line 2, 15/15/22
Line 3 , 13/9/12
Line 4, 8/6/11
D, 11/11/8

It will be interesting to see how the scoring fares this year

Edit Goals Scored for playoffs

Thanks for the great analysis JJ, I think it's spot on.

I thinking the Hawks take it 7 but would not be surprised if they lost it in 5. This team has been so unpredictable, it's really hard to tell what's going to happen.

This series has more possibilities than past seasons. I have no idea what Hawk team is going to show up. Either the Hawks win in six or they are going to lose in five.

The biggest variable is Crawford. Does he have that extra gear in him right now? Darling is a fine backup, but I haven't seen that extra gear that we saw from Crawford before he got hurt. When Crawford has that extra gear working, he is good enough to steal games. In previous years we would talk about the guys in front of him, but this season has been Crawford's year to shine, and he should get the Vezina. If the Hawks go all the way, he will probably win the Conn Smythe.

Given how Q was auditioning centers last night to play with 72 and 88, I have to wonder how soon Anisimov returns.
- 333inthe3rd

there's no way the Vezina doesn't go to the Cap's Braden Holtby

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
- BetweenTheDots

I feel The . Exact. Same. Way.

I think the Hawks have a lot of question marks going into the playoffs with the Hossa and Shaw injuries along with Crawford just coming back this week. They haven't exactly been burning it up against the West either and so I think it will be the Blues in 7. I won't be surprised if the Hawks win this series and I think they are capable of doing it but IF St Louis plays smart and doesn't focus entirely on running the Hawks out of the building they stand a good chance to win the series. It's pretty much a toss up with a slight advantage to the Blues IMO.

Great writeup as always John.

And some great comments here. It'll certainly be a tough series. And the Hawks in need of a #4dman. Can TVR meet that challenge. I also think Brouwer is a big addition for St. Louis.

Hawks have slogged through the 82 to get here...

And as mentioned this is the time of year that guys like Weise shine.
Big question remains as to how banged up Hossa and Shaw are as well as AA.
Will TT man up at this point...or shrink...and will that get Moose in the game.

As Tred mentioned Craw looked solid last night...at least three of those goals he had no chance on or were beyond fluky. The defense in front of him didn't help him at all.

Will they flip the switch? We're going to find out.

there's no way the Vezina doesn't go to the Cap's Braden Holtby
- etchtech

I suppose you're right. There's only been two Western Conference goalies to win since Belfour last won it.

Nize blogg. Poor Hitchcock. Seems like a nice guy, he just came around at the wrong time.

HOCKS IN ONE! There gonna beat em so bad that Jackmans gonna weep.

GO HOCKSSSSS!

Nize blogg. Poor Hitchcock. Seems like a nice guy, he just came around at the wrong time.

HOCKS IN ONE! There gonna beat em so bad that Jackmans gonna weep.

GO HOCKSSSSS!
- hocktock

Especially since he now plays in Nashville!!

Blues in 6!
Then weregonna see what Stan Bowman is really made out of. The magic carpet ride will be done and it will be "what have ya done for me lately?"
On the positive side, the deadline deals. On the What the FFFF side, Broken record, Sharp deal, Bickell contract, and if he doesn't re sign Ladd then the Saad trade looks like a loss, throw the Leddydeal in there also,
I can't watch 52 and 43 much more either, if not for the top 3 covering up most nights, those 2arent even good enough to make any other NHL team, they are minor leaguers at best, but Bowman gives em both 1way deals. So we need a #4 D man and if Ladd bolts a #1left wing again next season for Toews , and yoyo gave away Dano. I hope Toews puts up a major stink also.
On the Blues end , Hitch will tell them Hit them hard every time you can, they have zip this year to answer back, the Blues have added, Brouwer, Fabbri, Amundson, Paryko, Teresenko is playing well they are deep on back and in secondary scoring.
They look good, looking forward to all the playoff series. Hawks are small, soft a year older and not as deep. Butler National by End of April!

Blues in 6!
Then weregonna see what Stan Bowman is really made out of. The magic carpet ride will be done and it will be "what have ya done for me lately?"
On the positive side, the deadline deals. On the What the FFFF side, Broken record, Sharp deal, Bickell contract, and if he doesn't re sign Ladd then the Saad trade looks like a loss, throw the Leddydeal in there also,
I can't watch 52 and 43 much more either, if not for the top 3 covering up most nights, those 2arent even good enough to make any other NHL team, they are minor leaguers at best, but Bowman gives em both 1way deals. So we need a #4 D man and if Ladd bolts a #1left wing again next season for Toews , and yoyo gave away Dano. I hope Toews puts up a major stink also.
On the Blues end , Hitch will tell them Hit them hard every time you can, they have zip this year to answer back, the Blues have added, Brouwer, Fabbri, Amundson, Paryko, Teresenko is playing well they are deep on back and in secondary scoring.
They look good, looking forward to all the playoff series. Hawks are small, soft a year older and not as deep. Butler National by End of April!
- wonthecup10

You can't call the Saad trade a loss simply because Stan flipped Dano for a rental. Stan won the Saad deal IMO. Now the Dano/Ladd deal, we'll see but yeah that's probably a loss.

Hawks lose in 5.
Too many not ready for prime time players - TT, TVR, Gus, Sved.
Too many important players coming back from injury (probably less than 100%)- Hossa, Anisimov, Shaw.
Toews playing at less than full throttle.
Trade deadline acquisitions less than great - Ladd, Weise, Fleischman, Erhoff.
Missing Keith for 1 game.
Crawford probably not sharp after long layoff.
Mashinter will be in the lineup.
Kane and Panarin just not enough.

You can't call the Saad trade a loss simply because Stan flipped Dano for a rental. Stan won the Saad deal IMO. Now the Dano/Ladd deal, we'll see but yeah that's probably a loss.
- tyweb69

Don't underestimate the Morin for Panik trade too, that's related to the Saad deal too. Panik could end up contributing the same amount as Dano could have with Chicago.

Plus there's the additional $1.45 million in cap space for the next 5 seasons.

You can't call the Saad trade a loss simply because Stan flipped Dano for a rental. Stan won the Saad deal IMO. Now the Dano/Ladd deal, we'll see but yeah that's probably a loss.
- tyweb69

Ok, Ask Johnathen Toews what he thinks after not having a 6"2 220 lb. 22year old left wing who probably will put up John LeClair numbers by the time his career will be over.
You don't think Toews wasn't biting his tongue many nights this year with the revolving door on left wing and a declining hurt some time Hossa on the right side.
9 out of 10 guys would take Saad over AA. The problem I have with the deal isn't AA , but it's the rest of the garbage Bowman got in the deal. Columbus has a lot of good up and coming players he could have asked for. Brett Gallant is 1, Jenner is another, he had a great year this year so I doubt he goes anywhere.
Stephan Johns is another huge burr under some fans skin especially after having to watch the other 2goofs he brought in. This last month was the true Hawks we saw, the rest of the league caught up. Hmmm gotta sign Shaw and Ladd also this summer.
If this summer turns out to be a flop Stan Bowman will be fired at some point next season. This last month pissed me off big time.

Don't underestimate the Morin for Panik trade too, that's related to the Saad deal too. Panik could end up contributing the same amount as Dano could have with Chicago.

Plus there's the additional $1.45 million in cap space for the next 5 seasons.
- DarthKane

Oh Geeeeez, Darth you usually have a lot of good tosay, but Frucken Panik is a journeyman who happened to catch alittle wind. Stevie Y and Babcock both sent him packing, and our illustrious GM brings a guy back twice in a trade he probably had the pick of the litter from with Saad going the other way

Whether they win or lose may depend on whether Q can stop being dysfunctional and puts the right people on the right lines, both front and back.

JMHO -

1 - reunite 2 with 7
2 - pair 4 with 57 on their good sides
3 - don't play 53 when we've got 14 and 25 who will actually hit and battle for puck
4 - hope that 16 plays better (I thought he'd be better than he has been - not bad, just not as good for what they 'paid' to get him)
5 - keep up the PK and PP
6 - quit chasing the puck around like a bee swarm - spread out and play your position. It seemed to me that they've lost the puck too many times because they were all clustered around the puck and no one available once the puck got loose. On a similar note, don't skate right up to your teammate that has the puck. That's one less player to pass to.
7 - don't all three of you go behind the net when the puck goes back there in the offensive zone (see #6). Who you gonna pass it to to shoot if you're all back there? Some great goals were scored because SOMEONE had the sense to park himself in front of the net.

Hawks can take the first round (probably will take 7 games). Not so sure they can go deep if they don't do #1 and #2.

Ok, Ask Johnathen Toews what he thinks after not having a 6"2 220 lb. 22year old left wing who probably will put up John LeClair numbers by the time his career will be over.
You don't think Toews wasn't biting his tongue many nights this year with the revolving door on left wing and a declining hurt some time Hossa on the right side.
9 out of 10 guys would take Saad over AA. The problem I have with the deal isn't AA , but it's the rest of the garbage Bowman got in the deal. Columbus has a lot of good up and coming players he could have asked for. Brett Gallant is 1, Jenner is another, he had a great year this year so I doubt he goes anywhere.
Stephan Johns is another huge burr under some fans skin especially after having to watch the other 2goofs he brought in. This last month was the true Hawks we saw, the rest of the league caught up. Hmmm gotta sign Shaw and Ladd also this summer.
If this summer turns out to be a flop Stan Bowman will be fired at some point next season. This last month pissed me off big time.
- wonthecup10

Preach on brother. Love your posts. Love your passion more!

Blues in 6!
Then weregonna see what Stan Bowman is really made out of. The magic carpet ride will be done and it will be "what have ya done for me lately?"
On the positive side, the deadline deals. On the What the FFFF side, Broken record, Sharp deal, Bickell contract, and if he doesn't re sign Ladd then the Saad trade looks like a loss, throw the Leddydeal in there also,
I can't watch 52 and 43 much more either, if not for the top 3 covering up most nights, those 2arent even good enough to make any other NHL team, they are minor leaguers at best, but Bowman gives em both 1way deals. So we need a #4 D man and if Ladd bolts a #1left wing again next season for Toews , and yoyo gave away Dano. I hope Toews puts up a major stink also.
On the Blues end , Hitch will tell them Hit them hard every time you can, they have zip this year to answer back, the Blues have added, Brouwer, Fabbri, Amundson, Paryko, Teresenko is playing well they are deep on back and in secondary scoring.
They look good, looking forward to all the playoff series. Hawks are small, soft a year older and not as deep. Butler National by End of April!
- wonthecup10

If you can't watch 52 and 43, how do you think Q feels about watching Ehroff?

This might be the year of big surprises - Preds could give the Ducks all they can handle, Sharks will stand up to the Kings more than people expect, Blues probably slight favorite over the Hawks based on home ice. Dallas might win the West or blow their brains out against the Wild.