17th entry....

Thx for setting up.
- blackhawk24

Yes thanks for setting this up. Should be fun. I got the Hawks / Wings in the finals. What a dream series that would be eh?

I'll preference this by saying it WOULD NOT surprise me if the Hawks took this series. What we have learned is to never count out this bunch....but.....

I have the Blues in 6 for a few reasons.

1. Health....Hawks have Shaw, Ladd, Hossa, Crawford all sporting some type of injury. Guessing Shaw's and Crawford's are above the head, and the Hawks need Crawford to be lights out for them to advance.

2. The Blues very well could be on their swam song with this bunch. Armstrong didn't blow up it after last year but if the Blues get bounced for the 3rd straight year in round 1, have to assume LOTS of people will be getting moved in STL, possibly Armstrong AND Hitchcock. Lots of motivation there for the Blues.

3. The Blues seem to be VERY confident this year. Elliott is on his game, Hitchcock's system seems to be working well, and their star players are playing well. Hawks have to grind out wins vs this team.

4. After 72-15-88 who else can score and score consistently? Can 16-19-81 score? You know 19 will show up and we know 81 will play a ferocious 200 ft game but this line has to land on the score sheet. So far after the Ladd trade it's been few and far between. The bottom 6 have to provide key goals against favorable matchups.

5. This is basically a best of 6 for the Hawks. They have to win 4 out of 6 games because without Keith in game 1 it's pretty much a throw away game. If the Hawks can steal that, Blues are in DEEP trouble. But with the Hawks going to have rely heavily upon 4/7 to make it compeititve and then hope 57/43/32/55/52 don't kill you in the remaining 4 slots.....light a candle.

For 82 games this team has shown flashes but the trends long term so a team reliant upon non 5 on 5 play, and reliant upon 1 line to carry them. That usually doesn't bode well for success in the spring. I really hope I'm wrong, but I just haven't seen enough since the trades to believe this team will advance.

Also, take in as much of 65 as you can because this is his swam song in Hawks uniform. I hope paying a full time PK player and 4th line center a 20 goal scorers money was worth it.

They need . . .

Assuming Hossa comes back where he was before this last tweak, for he and Ladd and Toews to pick up where they left off, when that line was starting to really heat up.

Getting Shaw back in some form where he can at least wreak havoc down low gets the Kruger line back in o-zone possession juggernaut mode.

And they need some production out of 12-86-25, and that line being even or plus.

Because St. Louis is going to have to focus it's best defenders on Kane and Panarin, shift after shift. If Hitch tries something else and gets lite up, he could be done in st. Louis.
- John Jaeckel

the hawks have there must do list...but lets not annoint this blues team as having a great and relentless 4 line jugernaut....they have their problems also

reaves, upshaw and jaskin and brodsniak ain't all that special and should not scare anybody

backass is hurt, fabri just came back, steen has had injury problems this year, elliot has done nothing in his career in the playoffs, their blueline is ok but certainly beatable...

the hawks can't tarasenko time and space...he will kill them...minimize his damage and keep an eye and few bodies on him and you can limit the blues offensive production...

the blues luv to play the bruin style...whip it around the perimeter high to low and shoot from the blueline/top of the circles...they look for bounces and deflections; they are not a great possession team...

remember the in their 3 OT/SO losses the hawks were tied or had the lead in the 3rd and lost it late....this is the stuff the hawks need to eliminate

typos galore on my last post. Sorry. I phone is a pain to type on with this site.

I'll preference this by saying it WOULD NOT surprise me if the Hawks took this series. What we have learned is to never count out this bunch....but.....

I have the Blues in 6 for a few reasons.

1. Health....Hawks have Shaw, Ladd, Hossa, Crawford all sporting some type of injury. Guessing Shaw's and Crawford's are above the head, and the Hawks need Crawford to be lights out for them to advance.

2. The Blues very well could be on their swam song with this bunch. Armstrong didn't blow up it after last year but if the Blues get bounced for the 3rd straight year in round 1, have to assume LOTS of people will be getting moved in STL, possibly Armstrong AND Hitchcock. Lots of motivation there for the Blues.

3. The Blues seem to be VERY confident this year. Elliott is on his game, Hitchcock's system seems to be working well, and their star players are playing well. Hawks have to grind out wins vs this team.

4. After 72-15-88 who else can score and score consistently? Can 16-19-81 score? You know 19 will show up and we know 81 will play a ferocious 200 ft game but this line has to land on the score sheet. So far after the Ladd trade it's been few and far between. The bottom 6 have to provide key goals against favorable matchups.

5. This is basically a best of 6 for the Hawks. They have to win 4 out of 6 games because without Keith in game 1 it's pretty much a throw away game. If the Hawks can steal that, Blues are in DEEP trouble. But with the Hawks going to have rely heavily upon 4/7 to make it compeititve and then hope 57/43/32/55/52 don't kill you in the remaining 4 slots.....light a candle.

For 82 games this team has shown flashes but the trends long term so a team reliant upon non 5 on 5 play, and reliant upon 1 line to carry them. That usually doesn't bode well for success in the spring. I really hope I'm wrong, but I just haven't seen enough since the trades to believe this team will advance.

Also, take in as much of 65 as you can because this is his swam song in Hawks uniform. I hope paying a full time PK player and 4th line center a 20 goal scorers money was worth it.
- SteveRain

You talking a HAIR injury?

the hawks have there must do list...but lets not annoint this blues team as having a great and relentless 4 line jugernaut....they have their problems also

reaves, upshaw and jaskin and brodsniak ain't all that special and should not scare anybody

backass is hurt, fabri just came back, steen has had injury problems this year, elliot has done nothing in his career in the playoffs, their blueline is ok but certainly beatable...

the hawks can't tarasenko time and space...he will kill them...minimize his damage and keep an eye and few bodies on him and you can limit the blues offensive production...

the blues luv to play the bruin style...whip it around the perimeter high to low and shoot from the blueline/top of the circles...they look for bounces and deflections; they are not a great possession team...

remember the in their 3 OT/SO losses the hawks were tied or had the lead in the 3rd and lost it late....this is the stuff the hawks need to eliminate
- bogiedoc

And - going back 2 play-off seasons - Hawks had very late leads in each of the first two games at Scottrade - gave up the tying goal with a minute left, and then (game 2) 7 seconds left - lost in OT.

But - that was OK - Hawks won the next 4.

I'll preference this by saying it WOULD NOT surprise me if the Hawks took this series. What we have learned is to never count out this bunch....but.....

I have the Blues in 6 for a few reasons.

1. Health....Hawks have Shaw, Ladd, Hossa, Crawford all sporting some type of injury. Guessing Shaw's and Crawford's are above the head, and the Hawks need Crawford to be lights out for them to advance.

2. The Blues very well could be on their swam song with this bunch. Armstrong didn't blow up it after last year but if the Blues get bounced for the 3rd straight year in round 1, have to assume LOTS of people will be getting moved in STL, possibly Armstrong AND Hitchcock. Lots of motivation there for the Blues.

3. The Blues seem to be VERY confident this year. Elliott is on his game, Hitchcock's system seems to be working well, and their star players are playing well. Hawks have to grind out wins vs this team.

4. After 72-15-88 who else can score and score consistently? Can 16-19-81 score? You know 19 will show up and we know 81 will play a ferocious 200 ft game but this line has to land on the score sheet. So far after the Ladd trade it's been few and far between. The bottom 6 have to provide key goals against favorable matchups.

5. This is basically a best of 6 for the Hawks. They have to win 4 out of 6 games because without Keith in game 1 it's pretty much a throw away game. If the Hawks can steal that, Blues are in DEEP trouble. But with the Hawks going to have rely heavily upon 4/7 to make it compeititve and then hope 57/43/32/55/52 don't kill you in the remaining 4 slots.....light a candle.

For 82 games this team has shown flashes but the trends long term so a team reliant upon non 5 on 5 play, and reliant upon 1 line to carry them. That usually doesn't bode well for success in the spring. I really hope I'm wrong, but I just haven't seen enough since the trades to believe this team will advance.

Also, take in as much of 65 as you can because this is his swam song in Hawks uniform. I hope paying a full time PK player and 4th line center a 20 goal scorers money was worth it.
- SteveRain

Would rather have seen StanBo keep Danault for the 3C/4C role at 1/3 of Kruger's salary. Hard to argue with the impact Kruger has had on the PK since his return, but his offensive production simply doesn't justify $3.1mil on a cap-strapped roster. I am hopeful that 65 has at least one more year in Chicago, but I think the writing is on the wall. And god knows that Weise will never sign in Chicago this summer since being completely franked with by Queneville.

I'll preference this by saying it WOULD NOT surprise me if the Hawks took this series. What we have learned is to never count out this bunch....but.....

I have the Blues in 6 for a few reasons.

1. Health....Hawks have Shaw, Ladd, Hossa, Crawford all sporting some type of injury. Guessing Shaw's and Crawford's are above the head, and the Hawks need Crawford to be lights out for them to advance.

2. The Blues very well could be on their swam song with this bunch. Armstrong didn't blow up it after last year but if the Blues get bounced for the 3rd straight year in round 1, have to assume LOTS of people will be getting moved in STL, possibly Armstrong AND Hitchcock. Lots of motivation there for the Blues.

3. The Blues seem to be VERY confident this year. Elliott is on his game, Hitchcock's system seems to be working well, and their star players are playing well. Hawks have to grind out wins vs this team.

4. After 72-15-88 who else can score and score consistently? Can 16-19-81 score? You know 19 will show up and we know 81 will play a ferocious 200 ft game but this line has to land on the score sheet. So far after the Ladd trade it's been few and far between. The bottom 6 have to provide key goals against favorable matchups.

5. This is basically a best of 6 for the Hawks. They have to win 4 out of 6 games because without Keith in game 1 it's pretty much a throw away game. If the Hawks can steal that, Blues are in DEEP trouble. But with the Hawks going to have rely heavily upon 4/7 to make it compeititve and then hope 57/43/32/55/52 don't kill you in the remaining 4 slots.....light a candle.

For 82 games this team has shown flashes but the trends long term so a team reliant upon non 5 on 5 play, and reliant upon 1 line to carry them. That usually doesn't bode well for success in the spring. I really hope I'm wrong, but I just haven't seen enough since the trades to believe this team will advance.

Also, take in as much of 65 as you can because this is his swam song in Hawks uniform. I hope paying a full time PK player and 4th line center a 20 goal scorers money was worth it.
- SteveRain

would be the 4th year in a row...kings 4-2, hawks 4-2, wild 4-2 with home ice in all 3...in games 4, 5 and 6 they are 2-10....

and they are basically the same team this year with their share of problems; so all this blues luv is interesting

And - going back 2 play-off seasons - Hawks had very late leads in each of the first two games at Scottrade - gave up the tying goal with a minute left, and then (game 2) 7 seconds left - lost in OT.

But - that was OK - Hawks won the next 4.
- StLBravesFan

this is team over the years they have had trouble securing late leads...the blues scramble and typically 91 finds an opening and burys it

You talking a HAIR injury?
- Cmonalready

G damn I phone. awful.

Head injury for sure.....could be Shaw's hair but doubtful.

Would rather have seen StanBo keep Danault for the 3C/4C role at 1/3 of Kruger's salary. Hard to argue with the impact Kruger has had on the PK since his return, but his offensively production just doesn't justify $3.1mil on a cap-strapped roster. I am hopeful that 65 has at least one more year in Chicago, but I think the writing is on the wall. And god knows that Weise will never sign in Chicago this summer since being completely franked with by Queneville.
- EnzoD

I think it's that and I think they feel internally they can replace Shaw with a college FA or Hartman. Just hard to allow a guy that versatile and consistent to walk. Just dont' see how they sign with 72's bonus and the money to Kruger.

People losing their minds about a lineup in practice two days before the game. Oh boy.
- Hawks_49

The Bi-polar Express with it's steam engines roaring again. It's the time of year. A lot of fans live on a big pendulum swing this time of year.

[quote=hawksfan20]I have been on here for a few years but never posted. I wanted to see if anyone was interested in participating in a playoff pool. The basic rules are below, and if you message me your email address I can send you more details. Please don't send me any lineups until I know that you are interested.

i'd be interested...

would be the 4th year in a row...kings 4-2, hawks 4-2, wild 4-2 with home ice in all 3...in games 4, 5 and 6 they are 2-10....

and they are basically the same team this year with their share of problems; so all this blues luv is interesting
- bogiedoc

I don't think its the same Blues Team at all

Lots of new faces and they are actually getting healthy which they have not been for the last few years in the playoffs.

would be the 4th year in a row...kings 4-2, hawks 4-2, wild 4-2 with home ice in all 3...in games 4, 5 and 6 they are 2-10....

and they are basically the same team this year with their share of problems; so all this blues luv is interesting
- bogiedoc

I was hoping for Dallas. They play a more north-south game, have some questions on defense and in goal. Elliot/Allen have been VERY good for a long portion of the year.

Good point on same group for the Blues, but I just feel this is their mountain to overcome much like the Canucks acted like they won the cup in 2011 when they beat a shell of a Hawks team in OT in game 7. hawks have the mental edge, but I am very worried about the role players on this team.

Big spotlight for 57/86 to step up. Lets hope it happens, because as much as I travel to STL I will NEVER hear the end of it if the Blues were to advance.

Brouwer in St Louis rather than Oshie is a net plus for the Blues.

Still like the 'Hawks chances, though...

I don't think its the same Blues Team at all

Lots of new faces and they are actually getting healthy which they have not been for the last few years in the playoffs.
- sycsam

They a lot more confident and Elliott has been lights out. Still Blues have to overcome the Hawks when it matters and or else I have to assume Armstrong and/or ownership is going to make some sweeping changes.

They a lot more confident and Elliott has been lights out. Still Blues have to overcome the Hawks when it matters and or else I have to assume Armstrong and/or ownership is going to make some sweeping changes.
- SteveRain

Agreed if they don't get to probably the WCF at least Hitch isn't back and a lot of the UFA are not brought back

Armstrong might be safe but you never know

Are the hawks allowed to invite FA to a playoff game? I know hayes and I thought Reilly went to playoff games if memory serves? I was thinking we might start to hear about Strecher, Ciagulla or any other UDFA's would be nice to get the 2 UND FA and Schmaltz to a game and do a quick congratulations to the NC. I also found a article on EURO FA's. It would seem that guys that are under 27 would make the most sense since they can only sign ELC's.

http://thehockeywriters.c...-who-could-get-nhl-deals/

Tim Peel made the playoff cut. Discuss amongst yourselves

Both of these coaches just playing mind games with the other.
- Gerk

Agreed. Not ready to read much into it yet...well, aside from guys coming off injury

I'll preference this by saying it WOULD NOT surprise me if the Hawks took this series. What we have learned is to never count out this bunch....but.....

I have the Blues in 6 for a few reasons.

1. Health....Hawks have Shaw, Ladd, Hossa, Crawford all sporting some type of injury. Guessing Shaw's and Crawford's are above the head, and the Hawks need Crawford to be lights out for them to advance.

2. The Blues very well could be on their swam song with this bunch. Armstrong didn't blow up it after last year but if the Blues get bounced for the 3rd straight year in round 1, have to assume LOTS of people will be getting moved in STL, possibly Armstrong AND Hitchcock. Lots of motivation there for the Blues.

3. The Blues seem to be VERY confident this year. Elliott is on his game, Hitchcock's system seems to be working well, and their star players are playing well. Hawks have to grind out wins vs this team.

4. After 72-15-88 who else can score and score consistently? Can 16-19-81 score? You know 19 will show up and we know 81 will play a ferocious 200 ft game but this line has to land on the score sheet. So far after the Ladd trade it's been few and far between. The bottom 6 have to provide key goals against favorable matchups.

5. This is basically a best of 6 for the Hawks. They have to win 4 out of 6 games because without Keith in game 1 it's pretty much a throw away game. If the Hawks can steal that, Blues are in DEEP trouble. But with the Hawks going to have rely heavily upon 4/7 to make it compeititve and then hope 57/43/32/55/52 don't kill you in the remaining 4 slots.....light a candle.

For 82 games this team has shown flashes but the trends long term so a team reliant upon non 5 on 5 play, and reliant upon 1 line to carry them. That usually doesn't bode well for success in the spring. I really hope I'm wrong, but I just haven't seen enough since the trades to believe this team will advance.

Also, take in as much of 65 as you can because this is his swam song in Hawks uniform. I hope paying a full time PK player and 4th line center a 20 goal scorers money was worth it.
- SteveRain

This could be a series where 19 goes 8 or 9 points in 5 games and everyone gets hard about a second Conn Smythe. Really hoping that's the case. That first line gets going and I dont think STL can outscore the Hawks regardless of how patched the D is.

Agreed. Not ready to read much into it yet...well, aside from guys coming off injury
- grinder10

Who is practicing without restrictions is much more important than who got the day off today.

I don't think its the same Blues Team at all

Lots of new faces and they are actually getting healthy which they have not been for the last few years in the playoffs.
- sycsam

you know your team better than i do...however

1. same coach
2. backass, berglund, tarasenko, berglund, schwartz, petrangelo, boumiester, shatenkirk, elliot, ott have been there for the last 3 1 st round blow outs going a combined 2-10 during crunch time games 3-6...that is your core
3. Stasny and few others were their last year

so yes this is essentially the same team

Tim Peel made the playoff cut. Discuss amongst yourselves
- Jason Millen

well you gotta have refs...its amazing any of them did...

the typical cast of charachters: peel, macaully, ohallorahn, sutherland...