John Jaeckel: Chicago-St. Louis Breakdown And Prediction

Great breakdown. Thanks!

JJ thanks for taking the time to review the numbers and provide an excellent and fair perspective on the series-- I appreciate your insight and objectivity--

I am going with 'Hawks in six for a few reasons.

1. Keith is going to come back strong, rested and wanting to make it up with his 'mates. I won't be surprised to see his series aTOI surpass 30mins (per 60mins regulation time).

2. Kruger is going to be a PK force. His advantage if the wrist is truly 100%, is his body hasn't had the rigor of 82 games like so many others. That in turn takes pressure off The Captain on the kill.

3. TVR becomes of age -- on his natural side -- anchoring some 3rd pairing minutes but also some solid minutes with DK and Hammer. His added TOI with monster DK minutes reduces exposure of the aging Rozy (still love the guy though) and the #6 slot.

4. I fully expect to see the "new" nuclear option, both PP and 5-on-5 at times, of 72/19/88. This will be most effective if the 4th line (fingers crossed for Shaw) can grind out quality minutes and force Hitch to alter his D-pairing strategy.

5. Q will also work his matchup genius seen so often by forcing Hitch to double shift key D-men by having Kane out there in consecutive shifts. With Kane being less predictable now of shoot vs pass, it will force Hitch to blanket him. In turn it opens up the ice for other lines.

Oh yeah my series prediction Hawks in 7 --only because Keith is out Gm 1-- The Blues have talent but I can't see them digging deep for Hitch-- especially if things don't go his way-- he loses the players-- actually it appears he doesn't have them now--

Here's to hoping you are 15-2 after this series... (raising glass)... Cheers!

I haven't watched the Blues consistently, but based on recent past history, it's very difficult to believe the Blues will win this series unless something unforseen takes place.

Hawks split in St Louis and take the series in 6. Count me as another non-believer in Brian Elliot.

Edit: I think the Hawks PP will be a huge factor in the series. Especially with Backes, Reaves and company running all over the place

Great breakdown JJ, thanks for the info that you have shared all year long. I just feel that the Hawks will win the series in 6 games.

Great read, John. I don't think it will make it to 7 games. I think St. Louis will get into their mindset that they must hit everyone who moves, and they will start taking themselves out of position when the pressure mounts, which will lead to at least one blowout victory for Chicago. After that, it's just a matter of time before they crumble again. I don't think St. Louis has the mental fortitude.

Balanced, fair, objective and to the point. Bravo JJ. Excellent blog.
Gotta go with Chicago in 7. Hawks are really going to have to stay off the PK and play with some maliciousness. Gotta watch Tank, Schwartz, Fabbri, And Steen up front. Looking forward to this series.

If you are going to look at the matchups this season, I think you should have looked at how the Blues had major pieces on the IR every single meeting the teams had this year; who will play in the playoffs. Not trying to argue with your thoughts, but a bit biased to point out how Kruger missing effects Hawks PK number but ignoring how Blue injuries effect their numbers as well.

I'm interested to see how tight the games are called. The regular season games were relatively loose (with non-calls on both sides). If Backes plays I really hope Toews can just ignore the extra jabs he throws. No need for fighting majors in the playoffs.

One more thing... Someone tell Seabrook to tell Toews to shoot again. If memory serves, the last time he did that 19 went on a tear. While we're at it, tell Panarin to stop passing up prime chances in the slot for a forced pass to 88 at a bad angle.

Hawks in 6. I predict the Blues to take first two games, but for the Hawks to take the series.

Edmundson and Petro have been playing on the top line and I would expect that to continue. Jaybo will prob play w shatty.

When Blues have last change I expect Backes, Brouwer and Berglund to be paired against Kane and Panarin

http://www.tbnewswatch.co...e_a_true_hockey_character

I haven't watched the Blues consistently, but based on recent past history, it's very difficult to believe the Blues will win this series unless something unforseen takes place.
- kingcong39

How nice of you to preface your prediction, explaining you have no idea wtf ur talking about.

Fair and thorough assessment JJ, appreciate it.

If I were betting I'd be putting money on the Hawks as well, so no qualms with your prediction. With that being said, this Blues team feels somewhat different. Maybe I've been hoodwinked but we've come back from a number of deficits this year and they've battled through horrendous injuries ever since late October.

Hawks likely take it but I'll be cheering for the Blues and I think they have a shot.

For the Hawks to win, gonna have to see something dramatically different than what we've been witnessing for most of the 2nd half of the season. I am "thinking" they have a toggle switch and things will go different, but at this point I can't be sure becaue the Hawks haven't just looked 'bored', they've looked mediocre. Big difference.

Great read jj...I'm a little biased towards TvR and James coming from their neck of the woods, so we're happy he's been playing well. Go Hawks!

Blues in 7.

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

Nice write up JJ.........As usual
Hawks in six
my worry, which I have stated before, is the extreme about the core has played over the years it has to catch up to them some point does it not?
I predict big series from Toews n Ladd

How nice of you to preface your prediction, explaining you have no idea wtf ur talking about.
- Gerk

So the Blues are going to win...?

kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

So the Blues are going to win...?

There was nothing wrong with your post. Ignore that poster. He is thread fungus.

It'll be the same song and dance. Big bad Blues golfing by May.