A few observations on the Preds/Hawks

1) What a breakout for Arvidsson! I thought Forsberg (Scoring lots of big goals, second in GWG) was the clearest threat from Nashville, but Arvidsson maybe as much or more so. After those too, there is mostly scoring by committee in goals dept, but they do have rather deep scoring.
2) While the Preds goaltending has generally been weaker than Chicago's head to head the Pred goalies ended the year with somewhat similar performance (albeit in different situations and with different teams in front)

Crawford 0.918 SV% and 2.55 GAA
Darling 0.924 SV% and 2.38 GAA

Rinne 0.918SV% and 2.42 GAA
Saros 0.923 SV% and 2.35 GAA

3) Hawks would do well to frustrate Subban. He can play well and take over a series but he can also take a lot of bad minor penalties. Since he entered the league, Subban is exactly 4th in minor penalties taken in the entire NHL. Hawks saw it when they played the Preds earlier in the year and Subban nearly gave the game away with two late penalties.

4) Hawks can beat the Preds if they don't leave many holes in their game. The tough thing is that the Preds are a versatile group that can win hockey games a lot of different ways. They have decent special teams, and have depth in scoring goals up front and on the blue line. The Hawks still have more of the Star Power, but there isn't an easy road to shutting down Nashville. The Hawks need to be rolling 4 lines and coming in waves in this one.

Preds/Hawks is even. Predicting this to be over in 5 is laughable. It's a 6 gamer minimum, maybe 7. Yes, I do think the Hawks take it, but just like previous tilts with this team, this won't be a cakewalk.

The only cakewalk I see is Caps/Leafs...sorry the Caps will destroy that team. The Capitals are the most talented, deepest team in the NHL BY FAR with virtually no weaknesses. If the Capitals don't win the Cup this year...they never will.

Preds/Hawks is even. Predicting this to be over in 5 is laughable. It's a 6 gamer minimum, maybe 7. Yes, I do think the Hawks take it, but just like previous tilts with this team, this won't be a cakewalk.

The only cakewalk I see is Caps/Leafs...sorry the Caps will destroy that team. The Capitals are the most talented, deepest team in the NHL BY FAR with virtually no weaknesses. If the Capitals don't win the Cup this year...they never will.
- kwolf68

Agreed. Damn shame how it changed the last game. Was looking forward to B's/Caps first round.

Preds/Hawks is even. Predicting this to be over in 5 is laughable. It's a 6 gamer minimum, maybe 7. Yes, I do think the Hawks take it, but just like previous tilts with this team, this won't be a cakewalk.

The only cakewalk I see is Caps/Leafs...sorry the Caps will destroy that team. The Capitals are the most talented, deepest team in the NHL BY FAR with virtually no weaknesses. If the Capitals don't win the Cup this year...they never will.
- kwolf68

Preds in 5.

I feel bad for Leafs fans. They finally have a decent team then they end up playing the Caps in the first round. Can you imagine the streets of Toronto if they could some how pull off the upset?

A few observations on the Preds/Hawks

1) What a breakout for Arvidsson! I thought Forsberg (Scoring lots of big goals, second in GWG) was the clearest threat from Nashville, but Arvidsson maybe as much or more so. After those too, there is mostly scoring by committee in goals dept, but they do have rather deep scoring.
2) While the Preds goaltending has generally been weaker than Chicago's head to head the Pred goalies ended the year with somewhat similar performance (albeit in different situations and with different teams in front)

Crawford 0.918 SV% and 2.55 GAA
Darling 0.924 SV% and 2.38 GAA

Rinne 0.918SV% and 2.42 GAA
Saros 0.923 SV% and 2.35 GAA

3) Hawks would do well to frustrate Subban. He can play well and take over a series but he can also take a lot of bad minor penalties. Since he entered the league, Subban is exactly 4th in minor penalties taken in the entire NHL. Hawks saw it when they played the Preds earlier in the year and Subban nearly gave the game away with two late penalties.

4) Hawks can beat the Preds if they don't leave many holes in their game. The tough thing is that the Preds are a versatile group that can win hockey games a lot of different ways. They have decent special teams, and have depth in scoring goals up front and on the blue line. The Hawks still have more of the Star Power, but there isn't an easy road to shutting down Nashville. The Hawks need to be rolling 4 lines and coming in waves in this one.
- breadbag

Interesting piece in the Athletic about the Hawks' rookies and the post-season. Here's a couple paragraphs about how the Hawks have used youth in their other Cup recent runs:

In 2010, they only had two rookies see the ice in the playoffs. One was goalie Antti Niemi, who backstopped a championship run, and the other was Bickell, who only played four games and wasn’t used past the second round.

In 2013, Brandon Saad and Brandon Bollig were the only rookies to play in the postseason. Both had a few struggles as the playoffs progressed. Bollig was benched after his turnover in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final led to a loss in overtime, while Saad was demoted to the third line later in the series.

In 2015, the Blackhawks got significant contributions from Teravainen and backup goalie Scott Darling, while Joakim Nordstrom played three games and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk returned from two lengthy injuries to play in the Cup Final.

I think Nashville will give the Hawks a serious challenge; however, Crawford is the difference-maker in the playoffs. Hawks in 6.

Preds/Hawks is even. Predicting this to be over in 5 is laughable. It's a 6 gamer minimum, maybe 7. Yes, I do think the Hawks take it, but just like previous tilts with this team, this won't be a cakewalk.

The only cakewalk I see is Caps/Leafs...sorry the Caps will destroy that team. The Capitals are the most talented, deepest team in the NHL BY FAR with virtually no weaknesses. If the Capitals don't win the Cup this year...they never will.
- kwolf68

Even? Don't think so.

Good for the Preds making the playoffs, and based on preseason predictions many people who write these blogs and on them had them as a favorite for one of the best teams in the West.

Still don't see it and what I see is the Preds over time have become a soft team.

Game plan of the Preds will be to do everything in their power to pressure the outlet passes, get turnovers and score, especially scoring the first goal of the game.

Coach Q and company will target these defenseman and initiate a heavy forecheck on them, that's why it won't surprise me if Hayden is playing in the first game, which will take its toll on them and lead to turnovers and good things for the Hawks

Don't get all this Pred love, not dismissing them but...

You can't tell me they wanted to play the Hawks in the first round either since they beat the Ducks last year in the first round

Preds in 5.

I feel bad for Leafs fans. They finally have a decent team then they end up playing the Caps in the first round. Can you imagine the streets of Toronto if they could some how pull off the upset?
- DarthKane

Preds in 5? WTF?

At any rate, yea I would LMAO if the Leafs beat the Caps then subsequently got rolled 4 straight in their next game.

I think Leafs have zero chance in that series. The Capitals are the best team in the NHL since the 2013 Blackhawks. They really have no excuse this year. Already had the 5th best PowerPlay and went out at the TDL to make it better. Have a tremendous 4 lines, centers who can win big draws, excellent tending and a bunch of stars. They finally got another puck moving D-man they didn't have last year. I predict the Capitals win the Cup and doesn't even have to play a game 7 in any series to do it.

Even? Don't think so.

Good for the Preds making the playoffs, and based on preseason predictions many people who write these blogs and on them had them as a favorite for one of the best teams in the West.

Still don't see it and what I see is the Preds over time have become a soft team.

Game plan of the Preds will be to do everything in their power to pressure the outlet passes, get turnovers and score, especially scoring the first goal of the game.

Coach Q and company will target these defenseman and initiate a heavy forecheck on them, that's why it won't surprise me if Hayden is playing in the first game, which will take its toll on them and lead to turnovers and good things for the Hawks

Don't get all this Pred love, not dismissing them but...

You can't tell me they wanted to play the Hawks in the first round either since they beat the Ducks last year in the first round
- BetweenTheDots

It's not "Preds love", it's that they have a good hockey team and the Blackhawks are not so much better. It's going to be a tight series. Bookmark these game 5 predictions. I will say this...IF the Hawks can beat them in 5, I think they play for the Cup (maybe not win it, but will get there).

Preds in 5.

I feel bad for Leafs fans. They finally have a decent team then they end up playing the Caps in the first round. Can you imagine the streets of Toronto if they could some how pull off the upset?
- DarthKane

The hypothetical victory would be anti-climatic since the Leafs would then fall in round 2.

It's not "Preds love", it's that they have a good hockey team and the Blackhawks are not so much better. It's going to be a tight series. Bookmark these game 5 predictions. I will say this...IF the Hawks can beat them in 5, I think they play for the Cup (maybe not win it, but will get there).
- kwolf68

I still think the West is wide open. My only prediction is expect the unexpected.

I still think the West is wide open. My only prediction is expect the unexpected.
- ArlingtonRob

Honestly it is a crap shoot to predict the playoffs. That is why a monkey spinning a wheel can do as well as sports analysts.

Honestly it is a crap shoot to predict the playoffs. That is why a monkey spinning a wheel can do as well as sports analysts.
- breadbag

How about a monkey stealing hubcaps?

First round schedule is out or partially out. I can't believe they're actually starting a game before 830pm central oh wait game 3 at Nashville 930pm start Eastern...thanks Gary.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...c-280159064?tid=287339198
- DK002

Atleast you guys got preferred billing. STL/ Minny series got sh!t on.

How about a monkey stealing hubcaps?


- Hank_Greenberg

Most sports playoffs are hard to predict. But hockey is even more so. The entire series can swing on a bad bounce .....or a puck going in off someone's knee.

Most sports playoffs are hard to predict. But hockey is even more so. The entire series can swing on a bad bounce .....or a puck going in off someone's knee.
- tompo1015

Or back/shoulder

Most sports playoffs are hard to predict. But hockey is even more so. The entire series can swing on a bad bounce .....or a puck going in off someone's knee.
- tompo1015

Bob Errey's short-handed goal in game 2 of the 92 finals vs Pitt completely changed the complexion of that entire series... and we got swept.

Atleast you guys got preferred billing. STL/ Minny series got sh!t on.
- Gerk

I don't see that schedule as that bad when you look at it in central time:


Minnesota Wild (C2) vs. St. Louis Blues (C3)

Wednesday, April 12, 8:30pm: Blues @ Wild | NBCSN, SN 360, TVA Sports

Friday, April 14, 7pm: Blues @ Wild | NBCSN, SN 360, TVA Sports

Sunday, April 16, 2pm: Wild @ Blues | NBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

Wednesday, April 19, 8:30pm: Wild @ Blues | NBCSN, SN 360, TVA Sports

*Saturday, April 22, TBD: Blues @ Wild | TBD

*Monday, April 24, TBD: Wild @ Blues | TBD

*Wednesday, April 26, TBD: Blues @ Wild | TBD

Atleast you guys got preferred billing. STL/ Minny series got sh!t on.
- Gerk

Are you kiding me two 8:30 starts for two teams that are in the Central time zone.
Gotta love the NHL

Even? Don't think so.

Good for the Preds making the playoffs, and based on preseason predictions many people who write these blogs and on them had them as a favorite for one of the best teams in the West.

Still don't see it and what I see is the Preds over time have become a soft team.

Game plan of the Preds will be to do everything in their power to pressure the outlet passes, get turnovers and score, especially scoring the first goal of the game.

Coach Q and company will target these defenseman and initiate a heavy forecheck on them, that's why it won't surprise me if Hayden is playing in the first game, which will take its toll on them and lead to turnovers and good things for the Hawks

Don't get all this Pred love, not dismissing them but...

You can't tell me they wanted to play the Hawks in the first round either since they beat the Ducks last year in the first round
- BetweenTheDots

The Preds Achilles heel is their inconsistency and inability to play a full 60 minutes. That has not been a Q coached team's problem. If I get to see 3 games this playoffs, I'll be happy. Forward depth and generally weak special teams sinks this team in the playoffs. Most likely result is hawks in 5.25. Maybe we get to Crawford early in a game and push it to 6....but we're used to seeing a losing effort in game 6's. So it'll be the same this year.

Preds/Hawks is even. Predicting this to be over in 5 is laughable. It's a 6 gamer minimum, maybe 7. Yes, I do think the Hawks take it, but just like previous tilts with this team, this won't be a cakewalk.

The only cakewalk I see is Caps/Leafs...sorry the Caps will destroy that team. The Capitals are the most talented, deepest team in the NHL BY FAR with virtually no weaknesses. If the Capitals don't win the Cup this year...they never will.
- kwolf68

Nah, The Hawks have much better goaltending, a much deeper forward group (even with all the complaints), and a deeper blue line (even with the complaints).

Unless Nashville's PP gets hot and Rinne somehow plays above his physical limitations and Subban runs rampant then the Hawks are going to smoke them.

As long as AA and Koog are healthy or mostly healthy, the Hawks will roll right over this team. Namely because Fisher cant chase Kane and Toews at the same time so one of them will have a big series and Kooga will drive Ry-Jo nutzo.

I still think the West is wide open. My only prediction is expect the unexpected.
- ArlingtonRob

I agree. The East should be mostly chalk, but the West is a crap shoot...just not anyone in the West that is really that great. The Hawks are the top team in the West, but have trash level special teams.

I will say this I am very much rooting AGAINST Washington. That's the one team that I don't think the Hawks have anything for. Get them out, hope the Hawks plow the road from there.

I don't see that schedule as that bad when you look at it in central time:


Minnesota Wild (C2) vs. St. Louis Blues (C3)

Wednesday, April 12, 8:30pm: Blues @ Wild | NBCSN, SN 360, TVA Sports

Friday, April 14, 7pm: Blues @ Wild | NBCSN, SN 360, TVA Sports

Sunday, April 16, 2pm: Wild @ Blues | NBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

Wednesday, April 19, 8:30pm: Wild @ Blues | NBCSN, SN 360, TVA Sports

*Saturday, April 22, TBD: Blues @ Wild | TBD

*Monday, April 24, TBD: Wild @ Blues | TBD

*Wednesday, April 26, TBD: Blues @ Wild | TBD
- walleyeb1

Don't forget April 16th is also Easter Sunday. Blues 1st home game

Nah, The Hawks have much better goaltending, a much deeper forward group (even with all the complaints), and a deeper blue line (even with the complaints).

Unless Nashville's PP gets hot and Rinne somehow plays above his physical limitations and Subban runs rampant then the Hawks are going to smoke them.

As long as AA and Koog are healthy or mostly healthy, the Hawks will roll right over this team. Namely because Fisher cant chase Kane and Toews at the same time so one of them will have a big series and Kooga will drive Ry-Jo nutzo.
- fattybeef

The 2010 Hawks didn't even smoke a MUCH inferior Predators team. This wont be easy. The Preds forwards are certainly not as deep, but they have 2 legit lines and do have a nice blueline. Goalies are a wildcard. You mostly don't know what you are getting.

It's laughable to think this Hawks team will roll over them. What is the last team the Hawks "rolled over"? Not counting Minnesota (snicker) you'd have to go way back in time. These are two very good teams playing in the NHL playoff hockey. This isn't other sports, the playoffs are a big bag of who knows....Preds are a good team, two great lines, and can go 5 solid on their blueline...Rinne usually doesn't scare the Hawks, but freaking Brian Elliott was not scary last year either was he?

Most sports playoffs are hard to predict. But hockey is even more so. The entire series can swing on a bad bounce .....or a puck going in off someone's knee.
- tompo1015

Or, I don't know, an offside challenge...