The 'X' factor will be how teams adjust to the layoff. Talent will obviously continue to be important, but if a team can get hot and got on a run anything is possible. Teams like Carolina and Winnipeg could surprise us.
- DarthKane

Carolina is gonna have like 10 NHL caliber defenseman ready by the time this thing starts....I wonder if maybe we can borrow one or 2...

That hit by Bolland on Mike Richards at the end of game 1 of the 2013 WCF......WOW!!!

That hit by Bolland on Mike Richards at the end of game 1 of the 2013 WCF......WOW!!!
- SimpleJack

Knocked him right out of the league pretty much.

Knocked him right out of the league pretty much.
- Elbows15

😂 Yup. Man I miss Bolland...

Carolina is gonna have like 10 NHL caliber defenseman ready by the time this thing starts....I wonder if maybe we can borrow one or 2...
- SimpleJack

Well it has always been said since the age of expamsion Iin the NHL.........that the playoffs is a grueling test of endurance. You need 10 dmen. So Carolina is set up pretty well ......sing it ...sweet caroiline

So the Hawks are at an advantage, since according to many here, no one can figure out what the heck Colliton is doing.
- Chunk

So if no one can figure out Colliton then neither does the enemy have a clue. So it is a wash. You think so, eh?

Me thinks you are too harsh a judge. Although Colliton system idea was destined to fail from the get go. Now with the roller coaster ride in terms of coach strategy and system this season, there is going to be a solid good approach for playoffs. The lack of contact though is a monkeys wrench in evaluating how teams engage upon playing again. But I would warn not to be too critical after viewing two exhibition tilts.

The coaches want to see whom is in better shape and want to experiment somewhat before the games count. The one question I have for us, is if they go with youth and to what extent. Maate and Special K move the puck as well as Carlsson and Beaudin? Experience matters how much?.Against Edm the late season clash showed we fared well when we transitioned the puck and we skated with them. Hmmm....

Don't be surprised if in the practice games one start goes to Crawford and the other game has Subban and Delia split chiores

Goaltenders need to be sharp. They are better when they have real games and not 100% merely practice time on a steamy afternoon.

Just thinking if a practice was on a Sunday afternoon and no practice game preparation, do you get "groovin' ón a Sunday afternoon" if you catch my drift.

Maybe a canadaien team can actually win a cup. Hosers. /s
- Drgonzo399

Let's hope not!!! (and I am a Canadian...)....ESPECIALLY NOT the Habs!

After 89 days I got my hair cut today in Charlotte, first day open, wore two masks and gloves! Chicago is a Hub city by definition, but LA has a lower Covid rate these days. They should be playing in Saskatchewan.
- rpeters01

Even better....Newfoundland!!! We have had just 252 cases TOTAL, and NONE in the last 19 days!!! An incredible job of restrictions, promoting social distancing and the population following the advise given. Now, no doubt aided by the fact we only have 500,000 people and spread over a large land mass....still....ideal for the tourney!

An Island, so can limit the travelling population and monitor easily.....

Now, if we just had the rinks to pull this off....

Hang on for a bit, I will make a few calls. Maybe we can build a few stadiums and get this going!!!


edit: just to show how this virus spreads through crowds....In our province of the 252 cases somewhere around 150 came from ONE gathering at a funeral where ONE person went, spread it to 5-6-7 or however many....then spiraled to about 150 or so before contact tracing and isolation stopped it cold. Since that time (about a month ago) just a couple of isolated cases mostly due to travellers coming in.....and in almost 3 weeks.....ZERO cases reported. Social distancing works. I see these beaches and parks overflowing with people, and I see why other areas still reporting hundreds of cases a day....give it a few weeks, and we may be shelving the whole hockey playing idea if another spike occurs.

Even better....Newfoundland!!! We have had just 252 cases TOTAL, and NONE in the last 19 days!!! An incredible job of restrictions, promoting social distancing and the population following the advise given. Now, no doubt aided by the fact we only have 500,000 people and spread over a large land mass....still....ideal for the tourney!

An Island, so can limit the travelling population and monitor easily.....

Now, if we just had the rinks to pull this off....

Hang on for a bit, I will make a few calls. Maybe we can build a few stadiums and get this going!!!
- hawk35

The low total of COVID cases had nothing to do with social distancing etc. You have a natural vaccine, commonly know as screech.

The low total of COVID cases had nothing to do with social distancing etc. You have a natural vaccine, commonly know as screech.
- paulr

Shhhh Paul, works like a charm. And when socially isolated...it is a NECESSITY. In Newfoundland we call it an "Essential Service"....

Shhhh Paul, works like a charm. And when socially isolated...it is a NECESSITY. In Newfoundland we call it an "Essential Service"....
- hawk35

The only Province we haven’t visited. It’s on our bucket list. Most places you can visit in a week but I’ve heard that Newfoundland Labrador will require two if not three weeks. One place everyone says week have to visit is Gros Morne National park. When we go we’ll eat cod tongues and then get screeched in.

*NEW* blog up: https://bit.ly/2XsFAmU

Blackhawks "make" the playoffs.


Enjoy and leave the politics off the message boards.

Don't be surprised if in the practice games one start goes to Crawford and the other game has Subban and Delia split chiores
- jhawk59

If they are looking to throw the series...

The only Province we haven’t visited. It’s on our bucket list. Most places you can visit in a week but I’ve heard that Newfoundland Labrador will require two if not three weeks. One place everyone says week have to visit is Gros Morne National park. When we go we’ll eat cod tongues and then get screeched in.
- paulr

Gros Morne probably the most scenic for trees, mountains and the weather in the summer typically better there than the East coast (where I live). But, like you said a LARGE province...you won't fit it all in just in one visit. From where I live to Gros morn....a full day drive. Maybe 10 hours or so, depending on your stops.

There are a lot of small community old time fishing towns you probably would love to see but many are an hour or two off the main highway....thus can't get it all in in just one 2-3 week visit.

To see it best in a two week period....I would suggest begin on one coast (if flying...St. John's on east coast has most flights, if driving ferry comes in near gros morne on west coast). Spent 3-4-5 days wherever you land and see the sites....then drive your way across slowly. maybe stopping in 2 or 3 smaller communities along the way if you want to see the rural part of life. Then end on the opposite coast to spend another 4-5 days.

The hardest part...is our weather is brutally unpredictable. You could come 2 weeks in july or august and get crappy wet, cool weather....(my brother came up from NC once...mid July...every day 6c, 7c, 8c...and rainy. He came another year around same time....22c....24c....sunny. Hit or miss.

But, either way....drinks are good. People welcoming. I think you will enjoy. Most do!

The 'X' factor will be how teams adjust to the layoff. Talent will obviously continue to be important, but if a team can get hot and got on a run anything is possible. Teams like Carolina and Winnipeg could surprise us.
- DarthKane

Carolina won't get by the Rangers. Just can't (frank)ing beat them to save their lives.

Carolina is gonna have like 10 NHL caliber defenseman ready by the time this thing starts....I wonder if maybe we can borrow one or 2...
- SimpleJack

Dougie Hamilton
Jaccob Slavin
Brett Pesce
Sami Vatanen
Brady Skjei
Jake Gardiner
Haydn Fleury
Trevor van Reimsdyk
Joel Edmundson

Dougie Hamilton
Jaccob Slavin
Brett Pesce
Sami Vatanen
Brady Skjei
Jake Gardiner
Haydn Fleury
Trevor van Reimsdyk
Joel Edmundson
- BINGO!

Outside of Jake Gardiner...a very solid group!

The low total of COVID cases had nothing to do with social distancing etc. You have a natural vaccine, commonly know as screech.
- paulr

Okay I give. What's screech?