I’ve been watching and playing my whole life, so 27 years. I get that incidental contact happens and it’s hard to avoid sometimes, at the same time Ennis’ head was the principal point of contact. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got a concussion from that hit. I think he could have avoided it, slow up or make a point to get his body. Lots of guys are tight checking and never contact a players head like that.

I just think this type of contact has to go and shouldn’t be accepted for the sport to persist and flourish.
- LaheysBRandy

That was for sure a shot to the head to a player in a vulnerable position.

Great to see a win.
My takeaway: the 'Hawks legs were better. FAR better.
They won so many loose puck races I was shocked.
To my eye, Toews and Dcat stood out in having speed on the Oilers getting to loose pucks.
- 35Tony0

The Blackhawks forwards were buzzing in Game 1. Constantly moving in all zones. No coasting or mailing it in. Sharp contrast to their last playoff series in 2017.

Dach proved in Game 1 that he grew immensely during the shutdown. Before, he was stymied during offensive drives.

Now he drives up the middle with multiple defenders on him yet maintains possession even if they momentarily impede him.

He then still makes plays once he gets to his destination whether shooting or dishing to the trailer.

The complaint department has to keep some narrative alive. The JC is going to be so out coached needs to be fired is dead for one game.

Just like the 3 of the 6 defenseman sucked narrative, naming a rookie playing top 4 minutes, and the 5th and 6th defenseman. 2 he didn’t name Murphy and Keith were on together for 3 out of the 4 goals, all short handed. 5 x 5 the defense was outstanding. BTW when Makar (who is a couple of years older than Bovquist), played in the playoffs last year, he wasn’t playing top 4 minutes against arguably the 2 best players in the league. He played PP and selective 5 x 5 minutes.
- LAHawk

Keith was stellar on the PP with holding the line, moving the puck, and generating shots. Effective 5v5, too.

Horrid on the PK, though, being unaware of the open man on his side, fixating too much on the puck, and playing too deep in the crease.

Boqvist seemed to be the most nervous forcing plays and making sub-optimal decisions but settled down as the game wore on.

He started cranking up his offensive mojo in the latter half. With experience and confidence, his dynamism will pay dividends.

With Caggiula headed to the principal's office for the Ennis hit, this could be Sikura's chance to step in and step up.

IMO, the 3rd line could get going more with Sikura's vision, playmaking, and puck support to help Dach and DeBrincat.
- AEL_Fox

I would rather see Hagel. I think he fits in perfectly with Dach and ADB.

I would rather see Hagel. I think he fits in perfectly with Dach and ADB.
- LAHawk

If Caggiula misses a game or 2 then the league just needs to bite the bullet and say if the head is the principal point of contact, intentional or not, it's a 1 game suspension and so on

(Anybody out there a gambler who can tell me what odds I get to bet $100 that there are 4 sweeps?

The Sweeps I am predicting will happen in these series:

Pittsburgh-Montreal
Winnipeg-Calgary
Vancouver-Minnesota
Edmonton-Chicago
- wiz1901
Wiz, until further notice, you are barred from entering any and all casinos, racetracks, and other gambling salons. And do not utilize any online gaming technology.

However, you are allowed to bet Minnesota in Game 1 against the Canucks.

Pitt missed on the 5 on 3 and Q prediction came true again . Price was out standing .
- oldduffman

Pitt is tanking.

Chicago and Montreal final (The two 12th seeds)would have the rest of the league melting down, therefore I will wish for that.
- Ogilthorpe2

More like have the rest of the league laughing.

Crawford is the most underrated goalie in the league IMO. Good to see him out there yesterday. I really didn’t think he’d be available the way things looked when camp started, and I don’t think we’d have a chance without him.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yeah, but I am curious if he plays Monday and Wednesday...and if this extends, there are back to backs down the stretch where Subban will have to play.

Just remeber when hockey was hockey. Everyone got hit, clean or not. Especially if you laid a hit you get one back. If you hit a superstar you get hit. Either the same or at least still get hit.


I miss this kind of hockey, Fair is fair. And no, I'm not vadymeer crazy but a clean hit for a clean hit is still needed.
- Drgonzo399

Hockey needs to leave the Neanderthal ways in the past but that was not a Neanderthal play.

I would rather see Hagel. I think he fits in perfectly with Dach and ADB.
- LAHawk

Depends on what you want out of a new linemate for Dach and DeBrincat.

If Caggiula is still eligible to play, he brings a physical style to create space. Agitates and drives the net. Decent hands.

Sikura provides vision, playmaking, puck support, and 200 foot game. Not shy to battle along the boards.

Hagel is higher ceiling Highmore as a puck hound, fearless drives to the net, and speed in all zones.

Kurashev provides skill and support up and down. Mix between Sikura and Hagel, just stronger than both of them.

(Anybody out there a gambler who can tell me what odds I get to bet $100 that there are 4 sweeps?

The Sweeps I am predicting will happen in these series:

Pittsburgh-Montreal
Winnipeg-Calgary
Vancouver-Minnesota
Edmonton-Chicago
- wiz1901
Wiz, until further notice, you are barred from entering any and all casinos, racetracks, and other gambling salons. And do not utilize any online gaming technology.

However, you are allowed to bet Minnesota in Game 1 against the Canucks.
- scottak

I still dont know odds I could've gotten.
Hey did I say the teams on the left were gonna be the ones that won?
lol

Keith was stellar on the PP with holding the line, moving the puck, and generating shots. Effective 5v5, too.

Horrid on the PK, though, being unaware of the open man on his side, fixating too much on the puck, and playing too deep in the crease.
- AEL_Fox

Keith had more "jump" than any player on the ice. 36 and bad knees didn't see it!

Crawford is the most underrated goalie in the league IMO. Good to see him out there yesterday. I really didn’t think he’d be available the way things looked when camp started, and I don’t think we’d have a chance without him.
- Ogilthorpe2

I thought he looked rusty, tired and somewhat out of sync he's going to get better if no Covid19 lasting effects. He couldn't grab any lose pucks.

I would rather see Hagel. I think he fits in perfectly with Dach and ADB.
- LAHawk

Also Sikura has proven that he cannot finish at this level. He's just another guy.

Nylander absolutely did not have a good game and Verbeauty was a much better player out of the gate. Even though he did some stupid stuff at the blue line trying to carry the puck. Versteeg could defend well, had good speed going up the ice and had a sense of where to be.

Nylander has zero of those things. Super high level of skill but horrid on ice awareness. Absolutely zero threat.

I get that JC wants to have 3 potential scoring lines so you have Kane and Strome + Dach and El Gato + Toews and the very fast straight line guys but to get Kane going and to get the most out of the lil guy, Debrincat should be on his off side ripping bombs from that left circle.

Sikura should be playing over Nylander for sure.
- fattybeef

If Nylander was Wayne Gretzky you would say dump him he doesn't see the game no hockey sense.

Also Sikura has proven that he cannot finish at this level. He's just another guy.
- GPHawksfan

Just another guy in the AHL to be clear.

Fwiw usa network carrying Preds vs Yotes

Some good checking going on already haven't played 2 minutes yet

is Rinne hurt?

is Rinne hurt?
- BetweenTheDots

Nope sitting on the bench

I thought he looked rusty, tired and somewhat out of sync he's going to get better if no Covid19 lasting effects. He couldn't grab any lose pucks.
- rpeters01

He also seemed to stay down way too long. That second goal was brutal. The only thing I can think of is that he lost sight of the puck, and thought it was under him.

He also seemed to stay down way too long. That second goal was brutal. The only thing I can think of is that he lost sight of the puck, and thought it was under him.
- tvetter

It didn't help when Keith kicked one free sitting under CCs left leg for the Oils 3rd PP goal

Agree on 5 on 5 & cut penalties in half. The problem does start there. Whether starting off with a tmm call or a weak holding call, they need to find a way to kill it. Each kill had one clear, it seemed like, because of a faceoff win, which we also were good at. I think we killed 1 penalty successfully & couldn't stop the first 6 on 5 eng. I always believed we could take the Oilers in this series, albeit a tough series, but pk's win championships. It's a department they aren't too great at or Edm pp is just that good, I'm not sure. I love Keith, but hold him accountable for one because of no attempt to clear & Crow was standing on his head.
- I Am The Breadman

I think they said on the broadcast yesterday that Edmonton had the #1 PP in the NHL this year. Hopefully, if they get past EDM, their PK will get better.