It's one game & this is a young team. Who had them winning the cup, honestly? Playoff experience is playoff experience. I look towards JC & company to make adjustments accordingly. I'm not abandoning ship. Edm got embarrassed game 1 & we got it back tonight. To break those 2 goal deficits was something though. I'm not worried win or lose. I cheer on my team as I'm here for the ride regardless.
- I Am The Breadman

Just as McDavid came to play tonight and drive the play for the Oilers I full expect Kane to do the same tomorrow.

That’s ok - got a split in Edmonton - now back to the UC with home ice advantage....

It's one game & this is a young team. Who had them winning the cup, honestly? Playoff experience is playoff experience. I look towards JC & company to make adjustments accordingly. I'm not abandoning ship. Edm got embarrassed game 1 & we got it back tonight. To break those 2 goal deficits was something though. I'm not worried win or lose. I cheer on my team as I'm here for the ride regardless.
- I Am The Breadman

This is an admirable statement.

👍👍👍

Was I imaging it, or was Boqvist ducking and avoiding and not attacking?
- wiz1901

That play with Kassian? Boq made the right play there, if that hit connected #27 wouldn’t be playing game 3.

That’s ok - got a split in Edmonton - now back to the UC with home ice advantage....
- StLBravesFan

It’s gonna be so odd watching the playoffs and our guys in red without that atmosphere/energy from the crowd.

JC should start Subban in game 3. Crawford with a goals against of 5 just won’t cut it.
- DarthKane

I'd start Subban, too, with a quick trigger if he lets in early, easy goals. Crawford may need some more rest/recovery after the COVID. He seems to slow down and get sloppier as the game goes on when I believe the opposite used to be true.

Call off the search - we've located our defense. They were in Edmonton the whole time.

Well ... the Laffy dream is still alive.

Was I imaging it, or was Boqvist ducking and avoiding and not attacking?
- wiz1901

James Neal absolutely man-handled him on his way to the front of the net with the puck that resulted in the last Oiler goal. Boqvist has played extremely timid hockey.

James Neal absolutely man-handled him on his way to the front of the net with the puck that resulted in the last Oiler goal. Boqvist has played extremely timid hockey.
- TommyHawk

I’ll take games like that from Boqvist, we can’t expect him to be a difference maker, yet. All things considered, I’m happy with his play.

However, Dach is the real deal. That kid has been impressive and is playing over his pay grade.

I’ll take games like that from Boqvist, we can’t expect him to be a difference maker, yet. All things considered, I’m happy with his play.

However, Dach is the real deal. That kid has been impressive and is playing over his pay grade.
- DarthKane

I've been saying it since summer '19.

Dach is next to wear the C on his sweater.

I’ll take games like that from Boqvist, we can’t expect him to be a difference maker, yet. All things considered, I’m happy with his play.

However, Dach is the real deal. That kid has been impressive and is playing over his pay grade.
- DarthKane

And let's just face the facts; Crawford was suspicious to play well the entire series. I could imagine confidance and adrenaline rush initially so he was alright in game one. But such a short camp and returning from possibly some effect of covid19. Well you gamble with Crawford in there if you do not trust your back ups.

On Boqvist: we pumped his tires and honestly the kid has been fast tracked too much. Starting on top pair in playoffs is too much too soon.. Timid? Issues he will face going forward.

All the more reason to wish upon drafting Drysdale or Askarov

I've been saying it since summer '19.

Dach is next to wear the C on his sweater.
- TommyHawk

Dach could end up being the best player from the ‘19 draft (next to Caufield). Sure, there’s lots of player yet to play but the early returns are solid.

Dach could end up being the best player from the ‘19 draft (next to Caufield). Sure, there’s lots of player yet to play but the early returns are solid.
- DarthKane

Gives Couterier vibes to me. Impressed with his game so far

And let's just face the facts; Crawford was suspicious to play well the entire series. I could imagine confidance and adrenaline rush initially so he was alright in game one. But such a short camp and returning from possibly some effect of covid19. Well you gamble with Crawford in there if you do not trust your back ups.

On Boqvist: we pumped his tires and honestly the kid has been fast tracked too much. Starting on top pair in playoffs is too much too soon.. Timid? Issues he will face going forward.

All the more reason to wish upon drafting Drysdale or Askarov
- jhawk59

Crawford has a rough outing, but he’s shown he can bounce back.

I’d stick with the Keith-Boqvist combo for game 3. I’d consider sitting Maatta for Carlsson.

I’d bump Dach up to the line with Kane too.

Crawford has a rough outing, but he’s shown he can bounce back.

I’d stick with the Keith-Boqvist combo for game 3. I’d consider sitting Maatta for Carlsson.

I’d bump Dach up to the line with Kane too.
- DarthKane

Dach is handling Drasaitl, that where he's needed.

Hawks might have to seriously consider sitting Boqvist as well in place of Carlsson. He just looks too green for playoff-type hockey right now.
- Budi1782

I would consider Carlsson in for Boqvist. Carlsson's defense and compete level are much more needed than Boqvist's offensive skills while still learning how to defend effectively on the fly.

This isn't to say Boqvist will never got there defensively. But in games where defense matters, put in your best defensive players in the backend.

Boqvist will get his chances in his career.

It's one game & this is a young team. Who had them winning the cup, honestly? Playoff experience is playoff experience. I look towards JC & company to make adjustments accordingly. I'm not abandoning ship. Edm got embarrassed game 1 & we got it back tonight. To break those 2 goal deficits was something though. I'm not worried win or lose. I cheer on my team as I'm here for the ride regardless.
- I Am The Breadman

I think this is a win/win series for the Hawks. Under normal circumstances the young guns wouldn’t have got any playoff experience this season. I think this series will go a long way in the development of guys like Dach, Boqvist, DeBrincat, Kubalik, Strome and Nylander.

On the flip side, should they win the series that would just be awesome.

It was the Oilers night

They played better, got some bounces, AND Crawford had a horrible game.

We can still win this series.

I’m just not sure if I want us to...
- SimpleJack

You wanted us to win at 0-0, how is 1-1 any different?

In the immortal words of Doug Buffone:

"Stop Yourself!"

I'd start Subban, too, with a quick trigger if he lets in early, easy goals. Crawford may need some more rest/recovery after the COVID. He seems to slow down and get sloppier as the game goes on when I believe the opposite used to be true.
- pdx2ord

Subban has to be rusty too. Unless Crow can't go, we live and die with him...

JC should start Subban in game 3. Crawford with a goals against of 5 just won’t cut it.
- DarthKane

Crawford was out of sync game one. That game goes another period it might not have been Hawks win?

I would consider Carlsson in for Boqvist. Carlsson's defense and compete level are much more needed than Boqvist's offensive skills while still learning how to defend effectively on the fly.

This isn't to say Boqvist will never got there defensively. But in games where defense matters, put in your best defensive players in the backend.

Boqvist will get his chances in his career.
- AEL_Fox

Boqvist is the guy over Carlsson. He needs the experience more than sitting.

Boqvist is the guy over Carlsson. He needs the experience more than sitting.
- rpeters01

Put Carlsson in for Maatta.

Dach is handling Drasaitl, that where he's needed.
- RickJ

I’d rather see Sikura or Hagel or anyone else with a pulse in the lineup instead of Nylander game 3. Maybe Alex was reading too many articles from the Athletic about his intersquad scrimmage performance? Man was the athletic hyping up Nylander all summer....and just a black hole out there in Edmonton.

You wanted us to win at 0-0, how is 1-1 any different?

In the immortal words of Doug Buffone:

"Stop Yourself!"
- rpeters01

Because at 0-0 I hadn’t seen us play yet since the whole lockdown. Had hope. Now that I’ve seen us play I’ve been reminded of how far we need to go. Kinda makes me want that top draft pick. But can’t go wrong either way. We’re in a fortunate position.

The Hawks have been playing with house money to be in the show to begin with, so really any positives are building blocks for next year.

Putting all chance of success on #50 is both unrealistic and unfair. He has to stand on his head because the defense just isn't that good beyond the 19-20-8 line and deHaan/Keith. Shaw in particular is really missed. Caggiula was missed last night as well. The lack of depth is telling.

One thing about the playoffs is you can really see the players who will rise to the occasion when it is most important, and who will disappear.

Through 2 games #92 has been mostly invisible, and when he does stand out it is not in a positive way. Nylander will be a 50 point scorer on a bad team. No evidence that his game is changing.

I cannot see the team subbing out Maatta - the guy has a ring and presumably they have him for times like this. I agree that he is overmatched against players like McDavid, but who isn't?

James Neal is just about guaranteed a goal a game against Chicago.