If the Hawks are going to win this series, one of two things will have to happen - either the Oilers have to play as poorly as they did in Game#1 or Crawford has to play a lot better than he did in the first 2 games. I'm not suggesting the loss last night was because of CC's poor play, because the d-zone coverage was abysmal, but I am saying that the Hawks team defense requires the goalie to play better than Corey has played the first 2 games ... and that would include a lot less of his "stellar" puck handling.

The passing was poor - both the pass and reception. Even Kane's passing and receiving was very un-Kane like. As has been the case for years - the Hawks are hard pressed to win if their passing isn't crisp more so than most teams who play better team defense than the Hawks.

And speaking of passing - when Player-A passes the puck into the skates of Player-B and Player-B is unable to corral the puck before the opposing player comes away with the puck - should Player-B be held responsible for the turnover? That is what happened to Nylander in the neutral zone that led to the Oilers getting the puck and scoring. Eddie said Nylander turned it over but I don't think he got a second look at the play so maybe he wouldn't have pinned the turnover on Nylander if he saw a replay, but regardless - at least in my opinion, that turnover wasn't Nylander's fault.
- EbonyRaptor

I think what he said was Nylander was too casual or soft on the play. Sure it was a bad pass but he was taking his sweet time trying to get it all situated

James Neal is 6'2" 220lbs. Boqvist is maybe 6' 180lbs. He needs to add strength and I think he will.

As for McDavid.... 2nd goal was a fluke. If you actually watch the replay the puck goes on edge right when he shoots backhand. Allows him to roof it over Crows shoulder. Otherwise, I don't think he scores there. 3rd goal was a double deflection.

I don't understand the ragging on Nylander. Kane threw him a grenade at center ice. Nylander Strome Kane is a terrible line. Not sure Nylander should be skating with Kane.

Strome was horrible and did nothing. He did not do much in Game 1, except the early goal.

I'd flip Dach and Strome. Let Strome and Dcat get there mojo going together and Dach and Kane look dangerous together. Dach can go get pucks and maintain possession for Kane.

Problem is Nylander Strome Dcat line terrifies me.


Lets see what Colliton can do with last change.

I hate James Neal.
- bhawks2241

Terrifies all of us. Will be interesting to see what JC does, as the Hawks are "home" the next 2 games and gets last change. I am sure he wants to match Toews on McDavid and Dach on Driseitl, That is why he probably has Strome with Kane, becuase of the other 2 center match-ups.

The Keith-Boqvist pair was a microcosm of a bigger team issue: poor defensive coverage due to fixating on the puck but not looking around to ensure the open opponents are covered.

While Keith has the trophies and accolades in his career, he was just as guilty as the rookie Boqvist. I'm in the minority on this but Keith needs to step it up as the #1 D-man.
- AEL_Fox

It seems the PP was better in game 1 - with Dach low left, Toews half-wall right, Kane half-wall left. They seemed to have more movement. Now, how much of that was due to poor coverage by the #2 PK team which got corrected in game 2...they really block the shooting lanes well. Colliton needs to adjust to clear lanes.

Also seems that last night, the defense reverted to its early season woes - as you say, fixating on the puck instead of the coverage, lack of skaters in position to make clearing and transition passes....

James Neal is 6'2" 220lbs. Boqvist is maybe 6' 180lbs. He needs to add strength and I think he will.

As for McDavid.... 2nd goal was a fluke. If you actually watch the replay the puck goes on edge right when he shoots backhand. Allows him to roof it over Crows shoulder. Otherwise, I don't think he scores there. 3rd goal was a double deflection.

I don't understand the ragging on Nylander. Kane threw him a grenade at center ice. Nylander Strome Kane is a terrible line. Not sure Nylander should be skating with Kane.

Strome was horrible and did nothing. He did not do much in Game 1, except the early goal.

I'd flip Dach and Strome. Let Strome and Dcat get there mojo going together and Dach and Kane look dangerous together. Dach can go get pucks and maintain possession for Kane.

Problem is Nylander Strome Dcat line terrifies me.


Lets see what Colliton can do with last change.

I hate James Neal.
- bhawks2241

Then how about Nylander, Strome, Caggiula - with Dach and AdB joining Kane?

No matter how you configure those lines they will have defensive issues.

I think what he said was Nylander was too casual or soft on the play. Sure it was a bad pass but he was taking his sweet time trying to get it all situated
- just69sayin

It was a bad pass is the correct answer. Nylander had a split second to get the puck from his skates to his stick and he wasn't able to do it in time. Are you suggesting his effort was nonchalant? I didn't see it that was at all - if anything he was trying to rush it too much because he knew he was in a precarious position.

Then how about Nylander, Strome, Caggiula - with Dach and AdB joining Kane?

No matter how you configure those lines they will have defensive issues.
- StLBravesFan

This is where a healthy Andrew Shaw would be nice. I love the Dcat Dach Kane line. That line will be a monster next season (whenever that happens).

Leaves the bottom 6 pretty thin though. Too bad some of our young forwards are ready for the NHL yet.

Strome appears to be rather useless without Dcat. Anyone know his scoring breakdown with Dcat vs. away from Dcat?

Dach also looks more explosive than during the regular season. I think there are some real nice power moves in his bag of tricks. He just can't quite get to them at the NHL yet.

He is also looking to lay some hits too.

Welp... that wasn't good.

I said the Oliers would bring it and they sure did.

Interesting to see how the Hawks respond in game 3.

I originally thought the Quenneville decision wasn't going to be a factor but it played a bit of a factor on Monday night.

Colliton claimed he just couldn't roll 4 lines like he did in game 1. Quenneville played just 6 mins last night... so clearly Colliton wasn't comfortable with him.

I think Sikura or Hagel would have been a better decision and would have given Colliton more opportunity to roll his lines more fluently.

Caggiula is back on Wednesday so let's see how Colliton sets the lineup for game 3.

Patrick Kane has earned the benefit of the doubt, and then some. But, he's human and not immune from poor performances and I would say he has played below his standards in both games. The normal response is to blame his linemates before casting a critical eye on Kane's play. Kane is one of those athletes who is so gifted he can make his linemates look better than they would without him, but that is a double edged sword because when Kane isn't having his usual great game, the fashionable thing to do is blame his linemates. It's the chicken/egg thing - is Kane playing poorly because his linemates aren't good enough or do his linemates look bad because Kane is having an off night?

DeBrincat has been more than fine, he’s a keeper. Quenneville is an AHL tweener, like Sikura and a few others. I’d keep Strome too, but he gets a bridge deal, maybe 1-2 years.
- DarthKane

ADB has been OK, nothing special. But when snipers don't snipe $6M/yr is a big price to pay, especially when there is no real physical element to his game and Kubalik is lining up at the cashier window.

We can agree to disagree on Strome but I guess I could understand 2 years @ $3M per.

I originally thought the Quenneville decision wasn't going to be a factor but it played a bit of a factor on Monday night.

Colliton claimed he just couldn't roll 4 lines like he did in game 1. Quenneville played just 6 mins last night... so clearly Colliton wasn't comfortable with him.
- Tyler Cameron

That makes little sense. It was Game 2 in best of 5, when your team is leading 1–0. When else should he be comfortable with giving “unproven” player some space and a longer leash? It helps short-term (to be able to roll 4 lines) and potentially longer-term too, because if you intend to advance deeper in the playoffs, you will need your 13th forward for sure, whoever that is. The decision to pick Q and play him for only 6 minutes did not help anyone or anything. This just sounds like an excuse, Colliton was going to often double-shift Kaner anyway and it did not produce desired results, this time at least. Learn and move on the next game, I suppose.

If I'm reading this correctly that was the only line with a positive CF.

https://www.naturalstattr...eason=20192020&game=30062

Most of the players making the big money got buried.
- Rota's Rooter

Ha! Shows how much I know, I did think they looked good it just seems like if that’s your third line you don’t have the depth to go deep.

Welp... that wasn't good.

I said the Oliers would bring it and they sure did.

Interesting to see how the Hawks respond in game 3.

I originally thought the Quenneville decision wasn't going to be a factor but it played a bit of a factor on Monday night.

Colliton claimed he just couldn't roll 4 lines like he did in game 1. Quenneville played just 6 mins last night... so clearly Colliton wasn't comfortable with him.

I think Sikura or Hagel would have been a better decision and would have given Colliton more opportunity to roll his lines more fluently.

Caggiula is back on Wednesday so let's see how Colliton sets the lineup for game 3.
- Tyler Cameron

When you are chasing the game for 60 minute...hard to roll four line<<
Hawk shots got through in game 1 and the oil over pursued...not in G2<<
Hawks dominated possession in G1...MCD said not in G2<<
6 min 2nd period pp = nada = huge game negative<<
To many piling on Craw he has made numerous grade A saves: hawks down 1-0 in G1; he made two huge saves before the hawks put up 4; G2 MCD beat him with his great hands and another 2 were deflections<<
However inactive for 4 months, two week quaranteen with CV and misses all of camp...that has to have a negative impact.<<<
Oil have two guys and pp that can win a series...not a cup but series; hawks don't have that and they need craw to play lights out and control the puck; their best defense in this series has to be puck possession and management<<

When you are chasing the game for 60 minute...hard to roll four line<<
Hawk shots got through in game 1 and the oil over pursued...not in G2<<
Hawks dominated possession in G1...MCD said not in G2<<
6 min 2nd period pp = nada = huge game negative<<
To many piling on Craw he has made numerous grade A saves: hawks down 1-0 in G1; he made two huge saves before the hawks put up 4; G2 MCD beat him with his great hands and another 2 were deflections<<
However inactive for 4 months, two week quaranteen with CV and misses all of camp...that has to have a negative impact.<<<
Oil have two guys and pp that can win a series...not a cup but series; hawks don't have that and they need craw to play lights out and control the puck; their best defense in this series has to be puck possession and management<<
- bogiedoc

Excellent synopsis. The only thing you left out is the Oilers have size and can play the physical game if and as necessary; the Hawks don't and can't.

Excellent synopsis. The only thing you left out is the Oilers have size and can play the physical game if and as necessary; the Hawks don't and can't.
- RickJ

And the Oilers special teams (both PP and PK) are special and the Hawks are not.

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

Crow isn't in game form yet--as we could expect. He's lowering his upper body when facing shots and giving up more space up high. The puckhandling error goes with the deal. I don't blame him, he's battling as usual, but showing some rust. I'd still go with him in game 3. Can't argue with the Dach or Carlsson moves either.

I didn't even know Q played until after the game....

When you are chasing the game for 60 minute...hard to roll four line<<
- bogiedoc

Then don’t chase the game for 60 minutes. Seems to me that Colliton panicked a bit.

They were only down 2 after the first two minutes. Play your game with plenty of time to come back - you know Edmonton is going to give up some goals. Run 4 lines at least through the first, get one or two goals back.

No need to junk the game plan with 57 minutes left.

Goal #2 was on the coaching staff

Zero reason when they had last change after the ice to have both Strome and Maata vs McDavid
- PatShart

They don't have the last change until game three.

But JC doesn't seem to have any interest in line matching so not sure that makes a difference.

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

You was not

Then don’t chase the game for 60 minutes. Seems to me that Colliton panicked a bit.

They were only down 2 after the first two minutes. Play your game with plenty of time to come back - you know Edmonton is going to give up some goals. Run 4 lines at least through the first, get one or two goals back.

No need to junk the game plan with 57 minutes left.
- StLBravesFan

WELL..OF COURSE...fell behind 2-0, 3-1, 4-3...never had the lead..oil had the puck more...no chance to roll 4 lines

Excellent synopsis. The only thing you left out is the Oilers have size and can play the physical game if and as necessary; the Hawks don't and can't.
- RickJ

that is true and has been so for many years...even as big an capable as dach is...he will never play a hard physical game...

that is true and has been so for many years...even as big an capable as dach is...he will never play a hard physical game...
- bogiedoc

He is 19 and he has shown he will play the physical game. He was one of the few Hawks laying the body in Game 2. He also has shown the ability to control the puck down low.

He has also shut down Draisaitl through two games.

The Oilers top line was better than the Hawks top line. Plus 2 bad goals let in by Crow. That is the difference.

I just don't understand how you don't assign someone to McDavids hip pocket, just don't understand why this is so hard. Sure it may affect your offense but goddamit you have 1 guy you have to stop, just one

Let's not lose sight of the fact this is a learning experience for the young players on the team.

Even with how poorly they played, the Hawks were one decent PP from changing the tone of the game. Fought back to tie the game before Dach took a lazy penalty to allow the ping pong goal to give the Oilers the lead again.

Dressing Quenneville was a mistake.

Best of 3 now

Crow isn't in game form yet--as we could expect. He's lowering his upper body when facing shots and giving up more space up high. The puckhandling error goes with the deal. I don't blame him, he's battling as usual, but showing some rust. I'd still go with him in game 3. Can't argue with the Dach or Carlsson moves either.

I didn't even know Q played until after the game....
- grinder10

Was Strome in the line-up last night? He has been pretty much invisible through two games and even scored a goal.

I just don't understand how you don't assign someone to McDavids hip pocket, just don't understand why this is so hard. Sure it may affect your offense but goddamit you have 1 guy you have to stop, just one
- BetweenTheDots

You have no one on the Hawks (or for that matter the league) that can keep up with him. His speed WITH the puck is faster than most in the league without the puck. That is what makes him so special.