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.
- LAHawk

I understand this, but if you have someone shadowing him sure he'll get his chances but at the same time it will make life harder for him

I remember a certain captain losing it in the 2013 playoffs because the Wings wouldn't give him any space. Almost worked but fortunately we had enough depth and puck luck to win that series

There were some lackluster performances by some of the lads. Not a whole lot new there.

The biggest thing was McDavid decided to be McDavid knocked the hawks on their heels within the first few minutes of the game.

The Oilers also started to get pucks deep and that was problematic. 8, 10 and 19 were 40 or under in terms of shot shares after absolutely dominating the first game.

Some of this is just the ups and downs of the game. It looked pretty much the opposite of the first game. That happens with two mediocre teams.

JC's deployment and how he has guys taking zone starts is kind of goofy. Kamf\Carpenter and Toews should be taking a higher share of the d zone ones imo.

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

Last night was opportunity for JC to show why he should be kept on as head coach and I'd have to say his decision to play quenville over kurshaev, hagelmor sikura shows he lacks the ability to truly evaluate his best talent .


Quenville numbers have been awful why he was inserted into the lineup is just many issues plaguing this teams ability to move forward.

Crawford has given up 10 goals in 2 games last night he gave up 3 goals that clearly are on him. My criticism of Crawford does not excuse the defense they too share plenty of blame.


Boqvist should not be paired with keith he lacks the size and maturity to be skating with a small 36 year old on the Down defenseman. Keith to got bur ned.


Nylander and strome are useless period. At this point I'd bench them both and give the kids Hagel and kurshaev a shot .

I'd start subban it's the only way to truly find out if he can take a opportunity and run with it.

Was Strome in the line-up last night? He has been pretty much invisible through two games and even scored a goal.
- Elbows15

I do recall seeing Strome on the wrong side of a goal....

There were some lackluster performances by some of the lads. Not a whole lot new there.

The biggest thing was McDavid decided to be McDavid knocked the hawks on their heels within the first few minutes of the game.

The Oilers also started to get pucks deep and that was problematic. 8, 10 and 19 were 40 or under in terms of shot shares after absolutely dominating the first game.

Some of this is just the ups and downs of the game. It looked pretty much the opposite of the first game. That happens with two mediocre teams.

JC's deployment and how he has guys taking zone starts is kind of goofy. Kamf\Carpenter and Toews should be taking a higher share of the d zone ones imo.
- fattybeef

Great observation! The teams success depends on the coaches ability to utilize his players skills and strengths to the teams advantage while exposing the other teams weakness and shielding your own.

Double shifting kane is the dumbest idea , especially during a playoff run. Pick your lines wisely and don't waste call ups on guys who play just a coup,e of shifts quenville prime example.

Nylander is lost out on the ice and strome I don't see much from him that instills confidence he can be a solid 2 way center.

Great observation! The teams success depends on the coaches ability to utilize his players skills and strengths to the teams advantage while exposing the other teams weakness and shielding your own.

Double shifting kane is the dumbest idea , especially during a playoff run. Pick your lines wisely and don't waste call ups on guys who play just a coup,e of shifts quenville prime example.

Nylander is lost out on the ice and strome I don't see much from him that instills confidence he can be a solid 2 way center.
- Taylorst1

You mean Q never double shifted Kane in a playoff game? It was done regularly, especially if behind. If Cagiulla was in the line up, Kane would still have been double shifted.

Series is going to show the team brass who you can and can't win with in the playoffs among the young guys.

It wouldn't bother me if Nylander, Strome, Quenneville and even Debrincat got moved to new employers.
- RickJ

Kubalik has to be the priority signing. If you can keep Strome for cheap then fine, if you can’t afford him, Dach is already a better center so not as big a loss as a 30 goal 2-way winger.

Was Strome in the line-up last night? He has been pretty much invisible through two games and even scored a goal.
- Elbows15

I've been a big supporter of Strome but yuck. He isn't built for playoff hockey. What does he do well? He is a good passer and has some good hockey sense but he is just too slow. He can't maintain possession using his big body, rarely wins 1 on 1 battles, can't carry the puck into the zone, provides minimal net front presence, and really isn't able to drive possession. His first step is just beyond slow.

When he has time and space he can make some nice plays. You don't generally get much time or space in the playoffs.

Kubalik has to be the priority signing. If you can keep Strome for cheap then fine, if you can’t afford him, Dach is already a better center so not as big a loss as a 30 goal 2-way winger.
- EnzoD

^^ This.

If anything, Strome's lukewarm at best performance so far is only helping them drive the price down to resign him for 1-2 seasons while Kubalik's value is increasing. Might get away with signing both for the same cap total we originally all were projecting.

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.
- EbonyRaptor

Definitely a terrible pass. on second look he didnt have much of a chance.

It is not like #92 was very visible in general last night. And -3 sort of tells the story. He will continue to be exposed when the Hawks do not have second change.

I would have to agree with you, Wiz. If Kane is going to be double shifted much of the game, it really didn't matter who replaced Caggiula so dress 7 defensemen instead.

This would allow Boqvist to gain the experience while giving reps to a more defensively sound youngster in Carlsson. Both will have their growing pains but get their lumps now to learn.
- AEL_Fox

Is it worth double shifting Kane to win one round and lose the chance at the #1 overall pick. Especially after he is getting so much time on the PP. I am all for winning, (or trying to win), but I would limit double shifting Kane in this situation. Also by double shifting him so early he is running on fumes in the 3rd period.

I would have played Sikura or Hagel and rolled 4 lines. Keep Toews and Kane fresh and hope you are in position to steal a game late. If you are in that position than you can start double shifting Kane (and maybe Toews/Dach).

The Blackhawks PP is still too predictable and easy to telegraph. Despite the talent, not enough creativity and quick movement to get the Oilers moving to create passing and shooting lanes.
- AEL_Fox

Agree on PP, but definitely looks better than most of the time this year. Colliton finally has the right personnel on the 1st unit.

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

I give Keith some slack, because he just does not know where Boqvist will be or what he will do in certain situations. With Seabs (earlier in their careers) or a veteran like Murphy, Keith would have a pretty good idea without even looking over where is partner would be and what he is going to do. This series does not mean much. I would keep throwing Boqvist out there with Keith, sink or swim. Then let's see what Mitchell and Regula look like as right side defenders next training camp.

I’m a huge Saad fan and based on his on-ice performance I think he should stick around for a while. But because of the flat salary cap I expect he’ll be gone, either traded or allowed to walk as a UFA.
- DarthKane

I like Saad too. It would be nice if he played with a little edge (maybe like Neal).

Agree on PP, but definitely looks better than most of the time this year. Colliton finally has the right personnel on the 1st unit.
- -Doh-

PP would be better if Keith didn't blindly take one timers that never got thru. a quick snap shot just to get it on net for a rebound would of been a much better choice several times. Let Dach, Toews and Kubalik fight for the rebounds/bounces.

Tippett adjusted and the Oilers looked like the better team last night. Flush this one and come back for game 3. Now we'll see if Colliton can respond.

Are we still excited about seeing a lot more of #92?
- jrsamu

Yes remember he only 21 and still learning the potential and talent is there and seems to me he competes hard just needs time. Now if no significant improvement is made by the end of next season then its a different discussion.

I do recall seeing Strome on the wrong side of a goal....
- grinder10

He is such a defensive liability that his offense would have to be elite to offset the liability. It doesn't. I am fine if they move him.

PP would be better if Keith didn't blindly take one timers that never got thru. a quick snap shot just to get it on net for a rebound would of been a much better choice several times. Let Dach, Toews and Kubalik fight for the rebounds/bounces.
- LAHawk

The PP would have been better if they didn't waste Kubalik standing in the middle of the ice. Or Kane didn't over-handle the puck at times. They all were getting their shots blocked.

Great observation! The teams success depends on the coaches ability to utilize his players skills and strengths to the teams advantage while exposing the other teams weakness and shielding your own.

Double shifting kane is the dumbest idea , especially during a playoff run. Pick your lines wisely and don't waste call ups on guys who play just a coup,e of shifts quenville prime example.

Nylander is lost out on the ice and strome I don't see much from him that instills confidence he can be a solid 2 way center.
- Taylorst1

Double shifting Kane is a good idea if you do it with purpose. Skating one less forward and having an extra situational defender on the bench is not the worst idea.

Strome is a smart, heady player with nice hands who generally makes good decisions with the puck. Not a "2 way" center but not incompetent either. He should be seeing more O Zone draws then D Zone ones but it is tough to see the logic behind the roster and deployment decisions with this coach.

Lets be honest - Strome is what he is - a 50ish point player who is OK at most things but not the lights out dominant physical beast that he was billed at as a 17 year old. Those guys play a part in winning cups though and he's had success when put in the right position. He's also improved since he's been here and upward trends are good things.

The Toews line got beat up last night as well so there are plenty of players who were outstanding in G1 but not so much in G2. Kubalik disappeared at evens and only had 1 shot 5v5.

Tough to female dog about a guy getting torched by McDavid or Leon. Those two are going to smoke most of the players they go up against. Tippet probably told McDavid to "take over" and he did just that.

Nylander is a bad player and that isn't anything new there. I will complain about that feller till the cows come home lol.

Yes remember he only 21 and still learning the potential and talent is there and seems to me he competes hard just needs time. Now if no significant improvement is made by the end of next season then its a different discussion.
- Scott1977

I don't think he competes hard at all and doesn't show signs of knowing where to be on the ice. Plenty of technical skill but I'd give those minutes to someone that works hard and at least makes good decisions. Skiura wont score but every freakin play wont die on his stick either.

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.
- RickJ

Debrinkat has a way to go NOT to be the guy that gets stats on a losing team.

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

Hawks "big" guys don't play big.

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.
- RickJ

Not sure Strome will get $3 in this environment?