Shot? Start a guy that is nothing more than a backup goalie in Subban, no thanks. Crawford gives the Hawks the best chance to win regardless of what happened last night.
- ChicagoHope

I'm sorry but crawfords numbers all season have been underwhelming. Lehner outplayed crawford hands down.

Through 2 games crawford has not played remotely close to the level needed to compete allowing 10 goals , and of those half where softies. When. Chicago tied the game at 3 and crawford gave up that soft 4th goal JC should have pulled Crawford it was obvious to anyone that crawford was shaky from the start.

And if I recall it was a backup back in 2015 named darling who took over for Crawford and helped Chicago turn the series around against Nashville.


I'm all in favor of subban starting , crawfords 10 goals allowed in 2 games is awful. 2 rings or not he isn't getting it done

Crow gives us the best chance to win but I would not be surprised at switch if he lets in a softy or we need to change momentum.
- ksilvy58

I think everyone wants to believe Crawford gives us the best chance , but 10 goals allowed in 2 games is awful. I think it's time for subban to play and see if he can take the reigns and run with it.

Remember Scott darling back in 2015 took over for crawford and turned the series around.

Not a chance. That corner is open all night and the best snipers can hit it and do. Kane has scored goals just like that. Great shot, not a fluke.
- 6628

Plus settling the puck down - in motion - while getting to the net and getting around Maatta.

I think the best thing about all of this is that no one is overreacting to one bad game by a team that had no business being in the tournament in the first place, and is just as inconsistent as they were when the season stopped.

I'm sorry but crawfords numbers all season have been underwhelming. Lehner outplayed crawford hands down.

Through 2 games crawford has not played remotely close to the level needed to compete allowing 10 goals , and of those half where softies. When. Chicago tied the game at 3 and crawford gave up that soft 4th goal JC should have pulled Crawford it was obvious to anyone that crawford was shaky from the start.

And if I recall it was a backup back in 2015 named darling who took over for Crawford and helped Chicago turn the series around against Nashville.


I'm all in favor of subban starting , crawfords 10 goals allowed in 2 games is awful. 2 rings or not he isn't getting it done
- Taylorst1

Huh? Crawfords numbers were not underwhelming at all. Khudobin and Rask were on a different level but Crawford was right there with the pack of goalies after that. His 0.917 SV% was right around his career mark (Which is 0.918) and just barely below Lehner and other goalies who had great seasons. I'm not saying this year was his best season, but his play wasn't a problem. The team in front of him has been a defensive mess and it's been documented just how bad they are at giving up grade A scoring chances.

He has made some great stops in the series and he let in a couple that were weaker, but also remember he didn't get much practice in a long while. The first goal in game 2 was a perfect example. Boqvist screwed up, Keith had to cover and the result was McDavid all alone in front of Crawford. Sloppy play is the problem.
The Hawks don't have another goalie that has proven to play at the level Crawford does.

I think the best thing about all of this is that no one is overreacting to one bad game by a team that had no business being in the tournament in the first place, and is just as inconsistent as they were when the season stopped.


- Chunk

Yeah. It's hard to be too upset when the team has pretty much no chance of going deep in the playoffs. We don't have enough solid Dmen to really get anywhere. Plus we lack the grit to really get physical. We should all just enjoy the bonus Hawks games for as long as they last.

Watching the CAR/NYR game... the Canes are a very good team. Svechnikov really stands out, Stan should have drafted him instead of Boqvist. Another Bowman fail.

Huh? Crawfords numbers were not underwhelming at all. Khudobin and Rask were on a different level but Crawford was right there with the pack of goalies after that. His 0.917 SV% was right around his career mark (Which is 0.918) and just barely below Lehner and other goalies who had great seasons. I'm not saying this year was his best season, but his play wasn't a problem. The team in front of him has been a defensive mess and it's been documented just how bad they are at giving up grade A scoring chances.

He has made some great stops in the series and he let in a couple that were weaker, but also remember he didn't get much practice in a long while. The first goal in game 2 was a perfect example. Boqvist screwed up, Keith had to cover and the result was McDavid all alone in front of Crawford. Sloppy play is the problem.
The Hawks don't have another goalie that has proven to play at the level Crawford does.
- breadbag

Any honest fan would agree lehner was the better goalie this season hands down and he and crawford had the same defenseman.

Referring back to 2015 was a reminder that Crawford in the first round against Nashville was yanked and replaced with a unproven backup in darling who rose to the challenge and played lights out and helped Chicago turn that series around.


Everyone can say Chicago has no business being in the playoffs and shrug off yesterday's game.
Through 2 games Crawford has given upm10 goals Crawford needs to raise his game . Those numbers are horrible.

With that said subban should get the start

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).
- -Doh-

IMO, double shifting Kane should be a strategy used in key moments, not for a majority of the game.

Colliton could have rolled 4 lines, he just chose not to. Yes, game play sometimes dictated which lines he rolled out, but it wasn't like a majority of the game was PP time for either squad.

Wasn't Colliton the same coach who also professes that it doesn't matter who plays with who and what line you play on as long as you execute the X's and O's?

He was right in the post-game where he said the skaters on the ice need to play as a cohesive unit on both ends of the rink.

If they do that, then they have a shot to make this a competitive series.

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-

The PP units have the personnel. The strategy needs to be more creative and execution needs to be more swift.

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.
- -Doh-

Good point about Keith. On the balance, he does what he can to defend and flip the ice like we know he can but that can be tough when he has to cover for his partner.

There were a few plays, though, where Keith had no one else to blame. There's only so much a player can point the finger at a teammate when he should be pointing at himself.

I definitely think Kirby Dach could make Strome available as a trade chip. Especially if the Hawks feel they have someone else ready to play C at the NHL level coming up in the system. We've already seen Dach displace Strome on the first PP unit.
- breadbag

Kurashev is the closest to being a 3C candidate who plays solidly in all zones, contribute offensively, and has defensive awareness. He's also quite strong and is willing to play in the tough areas.

Entwistle is a fast riser, too, but like him better as a standout 4C.

He has made some great stops in the series and he let in a couple that were weaker, but also remember he didn't get much practice in a long while. The first goal in game 2 was a perfect example. Boqvist screwed up, Keith had to cover and the result was McDavid all alone in front of Crawford. Sloppy play is the problem.
- breadbag

Sloppy play is definitely a huge part of the problem. Clean that up, play smart fundamental hockey, and execute as a cohesive team and the Hawks can repeat what they had in Game 1.

Containing Draisatl is doable so far. McDavid will get his chances so just need to make life difficult for him. Frustration and agitation can help decrease his effectiveness.

But if they let McDavid and Draisatl take over games and put the entire Oiler team on their backs, then it will be a constant uphill climb.

Plus settling the puck down - in motion - while getting to the net and getting around Maatta.
- StLBravesFan

I think you and I could get around Maata, but as for the rest he didn't have a lot of room once he got close. And if the puck does stand up it makes it easier to chip it upstairs. (frank)ing guy is a treat to watch.

Any honest fan would agree lehner was the better goalie this season hands down and he and crawford had the same defenseman.

Referring back to 2015 was a reminder that Crawford in the first round against Nashville was yanked and replaced with a unproven backup in darling who rose to the challenge and played lights out and helped Chicago turn that series around.


Everyone can say Chicago has no business being in the playoffs and shrug off yesterday's game.
Through 2 games Crawford has given upm10 goals Crawford needs to raise his game . Those numbers are horrible.

With that said subban should get the start
- Taylorst1

Based on what exactly? Virtually identical save % (Lehner .918, Crow .917) a worse GAA (3.01 vs 2.77) and he received notably better goal support from the team than Crow (3.26 vs 2.56 GS/60).

Plus settling the puck down - in motion - while getting to the net and getting around Maatta.
- StLBravesFan

Check out the goal Aho just scored

*NEW* blog up: https://bit.ly/30rjmo4

I have some questions for Colliton + the Hawks need a big response in game 3.

Check out the goal Aho just scored
- 6628

Yes.

Lots of terrific young skaters in the league. When we get past this pandemic - and sports get back to normal - the NHL will be a whole lot of fun to watch.