I would rather play the Yotes than us if I were the Avs or Vegas.
- rpeters01

Probably. I’m watching the Vegas/Colorado game, they’re about half-way through the game and nothing notable has happened.

I don’t have a preference for who the Hawks play next round, but Lehner vs Chicago would make for an interesting storyline.

Please god no. I thought the best part of beating the Oil would be that all of the Askararov talk would cease.

Silly me.
- Ogilthorpe2

Well if we go out in the next round we may be able to pick Askarov at 16 pick .Maybe some GM are mistaken about his value and will let him slip down the draft .

Probably. I’m watching the Vegas/Colorado game, they’re about half-way through the game and nothing notable has happened.

I don’t have a preference for who the Hawks play next round, but Lehner vs Chicago would make for an interesting storyline.
- DarthKane

Is Fluery or Lehner playing?

I agree - but Arizona is basically a Chicago team too with as many former Hawks as they have on their roster.
- Chief4Feathers

They have our best player, Hossa.

Probably. I’m watching the Vegas/Colorado game, they’re about half-way through the game and nothing notable has happened.

I don’t have a preference for who the Hawks play next round, but Lehner vs Chicago would make for an interesting storyline.
- DarthKane

I really hope we get Vegas and not Colorado from a match up perspective.

I really hope we get Vegas and not Colorado from a match up perspective.
- breadbag

Hmmm... I think I’d prefer to face COL. Vegas has better forward depth and I’d argue better goaltending.

I really hope we get Vegas and not Colorado from a match up perspective.
- breadbag

This sure doesn't look like playoff hockey.

Is Fluery or Lehner playing?
- rpeters01

Lehner. But it sounds like the game split in the round robin was determined in advance, it’s not based on either netminder’s play.

This sure doesn't look like playoff hockey.
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah, I agree. Lehner just flopped around out of his crease - COL wasn’t able to capitalize.

... and then he just robs a shot to his left post - on a 5-on-3 powerplay. The roller coaster of good and bad is what you get with Lehner.

Please god no. I thought the best part of beating the Oil would be that all of the Askararov talk would cease.

Silly me.
- Ogilthorpe2

That's cool. You don't want to draft a goaltender. I respect the opinion of others. Tell why you are against it though. I am not into trying to convince or debate. Just do not know why you would pass on the best opportunity to acquire a good young netminder. In uncertain times as related to salary cap stagnant and teams looking to cut payroll, how likely is it to acquire a top goaltender - and at what cost. Sure there will be plenty of veterans around but can you win playoff hockey with them?

ADD: i am not convinced a team wins a Cup like the Red Wings and the Osgood model from many years ago.

Avs had a 5 on 3 for 1:30 and didn’t score.

MY guy too... I think he will go in the top ten, because I see the upside, but apparently the teams are clamming up on their love, or the fact he isn't a polished scorer yet when playing with men in Wisconsin, MIGHT diminish their love for him early because everybody is looking for quick scorers early.
- wiz1901

I like him, but let's just hope he doesn't become another Jack Skille....

I really hope we get Vegas and not Colorado from a match up perspective.
- breadbag

Either team is gonna skate circles around us and out chance us 2-1. Let’s not pretend we all don’t already know this. Crawford can stand on his head and steal a game maybe. But 4 out of 7 is impossible unless they suffer an injury crisis.

That's cool. You don't want to draft a goaltender. I respect the opinion of others. Tell why you are against it though. I am not into trying to convince or debate. Just do not know why you would pass on the best opportunity to acquire a good young netminder. In uncertain times as related to salary cap stagnant and teams looking to cut payroll, how likely is it to acquire a top goaltender - and at what cost. Sure there will be plenty of veterans around but can you win playoff hockey with them?

ADD: i am not convinced a team wins a Cup like the Red Wings and the Osgood model from many years ago.
- jhawk59

It really depends. A team that has considerable depth at forward and defense - can still win with average goaltending. Exhibt A: 2010 Blackhawks with Neimi.

Either team is gonna skate circles around us and out chance us 2-1. Let’s not pretend we all don’t already know this. Crawford can stand on his head and steal a game maybe. But 4 out of 7 is impossible unless they suffer an injury crisis.
- SimpleJack

True, but COL is more like EDM in being a more top-heavy forward group. Hawks could match up with that better than with Vegas.

The advantage we had on the Oilers(forward depth) will become a disadvantage against the Knights/Avs. Both teams roll 4 lines with speed. Both are faster and deeper and more skilled than the Hawks. And that’s just at the forward position...it gets worse...

The REAL lopsided difference between us and these 2 juggernauts is the blue line. They both have very mobile and dangerous defenseman, and they are also more responsible in their own end. The Oilers defense was the exact opposite(very leaky). It’s not close really....whoever we face will have an infinitely better defense and overall roster.

Just being realistic. If you wanna go the route of “anything is possible”...then sure, I suppose anything is in fact possible. But realistically...we’re (frank)ed.

True, but COL is more like EDM in being a more top-heavy forward group. Hawks could match up with that better than with Vegas.
- Chief4Feathers

Avs bottom 6 is elite...not sure what ur talking about...

They might have the best 4th line in the league. Interchangeable parts also. They can mix pieces around(particularly their wingers on the top 3 lines) and not miss a beat.

Avs bottom 6 is elite...not sure what ur talking about...

They might have the best 4th line in the league. Interchangeable parts also. They can mix pieces around(particularly their wingers on the top 3 lines) and not miss a beat.
- SimpleJack

Ok - I see Vegas’ 4th line playing a heavy style and giving the Hawks fits.

What is the typical line up for COL’s 3rd line?


Edit:
3rd line: Burakovsky, Compher and Donskoi - yep, that’s pretty good.
4th line: Nieto, Bellemare and Calvert - also good, but best in the league? Maybe the stats prove it?

1-0 Vegas on the power play

1-1. Avs score on the PP

Ok - I see Vegas’ 4th line playing a heavy style and giving the Hawks fits.

What is the typical line up for COL’s 3rd line?


Edit:
3rd line: Burakovsky, Compher and Donskoi - yep, that’s pretty good.
4th line: Nieto, Bellemare and Calvert - also good, but best in the league? Maybe the stats prove it?
- Chief4Feathers

They combined for 69 pts(29 goals). Calvert himself put up 25 pts in 50 games. Jost can’t even get on the ice that’s how deep they are.

For comparison the Hawks 4th line(Highmore-Kampf-Carpenter) put up 37 pts(13 goals).

They combined for 69 pts(29 goals). Calvert himself put up 25 pts in 50 games. Jost can’t even get on the ice that’s how deep they are.

For comparison the Hawks 4th line(Highmore-Kampf-Carpenter) put up 37 pts(13 goals).
- SimpleJack

Vegas
3rd line: Cousins, Roy, Tuch
4th line: Carrier, Nosek, Reeves

That’s pretty good too. But, you make a good point - COL has more in the 3rd/4th lines than I gave them credit. Last I spent time looking over their forward roster was when they reconstructed their 2nd line in the off-season.

2-2 in the 2nd, both teams have flipped the switch.

2-2 in the 2nd, both teams have flipped the switch.
- DarthKane

Yes, 2nd period much more entertaining.

2-2 in the 2nd, both teams have flipped the switch.
- DarthKane

Can’t any team stop a 6x5 desperation?

Othe than the Hawks?