I'm sure there is lots of talk about Crawford. He is definitely not the problem or the reason they dropped that game last night, but people love to make a storyline and come up with theories.

Bottom line was, after out top line of Kubalik - Toews - Saad, the rest of the forward lines didn't look ready to play big boy hockey. Vegas isn't going to make many dumb mistakes and give up ice easily. More guys have to show up and play like they actually want to win.

Our 4th line is a problem defensively, but even Highmore (with 2 goals) has more goals than Kane, Dach, DeBrincat, Nylander, Caggiulla combined.

Strome just can't seem to keep up or do much lately. I would bench him for game 2 and slot in a kid with some jump in his place.
- breadbag

I would highly doubt you are going to see any new players come in outside of injury. The only guy who has a chance to have an impact replacing Strome is Kurashev and he has zero experience and has had injury issues this year. Otherwise you are looking at Quenneville or Reese Johnson as true centers.

I get the knee jerk thought of "bench him and send in X, can't be worse". It is rarely that simple or easy.

Dach-Dcat-Kane were out attempted 16-7 at 5v5.

The 2nd time RL lost his skate blade, the Hawks were on the PP. They did not direct even 1 shot at him while he was hobbled on 1 skate. That's unforgivable.

I dont understand why Crawford is given a pass on goals that are allegedly "fluky"

And Kane has all 5 defenders on the ice taking away his time and space with and without the puck. Is he supposed to beat 3 guys by himself and "pass" ADB open? Or is he supposed to shoot the puck for Dach when Dach has clear lanes and refuses to shoot?
- PatShart

I never gave him a pass, but those goals didn't ultimately matter when all the Hawks could muster was one SHG. Those types of goals will happen sometimes but the team didn't answer back much at all.

Kane isn't a bad player but his role on the team is offense and he hasn't been playing like a guy who should be top 5-10 in the league. Can you honestly say Kane is playing as well as should be expected? Nothing against him, but he typically was much more of a game breaker in the playoffs. So far in 5 games, he has been okay but not great.

Blackhawk D attempted 17 shots & had 6 SOG. 8 were blocked. KK didn't take a shot and Boqvist missed the net with his only shot.

I never gave him a pass, but those goals didn't ultimately matter when all the Hawks could muster was one SHG. Those types of goals will happen sometimes but the team didn't answer back much at all.

Kane isn't a bad player but his role on the team is offense and he hasn't been playing like a guy who should be top 5-10 in the league. Can you honestly say Kane is playing as well as should be expected? Nothing against him, but he typically was much more of a game breaker in the playoffs. So far in 5 games, he has been okay but not great.
- breadbag

There is not much at all Kane can do when he is essentially playing on a line by himself AND the entire 20 man roster of Vegas knows they need to shut him down/the offense runs through him

Do you think Vegas know who Patrick Kane is and the importance of shutting him down? And who - between ADB and Dach - does Vegas have to "worry about" on Kanes line as a goal/scoring threat?

Vegas is not EDM. They are very well coached and play team defence. Have to put at least 1 person on the line able to give Kane some sort of space

I'm sure there is lots of talk about Crawford. He is definitely not the problem or the reason they dropped that game last night, but people love to make a storyline and come up with theories.

Bottom line was, after out top line of Kubalik - Toews - Saad, the rest of the forward lines didn't look ready to play big boy hockey. Vegas isn't going to make many dumb mistakes and give up ice easily. More guys have to show up and play like they actually want to win.

Our 4th line is a problem defensively, but even Highmore (with 2 goals) has more goals than Kane, Dach, DeBrincat, Nylander, Caggiulla combined.

Strome just can't seem to keep up or do much lately. I would bench him for game 2 and slot in a kid with some jump in his place.
- breadbag

He was not THE problem, but he was A problem. Hockey is a team game, and you cannot discount the influence of one of (if not the) most important positions on the ice.

I would highly doubt you are going to see any new players come in outside of injury. The only guy who has a chance to have an impact replacing Strome is Kurashev and he has zero experience and has had injury issues this year. Otherwise you are looking at Quenneville or Reese Johnson as true centers.

I get the knee jerk thought of "bench him and send in X, can't be worse". It is rarely that simple or easy.
- Chunk

Oh I get it, JC will probably shuffle some lines rather than benching Strome. I just wish they coaches would send him a message a bit.

- HawkintheD

Oh I get it, JC will probably shuffle some lines rather than benching Strome. I just wish they coaches would send him a message a bit.
- breadbag

Oh I get that sentiment. I'm not sure what the actual problem is with him. That whole line just looks timid when they get in the zone. Nylander tries hard and skates pretty well, but it looks like Strome and Caggiula either don't know what he is trying to do, or are too preoccupied to support him.

This is just my personal belief, but I would like to see Dach with Kane and Nylander. Kane and Nylander with a stronger, faster center - I think - would be much more dangerous. Nylander was at his best when paired with Kane (most are), and ADB wouldn't be so driven to find Kane all the time.

AEL, does Kurashev have a legitimate shot at 3C next year? If so, sign Strome cheap and move him to the wing.
Toews-Saad-Kubalik
Dach-Strome/ADB-Kane
Kurashev-Strome/ADB-Nylander
Kampf-Carpenter-Hagel
- tvetter

Kurashev should be groomed as a 3C with capacity to fill in at 2C in case of emergencies but think he needs another full season in the AHL first.

His rookie year in Rockford was cut short by a head injury yet he is on a positive trajectory as far as development. He plays and thinks like a 200-foot center.

My preference would be to retain Strome on a one-year "show me" deal but also wouldn't be upset if it was stretched to 2 years as long as the AAV is reasonable.

If Strome blossoms, then you have him, Toews, and Dach as the top centers. Kurashev could then slide over to wing more easily than Strome could.

There is not much at all Kane can do when he is essentially playing on a line by himself AND the entire 20 man roster of Vegas knows they need to shut him down/the offense runs through him

Do you think Vegas know who Patrick Kane is and the importance of shutting him down? And who - between ADB and Dach - does Vegas have to "worry about" on Kanes line as a goal/scoring threat?

Vegas is not EDM. They are very well coached and play team defence. Have to put at least 1 person on the line able to give Kane some sort of space
- PatShart

You can make excuses for him, but he has dealt with this same his whole career. Everyone has slumps and he just isn't looking like he is on top of his game at the moment. Dach needs to shoot more, but he is playing decent for his age. DeBrincat is always a threat to score, if he can get into those dangerous areas, but ultimately, I think the Hawks need more from the guy who is supposed to lead the offense. It's pretty much his one job. Nothing against him, but he can play better IMO.

Strome could still be a 2C on this team but as long as the Capt. keeps drinking from the Fountain of Youth and Dach continues on his trajectory, he's a 3C on this team...which may create a square peg round hole scenario.

Is Kurashev or another guy the 3C. No idea as he's even younger but guys like him and Barratt sound a better fir for that role. Theo could answer that question better than I.

Dinky? Probably not a perennial 40 goal guy but 30? Possibly. His salary isn't bad for a scorer but like I said in a Cap decision I'd rather keep Saad.
- HawkintheD

Kurashev is a 3C candidate for sure, possibly Barratt as well.

Barratt may be better as an all-terrain player like Caggiula who could plug in anywhere in the lineup and be effective. Too early to tell with him, though.

I agree, I would retain Saad over DeBrincat if it came down to keeping only one of them. Would love to keep both, of course.

Temp check of the board:

Taking points out of the equation right now, whose game do you like better Highmore or Caggiula?

I feel like they are almost the exact same player and we just seem to hold Caggiula in slightly higher regard because we got him for Manning.

Hey Steve - I didnt want to copy/respond to your mexicohawk-esque lecture....

But I agree with putting 8/19 together

If this team stands a remote chance, they need to put 88 in a position to carry the team/opportunity to do so

Unless ADB or Dach begin putting the puck in the net - the boa constrictor team defence will suffocate Kane more and more. People will complain that Kane is invisible- but there is nothing he will be able to do until there is a threat on the ice with him

With the layoff, Toews has legs. Put him and Kane together.

I went with - 91/18/88 - have had success playing together

20/77/8 - Saad and Kubilak have had chemistry all year together. Put Dach between them. All 3 have speed and are responsible defensively

12/17/36 - Dont get scored on? Maybe Highmore's motor/work ethic can run off. Can also double shift Kane/Kubilak at times at RW on this line

22/67/92 - Nylander hasnt been bad (or good), just kind of meh. Put him down with these guys and see if he can just continue to play responsible

But I think this can give them a bit deeper of a lineup which is needed more vs Vegas than it was vs EDM
- PatShart

I forgot about Mexio Hawk....name from the past.

They need to circle the wagons on the lines. Dach needs to shoot when in prime spots. DeBrincat needs to find his game.

JC may wait to game 3 to reunite 19/88 when he has last change to dictate teh matchup he wants, but who the hell knows.

I expected them to beat Edmonton. That team is all McDavid/Draistail (spell) and that's it. RNH had a good series, but their D was/is a dumpster fire. It was like 1985 playoff hockey again....WIDE open

In the glory days, it was Oduya, Hammer as the shutdown pair, this allowed Keith to do Keith things. I would leave DaHaan Murphy as the shut down pair, they have done it well.
- LAHawk

Agree, de Haan and Murphy are the shutdown pair.

Keith needs to drive a pair that can consistently flip the ice to create offensive rushes. I like the idea of slotting Koekkoek with him.

Then pair Maatta with Carlsson, especially if Boqvist continues to struggle. Yes, he needs the experience but so does Carlsson if both are in the team's future.

I would highly doubt you are going to see any new players come in outside of injury. The only guy who has a chance to have an impact replacing Strome is Kurashev and he has zero experience and has had injury issues this year. Otherwise you are looking at Quenneville or Reese Johnson as true centers.

I get the knee jerk thought of "bench him and send in X, can't be worse". It is rarely that simple or easy.
- Chunk

I don't disagree re STrome, but this is his 2nd organization and he's still far too inconsistent. In a "fast man" league, does anyone really think he's going to "find it"? He seems destined to be a decent 7-9 player at F and chip in here or there. Not a guy to be looked upon as a foundation in your 1-6 Fs.

I doubt they are willing to bench Boqvist, but he is the weakest link in what is still a challenged d-corps. But there isn't a right handed defenseman ready to step up and fil that slot anyway - aren't all three depth guys left defensemen? I doubt JC changes anything on the blue line.
- jrsamu

Carlsson can play both sides so if Boqvist is benched, 46 slots in for 27 and plays the right side along with Murphy and Koekkoek.

Temp check of the board:

Taking points out of the equation right now, whose game do you like better Highmore or Caggiula?

I feel like they are almost the exact same player and we just seem to hold Caggiula in slightly higher regard because we got him for Manning.
- Chunk

I like Highmore a lot. He had a bonehead turnover in game 3 vs Edmonton but he has some high skill for a 4th line guy. Competes. Try hard kid....no issues there.

Other thing is, teams will shut down stars so its imperative to get some depth scoring.

That's where this organization has excelled in the past decade is having guys burried on lower lines who create matchup problems.

As much as Maata, DeHaan, Murphy got torched here, I think all 3 have been steady out there. Koekkoek has looked very good IMO. I just accept Maata for what he is, and realize he's 95% gone after this year due to cap reasons.

[quote=PatShart]
I went with - 91/18/88 - have had success playing together.


Great idea, but #18 Denis Savard retired years ago, so he might not be in shape. However, interesting nuclear option though.

Crow shouldn't have to win every single game for them. 20 SOG is abhorrent and the defenders chasing guys from behind the net to above the circles like my ex girlfriends 6 year old is pretty disgusting to watch.

The better team won, with out really trying really hard and by a margin.
- fattybeef

Eh....take away soft goals 1, and 3, and then realize Keith and Boqvist likely aren't "all in" pinching which led to goal 4.....and you are even. Hawks were right there, and just imploded, which teams with little margin for error routinely do against deeper, better teams.

I agree on Vegas....they looked sloppy and as much as the beat guys mentioned the 3-4 posts, Vegas had at least 2 PRIME grade A chances were the guy wide open in front oF CC in period 2 whiffed, and Pacioretty was wide open in period 1 and couldn't get a shot on goal.

I firmly believe if they get consistent CC they can push this series to 6. Not saying they will win 4 of those, but they can lengthen this. This is by far a better matchup then facing the AVs with all that speed and skill. Watching McDavid turnstyle Hawks D men was tough enough, watching McKinnon do it would be torture.

Another reason why you likely won't see a lot of chances taken by the D:

Definitely sounds like the Hawks plan on sticking with the conservative style moving forward.

Colliton basically said that's the only way to match up against this Vegas team. "We know it's going to be a grind."

I don't necessarily agree with this. It sounds like what they were trying to do at the beginning of the year. That said, outside of a 10 minute stretch when things got away from them in the 3rd, the numbers actually show that they did a decent job of containing the Knights.

Who knows, maybe they make things more competitive.
- Chunk

If the Blackhawks play a disciplined and structured game, this will be a competive series that can go 6-7 games.

Not sure if the Hawks have it in them but attacking and defending in waves would elevate their chances immensely.

This way of playing is what Vegas is known for. They suffocate their opponents and capitalize on all of their mistakes.

Attack and defend in waves, no shifts off, and give no time and space for Vegas to operate then return the favor capitalizing on their mistakes.

I don't disagree re STrome, but this is his 2nd organization and he's still far too inconsistent. In a "fast man" league, does anyone really think he's going to "find it"? He seems destined to be a decent 7-9 player at F and chip in here or there. Not a guy to be looked upon as a foundation in your 1-6 Fs.
- SteveRain

We are not disagreeing here. I'm not a Strome fan. He has very good IQ and vision. He knows how to play, but it seems he is either not physically able to or not willing to get to the places that he needs to in order to be successful. He is weak on the boards and as another poster here implied, the next 50/50 puck he wins will be his first. The problem is that he is still better than anything else we have.

We are not disagreeing here. I'm not a Strome fan. He has very good IQ and vision. He knows how to play, but it seems he is either not physically able to or not willing to get to the places that he needs to in order to be successful. He is weak on the boards and as another poster here implied, the next 50/50 puck he wins will be his first. The problem is that he is still better than anything else we have.
- Chunk

Agreed. Current day, playoff, he's a better option.

2020-21 and beyond....they can find somebody cheaper.

I try to ignore him on shifts when I watch because it's just crazy how slow he is. Thought him scoring in period 1, game 1 vs Edmonton would get him going.....no such luck.

If the Blackhawks play a disciplined and structured game, this will be a competive series that can go 6-7 games.

Not sure if the Hawks have it in them but attacking and defending in waves would elevate their chances immensely.

This way of playing is what Vegas is known for. They suffocate their opponents and capitalize on all of their mistakes.

Attack and defend in waves, no shifts off, and give no time and space for Vegas to operate then return the favor capitalizing on their mistakes.
- AEL_Fox

Colliton stated this in his presser on Monday. They are going to have to stay patient. They cannot expect to get in a track meet with Vegas. They are going to have to continually defend and support each other.

I thought they did this very well in the first period and a good portion of the second. They need to find a way to do this consistently through the game (oh yeah, and score a bit more too).