Another advantage to living on the West coast, these times aren't too bad for me.

- DarthKane

Me either !!

So, are you implying that MAF is better than Crow right now? He played in one game and let in four goals on 17 shots. I didn't seen the game, but that isn't very good at all. Crow started slow, but improved as the series went along. His 3rd period in game 4 was very impressive. The Hawks won three out of their four games. Vegas won all three. I'm not even saying that Crow was "good" in the series, but he is no worse than what the Hawks will be playing against.

Stop this nonsense about Lehner being better than Crow this year. You were talking down to people about being sure to check the stats before making an argument about the goalies in the last blog. Well:

Crow SV% = 0.917, GAA = 2.77, Goal support = 2.56/gm

Lehner SV% = 0.918, GAA = 3.01, Goal support = 3.26/gm

Behind the same exact team. They played about the same, and you could argue that Lehner was worse.
- Chunk

I wouldn't rate crawfords performance all that great he has let in quite a few questionable goals and his last performance albeit better still wasn't anything we've seen him raise his game to the level needed .


Also I'm just pointing out that MAF while he did struggle he has also in years past played outstanding a d won multiple cups, so if he is called upon he is still considered a number 1 goalie who has won in the past playing on a extremely good and deep team compared to chicago.

Cat , nylander , strome and even saad all need to produce and Chicago cant afford any costly errors against vegas.

Chicago defense isn't as good as vegas defense which means Crawford will need to bring his A game more so to give Chicago any chance.

That's all I'm saying is Chicago got by Edmonton but players we need to step up haven't. Even kane was quiet and that's expected if he has no support from his linemates.

If it's December 1941 in Casablanca, what time is it in New York?
- StLBravesFan

Many great lines in that classic

Here's looking at you kid.

I'm shocked, shocked that gambling is going on in this establishment.

Major Strasser had been shot.... pick up the usual suspects.

Caution I say, with the shooter in what you pay.
- wiz1901

Agreed, he has had a great year a great 1st game of the play in playoffs but no reason to over pay him. It's one year, if he continues to possess that freakishly good eye hand coordination, he will get paid eventually.

I just have this weird feeling the Blackhawks are really going to make this a very good series. Could be hope but in a weird way i think this team is built better for playoff hockey than 82 game regular season. Wish Seabrook was 100% so Koekkoek is really going to have to play well.

I wish Shaw was healthy to, 3rd line of Caggiula Strome and Shaw would be really effective.

Agree. For these type of personal duel of dual back and forths people really need to use the "PM" (private message) feature instead of taking up space on the general Hockey Blog.
- -Doh-

Double agree.

I wish Shaw was healthy to, 3rd line of Caggiula Strome and Shaw would be really effective.
- BetweenTheDots

That's why I think Hagel on that line might be better than Nylander at some point in this series.

Not saying Hagel is Shaw, but he is a puck hound and has a bit of an edge.

I would hate to mess with Nylander's confidence and scratch him because I really do want him to turn the corner but it maybe is the best move to get a better and more consistent effort out of your 3rd line.

I think you're right in your assessment. Strome is at best a 3rd line player people had high Hope's for this kid but I think he has hit his ceiling.

Regarding nylander Chicago won't give up on him for 2 reasons his reasonably priced salary and the notion that a full off season he can work on his issues.
- Taylorst1

Maybe Nylander should work in the offseason with Dach?

No way does he get $2 million or less when he put up 51 points in 58 games in his first Hawks season and 38 points in 58 games this year. I wish the Hawks could sign him for that, but sorry no chance.
- ChicagoHope

He'll get whatever Stan offers nobody is going to outbid Stan for Strome in a flat cap world. I think $2m is very close to what it will be.

I wouldn't rate crawfords performance all that great he has let in quite a few questionable goals and his last performance albeit better still wasn't anything we've seen him raise his game to the level needed .


Also I'm just pointing out that MAF while he did struggle he has also in years past played outstanding a d won multiple cups, so if he is called upon he is still considered a number 1 goalie who has won in the past playing on a extremely good and deep team compared to chicago.

Cat , nylander , strome and even saad all need to produce and Chicago cant afford any costly errors against vegas.

Chicago defense isn't as good as vegas defense which means Crawford will need to bring his A game more so to give Chicago any chance.

That's all I'm saying is Chicago got by Edmonton but players we need to step up haven't. Even kane was quiet and that's expected if he has no support from his linemates.
- Taylorst1

1) Who has said that Crawford was great outside of a very good 3rd period in game 4? We all know that Crawford is not at his best right now, and behind this team, its a tenuous situation.

2) You are not just pointing out that MAF has played well in years past. You could make the EXACT same argument for Crawford right now. In your eyes (from multiple previous posts), Crow is not good enough, is worse than Lehner (and I believe you are also insinuating MAF), and a hindrance to this team. Crow and MAF had almost identical stats this year as well.

... except for goal support. Crow 2.56, MAF 3.17.

Agree. For these type of personal duel of dual back and forths people really need to use the "PM" (private message) feature instead of taking up space on the general Hockey Blog.
- -Doh-

100%

Maybe Nylander should work in the offseason with Dach?
- rpeters01

If I recall nylander last offseason seemed to put in the time to improve his game and standing. Dach didn't get any time and I'm impressed with how dach has elevated his performance.


I was in the beginning rooting for nylander he showed flashes of skill and confidence, something happened to him and his game.

Me either !!
- LAHawk

Sporting events west coast TV schedule is definitely advantageous, however 4AM conference calls are not.

That's why I think Hagel on that line might be better than Nylander at some point in this series.

Not saying Hagel is Shaw, but he is a puck hound and has a bit of an edge.

I would hate to mess with Nylander's confidence and scratch him because I really do want him to turn the corner but it maybe is the best move to get a better and more consistent effort out of your 3rd line.
- Tyler Cameron

If Nylander does the disappearing act like he did in game 2 and 3, coincidentally game 2 Caggs being suspended and the only game the Hawks lost in that series, we might see Hagel.

Just to add, we need Strome to play well, tough in the corners, and the face off circle

1) Who has said that Crawford was great outside of a very good 3rd period in game 4? We all know that Crawford is not at his best right now, and behind this team, its a tenuous situation.

2) You are not just pointing out that MAF has played well in years past. You could make the EXACT same argument for Crawford right now. In your eyes (from multiple previous posts), Crow is not good enough, is worse than Lehner (and I believe you are also insinuating MAF), and a hindrance to this team. Crow and MAF had almost identical stats this year as well.

... except for goal support. Crow 2.56, MAF 3.17.
- Chunk

Vegas is the better team nobody here will dispute that. MAF while he has struggled he also hasn't sat out 2 seasons with multiple concussions.

Crawford throughout this series has shown signs of something wrong like falling behind the net with nobody around .

Going back to each teams depth , while maf has struggled he is still considered a very good goalie and having lehner who is also a extremely talented goalie , who does Chicago have if Crawford cant improve his game ?

In 36 games played crawford has lost 20 games and won 16 those are the only numbers in the end that matter wins and losses.

Right now lehner is the healthier goalie going into this series , now if come game 1 and 2 Crawford plays lights out like he has in years past I'll then concede that he is back to his form. But I'm just not convinced he or this team based on the last round can get things going more consistently.

Many great lines in that classic

Here's looking at you kid.

I'm shocked, shocked that gambling is going on in this establishment.

Major Strasser had been shot.... pick up the usual suspects.
- boilermaker100

https://www.imdb.com/titl...es/?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu

Vegas is the better team nobody here will dispute that. MAF while he has struggled he also hasn't sat out 2 seasons with multiple concussions.

Crawford throughout this series has shown signs of something wrong like falling behind the net with nobody around .

Going back to each teams depth , while maf has struggled he is still considered a very good goalie and having lehner who is also a extremely talented goalie , who does Chicago have if Crawford cant improve his game ?

In 36 games played crawford has lost 20 games and won 16 those are the only numbers in the end that matter wins and losses.

Right now lehner is the healthier goalie going into this series , now if come game 1 and 2 Crawford plays lights out like he has in years past I'll then concede that he is back to his form. But I'm just not convinced he or this team based on the last round can get things going more consistently.
- Taylorst1

Crawford himself admitted he wished he had 10 more days of training camp, and he did not feel right, but each game was getting better and better. I don't think Crow looked "off" in game 4. Also, even though it appears that Chicago's defense was improved in the play-in round, they still have given up the most high danger chances than anyone in the bubble.

Vegas is the better team nobody here will dispute that. MAF while he has struggled he also hasn't sat out 2 seasons with multiple concussions.

Crawford throughout this series has shown signs of something wrong like falling behind the net with nobody around .

Going back to each teams depth , while maf has struggled he is still considered a very good goalie and having lehner who is also a extremely talented goalie , who does Chicago have if Crawford cant improve his game ?

In 36 games played crawford has lost 20 games and won 16 those are the only numbers in the end that matter wins and losses.

Right now lehner is the healthier goalie going into this series , now if come game 1 and 2 Crawford plays lights out like he has in years past I'll then concede that he is back to his form. But I'm just not convinced he or this team based on the last round can get things going more consistently.
- Taylorst1

yeah yeah yeah. The same nonsense they said about the oilers. "Oilers in 4" "Oilers in 3" Just wait until the puck drops. I think the Hawks have a really good chance in this series. If they get past this vegas team, I can see them making it far in the playoffs. The only other team that would be able to compete would be the avs and I just have a feeling that someone on their team is going to get injured.

1) Who has said that Crawford was great outside of a very good 3rd period in game 4? We all know that Crawford is not at his best right now, and behind this team, its a tenuous situation.

2) You are not just pointing out that MAF has played well in years past. You could make the EXACT same argument for Crawford right now. In your eyes (from multiple previous posts), Crow is not good enough, is worse than Lehner (and I believe you are also insinuating MAF), and a hindrance to this team. Crow and MAF had almost identical stats this year as well.

... except for goal support. Crow 2.56, MAF 3.17.
- Chunk

We all know Chicagos defense is not that strong , and Crawford has to raise his level , it's a game by game no room to faulter.

The goalie who goes into this series ready and with the realization that each game each save matters will ultimately make the difference.

Just going back to reinforce my earlier comments going into the series, Edmonton was beatable. The media and lots of folks didn't give the Hawks enough respect. We have the personnel to be better than 12th seed would indicate and it showed vs Edmonton. Don't get me wrong, this isn't the cup winning team, but our players are capable of competing with most teams on a nightly basis.

Also, Crawford (rightly so) got a lot of praise for his finish to the series, but not to sound cliche, but that was a team effort. Clearing pucks, tying up sticks, preventing some dangerous chances. The Hawks are getting more of that effort and it can be such a difference. With CC finally having some games and getting up to speed, the Hawks have the potential to make it a real fight with Vegas. Here is hoping they put up a good fight.

Crawford himself admitted he wished he had 10 more days of training camp, and he did not feel right, but each game was getting better and better. I don't think Crow looked "off" in game 4. Also, even though it appears that Chicago's defense was improved in the play-in round, they still have given up the most high danger chances than anyone in the bubble.
- LAHawk

That's another concern and reason that the team needs crawford at his A game in order to have a chance. That's my point is no team is perfect but having a goalie make the saves he should and even making those he shouldn't is what helps a team move forward

yeah yeah yeah. The same nonsense they said about the oilers. "Oilers in 4" "Oilers in 3" Just wait until the puck drops. I think the Hawks have a really good chance in this series. If they get past this vegas team, I can see them making it far in the playoffs. The only other team that would be able to compete would be the avs and I just have a feeling that someone on their team is going to get injured.
- RedRevenge

I never thought Chicago didn't stand a chance against the Oilers, I'm just saying vegas is a much better team and deeper.

The avs imo I don't think they are as deep as vegas.

That's my point

That's another concern and reason that the team needs crawford at his A game in order to have a chance. That's my point is no team is perfect but having a goalie make the saves he should and even making those he shouldn't is what helps a team move forward
- Taylorst1

That's the thing about Crawford, he is consistent throughout most of his career. He doesn't pile up shutouts, but he rarely has more than 1 bad game in a row and usually gives the team enough to win. The Hawks don't need him to be perfect, they have shown they have enough offense to win games without Crawford needing to be perfect, but expect him to settle in more now that he has had some games under his belt. He seems to be healthy and that is a good thing for the Hawks. If he continues to come up big when the team needs him, they can give Vegas a good run.

Just going back to reinforce my earlier comments going into the series, Edmonton was beatable. The media and lots of folks didn't give the Hawks enough respect. We have the personnel to be better than 12th seed would indicate and it showed vs Edmonton. Don't get me wrong, this isn't the cup winning team, but our players are capable of competing with most teams on a nightly basis.

Also, Crawford (rightly so) got a lot of praise for his finish to the series, but not to sound cliche, but that was a team effort. Clearing pucks, tying up sticks, preventing some dangerous chances. The Hawks are getting more of that effort and it can be such a difference. With CC finally having some games and getting up to speed, the Hawks have the potential to make it a real fight with Vegas. Here is hoping they put up a good fight.
- breadbag

This team has an intangible from it's veterans that is missing from a lot of teams (looking at you Toronto), is heart, and a will to win. Even 2 X Stanley Cup winner Olli Matta has stepped up his game in the playoffs. I didn't see too many mistakes, and a lot of good plays from him. McDavid made him look silly, but he has done that to every defenseman in the league. He hasn't made any Morgan Reilly gaffs out there (wonder if he will now get the Jake Gardiner treatment in Toronto).