Good question, i did not say that of course. But i am thinking their chance to tie the game in the last minute of the game might be better without Boqvist. As you know, you never know how the puck is going to bounce. And as you saw, Boqvist did not shoot the puck, but Keith for sure had at least one attempt. And guess what he hit. in the last minute of the game of 6 on 5 action usually is, get the puck to the net and hope for deflections or rebound or a jam play.
- Topshelf2010

If Colliton just told him to completely disregard any sense of defensive responsibility at all in the last couple of minutes and just concentrate on offense, I understand the move and he likely has the highest overall skill/ability on the team. Beyond that, Maatta and SpecialK were both better options in that situation.

We starting a pool on the points Dach puts up next season (if all 82 games are played). I'm thinking around 50-55pts. Probably finds himself on the top 2 PK units too.

Him and Saad on the PK together would be awfully nice.
- bhawks2241

Fun exercise. I think Dach will be a notably better hockey player next year, but I think his offense will come along slowly. I see him as a 20-20 guy next year.

So, another 3 time SC Champion that #FireColliton doesn’t like. 1st it was Seabrook, then Keith, now it’s Toews. From Laz in ‘The Athletic’.

With 88 seconds left in Game 3 and the Blackhawks pressing for the equalizer, Vegas winger Max Pacioretty took a chance on an empty-netter, firing wide from just outside the red line and getting whistled for icing.

On the bench sat Jonathan Toews, the Blackhawks’ second-best offensive weapon and one of the most clutch players in franchise history. In Jeremy Colliton’s pocket was the Blackhawks’ timeout.

Colliton used neither.

Toews, the Blackhawks’ best faceoff man, sat and watched as Dylan Strome took the biggest draw of the game. Toews, the Blackhawks’ best scorer of ugly goals in the crease, sat and watched as 19-year-old Kirby Dach got the chance. Patrick Kane played the last 2:04. Duncan Keith played the last 2:17. Toews sat the last 1:22, two full shifts. So did Dominik Kubalik. So did Alex DeBrincat.

Meanwhile, Calvin de Haan, a defensive specialist, was on the ice for the final frantic 40 seconds.

“What the hell is he doing with 44 out there?” texted one league source almost exactly when the horn sounded. “Where’s 19?”

Good question, i did not say that of course. But i am thinking their chance to tie the game in the last minute of the game might be better without Boqvist. As you know, you never know how the puck is going to bounce. And as you saw, Boqvist did not shoot the puck, but Keith for sure had at least one attempt. And guess what he hit. in the last minute of the game of 6 on 5 action usually is, get the puck to the net and hope for deflections or rebound or a jam play.
- Topshelf2010

Great post, Topshelf.

The lack of getting shots on net however which way and passing the puck was beyond frustrating.

Are they looking for a set play to emerge? Looking for the pretty play?

GTG with an empty net in the closing minutes requires desperation as much as skill. Just pepper shots on net and crash the crease to jam home rebound chances.

Can't score if the puck gets nowhere near the net. It's not rocket science.

So, another 3 time SC Champion that #FireColliton doesn’t like. 1st it was Seabrook, then Keith, now it’s Toews. From Laz in ‘The Athletic’.

With 88 seconds left in Game 3 and the Blackhawks pressing for the equalizer, Vegas winger Max Pacioretty took a chance on an empty-netter, firing wide from just outside the red line and getting whistled for icing.

On the bench sat Jonathan Toews, the Blackhawks’ second-best offensive weapon and one of the most clutch players in franchise history. In Jeremy Colliton’s pocket was the Blackhawks’ timeout.

Colliton used neither.

Toews, the Blackhawks’ best faceoff man, sat and watched as Dylan Strome took the biggest draw of the game. Toews, the Blackhawks’ best scorer of ugly goals in the crease, sat and watched as 19-year-old Kirby Dach got the chance. Patrick Kane played the last 2:04. Duncan Keith played the last 2:17. Toews sat the last 1:22, two full shifts. So did Dominik Kubalik. So did Alex DeBrincat.

Meanwhile, Calvin de Haan, a defensive specialist, was on the ice for the final frantic 40 seconds.

“What the hell is he doing with 44 out there?” texted one league source almost exactly when the horn sounded. “Where’s 19?”
- scottak

Well that doesn't paint a picture of competence.... and I don't care if Toews looked gassed or was having a bad game. You put him out there. Adrenaline will take care of any fatigue at that point.

So, another 3 time SC Champion that #FireColliton doesn’t like. 1st it was Seabrook, then Keith, now it’s Toews. From Laz in ‘The Athletic’.

With 88 seconds left in Game 3 and the Blackhawks pressing for the equalizer, Vegas winger Max Pacioretty took a chance on an empty-netter, firing wide from just outside the red line and getting whistled for icing.

On the bench sat Jonathan Toews, the Blackhawks’ second-best offensive weapon and one of the most clutch players in franchise history. In Jeremy Colliton’s pocket was the Blackhawks’ timeout.

Colliton used neither.

Toews, the Blackhawks’ best faceoff man, sat and watched as Dylan Strome took the biggest draw of the game. Toews, the Blackhawks’ best scorer of ugly goals in the crease, sat and watched as 19-year-old Kirby Dach got the chance. Patrick Kane played the last 2:04. Duncan Keith played the last 2:17. Toews sat the last 1:22, two full shifts. So did Dominik Kubalik. So did Alex DeBrincat.

Meanwhile, Calvin de Haan, a defensive specialist, was on the ice for the final frantic 40 seconds.

“What the hell is he doing with 44 out there?” texted one league source almost exactly when the horn sounded. “Where’s 19?”
- scottak

Good way to summarize how annoying it was how the game ended with poor deployment of players.

The Hawks needed to tie the game, not preserve a lead, in an elimination game.

Get your best faceoff center out there. Definitely not Strome. Clearly Toews.

Then get your best offensive weapons out there including your defensemen. As you shared, Toews, Kubalik, and DeBrincat not on the ice.

Why?

Good way to summarize how annoying it was how the game ended with poor deployment of players.

The Hawks needed to tie the game, not preserve a lead, in an elimination game.

Get your best faceoff center out there. Definitely not Strome. Clearly Toews.

Then get your best offensive weapons out there including your defensemen. As you shared, Toews, Kubalik, and DeBrincat not on the ice.

Why?
- AEL_Fox

Laz is talking about game 3 in the article, but yes, the deployment of players is less than optimal.

Colliton has issues. The Hawks are trying to score in the last minute of the game and he puts Boqvist on the ice. Why? Everyone is blasting the kid, the kid was timid all series. The kid is coming back from at least 2 concussions this year and from a iffy hit in the earlier series. i can see why Keith is gassed and it is really not fair to him. And i am sure Keith is pissed that he is making errors or not making the play he wants. So the bigger question, can Colliton improve as a coach with a iffy team? what was interesting, Quenville played in the game 5, he seemed to be more involved in the play than last game - fresher legs????
- Topshelf2010

It is abundantly clear by the eye test in Blackhawk playoff hockey from the ignominious Nashville then St Louis and now Edm series THAT CHICAGO NEEDS an overall group of forwards who cycle/check display grit & play defense. You do not get enough of this from too many of our forwards. And we need to get this effort from each line if we expect to stand a fair chance to compete. And look respectable while we are at it.

Drafting a forward whom has the compete level = round one 2020. Promoting some Rockford players too. But do we have enough compete style AS AFOREMENTIONED in top six? Because eventually our defense Corp could be comprised of three new age puck moving puck driving possession game.

Right now ot is difgicult to prefict the pthervpart of the equation which is our goaltending. Until Bowman tips his hand otherwise we go with the renewal plan: Crawford + a combination of Rickfird goalies and or Subban

I was willing to bring in a stud goaltendet prospect via moving up in the draft. But it is very very difficult to accomplish this with the first tier in round one. Beside I do not know if Saad + a prospect to exchange picks is proper renumeration. All out for Askinov. Sigh for it is
a pipe dream

Well that doesn't paint a picture of competence.... and I don't care if Toews looked gassed or was having a bad game. You put him out there. Adrenaline will take care of any fatigue at that point.
- bhawks2241

Exactly, Toews is a decorated 3-Cup winner. He'll find a second wind and gear to crank out a last-ditch effort.

If he and other offensive players were tired, use a timeout or other delay tactics to buy time to get them enough rest to give them a boost for the final push.

Laz is talking about game 3 in the article, but yes, the deployment of players is less than optimal.
- scottak

Sorry about that. Either way, still not a good decision making to end a game.

Well that doesn't paint a picture of competence.... and I don't care if Toews looked gassed or was having a bad game. You put him out there. Adrenaline will take care of any fatigue at that point.
- bhawks2241

He had a timeout remaining.

Think you're thinking of a different series. Referring to NSH. Those first two games, the Hawks may have been in on paper, but the eye test said they weren't ready to start either game and came out flat footed in both.

I don't recall those first two contests being respectable at all...especially Johanssen taking Toews lunch money that entire series.

Finally in the 3rd game they showed a pulse but it was already too late.

I also disagree on your point in terms of the vibe of the series. I think most people would say they found NSH series way more deflating. The Hawks were the one seed vs the 8 seed in that series but sure didn't look like a one seed.

Obviously it was the reverse this time and yes goaltending kept them in it, but they were in fact in it.

The better team won in both series but there wasn't really any player that stood out for any good reasons in the NSH series...which I imagine also factored in to the planarian and Hammer trades.

After that series, not sure how many people were left feeling good about the future fast forward to today where you can at least see a day where some more of the prospects could crack the lineup.

Edit - I stand corrected on shot totals but I seem to remember most of the shots being taken outside the circles with no Hawks down low for rebounds. The shot totals were more flattering but they didn't really appear to be in at least two of those games (2nd and 4th).
- HawkintheD

Nah, I watched most of the season and knew them winning the division was a complete fluke and reinforces how much of a joke the NHL regular season is. But, on paper, at least it was pretty even.

Again, the better team won but it wasn't the complete and utter domination this series was.

On paper and the eye test were both horrendous against Vegas and bad against the Oilers.

There isn't a whole lot to look forward to. Other than Dach there isn't anything encouraging about how anyone played. Every single line got their ass beat against Vegas in a pretty embarrassing way.

Unless Ian Mitchal Christ is going to magically fix their defensive issues and that bozo behind the bench figures out how to coach a professional team instead of a youth one, next year they're nothing but middling 10 seed that may be a 7 or 8 because Patrick Kane is that good of a player.

Good way to summarize how annoying it was how the game ended with poor deployment of players.

The Hawks needed to tie the game, not preserve a lead, in an elimination game.

Get your best faceoff center out there. Definitely not Strome. Clearly Toews.

Then get your best offensive weapons out there including your defensemen. As you shared, Toews, Kubalik, and DeBrincat not on the ice.

Why?
- AEL_Fox

I know you don’t need more examples - but - in the game that wrnt to OT - game 2? - 10 minutes left in the 3rd, tie game, ozone draw - Colliton put the 4th line out there. That’s the time to go for the win - if, perhaps, Kane / Toews were coming off shift and tired, AdB and Strome would be better - again, ozone draw.

And with less than a minute left in regulation in the tie game - he had AdB, Strome, Nylander on the ice. Again - go for the win - “nuclear option” time.

Hmmm, they had shot share advantages in two of the Nashville games and other than the score sheet - was at least somewhat back and fourth. The better team ended up winning when over the 4 games the stats that should indicate success are about even. Getting swept sucks and seeing Toews get thrown around like a rag doll was irritating but at least on paper or on the score sheet it wasn't overly horrific.

The Hawks got embarrassed against Vegas. Dominated in every single game aside from the one Crow decided to steal.

Losing to the wankers from Nashville sucks but at least they kept the flow of play somewhat respectable and were able to have the run of play some games themselves even though maybe they didn't have the talent or whatever to capitalize on it.
- fattybeef

The same can be said here the better team won, 1 of your points is how a better coach would put Toews and Kane in a better position to be effective but vs the Preds, whopping 2 goals is all for the wonder twins. Same goalie played in that series. Honestly there was more talent on the 2017 team then there was on this year's team, i guess JC got lucky and the team as a whole got lucky vs the Oil

They should have. They were the #1 seed going against the 8 seed. They got shut out the first two games. Held a lead through two periods and collapsed in the 3rd in game 3, and got roasted 4-1 in game 4.

They were a much better team than this years squad. The Hawks should have gotten embarrassed against the Knights. They were the 12 ranked team in the WC.
- Chunk

That hawks team was super flawed and they didn't have the horses to keep up for 60 minutes. That happens. At least they had the opportunities and were in those games.

This team isn't that much less talented than Columbus. Other than Seth Jones being a monster the Hawks are probably a deeper team. But Columbus was organized, played hard and played as a team even though they were out classed. They had the run of play but weren't able to close out games 4 or 5. They made adjustments and have something to build on.

The Hawks got smoked, didn't make any tactical adjustments aside from superficial line up changes and other than Crow they were embarrassingly bad. The kids looked scared and the veterans looked pissed. Lot of that starts with the guy behind the bench

The same can be said here the better team won, 1 of your points is how a better coach would put Toews and Kane in a better position to be effective but vs the Preds, whopping 2 goals is all for the wonder twins. Same goalie played in that series. Honestly there was more talent on the 2017 team then there was on this year's team, i guess JC got lucky and the team as a whole got lucky vs the Oil
- BetweenTheDots

The Oilers are about where the Hawks are in terms of overall talent except McDavid and Leon aren't winners like Toews and Kane.

The same can be said here the better team won, 1 of your points is how a better coach would put Toews and Kane in a better position to be effective but vs the Preds, whopping 2 goals is all for the wonder twins. Same goalie played in that series. Honestly there was more talent on the 2017 team then there was on this year's team, i guess JC got lucky and the team as a whole got lucky vs the Oil
- BetweenTheDots

My point is the winning and losing is irrelevant. They lost both but in one of those series, even though they couldn't score, they had the run of play in 2 of them. The big guns didnt score.

This time around Toews and Kane and Crow were able to hide a lot of warts but the hawks had zero run of play, zero complete games, and got smoked on paper and with the eye test against Vegas.

Fun exercise. I think Dach will be a notably better hockey player next year, but I think his offense will come along slowly. I see him as a 20-20 guy next year.
- Chunk

I'm going to be at 20-25. I'm not that thrilled with some of his decision making in pass or shoot situations but it was his first year obviously. He should be able to get 20 goals just crashing and driving the net and also get assists doing the same. I know McKinnon said he purposefully started driving hard to the net and shooting, even if he thought his odds were not good to score on the first shot, but with the intent on being in the best spot for the rebound. And it has worked great for him.

Well that doesn't paint a picture of competence.... and I don't care if Toews looked gassed or was having a bad game. You put him out there. Adrenaline will take care of any fatigue at that point.
- bhawks2241

I'm going to assume he had a good reason. He knows about Toews. I doubt he's benching him at that point in the season. This, of course, is assumed . If he kept Toews off the ice for anything other than a very good reason, then yes he should be fired and probably undergo mental testing

I know you don’t need more examples - but - in the game that wrnt to OT - game 2? - 10 minutes left in the 3rd, tie game, ozone draw - Colliton put the 4th line out there. That’s the time to go for the win - if, perhaps, Kane / Toews were coming off shift and tired, AdB and Strome would be better - again, ozone draw.

And with less than a minute left in regulation in the tie game - he had AdB, Strome, Nylander on the ice. Again - go for the win - “nuclear option” time.
- StLBravesFan

Yes, excellent examples. Thank you for sharing and elaborating.

Agree, nuclear time no matter what in those situations. You don't go with which line or pair is next in line.

If Colliton had a strategy in mind for why he made those decisions, it would be interesting to hear it.

Great post, Topshelf.

The lack of getting shots on net however which way and passing the puck was beyond frustrating.

Are they looking for a set play to emerge? Looking for the pretty play?

GTG with an empty net in the closing minutes requires desperation as much as skill. Just pepper shots on net and crash the crease to jam home rebound chances.

Can't score if the puck gets nowhere near the net. It's not rocket science.
- AEL_Fox

Isnt Boqvist known for his ability to get shots through?

Yes, excellent examples. Thank you for sharing and elaborating.

Agree, nuclear time no matter what in those situations. You don't go with which line or pair is next in line.

If Colliton had a strategy in mind for why he made those decisions, it would be interesting to hear it.
- AEL_Fox

Problem is - no one pressed him on those in the post-game - or Lazarus / Powers from The Athletic or any of the other media.

Yes, excellent examples. Thank you for sharing and elaborating.

Agree, nuclear time no matter what in those situations. You don't go with which line or pair is next in line.

If Colliton had a strategy in mind for why he made those decisions, it would be interesting to hear it.
- AEL_Fox

I see everyone's perspective, and you're not wrong. But at some point the club needs the young guys to step up and take command of the team while Toews and Keith move to a supporting role. The Hawks needs to see what they have in certain players and how they perform in pivotal situations. I think these playoffs were a good opportunity for that. They were all unexpected/bonus games anyway, why not try? I know we all want the Hawks to win, but the young guys need this experience.

I'm going to assume he had a good reason. He knows about Toews. I doubt he's benching him at that point in the season. This, of course, is assumed . If he kept Toews off the ice for anything other than a very good reason, then yes he should be fired and probably undergo mental testing
- just69sayin

He also didn't use his timeout.... not sure there is a good reason for that one.

Isnt Boqvist known for his ability to get shots through?
- just69sayin

Carlsson and Kalynuk have reputations of being able to get shots through. Not sure about Boqvist, though, despite having one of the more lethal shots.

During his freshman yeat at Denver, Mitchell had the same issue as Keith by constantly being thwarted with his point shots but has since then improved for it not to be a problem anymore.