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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Playoffs… I'm Talking Playoffs
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Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Apr 24 @ 8:48 AM ET
Justin Lowe: Playoffs… I'm Talking Playoffs I listened to sports radio on the drive in this morning here in Toronto and as I sit on the train, there's a lot cloud of disappointment that is very evident. The Leafs lost in Game #7 (again) to the Boston Bruins (again).

Once again, it made me appreciate the Hawks success and the opportunities that management, coaching staffs and players seized when the winning was within reach.

Here are some playoff thoughts in my brain this morning.
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

Apr 24 @ 8:52 AM ET
Send us your energy
boilermaker100
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2015

Apr 24 @ 8:55 AM ET
Four of the teams with the most serious cap problems this summer, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vegas, and Winnipeg all ousted in the first round of the playoffs. They will have to shed a few depth players each and bring in a bunch of prospects on ELC's or veterans on cheap contracts, making their quest for the Cup next year a little bit harder.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Apr 24 @ 8:55 AM ET
Send us your energy
- BINGO!


Good luck tonight Bingo!

Looking forward to watching. OV gonna be mad though... be careful out there.
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Apr 24 @ 8:57 AM ET
Send us your energy
- BINGO!


Good luck! I’ll be rotting for the Canes for sure.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Apr 24 @ 8:58 AM ET
Four of the teams with the most serious cap problems this summer, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vegas, and Winnipeg all ousted in the first round of the playoffs. They will have to shed a few depth players each and bring in a bunch of prospects on ELC's or veterans on cheap contracts, making their quest for the Cup next year a little bit harder.
- boilermaker100


Nice take. I will be honing in on individual teams (like the ones you listed) in future blogs to discuss potential targets through trades.

It's damn tough to win and those teams above have some thinking to do about what went wrong and where they can improve. Will the moves be drastic or will they be salary dumps to stay the course?

Interesting to see and excited to share my thoughts in coming months.
HamiltonHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.13.2015

Apr 24 @ 9:00 AM ET
Nice writell up again . My thoughts have been the same. With Winnipeg Toronto Tampa falling it has really made me appreciate what the Hawks have accomplished.

frafra
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 10.21.2011

Apr 24 @ 9:00 AM ET
Watching two game 7's last night made me appreciate the excitement felt watching the Blackhawks in game 7's. Also makes me appreciate the greatness and heart of the core during that run...never done until the final horn. Unreal.

Lot of big teams in cap trouble this off-season with nothing to show for it but playoff exits. I am excited and hopeful for the future of this Hawks team.
HamiltonHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.13.2015

Apr 24 @ 9:02 AM ET
Send us your energy
- BINGO!

Hope you guys do it. Any chance your two injured forwards can make it back tonight?
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Apr 24 @ 9:02 AM ET
Justin Lowe: Playoffs… I'm Talking Playoffs
I listened to sports radio on the drive in this morning here in Toronto and as I sit on the train, there's a lot cloud of disappointment that is very evident. The Leafs lost in Game #7 (again) to the Boston Bruins (again).

Once again, it made me appreciate the Hawks success and the opportunities that management, coaching staffs and players seized when the winning was within reach.

Here are some playoff thoughts in my brain this morning.

- Justin Lowe


Excellent write-up, thanks for putting together something with a more positive tone.

These playoffs make me really appreciate what the Hawks did. On sports radio in Vancouver they were drawing comparison to the Leafs and both Chicago and Pittsburgh regarding how long it took those teams to have a deep playoff run with their young stars. In their opinion the Leafs have fallen short. I would agree but the window is far from closed for Toronto.

All the early playoff exits should provide Stan with extra opportunity this summer. It will be easier for the likes of Vegas and Toronto to part with players (mostly for cap reasons) after losing in the first round. Hopefully the Blackhawks can take advantage of the situation in some capacity.
frafra
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 10.21.2011

Apr 24 @ 9:03 AM ET
Logan Couture looked like he wanted to slay everything last night after Pavelski was knocked out. 5 minutes wasn't the right call after seeing the replay. My initial thought was that Pavelski took that cross check across the face.

MAF seems to be a polarizing figure for a lot of hockey fans, but I love watching that dude in net. Absolute stud.
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Apr 24 @ 9:04 AM ET
Send us your energy
- BINGO!

Good luck tonite - complete the Wild Card sweep.
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Apr 24 @ 9:08 AM ET
Bad call - should have been two minutes (or none, considering what doesn’t get called, especially in the playoffs - call more of the cross checks that happen in board scrums and at the net and you’ll see less crosschecks).

Yes, VGK got screwed on the call - but suck it up, kill most of the penalty, make a save - they lost the game on their own.

Not to mention blowing a 3-1 series lead.

I have no sympathy....
PatShart
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Vegas, NV
Joined: 06.25.2015

Apr 24 @ 9:11 AM ET
Yep. Bad call but Vegas had 3 games to put them away and didnt.

Gallant was awful this series
boilermaker100
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2015

Apr 24 @ 9:12 AM ET
JL,

I am looking forward to your thoughts on how the cap strapped teams reshape their rosters and who the Hawks can pick up. Unfortunately there are about 25 other GM's out there in competition with Stan for any available players.
TommyHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.23.2013

Apr 24 @ 9:15 AM ET
Did anyone else focus in (especially the last 10 min of regulation outside of the penalty) on how beautifully Vegas was able to move the puck?

I'm not sure whether it was their team chemistry as a whole or they were simply faster and more "technically" disciplined, but my goodness they absolutely carved up the neutral zone and had no problem entering SJ's zone. They did it with ease with quick, sharp passes where it almost seemed second nature to them. It almost seemed USSR-like. Only salivate at the Hawks playing like Vegas did but with better forwards and more [offensively] capable d-men.

That's an issue that the Hawks struggled with consistently this season. They either had to effectively dump and chase, or waiting on an open window and relying on a terrific outlet pass (carrying over from the Q days) The Hawks are a more talented team than the Knights on paper, but you could tell there was a huge disparity in coaching and in schemes between us and them.

Hopefully improving our overall defense play (however it may be) will be on display next season, because from what I saw from at least Vegas last night, they would have tore the Hawks defense and forecheck into shreds. It's a travesty they got screwed over by that 5 min major. They should be playing Colorado.
FinnGod
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: ND
Joined: 01.25.2018

Apr 24 @ 9:20 AM ET
Solid blog, Dubas and his staff have Some things to definitely question.

Go canes go and what not ❤️
6628
Joined: 08.24.2009

Apr 24 @ 9:21 AM ET
Hearing some people ripping on Fleury for the 4 goals last night. I can't blame those goals on him. He was screened, under intense pressure, and those shots were snipes and rockets. It's the game 6 overtime goal where he f'd up. After that the VGK were tempting fate.
6628
Joined: 08.24.2009

Apr 24 @ 9:23 AM ET
Did anyone else focus in (especially the last 10 min of regulation outside of the penalty) on how beautifully Vegas was able to move the puck?

I'm not sure whether it was their team chemistry as a whole or they were simply faster and more "technically" disciplined, but my goodness they absolutely carved up the neutral zone and had no problem entering SJ's zone. They did it with ease with quick, sharp passes where it almost seemed second nature to them. It almost seemed USSR-like. Only salivate at the Hawks playing like Vegas did but with better forwards and more

- TommyHawk[offensively] capable d-men.

That's an issue that the Hawks struggled with consistently this season. They either had to effectively dump and chase, or waiting on an open window and relying on a terrific outlet pass (carrying over from the Q days) The Hawks are a more talented team than the Knights on paper, but you could tell there was a huge disparity in coaching and in schemes between us and them.

Hopefully improving our overall defense play (however it may be) will be on display next season, because from what I saw from at least Vegas last night, they would have tore the Hawks defense and forecheck into shreds. It's a travesty they got screwed over by that 5 min major. They should be playing Colorado.



It's how they practice.
FinnGod
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: ND
Joined: 01.25.2018

Apr 24 @ 9:24 AM ET
Hope you guys do it. Any chance your two injured forwards can make it back tonight?
- HamiltonHawk

Both skated in practice prior to game 6. Svech stayed out afterwards with the scratches for extra work, and Ferland was a GTD for the contest. I’m hoping, HOPING, at least ferland makes it back. Fingers crossed for both
Chief4Feathers
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Post-Tank-alyptic World
Joined: 12.23.2010

Apr 24 @ 9:24 AM ET
Did anyone else focus in (especially the last 10 min of regulation outside of the penalty) on how beautifully Vegas was able to move the puck?

I'm not sure whether it was their team chemistry as a whole or they were simply faster and more "technically" disciplined, but my goodness they absolutely carved up the neutral zone and had no problem entering SJ's zone. They did it with ease with quick, sharp passes where it almost seemed second nature to them. It almost seemed USSR-like. Only salivate at the Hawks playing like Vegas did but with better forwards and more

- TommyHawk[offensively] capable d-men.

That's an issue that the Hawks struggled with consistently this season. They either had to effectively dump and chase, or waiting on an open window and relying on a terrific outlet pass (carrying over from the Q days) The Hawks are a more talented team than the Knights on paper, but you could tell there was a huge disparity in coaching and in schemes between us and them.

Hopefully improving our overall defense play (however it may be) will be on display next season, because from what I saw from at least Vegas last night, they would have tore the Hawks defense and forecheck into shreds. It's a travesty they got screwed over by that 5 min major. They should be playing Colorado.


I agree that there’s much to be appreciated by watching teams employ their systems during these playoffs. What has struck me so far is how CBJ and NYI dominated the neutral zone against their respective opponents - in a word - stifling. As you point out, beyond the roster moves, the Hawks defense HAS to be better next year in terms of overall team play. I hope Jeremy and the boys will make the right adjustments.
333inthe3rd
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 02.04.2015

Apr 24 @ 9:35 AM ET
I think Stastny was the big offender on that penalty, not Eakin. Interference, roughing, something like that. I don't have much sympathy for Vegas here.
boilermaker100
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2015

Apr 24 @ 9:45 AM ET
I brought this up on an earlier blog about the possible log jam of Hawk forwards going forward. We already know about the many defensemen in the pipeline.

Signed for next year - Toews, Kane, AA, Saad, Cat, Strome, Kahun, Caggiula, Hayden = 9. Assume Sikura, Kampf and Perlini are signed as RFA's = 12. Assume Kubalik signs = 13. Assume 2 new faces via trade or FA less 1 forward being part of the trade= 14. Another Euro could be in the mix as well. Who goes?

20/21 season - Under contract would be Toews, Kane, AA, Saad, Sikura, Kampf, Perlini, Kabulik, the 2 new faces obtained this year = 10. Assume Cat, Strome, Kahun, Caggiula sign as RFA's =14. The #3 pick, Entwhistle, Hagel, Highmore, Kurashev possibly make the jump after another year of seasoning. Even if only two of the prospects make the team that brings the forward count up to 16. I'm already assuming Hayden is history. Who else goes?

The only weak spot on the future roster is in goal. Stan could use some of the forward and D depth to obtain a future #1 goalie after Cro's contract is up at the end of 19/20, or to make other improvements to the roster.




67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Apr 24 @ 9:50 AM ET
I think Stastny was the big offender on that penalty, not Eakin. Interference, roughing, something like that. I don't have much sympathy for Vegas here.
- 333inthe3rd



What Eakin did happens multiple times every game especially during the playoffs when intensity increases. I am sure that players are even coached to do that. Stastny, on the other hand, by driving the player who is already off balance, caused the injury and is the one who should have been penalized. The act committed by Stastny could have warranted a major call. So in the end, the refs made the right call. The mistake they made is that the wrong player was called.
HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

Apr 24 @ 9:52 AM ET
Good luck! I’ll be rotting for the Canes for sure.
- DarthKane


Kind of extreme Darth no? I’m rooting for the Canes but I’m not about to go all Army of the Dead for them (gratuitous GOT ref for those not watching).
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