so this feels a lot better than last year tbh surprised the Ducks took 7 games to finish off. They def put up a better fight than expected. Hell of a job by the 4 defensemen.
Blackhawks win a road Game 7 for just 2nd time in 5 tries in franchise history (other Game 7 road win was in 1965 Semifinals at Red Wings) Blackhawks: 32-0-0 this season (reg. season/playoffs) when leading after 2 periods...Ducks lose a Game 7 at home for 3rd straight postseason Via Elias: @NHLBlackhawks are 3rd team in last 24 years to reach #StanleyCup Final 3x in 6-year span- DET: 95/97/98, 97/98/02; NJD: 00/01/03 With Hawks win, #Flyers now receive 2016 CHI 2 in Timonen trade. #Hawks won 3 rounds, Timonen guaranteed 50% of games http://www.generalfanager.com/draftpicks?year=2016&round=all&team=all… and thank god we can stop hearing about Anaheim's hit and blocked shot differential like it meant a god damn thing. We beat LA in blocked shots last year and also lost the Faceoff battle...look how that turned out.
@Blackhawk_Up: Frederik Anderson Save % Game 1-.970 Game 2-.946 Game 3-.964 Game 4-.875 Game 5-.857 Game 6-.818 Game 7-.808 #Solved #Blackhawks
he obviously melted with the pressure but seemed like the focus was to stay low on him kid is going to be good tho. They should get a nice return for Gibson.
People talk about the Hawks D running out of gas but have to wonder how the Lightning will hold up. Theyve played one short of the max so far this year going 7, 6, 7 in their 3 series.
At least now we can put to bed X team is too physical for the Hawks until next year. Throw the Ducks on the heap of bodies that have tried to bully the Hawks
speaking of - what is Bickell's 'injury'? given Tampa's style it might open a spot for Steeg in replace of Bickell
Q said bickell and Kruger "will be fine". Pretty clear Bickell has been playing with an injury all series. Up 3 goals Q probably just rested him
@MarkPotash: In the #Blackhawks' 15 series-clinching games in the Toews/Kane era, Jonathan Toews has 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) and is a plus-7.
Clutch @ESPNChiPowers: Jonathan Toews is the first player in NHL history to score multiple road goals in Games 5 and 7 of a playoff series, according to Elias.
Elliot Friedman seems to think Seabrook is the cap casualty this summer, also adds this: Perhaps the biggest surprise to opponents is how successful Chicago’s been at recruiting intriguing young prospects. “They are going after everyone,” one rival exec said. “And they are getting them. It’s clear they are telling these players there will be room to play.” For example, there was real doubt they could hold on to Michael Paliotta, a 2011 draft pick who blossomed at NCAA Vermont and was eligible for free agency. They did. They landed Artem Panarin, a sought-after KHL scorer, and Kyle Baun, a desired college free agent. They are expected to be a contender for Mike Reilly, who recently informed Columbus he would test the market. The Blackhawks already own some real talent at AHL Rockford, led by Teuvo Teravainen, now with the big club. Not all of these players will make an impact, but there’s enough volume to believe some will. Whatever happens against Tampa Bay, they are better prepared to reload.
someone needs to explain how the hell the Hawks beat a team with all their players healthy... I've been told the Hawks can't do that type of thing
So toews take the stamkos line or does Kruger? Surely Q will break Toews and Kane back up for games 1 and 2 right?
Joe Smith @TBTimes_JSmith #TBLightning lines: Killorn-Filppula-Stamkos triplets brown-Paquette-Callahan Marchessault-Boyle-morrow
Think the Hawks have a big edge in bottom 6 scoring. Need that Teuvo-Vermette-Sharp line to eat this series.
Success breeds acrimony, sure...but there seems to be an awful lot of 'hate' towards the Hawks in the nhl thread. The team itself are extremely likable outside of Shaw (and Carcillo who gets no run)...must be fandom shit.
It's jealousy... It's good being on top Spoiler but most of the hate comes from Truman, The Banks (blues/red wings) and troll posters like (AUB) it's why I rarely go into that thread. Its filled with garbage 80% of the time
Said this like 2 weeks ago before Anaheim but Tampa is so top heavy that our D should be fine. Interested to see who Q puts the Kruger line against and the Toews line against. Chicago 3rd line >>> Tampa's really like playing a speed/skill team. Not only b/c the quality of hockey will be better but the matchup is favorable. Cumiskey and Rundblad should be fine. Can sub Versteeg for Bickell and be fine. Just plays much more favorably to what Q has to work with.
its this just have to ignore the few homer/biased takes. both Chicago and Tampa are very likeable franchises
80% of Tampa's goals have come from the triplets or stamkos line. They are even more top heavy than Anaheim.
Hawks need to play this series like they did the Wild. Very similar teams except Tampa is Minnesota on steroids.
only played them twice but I remember one game being an absolute ass kicking... I think we need Crawford to be on... TB is going to get chances
Lost 4-0 at Tampa with Darling in net in the 3rd game in 4 days on the road. Not sure how much you can take from that. We also didn't have Kane, Vermette, or Desjardine
@jcgreenx: Wow, the Tampa Bay Lightning will not allow Blackhawks apparel of any kind in certain parts of their area. http://t.co/PO4jgRdBnN
I don't see Minnesota on steroids, I see Edmonton with competent defenseman. Minnesota is all structure and very little skill.
Have a hard time saying guys like Parise, Pominville, Vanek, Granlund, Koivu have little skill. I mean it as a team with good possession numbers and a hot goaltender although Tampa's playoff possession numbers haven't been great.
Isles just let a RHD from Notre Dame (illinois native) walk. Was a 4th round pick. Could be insurance in case Reilly gets bad advice.
Don't think TVR plays without an injury or consecutive losses. Rundblad and Cuminskey were both fine in games 6 and 7.
Scott Powers@ESPNChiPowers 2m2 minutes ago Quenneville on whether Bickell was hurt or being benched: He was fine. We'll say it was my decision, but we'll say a little bit of both.
TVR was actually good when he played and Q loves him. Can't be overstated how much he hates Rundblad, from his comments made last series it was pretty much a lock he would have played Johns. That's a far bigger leap than playing TVR. Don't know why everyone discounts this happening.
Not discounting it, but Rundblad played fine in the last two games and isn't coming back from an injury. It might happen (TVR plays), but it's a bit of a risk (not that playing Rundblad and Cumiskey isn't). The only thing that makes me think TVR would play is that it would take some minutes off of the top 4. Then again, that means you're giving 15-20 minutes to a guy who hasn't played in the NHL since November.