Outside of 1st period Game 2 I really hate our special teams. Yea PK is good but the PP is dogshit. More Kane and fucking improve the zone entries. Ice looks good for UC Ice. Better than Anaheim. Also the boards in Anaheim were jacked up. Hope having 2 more fresh legs than Anaheim will pay off - only bright spot I can think of.
This is the most angry I've been at a hockey game since AZ/CHI in 2012. I can't justify what Q's done and the play is regular season-like.
So Nordstrom was out there for both goals. Vermette better be on his death bed. Q totally neutered the Hawks scoring depth which is their biggest advantage
@ChrisKuc: Joel Quenneville on lineup changes: "We just wanted to get some fresh legs in there." #Blackhawks I just set myself on fire
Q wanted "fresh legs" GTFO. Versteeg postgame "the first few shifts it was like I was standing in a raceway". I've turned on Q effective today.
His ego won't allow him to go back to Teravainen+Vermette because it proves he was wrong. Just watch. He'll bring one back but not both.
I understand the thinking about wanting fresh legs after 3 OTs... but TT is fucking young and you would think he of all people would have plenty in the tank. oh well... got to win another game in Cali
@ESPNChiPowers: Four-line rotation certainly affected by changes. Kruger came into game averaging 16:37 of ice time. He played 8:43 today.
Did Kruger even take a faceoff tonight? I didn't notice him on the dot. He's pretty good on the face off
TVR recalled Scott Powers @ESPNChiPowers This will allow van Riemsdyk an opportunity to train with the Black Aces. He’s not a realistic option to play.
Brian Hedger @BrianHedger Q said TVR (fractured bone in his hand) is medically cleared to participate. #Blackhawks Chicago Blackhawks @NHLBlackhawks Per Coach Q, Trevor van Riemsdyk will not play in Game 4. #CHIvsANA
Chris Kuc @ChrisKuc Joel Quenneville on Marcus Kruger not taking faceoffs in Game 3: "He'll be better tomorrow." Asked about an injury: "There's no injury." Brian Hedger @BrianHedger Q said Vermette and Teravainen "could play" Saturday ... and "could play" usually means, "Yep, they're in there." #Blackhawks
Chris Emma @CEmma670 Antoine Vermette could've played Game 3. "(Benching) came as a surprise and disappointment. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't happy about it."
I can't believe that in one night Q managed to take a SCF bound team and turn them into this. Versteeg didn't know wtf was going on, Vermette is confused, Kruger plays 8 min after the GWG, Teravainen is called dangerous thought the OTs and now he's on the bench, the 4th line is neutered and unplayable, the 3rd line is unplayable. And the players still only lose by 1.
Kane needs to get in some shifts with Toews Sharp is being wasted with that line last night. Vermette (while the dude has no clue how to shoot) is solid at creating chances for Sharp and Teuvo. and the PP is an abortion.
Chris Kuc@ChrisKuc 42m42 minutes ago Antoine Vermette on whether he felt tired after marathon Game 2: "Nope." #Blackhawks
what motivation was he sending Kruger by pulling his ice time after scoring the OT winner? Just not sure Game 3 of the WCF would be the appropriate time for those gimmicks. Vermette was not seriously hurt, just missed a few open chances in Game 2. Teuvo has done as much as expected and played far better than his replacement; also not hurt. Nordstrom provided nothing and Shaw isnt a 3rd line center. If motivation was 'lets a lose a game and make things interesting' then maybe?
I've been saying for a while now this team can't handle prosperity. Although they haven't won every series, they've gone down 2-1 to Nashville, a period away from going 0-2 at home to Vancouver, down 3-0 to Vancouver, down 3-1 to the Wings, down 2-1 to the Bruins game 4 in Boston, down 2-0 to the Blues, down 3-1 to the Kings....its just never easy with these guys.
With TVR coming up and potentially playing 2-3 weeks before his timeline said he would I just have to go back to the Johns decision. It's 3-1 Grand Rapids vis. Rockford and the Hawks have just lost game 1 to Anaheim. The world is talking about your lack of depth on D and you have a player who is easily better than all your bottom 2 options. I think at that point you just had to say "Fuck you, Dent" and bring him up. RFD loses game 5 anyway, Johns gets hurt late in the game and he's done for the season.
I know a lot is being made about the defense, but the Hawks didn't lose game 3 because of their defense.