Patrick KaneVerified account@88PKane Patrick Kane retweeted Chicago Blackhawks Hope it was as much fun for the firefighters as it was for me to be a part of this surprise. Chicago BlackhawksVerified account@NHLBlackhawks Courtney's goal was to have a Blackhawk bring dinner to her husband and fellow firefighters. @88PKane delivered. https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/588345381311754240
Scott Powers @ESPNChiPowers Blackhawks lines: Saad-Toews-Hossa, Versteeg-Richards-Kane, Bickell-Shaw-Vermette-Sharp, Nordstrom-Kruger-Desjardins-Teravainen. Id rather see Saad-Toews-Hossa Sharp-Richards-Kane Bickell-Vermette-Shaw Nordstrom-Kruger-Teuvo
I didn't even think Versteeg played bad in game 1 but I agree that might be the best lineup going forward. That 3rd line is kind of high stakes, it could work great or fail miserably but it looks like playoff Bickell might be making an appearance. I'd still love for them to go back to the old way... Bickell Toews Kane Sharp Richards Hossa Saad Vermette Shaw Nordstrom-Kruger-Teuvo and let Bickell punish Shea and Josi like he did some in game 1.
we are going to dominate faceoffs this series, but next round we need to have Vermette in there. Gives us a big luxury.
Darling starting. Not sure I like it. Could damage Crawford beyond repair. No reason to not win this series without Weber.
Crawford isn't exactly the caliber of goalie you hitch your wagon to. Just play the goalie that gives you the best chance to win. That certainly isn't Crawford right now.
He was a top goalie at 5 on 5 this year, should have won conn smythe in 2013. I think he's really underrated but has been terrible in the first two games.
An average (read: somewhere between 11-20) goalie that faces low quality shots because he has the most talented team in front of him with one of the top 3 sets of top 4 D in the league. Save percentage is highly misleading when looking at it in a vacuum.
Dude was dominant towards the end of the season, and has had 2 straight solid playoff runs. Also have him contracted for 4 more years...so the wagon has been hitched unless someone wants his $7m AAV. I def agree you have to play the right goalie, but there are also long term factors at play imo.
Normally I'd agree with you, but not this year. Hawks haven't been good defensively most of the season. Crawford balled out most of the year
If he's that mentally weak that he can't take a backseat when he's playing like absolute dogshit then that's unfortunate. Jimmy Howard is in the exact same situation and Babcock has no problem letting him ride the pine.
Crawford has been really good this season... but lets be honest he doesn't look like he has any confidence. With that said I probably would of started him game 3....
More concerned with Q's love of Vertseeg and Roszival lmao I missed this... Mark Lazerus @MarkLazerus Q also praised Rozsival's play recognition, puck movement, zone exits & ability to hold the blue line. "Sometimes maybe too much patience."
Vertseeg hasn't been afwul imho... but good lord has Roszival been awful... Q going to go down hitched to that ship
so Preds d pairings will look like? Roman Josi - Seth Jones Mattias Ekholm - Cody Franson Anton Volchenkov - Ryan Ellis
Probably will split up Josi and Jones. At least I would for a little bit. Need one stay at home guy while Josi and Jones can do their thing.
This is what our lines were when Weber was out at the end of the regular season. I wouldn't trust anyone other than jones on the top line going against your top 6 all game.
Vermette in, possibly Desjardins Mark Lazerus @MarkLazerus If I had to guess, I'd guess Nordstrom is one of the guys who'll be out. The other? My money's on Teravainen. Possibly Bickell.
@ChrisKuc: Antoine Vermette and Andrew Desjardins will draw back into #Blackhawks' lineup for Game 3.
Sigh again @ESPNChiPowers: Blackhawks defenseman pairings: Keith-Rozsival, Oduya-Hjalmarsson, Timonen-Seabrook
Second City Hockey @2ndCityHockey I don't understand why so many other guys are allowed to play through their issues but Teuvo gets pulled after one game. Adam Vingan @AdamVingan Predators Game 3 defense v. CHI: Josi-Jones Ekholm-Ellis Bartley-Franson
That was a great sequence for the 4th goal, 4th line putting in a helluva shift with the assist of the captain
He played really well. Have to stick with Darling even though he wasn't particularly great today. Still wish Teuvo would draw in over Richards or versteeg
I really hate Roszival and hope I never see his name again but Ive liked Q's in-game line changes/hybrids