First off, I haven’t watched the last period yet, just the highlights, but my thoughts on the game:
- Hawks forwards played more physical than usual and looked much better. The type of hockey we will need in the playoffs.
- That said, the defencemen are still too soft and it will cost us if it keeps up into the playoffs. Players get to our net too easily untouched.
- The Blues team is much better than what we witnessed last night. Bank on that. They had an off night.
- Stalberg was the best Hawk forward and set up Sharpie all night. The 2 are showing some real chemistry, similar to what Kane and Hossa have had lately. Q needs to keep these guys together (I think even he will realize that).
- Hawks need to resurrect their PP fast or the post season may be a short one.
Yep, which is going to create a good problem once Toews comes back! Even I honestly don't know how the lineup will change when he returns because of how well Q's current lines have been gelling. I'd imagine he will change lines often until he finds something that works.
Yep, which is going to create a good problem once Toews comes back! Even I honestly don't know how the lineup will change when he returns because of how well Q's current lines have been gelling. I'd imagine he will change lines often until he finds something that works.
I'd just flip Toews with Kruger and keep on truckin'
I don't agree that the blues are "much better" than what we saw last night. They are slightly better, but not much. Classic case of a team that has a magical regular season where everything falls into place. I think they lose to any playoff team in the west in a 7 game series.
YES --not an "A" game from STL.....YES--a better goalie than Crawford doesn't let in 2 goals within seconds of us scoring on the opposition--that he could not make the big save at the right moment (except in the SO) is disconcerting--and AGAIN 17/20 is only an .850 save %---even below his less than sparkling -call it mediocre seasonal average og JUST .902--that is .902 NOT .920 ....and while he is "elite" amomg goalies in the shoot-outs --those WILL NOT BE IN PLAY in the playoffs... so goaltending with CC is more of an adventure in "real" game time than anything you can rely on...SO we are concerned we can't go far in the playoffs due to this glaring flaw...
BLAME only CC for the STL goals? NO! LEDDY was awful in his own zone on 2 of the STL goals (But he finished even because he was on for 2 of our goals ); the Brunette Kane Hossa trio were on for all 3 STL goals---all were LOUSY in our own zone--lousy!
They were on for 1 of ours.so each of them finished -2 ....AWFUL!
IT seems to me that KANE+LEDDY (88+8) on the ice at the same time ANYTIME but ESPECIALLY in late stages of a 3-2 game where we are leading with just a few minutes to go --IS a recipe for disaster just wainting to pounce...and lo and behold --it did just that.
THEY are TOO SMALL,TOO SOFT,TOO WEAK to stop anything down low and cutting to the net --you cannot put them on the ice at the sae time--Q should realize this by now..888 may be good luck for the Chinese --but NOT for the Indianhead...Painful to watch such weakness get exploited in the strength overpower game down low...
I don't know that I want to see Kane moved from Center at this point. I think Kruger needs to get bumped down for the post season.
Sharp-Toews-Stalberg
Burnette-Kane-Hossa
(Burnette has been decent the last few games there, but I'd consider bumping him down in favor of another alternative if needed)
brunette has been decent? What? He's been as awful as ever. that goal last night doesn't change anything. He's killing anything hossa and kane do because the defense doesn't have to respect him at all and he's too ****ing slow for hossa and kane to cycle like they would if they weren't playing with a boat anchor.
brunette has been decent? What? He's been as awful as ever. that goal last night doesn't change anything. He's killing anything hossa and kane do because the defense doesn't have to respect him at all and he's too ****ing slow for hossa and kane to cycle like they would if they weren't playing with a boat anchor.
Brunette needs to get in front of the net and screen the goalie a lot more. Then he can be effective.
brunette has been decent? What? He's been as awful as ever. that goal last night doesn't change anything. He's killing anything hossa and kane do because the defense doesn't have to respect him at all and he's too ****ing slow for hossa and kane to cycle like they would if they weren't playing with a boat anchor.
Yea, maybe a Jimmy Hayes is needed there for the post season. I'm not saying he was decent just because of the goal, just that he seemed to be more involved the last few games. Hes the weakest of the Top 6 right now. I'd certainly look for another option there. But I don't want to see Kane moved from Center for the post season. He has been a changed player since Toews left, and he needs to stay in that role. Kruger has been solid, but still has no where close to the offense needed in the post season. He can be a 4th line winger or center that 4th line. But Kane needs to stay at C for my money.
Brunette needs to get in front of the net and screen the goalie a lot more. Then he can be effective.
He doesn't have the hands anymore. How many times have we seen him end up with the puck on his stick in front of the net and miff his shot? He also ends up blocking a ton of shots because he's too snail-like to get his old ass out the way.
He doesn't have the hands anymore. How many times have we seen him end up with the puck on his stick in front of the net and miff his shot? He also ends up blocking a ton of shots because he's too snail-like to get his old ass out the way.
Right, I want him playing just the way he has along side the net but actually burying the easy chances he gets. He should be close to 20 goals on the season.
I don't agree that the blues are "much better" than what we saw last night. They are slightly better, but not much. Classic case of a team that has a magical regular season where everything falls into place. I think they lose to any playoff team in the west in a 7 game series.
Its been the goaltending and the defense for them, look at the goals against and goals for. They will probably win the majority of their 1-0 or 2-1 games. I'm not convinced they can win many 3-2 or 4-3 games though.
THEY are TOO SMALL,TOO SOFT,TOO WEAK to stop anything down low and cutting to the net --you cannot put them on the ice at the sae time--Q should realize this by now..
Just another reason Quenneville should be *****... [I'll let someone else finish the sentence for me]
I don't agree that the blues are "much better" than what we saw last night. They are slightly better, but not much. Classic case of a team that has a magical regular season where everything falls into place. I think they lose to any playoff team in the west in a 7 game series.
I disagree.
At the very least, that team wins their first round series. No way they lose to whatever mediocre team ends up in 8th.
actually, now that I think about it, we should have the sharp-kruger-stalberg line
it would be the most handsome line in hockey.
so what we need is for kruger to lrn2offense so we can ice that line for the next 5 years. it'll bring all the chicks to the UC, and then we men can take advantage of their lessened sensibilities.
I thought Seabrook had a great game last night. Seems like he's really stepping it up in Keith's absence. He was just all over.
I can remember a few times last night where the puck was moving around behind the goal line and he was hitting and pinning players effectively, chipping the puck up to his winger, cutting off passing lanes and forcing players to the outside etc.
Had a really strong defensive showing. Hope he can keep this up going into the playoffs.
Edit: I'd also like to eat crow and say that Kruger is really changing my mind lately, especially last night. I didn't see anything that made me believe he had any sort of offensive potential but lately, he's been coming on strong in that regard. Makes a lot of nifty passes and smart, safe plays that keep the momentum going.
It'll take more time, probably another year or two, but I think he could be a good secondary scoring threat. Not sure if he'll necessarily become a 2nd line center, but I think I'm coming around on his offensive potential. Might make Bolland expendable once his contract is up.
Last edited by Jeffrey Lebowski: 03-30-2012 at 12:57 PM.
If possible, I would not like to see SOD on the ice ever again for the Hawks. I thought he looked pretty bad last night. And just falling over and losing his man cost us the 2nd goal.
