Meaning Nashville is in 4th?
Who is in 3rd? LA, Phoenix, or SJ?
3rd is LA or Phoenix. Nashville is locked in at 4th. If your opinion changes based on who is 3rd, for the purpose of the poll, assume it is the opponent you would prefer.
3rd is LA or Phoenix. Nashville is locked in at 4th. If your opinion changes based on who is 3rd, for the purpose of the poll, assume it is the opponent you would prefer.
I'd say play out the game. I really don't like the idea of strategic losing...I think it creates a very unproductive mentality.
I'd say play out the game. I really don't like the idea of strategic losing...I think it creates a very unproductive mentality.
Agreed but if it's me, I start Emery and just tell him to let one in. Nobody else has to know. Ideally, he just goes out there and takes care of business.
Agreed but if it's me, I start Emery and just tell him to let one in. Nobody else has to know. Ideally, he just goes out there and takes care of business.
Ideally you just throw him out there...don't have to tell him to just let one in
Ideally you just throw him out there...don't have to tell him to just let one in
I'll pitch in for a bottle to get delivered to his hotel room the night before just to be sure. I want no part of Nashville, just have a really bad feeling they won't be denied in the 1st round after all of this build up. Maybe later they are worn down and I like our chances better but not 1st round. That's bad news.
Agreed but if it's me, I start Emery and just tell him to let one in. Nobody else has to know. Ideally, he just goes out there and takes care of business.
The last thing *either* goalie for the Hawks needs is encouragement to let in a goal
If I was a player and I got even the slightest inkling that my coach was trying to throw the game to get an easier opponent in the playoffs, I would be furious. If Q, Bowman, or any of the players are thinking that way then this team has already lost the cup. Confidence is everything.
I understand matchups matter in the playoffs, and some matchups are better/worse than others. But, with that said, the objective is to win the Stanley Cup - not just survive the 1st round. The mindset neccessary to win (4) 7-game series is that we can beat every team - no team scares us. If "everyone" thinks Nashville is a better team than the Pacific Division winner, and therefore harder to beat - then all the more impresive and confidence building when we beat them.
If the winner gets 5th, pulling your goaltender to "get fifth" even though you are really trying to lose will make you look even more stupid than this poll.
If I was a player and I got even the slightest inkling that my coach was trying to throw the game to get an easier opponent in the playoffs, I would be furious. If Q, Bowman, or any of the players are thinking that way then this team has already lost the cup. Confidence is everything.
If the winner gets 5th, pulling your goaltender to "get fifth" even though you are really trying to lose will make you look even more stupid than this poll.
I don't remember the exact stat off hand but it's something like you get scored on with an empty net 10 times more than you score.
I just feel that between the nine game losing streak, the mediocre goaltending, and the frightening PP we need to spend every second of every game playing to win.
1) LA is only marginally a better matchup than Nashville
2) what if we stil lose in the 1st round after obviously tanking? Disgraceful.
3) I'd honestly rather see the Hawks get swept by Nashville than see them beat LA after tanking. Pride in the team I root for, the team I've spent hundreds of dollars and countless hours supporting, is more important to me than moderate playoff success.
Dignity and respect are important to me. It might be dramatic but it's how I feel.
Imagine NSH and DET lose in regulation tonight (a plausible scenario given NJ is solid and DAL is fighting for their lives) and you guys win. The standings for the last game of the season would be:
DET 101 pts (39 ROW)
NSH 100 pts (41 ROW)
CHI 100 pts (39 ROW)
Would be total madness given you guys are playing DET. Sorry to invade your forum, but I would love to see this just for the excitement haha. All teams could easily end up anywhere between #4 and #6 depending on several outcomes.
