Great job on the interview Al, very eloquent. And you didn't even get distracted when the Boom said watching the Calgary game was like an acid trip for him.
- RickJ

...Thanks

Clowe has been the Shark that has blatantly abused Toews and Keith...He needs to be held in check.
- Al

At the end of the day Toews or Keith have to do that themselves. If it gets ridiculous then yes someone should stand in for them but it's up to each player to look after themselves. Otherwise players will show our star players the same respect they show the Sedins ... ZERO!

At the end of the day Toews or Keith have to do that themselves. If it gets ridiculous then yes someone should stand in for them but it's up to each player to look after themselves. Otherwise players will show our star players the same respect they show the Sedins ... ZERO!
- paulr

Sharp has been really chippy lately. Maybe out of frustration due to his recent struggles? I expect big games from Toews and Hoss tonight- both have tremendous career numbers against SJ.

My bold prediction:
Saad gets his first NHL goal tonight

At the end of the day Toews or Keith have to do that themselves. If it gets ridiculous then yes someone should stand in for them but it's up to each player to look after themselves. Otherwise players will show our star players the same respect they show the Sedins ... ZERO!
- paulr

Your right Toews can go a long way in protecting himself by finishing a few checks

I have seen Hossa do this on occasion when someone went after him and he did not like it. He answered by finding the guy when he had the puck and delivering a big hit.
A guy with his size and speed can make players very nervous. I look forward to Hos hitting Torres through the board cleanly

Sharp has been really chippy lately. Maybe out of frustration due to his recent struggles? I expect big games from Toews and Hoss tonight- both have tremendous career numbers against SJ.

My bold prediction:
Saad gets his first NHL goal tonight
- CBHawks88

Remember Sharp bowling over Chara a few years ago?

Hope you're right about Saad, be nice to see him get something dirty in front of the net to encourage him to play there all the time.

I'll agree to agree...somewhat.

As good as Emery was in that game, and he was very good (not just decent), if the entire Calgary team, and Glenncrosse in particular, didn't have Michael Frolik disease (ie, couldn't hit water if they fell out of a plucking boat), then the Flames win that game 4 or 5-1.

Not a big Crawford believer, and after the Calgary game, I wouldn't mind seeing a little more of Emery. I just can't help but think that if Crawford had won a game in a manner in which the opposition missed that many open looks, he would be labeled as more lucky than good.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agree with all of this.

Sharp has been really chippy lately. Maybe out of frustration due to his recent struggles? I expect big games from Toews and Hoss tonight- both have tremendous career numbers against SJ.

My bold prediction:
Saad gets his first NHL goal tonight
- CBHawks88

Saad, Sharp, Shaw, Stalberg and Seabrook will all score tonight. Crawford will get the shut out.

Your right Toews can go a long way in protecting himself by finishing a few checks

I have seen Hossa do this on occasion when someone went after him and he did not like it. He answered by finding the guy when he had the puck and delivering a big hit.
A guy with his size and speed can make players very nervous. I look forward to Hos hitting Torres through the board cleanly
- molly2522

Remember when Toews went toe to toe (no pun intended) with Backes? He fought a guy who does that on a more regular basis and while he may not have won it, I don't see Backes pushing him around or facewashing after the whistle any more. Keith will scrap too when neccessary. Kane is more of a Sedin, though in fairness to him he is never around areas where he can get abused.

Lucky. You live in Texas

- mrpaulish

At the end of the day Toews or Keith have to do that themselves. If it gets ridiculous then yes someone should stand in for them but it's up to each player to look after themselves. Otherwise players will show our star players the same respect they show the Sedins ... ZERO!
- paulr

I'm talking about what happened in the recent past and it had nothing do with protecting themselves from checks.

Keith was punched in the head by Clowe while being held in a scrum.

Toews was hit in the back of the head a few times...He played one game more and then was out about a month with a concussion.

Those are times when action is required...If not players like Bollig, Carcillo and Mayers shouldn't be on the team. When it happened last season I don't think Bollig was here and Carcillo was hurt.

hitting isn't so much about intimidation as it is wearing down the defense and forcing guys to give the puck up early and creating turnovers and winning the 3rd periods
- nellie

I think its about both. Intimidation and wearing down opponents. The intimidation factor is evident when players pull up short on the boards or they rush passes to avoid contact which causes them to turn the puck over... Also when a player hesitates to carry the puck across the blue line causing turnovers.

What I laugh about is when people confuse fighting with 'physicality'.... Fighting is worthless IMO.... Its those players that know how to throw timely hits that make a difference in a game.

Agree with all of this.
- moylander

In this case that would be more about fan perception than actual fact....

I'm talking about what happened in the recent past and it had nothing do with protecting themselves from checks.

Keith was punched in the head by Clowe while being held in a scrum.

Toews was hit in the back of the head a few times...He played one game more and then was out about a month with a concussion.

Those are times when action is required...If not players like Bollig, Carcillo and Mayers shouldn't be on the team. When it happened last season I don't think Bollig was here and Carcillo was hurt.
- Al

Fair enough and agreed.

I'm just waiting for the day that the instigator penalty is removed from the game. I'd guess we would see far less cheap shots on our star players if the league let players hold other players accountable without sending their team to the PK

I'm just waiting for the day that the instigator penalty is removed from the game. I'd guess we would see far less cheap shots on our star players if the league let players hold other players accountable without sending their team to the PK
- CBHawks88

I think it's more likely they remove fighting before they remove the instigator rule.

not to thread jack but Zack Rinaldo just beat the living snot out of BJ Crombeen on NBCS...wow..

not to thread jack but Zack Rinaldo just beat the living snot out of BJ Crombeen on NBCS...wow..
- Glenman12

I like Rinaldo - not the greatest player but a great energy guy. Stood up for Wayne Simmonds the other day for the hit that concussed him. Crombeen tonight was in response to the first game where he was roughing up Giroux.

I like Rinaldo - not the greatest player but a great energy guy. Stood up for Wayne Simmonds the other day for the hit that concussed him. Crombeen tonight was in response to the first game where he was roughing up Giroux.
- moylander

Yeah they just explained that during the intermission..that means when Erksine comes back from his suspension he will have to pay..

Well as much as I'd like to stay up to watch the game, it's a bit late (3:30am GMT) even for my tastes. Hope everybody enjoys the game and the Hawks put another in the W column.

I'll agree to agree...somewhat.

As good as Emery was in that game, and he was very good (not just decent), if the entire Calgary team, and Glenncrosse in particular, didn't have Michael Frolik disease (ie, couldn't hit water if they fell out of a plucking boat), then the Flames win that game 4 or 5-1.

Not a big Crawford believer, and after the Calgary game, I wouldn't mind seeing a little more of Emery. I just can't help but think that if Crawford had won a game in a manner in which the opposition missed that many open looks, he would be labeled as more lucky than good.
- Ogilthorpe2

When you have people on this site talking about needing to load up on the booze before Emery played the other night.It would be safe to say that expectations where low.With Crawford they are always higher,as they should be.I like to take it for what it was,2 points.As to the numerous missed shots by Calgary,since when has luck not been a part of hockey.Was it lucky to have 3 games in 4 nights,no, but it was lucky to have Calgary on the 4th night.

I like Rinaldo - not the greatest player but a great energy guy. Stood up for Wayne Simmonds the other day for the hit that concussed him. Crombeen tonight was in response to the first game where he was roughing up Giroux.
- moylander

Imagine a teammate standing up for a star player who is getting roughed up, what a concept.

I hope Bollig is dressed. Too bad Carcillo is hurt and will miss all 3 of these Shark games. We need to re-instate some of the Syracuse Bulldogs for this game.

I like Rinaldo - not the greatest player but a great energy guy. Stood up for Wayne Simmonds the other day for the hit that concussed him. Crombeen tonight was in response to the first game where he was roughing up Giroux.
- moylander

"the new carbomb!" gotta love homer , he always seems to find those passionate tough kids! unlike...........???????? besides the hawks, the flyers are 2nd in my "hockey heart" since the 70's ! plus got a chance to see kate sing live at the old spectrum. i wish the tv package would televise the anthems before the games! some of them are very moving! chicago, philly, montreal, vancouver, just to name a few!!

"the new carbomb!" gotta love homer , he always seems to find those passionate tough kids! unlike...........???????? besides the hawks, the flyers are 2nd in my "hockey heart" since the 70's ! plus got a chance to see kate sing live at the old spectrum. i wish the tv package would televise the anthems before the games! some of them are very moving! chicago, philly, montreal, vancouver, just to name a few!!
- wonthecup10

The 'other' tough guy Tommy Sestito just got a goal .. Nice to see.

Awesome you got to see Kate live. I think the Lauren Hart and Kate Smith God Bless America is the best intro in sports. But I could be biased

The 'other' tough guy Tommy Sestito just got a goal .. Nice to see.

Awesome you got to see Kate live. I think the Lauren Hart and Kate Smith God Bless America is the best intro in sports. But I could be biased
- moylander

is that the one where Kate is on film and the young girl sings live?..if so, yeah thats pretty good..

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc

#Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said winger Daniel Carcillo should start skating this week while recovering from knee injury.