Then why dont you go back to Esplens blog and talk to the more "sophisticated" posters
- nickmo2699

Esplen is just mailing it in.if we had a guy posting like JJ then i would post there regular like also.

But then what about #4 and #27??? Both LH shots and they've done well together. In fact, I doubted they would because it seemed that Hjalmarsson could not play the off-side last year.

However, there are many advantages to playing the off-side:

1. chance for one-time shot/pass -- simply much easier to catch/shoot or catch/pass all in one motion.

2. top hand of stick (where the control comes from) is your off-hand. So, for LH shot, it's their right hand on top. For RH shot, left hand on top. So, think of it this way, a LH on the right side has good control of the stick w/one hand (right hand/control hand) at top/end of stick -- it REALLY extends the reach of the player quite a bit, especially for a D man using the stick to cut off a lane to skate/pass/shoot.

IMO, this has been a great advantage for Hjalmarsson and last year, Leddy played the off-side quite a bit.

My guess is, #8 will be on the Right side of Keith and should do fine there. I'm sure Q's thinking is having 2 racehorses on the same pair might allow the pace to really be pushed while those 2 are out there together.
- savvyone-1

I think that is the strategy. Sure also Q has told the forwards, be prepared to skate hard both ways tonight. The best way to defend starts (always) with your forwards. Hawks are very, very good at that.

Fudge Packer reveals his self

- philco28

Dude how old are you? This response just tops it all off. Really? This makes you laugh? Fudge Packer? C'mon dude I have friends with kids that are 7 and bears fans and have better material than that...you should be ashamed of yourself. Being a Bears fan though must be pretty rough after seeing your team getting your azz kicked twice a year every year by the Packers.

I respect your team and most of your fans. Most of you guys, are respectful and we can debate the actual game and not reside to name calling.

The Canucks very well may be the, the team that scares me the most in the west. I was very umimpressed with San Jose watching them in person on Friday night. Anaheim is a lfash in the pan .They have 2 guys, hell bent on putting up huge numbers so they can get paid. The rest of their team knows damn well this is their last chance before that team is blown to high heaven.

Wings are old...Blues, could be a factor but they are lost right now. Predators don't have enough depth, and the Hawks match up very well against LA. I'm not saying it's a slam dunk but it reminds me to how well the Hawks matched up to the Sharks in 2010 and we all know how that turned out.

Ryan Kesler may be my favorite American player in the game today.
- SteveRain

You sir are a educated Hawks fan and probably have been for a while. Much respect to you and your team. Good luck tonight.

- Sconnie

I have been but I like it in here too much. Kind of like after I've blown my...aah nevermind you wouldn't understand.
- CanUSA17

Funny how you can talk but when someone does the same to you, your up in arms telling them how classy they are and grow up. Hopefully after tonight we don't hear from you for a while, and you can continue your bathroom fun ya wanker!

Bobby Hull let my try his on. It was amazing.

Dude how old are you? This response just tops it all off. Really? This makes you laugh? Fudge Packer? C'mon dude I have friends with kids that are 7 and bears fans and have better material than that...you should be ashamed of yourself. Being a Bears fan though must be pretty rough after seeing your team getting your azz kicked twice a year every year by the Packers.
- CanUSA17

You have friends ?

Condescend much, you live in Shaumberg nuff said
- nickmo2699

It was a joke...relax. BTW you must be really young and not know too much about the area. Shyt you weren't even close on that spelling of Schaumburg so your point is not valid.

I think that is the strategy. Sure also Q has told the forwards, be prepared to skate hard both ways tonight. The best way to defend starts (always) with your forwards. Hawks are very, very good at that.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed, and this is a night where Emery has got to continue to absorb those shots and get whistles. Figure they'll ride 27, 2, 4, and 8 into the ground, so any chance to get those guys off at the end of the shift...the better.

To me, this is the best test they've faced. Canucks beat them in a shoot out with Kesler and Booth. A win tonight or OT loss would be a big statement with Seabrook and Crawford out.

Have to be disciplined and not force things. 1st goal in all these games always seems to set the pace. IF the Hawks can connect first, that'll open the long stretch passes and allow the speedy Hawk forwards to keep on attacking. Canucks strike first, and they'll have to grind away on the forecheck.

1 day I'll make it out there and meet some of you dudes. I also want to sit in the Roxy and watch Kane find a clan of slump busters for his postgame hotel room party.
- SteveRain

It's a fun town. I used to spend three weeks there every Spring. On an expense account.
- John Jaeckel

Sweet deal.

- Sconnie

This is nice...

Esplen is just mailing it in.if we had a guy posting like JJ then i would post there regular like also.
- kaptaan

I gotta agree with you on Esplen. That one he wrote today is awful. t basically said that Hawks were the best team in the league but the Canucks are gonna win 4-1 for no reason whatsoever. Zero analysis, Zero thought. I don't blame you for posting here instead.

Esplen is just mailing it in.if we had a guy posting like JJ then i would post there regular like also.
- kaptaan

Yeah, no offence to Esplen but I'm not a fan of his Cloutier style of blogging just to get hits. I respect him for his daily blogs and dedication, but not a fan of his writing style. I much prefer reading JJ, Yost, Meltzer, etc.

Funny how you can talk but when someone does the same to you, your up in arms telling them how classy they are and grow up. Hopefully after tonight we don't hear from you for a while, and you can continue your bathroom fun ya wanker!
- moots

Yeah the point is I don't resort to name calling on a blog like some other posters on here like yourself and philco and the other guy. I've done that before and told myself I wouldn't resort to doing that anymore. Win or lose I'll still come in here and talk to the the hawk fans I respect but not the ones who have resorted to name calling like a teenage school kid.

You have friends ?
- philco28

But then what about #4 and #27??? Both LH shots and they've done well together. In fact, I doubted they would because it seemed that Hjalmarsson could not play the off-side last year.

However, there are many advantages to playing the off-side:

1. chance for one-time shot/pass -- simply much easier to catch/shoot or catch/pass all in one motion.

2. top hand of stick (where the control comes from) is your off-hand. So, for LH shot, it's their right hand on top. For RH shot, left hand on top. So, think of it this way, a LH on the right side has good control of the stick w/one hand (right hand/control hand) at top/end of stick -- it REALLY extends the reach of the player quite a bit, especially for a D man using the stick to cut off a lane to skate/pass/shoot.

IMO, this has been a great advantage for Hjalmarsson and last year, Leddy played the off-side quite a bit.

My guess is, #8 will be on the Right side of Keith and should do fine there. I'm sure Q's thinking is having 2 racehorses on the same pair might allow the pace to really be pushed while those 2 are out there together.
- savvyone-1

True, 4 and 27 have linked up well. I'm not saying two players shooting the same hand can't work...just that i prefer to see one of each for balance.

Outlet passes may be harder because angles aren't created as easily, especially for players that are not familiar with one another.

Leddy on the right of Keith is preferable.

You have friends ?
- philco28

Friends don't let Friends be Canuck Fans..... Especially if there are 17 NHL teams in-between your city and Vancouver.....

- mrpaulish

C'mon mrpaulish that really wasn't funny...at all. It's an old played out joke that requires no thought process whatsoever and never really was funny. It's a very weak response that a young kid would come up with. I expect more from a veteran like you.

It's a fun town. I used to spend three weeks there every Spring. On an expense account.
- John Jaeckel

it all makes sense now....

Esplen is just mailing it in.if we had a guy posting like JJ then i would post there regular like also.
- kaptaan

Missing Tessier much?

Friends don't let Friends be Canuck Fans..... Especially if there are 17 NHL teams in-between your city and Vancouver.....
- mrpaulish

This isn't my town. Never has been, never will be. In fact I hate this town because of the weather and now everyone killing everyone...this town is becoming worse than Detroit. Plus the unemployment rate is rising with no jobs available. I didn't ask to be born here and if it wasn't for my wife being so close to her family and mom I would be gone a long time ago. The only good things are the food and the Chicago skyline/downtown area.

Missing Tessier much?
- DarthKane

I'd prefer him for his writing style, but I'd rather have a blogger focused on just one team instead.

I'd prefer him for his writing style, but I'd rather have a blogger focused on just one team instead.
- Nucker101

It's a shame his blogs don't get more traffic, his work is good.