This game was a perfect example of why there should be ties in regular season games.

Both teams payed hard.

Columbus placed a high setting of the bar to beat the hawks.

Their fans saw the play.

To have one team (albeit in this case MY team) get a win because of one on one play is terrible.

The people there go home losers, there team whiche WAS DEFINITELY NOT A loser last nigh did too.

It just isn't right.

I am with Crosby go three on three for ten minutes, and most of the time you will have a winner.

If my skilled Blackhawks are able to win that way it is team of three + golaie beating a team of four opponents.

If the Columbus team of four with more space to roams scores, so be it.

It would just be more fair.

I feel the same way when I see the Hawks in my opinion spent 60 minutes out-playing other etams only to lose in the shoot-out.

Imagine the NBA games ending in a tie, and a free throw contest decide the game, or one football player kicked the ball, and one defender to tacle him or he must get a touchdown to end the game.

I don't care about tournament results...in the league where the best play, there has got to be another way.

Nice Summary JJ. Thought Dubinsky looked pretty solid for the Jackets. Any chance the Hawks make a pitch for him?
- ikeane

If they only wanted him for the rest of the season, because after that you are gona to have to find places to subtract players...

Great observation on B52. He's looking to let that wrister go all the time but you're right, a) this ain't Rockford where he's actually an option for a passer and b) his shooting percentage is going to be better in GreaseLand.
- John Jaeckel

Can you imagine if Bollig could figure out how to play in front of the net, not only screening the goalie but learning to deflect pucks, and bang home rebounds. He would be awfully hard to contain and few would want to take liberties with him. And one trait I really like is how for an enforcer he takes very few boneheaded penalties.

This game was a perfect example of why there should be ties in regular season games.

Both teams payed hard.

Columbus placed a high setting of the bar to beat the hawks.

Their fans saw the play.

To have one team (albeit in this case MY team) get a win because of one on one play is terrible.

The people there go home losers, there team whiche WAS DEFINITELY NOT A loser last nigh did too.

It just isn't right.

I am with Crosby go three on three for ten minutes, and most of the time you will have a winner.

If my skilled Blackhawks are able to win that way it is team of three + golaie beating a team of four opponents.

If the Columbus team of four with more space to roams scores, so be it.

It would just be more fair.

I feel the same way when I see the Hawks in my opinion spent 60 minutes out-playing other etams only to lose in the shoot-out.

Imagine the NBA games ending in a tie, and a free throw contest decide the game, or one football player kicked the ball, and one defender to tacle him or he must get a touchdown to end the game.

I don't care about tournament results...in the league where the best play, there has got to be another way.
- wiz1901

Yeah, Wins and Losses only. No SO. OT is 3-on-3 for 10 mins. Switch ends (long change). No resurfacing. No TO's. Minor penalties are awarded a penalty shot. Start games 30mins sooner to allow longer-running games. Allow for 2nd 10 min OT. No way with 3-on-3 does a game not end after 20 total mins playing that way. Teams will quickly learn to go balls-to-the-walls during OT.

Things I like about Bollig: Smart player (when not fighting), really good positionally (kind of goes with smart) unless the puck is int he D zone for an extended time but not exclusive to him, super strong on skates, super great shot, knows he cannot handle puck or pass well and plays accordingly. Can light people up cleanly decisively and awesomely.

In my mind that 4th line wing spot is his to lose. Will take that guy 8 minutes a night, night in and night out. Really becoming a fan of his since he cut out the circus act.

Kane is ridiculous. That pass was stupid good. I don't know if there is anyone else in the NHL that can do that. Maybe that little Russian from Daytoit? At times I think it is a shame he isn't playing with comparable players to Crosby.

Watched first two periods listened to intermission and third on radio. Troy Murray really irritated with the faceoff situation. You can tell he wanted to strangle Bolland and Kooga with his microphone cord.

JJ,

Take Desharnais off the Hawks wish list....just signed a 4 year extension worth 3.5 per season....

any other rumblings on the burners?

Phil, think of the Keith play this way: Bobo is down and towards the left side of his cage. He realizes he's left the entire right side open and that Keith has the puck and about 70% of the cage to shoot at/in.

So Bobo figures "I've got to do something" and sticks out his blocker about midway up, as far as he can reach effectively.

Keith sees that blocker and thinks, "Aha, great, I now have a target to shoot at."

And good ol' Dunc hits the blocker and wins the qeupee doll for this great effort.

I was in the car and heard the WGN radio feed for Bolland's phuck-up. Then I caught the replay later. Good god, man, with about 90% of the open net to shoot at and no Bluejacket player around you and you can't get the puck off the ice?
- savvyone-1

You're too much Savvy

Great summary

Not a criticism but I thought Leddy was a star in the four on four and deserved the ice time 4 on 4

Goalies were both amazing

Columbus is starting to look like a really good team beyond the hard work

Not sure what it would take to obtain Derek Brossard but he was terrific

I think Jack Johnson is a franchise player for them and compared to what Carter brought them it was a great trade for the Jackets
Add 3 First runs picks and they are a playoff team
They may even make it this year



How much would Philly like to have Debrowksi in nets right now
- PEIHawkFan

Agreed Maritimer...i cursed Johnson during the game for roughing up Toews' with impunity in the first, but there's no doubt he's a STUD.

Doubt Jeff Carter will give up his Cup ring though.

Dubrovsky is the kind of goaltender that will steal a series in the playoffs. Not for the Jackets, obviously, but he's that type of guy. Seemed like a brick wall in there.
- DirkGraham

Who's Dubrovsky? on another note dirk, i bet the flyers are kickin their selves in the ass for lettin this kid go given the fact bryz still is up in the air! Bobo played great last night. the jackets are on the right track. would love to see that team take off and get great with all those kids then move out of that place and go back to Quebec were a team belongs in the 1st place.

Haha, you mean Plan A of Bollig burning that lethal wrister right through bobs catcher didnt work?

He might have taken an inch of ice off the rink torquing that thing up
- FourFeathers773

Bob looked like someone pulled a pistol on him (on the second shot I referred to, the one after the golden chance where he got robbed). I'm not sure how many people noticed it. but literally, i think it hit Bob somewhere around his elbow/armpit on the catcher side but he almost didn't stop it because he was not remotely ready for how fast the puck got on him.

http://tmblr.co/ZJwoTyGQ2gXS

sure made a great christmas card!

This game was a perfect example of why there should be ties in regular season games.

Both teams payed hard.

Columbus placed a high setting of the bar to beat the hawks.

Their fans saw the play.

To have one team (albeit in this case MY team) get a win because of one on one play is terrible.

The people there go home losers, there team whiche WAS DEFINITELY NOT A loser last nigh did too.

It just isn't right.

I am with Crosby go three on three for ten minutes, and most of the time you will have a winner.

If my skilled Blackhawks are able to win that way it is team of three + golaie beating a team of four opponents.

If the Columbus team of four with more space to roams scores, so be it.

It would just be more fair.

I feel the same way when I see the Hawks in my opinion spent 60 minutes out-playing other etams only to lose in the shoot-out.

Imagine the NBA games ending in a tie, and a free throw contest decide the game, or one football player kicked the ball, and one defender to tacle him or he must get a touchdown to end the game.

I don't care about tournament results...in the league where the best play, there has got to be another way.
- wiz1901

Dunno about 3 on 3, but I would go 4 on 4 for ten minutes and call it a draw if no one scores. That's hockey.

I truly hate the Gimmick.

Just wanted to make a little Mea Culpa here today with regards to Patrick Kane. Although I've never doubted his skill sets, his off ice antics and immaturity skewed me towards not minding the team moving him (for something on need or value). I no longer hold that view. His maturity seems to be developing along with his skill and I really do watch in amazement his hand/ stick handling. Goalies on the shoot out especially are made to look like carp flopping around on ice. So here is a toast to 88..... Job well done young man. Keep it up.

Fun time at the Nationwide last night. Sat behind Crawford for the first period. One thing stood out- 1) Niklas Hjalmarsson is the Hawks best defender right now and it's not really close. Positionally great and what's really improved is his patience with the puck and his willingness to use the entire ice to clear the zone. The quick throw it along the boards is gone and it's made all the difference. No wonder he was out there during crunch time.

I tweeted out that we need to suggest some books Kaner can download on his Kindle while waiting for Jimmy Hayes to catch up to him. In all fairness to Hayes he wasn't the only one hitting the ice for no reason last night. 2) Brunette has some good hands and has an idea of what he wants to do out there. But the skating, while better than last year, still needs to grow.

Speaking of Kaner, while the pass to Oduya was world class and the shootout was nasty, the numbers back up the eye test. (timeonice.com is back up and running...Yay!) Kaner was a -10. I don't think Bolland is the right center for him. Toews line with the fabulous Brandon Saad was +15.

3) Faceoffs continue to be a problem. That has to be high up on Stan's priority list.

Bob was unreal last night. And the Blue jacket fans seemed to be a little P.Oed at all the red sweaters and were quite boisterous. All in all a good time.
- yahoodi

1) Yes
2) FIXED.
3) Yes, and even Toews looks really tired out there. Still think he needs more of a road grader on the LW, he is being foreced to do too much of the heavy lifting down low.

Just wanted to make a little Mea Culpa here today with regards to Patrick Kane. Although I've never doubted his skill sets, his off ice antics and immaturity skewed me towards not minding the team moving him (for something on need or value). I no longer hold that view. His maturity seems to be developing along with his skill and I really do watch in amazement his hand/ stick handling. Goalies on the shoot out especially are made to look like carp flopping around on ice. So here is a toast to 88..... Job well done young man. Keep it up.
- PuckkmeNOpuckU

Ditto, 100%. He needs to stay out of trouble. But he is winning a lot of people over, including me.

JJ great about Stalbergs stamina. His ability to chase down the puck in the offensive zone even late in shifts is making our third line start to look like a first line
Shaw also seems to be improving his ability to shield the puck from the defender
That third line is made for playoff hockey

JJ great about Stalbergs stamina. His ability to chase down the puck in the offensive zone even late in shifts is making our third line start to look like a first line
Shaw also seems to be improving his ability to shield the puck from the defender
That third line is made for playoff hockey
- molly2522

I have heard, as many of you know, rumors of them dealing Stalberg. But man, he and Frolik will be huge weapons in the playoffs with their size/speed/effort and endurance.

I mean, superhuman. Just the intensity and effort they maintain over a long shift is really incredible. Another guy, though not as much probably due to his age: Hossa. Amazing.

My thoughts on Jimmy Hayes and Bowman's persistence on pumping the tires of his prized possessions.

http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/ty_cam/50328/

Love to hear feedback.

I woud like my chances of winning a cup if I could have four lines similar to our third line

lastly good to see Bollig have a good game since the previous game he looked to me like he didnot belong in the nhl
If the hawks are going totrade stalberg they better wait till the season is over since he should be a key component of playoff success

I have heard, as many of you know, rumors of them dealing Stalberg. But man, he and Frolik will be huge weapons in the playoffs with their size/speed/effort and endurance.

I mean, superhuman. Just the intensity and effort they maintain over a long shift is really incredible. Another guy, though not as much probably due to his age: Hossa. Amazing.
- John Jaeckel

And deceptive SPEED! Stalberg gots some wheeeeels

I have heard, as many of you know, rumors of them dealing Stalberg. But man, he and Frolik will be huge weapons in the playoffs with their size/speed/effort and endurance.

I mean, superhuman. Just the intensity and effort they maintain over a long shift is really incredible. Another guy, though not as much probably due to his age: Hossa. Amazing.
- John Jaeckel

Frolik had shown he steps up his game in the playoffs. Stalberg on the other hand has gone in the other direction. Last playoffs Frolik was one of our best forwards and Stalberg on of our worst. I hope Viktor changes that trend this year, but there's no doubt his playoff performance is considered by Stan when looking at deals.

1) Yes
2) FIXED.
3) Yes, and even Toews looks really tired out there. Still think he needs more of a road grader on the LW, he is being foreced to do too much of the heavy lifting down low.
- John Jaeckel

1) JACKASS

2) If Hayes has a career a 1/3rd as successful as Andrew Brunette's, it would be fine with me.

3) Toews didn't look tired to me. his line dominated the entire game. And until that left wing road grader is acquired ( Because he currently isn't on the roster now...) I think the top line will stay the way it is.

1) JACKASS

2) If Hayes has a career a 1/3rd as successful as Andrew Brunette's, it would be fine with me.

3) Toews didn't look tired to me. his line dominated the entire game. And until that left wing road grader is acquired ( Because he currently isn't on the roster now...) I think the top line will stay the way it is.
- yahoodi

1) Why does agreeing that Hammer is great make me a JACKASS?

2) Hayes' career might end up being very short if he doesn't start catching up to the play in the next few games. Even the most ardent tire-pumpers can't make excuses for that. Brunette actually had some very good hands—that's what made his career—well beyond what Hayes has.
3) Toews looks a little tired/slow to me. Though I agree, there is no easily identified replacement for (Adam has a friend in) Jesus on that line.

Frolik had shown he steps up his game in the playoffs. Stalberg on the other hand has gone in the other direction. Last playoffs Frolik was one of our best forwards and Stalberg on of our worst. I hope Viktor changes that trend this year, but there's no doubt his playoff performance is considered by Stan when looking at deals.
- DarthKane

Totally agree, but all Stalberg has to do is compete like he is now and he will be fine in the playoffs. His game has evolved. A lot tougher and smarter and simpler.