I thought you said the team had 'good chemistry'
- moylander

Chemistry isn't the issue. Two years ago I could buy a fragmented room. That's not the case with this group. I honestly think they're just not playing desperate cause, well, they don't really have to...that being said the injuries to sharp and boss haven't helped. I think playing 500 without those two was a positive. Once both are back for a few games we'll see if they revert back. It just makes such a difference cause everyone can go back to playing where they belong in the lineup and the pp once again becomes somewhat more reliable.

Says it all.

Bolland just doesn't look right. Maybe its worth resting him...unless its the kind of injury that won't get better anyway.
- andru2797

Bolland just isn't healthy, easy to see that because he just doesn't move with any fluidity. But Shaw wasn't much better than Bolland tonight.

It does seem very possible we face Columbus. I guess any team can give any team problems in the playoffs. They are a team that has only seen the playoffs once in the last decade I think. And I don't think Bob's great play lasts for them. But they have given us a lot of problems this year
- tomcat24

We didn't think SMITH'S great play would last last year.

I think that now is the time to give emery a real shot at taking the number one job away from Corey. He hasn't looked great the last couple games and emery has only lost once.
- mochs360

You can't do that and risk destroying Crawford's confidence completely this close to playoff time. Emery is not a Stanley cup goalie as it is anyway because of his physical limitations. You see it every time he goes post to post. Give a team 7 games to break it down and he's toast.

I agree, Shaw did not look good. Car Bomb over Bollig errday
- rollpards19

Are you nuts...didn't you see Bollig's 80 foot wrist shot that Elliot stopped in his sleep and didn't you see Bollig skating on eggshells all night ?

I love Bollig but he was Houdini tonight.

I don't disagree with you. I'd even be willing to try Kruger there as well.

I don't want to move Kane into the center spot. I kind of like Sharp on the wing as well. I think wiz put it best. Less responsibility for Sharp so he can concentrate on shooting the puck.

If only Sharp would quit hitting the damn post.
- EKolb13

Oh, I don't want Kane at centre either. The guy is have a stellar season, don't mess with him at all.

If we keep Sharp and Kane on the wings the only real options the 2C role are Bolland, Shaw and Kruger. During various points in the season I think Shaw's looked the best on the 3nd line, albeit with a small sample size to judge him. At this point I think if just like to see Q try something different. It's funny, last season we complained that Q switches up the lines too much, now we complain he doesn't switch them enough (at least where Bolland is concerned).

Don't mind me, I'm just a bit frustrated tonight. I believe this team has the talent to win the Cup, Q just needs to find the right line combinations.

2 good teams on the ice. Blues have a solid defence corps but they made their share of mistakes.

Nothing good to comment on? Like Bickell and Stalberg's play in the 3rd period. Those 2 did a pretty good job physically late in the game.
- RickJ

Much good to comment on: Toews line - all 3 of them, Handzus, controlled first two periods....

Bolland just isn't healthy, easy to see that because he just doesn't move with any fluidity. But Shaw wasn't much better than Bolland tonight.
- RickJ

No...but I think bolland will look much better once sharp is back on LW...I just don't think shaw fits any better than bolland full time as 2c.

Might as well give up trying to reason.. to a lot of people this is just a soft team that can't beat anyone in a 7-game series because of all those scary hits they'll face.

Not to mention the horrible starting goaltender with the 2.01 GAA and .922 SV%.

Adding Raffi Torres or Ryan Clowe is what would have put them over the top to win the Cup! Don't you see?!
- patorioto

You really should learn how to read with comprehension.

Are you nuts...didn't you see Bollig's 80 foot wrist shot that Elliot stopped in his sleep and didn't you see Bollig skating on eggshells all night ?

I love Bollig but he was Houdini tonight.
- philco28

My favorite was Bickell's Plethora of 30 to 40 foot wrist shots.

Are you nuts...didn't you see Bollig's 80 foot wrist shot that Elliot stopped in his sleep and didn't you see Bollig skating on eggshells all night ?

I love Bollig but he was Houdini tonight.
- philco28

Bollig played tonight?

Oh, I don't want Kane at centre either. The guy is have a stellar season, don't mess with him at all.

If we keep Sharp and Kane on the wings the only real options the 2C role are Bolland, Shaw and Kruger. During various points in the season I think Shaw's looked the best on the 3nd line, albeit with a small sample size to judge him. At this point I think if just like to see Q try something different. It's funny, last season we complained that Q switches up the lines too much, now we complain he doesn't switch them enough (at least where Bolland is concerned).

Don't mind me, I'm just a bit frustrated tonight. I believe this team has the talent to win the Cup, Q just needs to find the right line combinations.
- DarthKane

They've got enough talent to be in the mix, that's for sure.

...I'm out, see you all tomorrow.

I don't disagree with you. I'd even be willing to try Kruger there as well.

I don't want to move Kane into the center spot. I kind of like Sharp on the wing as well. I think wiz put it best. Less responsibility for Sharp so he can concentrate on shooting the puck.

If only Sharp would quit hitting the damn post.
- EKolb13

Be fair - he hasn't hit a post in several weeks.

My favorite was Bickell's Plethora of 30 to 40 foot wrist shots.
- Beaver-Warrior

He scored a good 6-7 out of his goals like that two yrs ago...by now someone should tell him goalies are expecting it. Bury your head and drive that puck to the net hard...at his size he would at least draw a penalty.

Columbus has 8 out of their last twelve on the road. Yes, they did just beat Awful Nashville on the road, but their road record is not good.

I live in Columbus, RECENTLY CITED AS THE MOST INTELLIGENT CITY IN THE US, thank you very much, so it would be great if they got in.... But I'm still skeptical.

Columbus has 8 out of their last twelve on the road. Yes, they did just beat Awful Nashville on the road, but their road record is not good.

I live in Columbus, RECENTLY CITED AS THE MOST INTELLIGENT CITY IN THE US, thank you very much, so it would be great if they got in.... But I'm still skeptical.
- yahoodi

I'm actually pulling for them. They finally have smart people running the show there. The dark days are over for the jackets.

Bolland just isn't healthy, easy to see that because he just doesn't move with any fluidity. But Shaw wasn't much better than Bolland tonight.
- RickJ

If Bolland is truly hurt then he should sit out and rest up for the playoffs. It sounds like the Blackhawks did the right thing by taking their time with Sharp and Hossa. Let Bolly rest up and heal too.

My favorite was Bickell's Plethora of 30 to 40 foot wrist shots.
- Beaver-Warrior

Bicks did a good job screening though on Vik's equalizer...

I'm betting we're going to get into a few o/t games in the playoffs....hope our goalies are up to it.

Posted this before but it didn't get much attention so I will post it again.

Just out of curiosity and for a bit of fun, let's say in 5 years Teows and Kane resign at a reasonable price, Seabrook, Leddy, Hjalmarsson, Shaw, Bickell, Saad, TT, McNeil, Lalonde and Denault are all still in the organisation. We may keep most of the guys and you can choose to put them in or maybe they have been shipped out/let go. What lines do you assume that we have?

Columbus has 8 out of their last twelve on the road. Yes, they did just beat Awful Nashville on the road, but their road record is not good.

I live in Columbus, RECENTLY CITED AS THE MOST INTELLIGENT CITY IN THE US, thank you very much, so it would be great if they got in.... But I'm still skeptical.
- yahoodi

you are right..they close with 6 of 7 on the road in some tough barns...maybe a bit to much to ask

We didn't think SMITH'S great play would last last year.
- StLBravesFan

Yeah I was way off. I really wanted to face phoenix. But I still don't think the difference was Smith. It was their Team defense. And the vermette line was amazing. Sort of like the Bolland line was against Vancouver. The Hawk forwards didn't create anything. They couldn't get inside all series

If Bolland is truly hurt then he should sit out and rest up for the playoffs. It sounds like the Blackhawks did the right thing by taking their time with Sharp and Hossa. Let Bolly rest up and heal too.
- DarthKane

What makes you guys think he's hurt? He's looked the same the whole year, and if we notice that means the coaches notice. Don't you think they would have sat him for a little?

Yeah I was way off. I really wanted to face phoenix. But I still don't think the difference was Smith. It was their Team defense. And the vermette line was amazing. Sort of like the Bolland line was against Vancouver. The Hawk forwards didn't create anything. They couldn't get inside all series
- tomcat24

I know the playoffs are tougher, but a healthy first line, with Toews playing at unreal levels lately, can get inside on anybody