Well put JJ...I agree this team plays with a lot more risk when Razor is between the pipes. Was I the only one that got sick of the fancy passing last night? Just hope that Razor has enough left in that body to endure a long playoff run. Maybe Crow will get his head in it if he rides the pine for a few games but the question is do the HAWKS let Razor rest or play him in the last 4 tilts to go for the Prez trophy?

Easy to game plan for Crow. He'll be the guy imitating a Seguin puck bunny.
- philco28

buns-up kneelin'
a wheelin and dealin

Quick Phil, what's that from??

buns-up kneelin'
a wheelin and dealin

Quick Phil, what's that from??
- paulr

You got me Paulie ?

You got me Paulie ?
- philco28

Dinah Moe Hum by Frank Zappa, Areosmith also used that line in a song, the name of which alludes me at the moment.

Dinah Moe Hum by Frank Zappa, Areosmith also used that line in a song, the name of which alludes me at the moment.
- paulr

you must be older than Beaver Warrior with them Zappa references....just joking

Any word on when Emery will be back? Also, I don't trust Hawks brass to stay out of the decision process and we will likely see Crow in the playoffs.

As evidenced all night last night.
- John Jaeckel

Didn't get to see the game last night...I was just wondering, what are tha chances that Razor gets the nod as the playoff goalie? And do you really think the Hawks might use both of their goalies in the playoffs?

Hey JJ, just a quick note, but Emery took the Sens to an 07 finals against the Ducks.


Besides the nitpicking, I agree about Emery earning the spot. Such a great story considering the injuries etc.

Hell, if Emery hadn't have been injured in 2010 the Hawks may have seen him in net instead of Boucher/Leighton.

When Crow let in the second goal last night, I was thinking to myself, "Self, how long is he going to continue letting in these bullsh*t goals?" A shot like that is like a catcher smothering a ball in the dirt in the 9th inning, up by one, with a runner on third. You do whatever you can to get in front of the puck and smother it with your body.

I definitely don't claim to be a goalie expert. From the eye test, Crawford seems like the better goalie. But, the defense does seem to play better in front of Emery, shots against are considerably lower when he's in net. And maybe that says all you need to know. I just don't know if Ray has enough in the tank for the entire playoff run.

If Q goes with Emery in the playoffs, I think he would be the coach to break conventional playoff wisdom, and let Crow spell Emery here and there during a playoff run.

Dinah Moe Hum by Frank Zappa, Areosmith also used that line in a song, the name of which alludes me at the moment.
- paulr

So I applied rotation to her cherry plum...

Gotta give Crow credit for meeting the press after this tough loss

I just hope they rest Emery for the next couple games and give him the start for playoffs. Not sure how anyone can back or would want Crawford to be the starter in playoffs. The hawks have been 1 and done in the past two years he was starter. The hawks need to play Emery if his injury isnt to bad.

When Crow let in the second goal last night, I was thinking to myself, "Self, how long is he going to continue letting in these bullsh*t goals?" A shot like that is like a catcher smothering a ball in the dirt in the 9th inning, up by one, with a runner on third. You do whatever you can to get in front of the puck and smother it with your body.

I definitely don't claim to be a goalie expert. From the eye test, Crawford seems like the better goalie. But, the defense does seem to play better in front of Emery, shots against are considerably lower when he's in net. And maybe that says all you need to know. I just don't know if Ray has enough in the tank for the entire playoff run.

If Q goes with Emery in the playoffs, I think he would be the coach to break conventional playoff wisdom, and let Crow spell Emery here and there during a playoff run.
- 1mbecker

Not defending CC here because his performances from game to game are maddeningly inconsistent - which is about what you get from all but 2 or 3 NHL goaltenders these days who aren't considered elite.

Anybody checked out how Carey Price has played in the last 2 weeks?

How many times has Barry Trotz had to pull Rinne this season?

Ryan Miller - pretty poor all season. Kiprusoff below average except for the last week or so.

Corey Schneider gave up 5 in the third period against Dallas this week.

Jimmy Howard - never wins a shootout or the Wings would have clinched a playoff spot by now.

Brzgalov-yikes!

MA Fleury was horrible for stretches of the season on a league leading team.

Just seems Crawford is similar to alot of NHL netminders - don't know what you are going to get from night to night. Yet he plays for a team who has given up the fewest goals in the league. He's really just Devan Dubnyk, Bryan Elliott, James Reimer in a different sweater.

you must be older than Beaver Warrior with them Zappa references....just joking
- philco28

I may well be, I was alive for two Hawk Stanley cups!

Right except...

Emery's hurt.

Because he always gets hurt.

Because he's not built to handle the #1 goalie workload anymore.

Which is why he was signed as a Backup.

We saw this last year.

We saw this the year before in Anaheim.

We saw it when the Hawks faced Philadelphia and Micheal Leighton because Emery was on the operating table.

But this year will be different....

You know..... because we want it to be.

I think Emery's been great this year. Better than I ever thought he'd be. And I get why people don't trust Crawford. I don't understand why they hate him as they do. But if you don't have confidence in Crawford because of last year's playoffs, that's more than fair.

But it won't be a matter of if Razor breaks down, it will simply be a matter of when.

Assuming Emery comes back.

Because he's hurt.

Because that's what a #1 workload does to him.

So I applied rotation to her cherry plum...
- HawkintheD

I poked and stroked till my wrist when numb ....

I may well be, I was alive for two Hawk Stanley cups!
- paulr

- philco28

And to be honest for a long time I never thought I'd see them win again in my lifetime.

Right except...

Emery's hurt.

Because he always gets hurt.

Because he's not built to handle the #1 goalie workload anymore.

Which is why he was signed as a Backup.

We saw this last year.

We saw this the year before in Anaheim.

We saw it when the Hawks faced Philadelphia and Micheal Leighton because Emery was on the operating table.

But this year will be different....

You know..... because we want it to be.

I think Emery's been great this year. Better than I ever thought he'd be. And I get why people don't trust Crawford. I don't understand why they hate him as they do. But if you don't have confidence in Crawford because of last year's playoffs, that's more than fair.

But it won't be a matter of if Razor breaks down, it will simply be a matter of when.

Assuming Emery comes back.

Because he's hurt.

Because that's what a #1 workload does to him.
- yahoodi

First no one really knows how hurt he is. It could be the Hawks want to rest him for playoffs. He has been hurt but at least he can get past the first round in playoffs.

last night was deja vu .... your observations are spot on. This team is too good to have a playoff sive do them in. It was clear the hawks would lose the shootout before it started .... Crawford was down and backed into the net when the shooter crossed the blueline. Its about mental toughness - Emery has it, Crawford doesn't. Hoping they rest Ray a few more then get him tuned up for the 1st round.

And to be honest for a long time I never thought I'd see them win again in my lifetime.
- paulr

Been a fan probably since '77 when i was 9....lot of highs and lows and the slipper never fit 'til 2010....WHAT A FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELING

Well put JJ...I agree this team plays with a lot more risk when Razor is between the pipes. Was I the only one that got sick of the fancy passing last night? Just hope that Razor has enough left in that body to endure a long playoff run. Maybe Crow will get his head in it if he rides the pine for a few games but the question is do the HAWKS let Razor rest or play him in the last 4 tilts to go for the Prez trophy?
- RIDELIKEHELL

Good question. What I hear is the hip had tightened up a bit, not serious, but there is that line that needs to be walked of getting him some TOI prior to the playoffs, but also not rushing him back/making sure he's 100%.

Good question. What I hear is the hip had tightened up a bit, not serious, but there is that line that needs to be walked of getting him some TOI prior to the playoffs, but also not rushing him back/making sure he's 100%.
- John Jaeckel

Can anyone see Q going with 2 goalies instead of 1? At least for the first round. It seems that tho emery's play is more trusted, his health is not. I see Q playing Crow, knowing that he may have a marginally better (if not long playoff run health worthy) plan B.

I mean, doesnt Q have to use both goalies?

Been a fan probably since '77 when i was 9....lot of highs and lows and the slipper never fit 'til 2010....WHAT A FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELING

- philco28

I was a fan on Christmas day 1966 when I was 6. Same lows as well as Montreal in '71. Yep 2010 was magical with a magical lineup that had there been no cap makes me wonder if we might have another cup or two.

Right except...

Emery's hurt.

1) Because he always gets hurt.

2) Because he's not built to handle the #1 goalie workload anymore.

Which is why he was signed as a Backup.

We saw this last year.

3) We saw this the year before in Anaheim.

We saw it when the Hawks faced Philadelphia and Micheal Leighton because Emery was on the operating table.

But this year will be different....

You know..... because we want it to be.

I think Emery's been great this year. Better than I ever thought he'd be. And I get why people don't trust Crawford. I don't understand why they hate him as they do. But if you don't have confidence in Crawford because of last year's playoffs, that's more than fair.

But it won't be a matter of if Razor breaks down, it will simply be a matter of when.

4) Assuming Emery comes back.

Because he's hurt.

5) Because that's what a #1 workload does to him.
- yahoodi

1) Huh? He had a serious issue with his hip, developed avascular necrosis. Serious issue. Had an experimental procedure that a) stopped the progression of avascular necrosis—which is just short of miraculous, and b) allowed him to return as a pro goaltender. Aside from that, what is this "he always gets hurt"? Because beyond the hip, and he's not been held out necessarily since he came back because of it, he's not really been injury prone at all compared to other goalies.

2) You don't know this. You don't know and I don't know why he's missed a game or two beyond what I've heard which is the hip tightened up on him. LOTS of goalies get lots of connective tissue injuries, especially in and around the hips and groin ALL the time. But if it fits the narrative, I guess, go with it.

3) In Anaheim, he came in late in the year and took the Ducks into the playoffs, playing #1 minutes—really before the hip was fully healed, then almost got them out of the first round, as unlikely as that looked to be. So again, what are you talking about?

4) This is a valid question, as it would be with Crawford if he took a little knock on his noggin. Because, you're right (sarcasm font on) Emery is the only goalie who might get injured in the NHL.

5) Again, you don't know this. Supposition based on some blogosphere conjecture.