The Hawks seemed primed and ready to make a deep postseason run, but this team cannot look past the Wild. The Wild play a style that will try their best to wait you out until you make a mistake. Backstrom did not have the greatest regular season, but in my opinion he is still a very good NHL goalie. Crawford must win a series to get that gorilla off of his back. I picked this series to go 7 games with the Hawks winning it. The Hawks must prove to me that they can handle getting smacked around. Unlike the Cup team of 2010, the Hawks really don't like to smack you back with hits. This series does scare me a great deal. Maybe I am just a paranoid Chicago fan, but the Hawks better not take Minnesota lightly. The real season starts in 2 hours and 40 minutes folks.

Off topic...

That bracket challenge you set up is up to 27 people. That was an outstanding idea! Thanks for coming up with it.


- EKolb13

Off-Off topic...

I don't recall asking this.. and well I'm oldish

When do you offically start your playoff facial hair? I stop shaving Satruday..

Comedy Gold from Esplen's latest thread....





- Ogilthorpe2

Love it. Esplin is such a perfect example of the schizophrenic mind set of the Nuck kingdom.

He will be calling AV a hall of fame coach tomorrow if they win.

Off-Off topic...

I don't recall asking this.. and well I'm oldish

When do you offically start your playoff facial hair? I stop shaving Satruday..
- victorymc98

This morning was my last shave

Off-Off topic...

I don't recall asking this.. and well I'm oldish

When do you offically start your playoff facial hair? I stop shaving Satruday..
- victorymc98

For some reason, I can't grow a beard to save my life, or rather, it grows in patches and has three different colors. I look like I'm wearing a calico cat with mange on my face after a few weeks.

Oooooh playoff hockey. Hopefully the ice crew is ready to go. Kind of disappointed there wasn't a homage about the obstacles they have had to overcome due to the crap ice at the UC.

Finnish goaltenders don't count!
- tredbrta

Why not?

Oooooh playoff hockey. Hopefully the ice crew is ready to go. Kind of disappointed there wasn't a homage about the obstacles they have had to overcome due to the crap ice at the UC.


- fattybeef

What where you saying again? All I saw was a picture of brunettes ice skating.

>>>All that said, there is almost no reason to expect the Hawks to come out flat. They closed the season strong. Outside of what are reported to be “day-to-day’ injuries to Ray Emery and Dave Bolland, they are healthy and deep.<<<

no question...this is always a concern with them playing at home for the opener

no excuse at all for a flat uninterested performance tonight at all; don't want to hear any of the crap after tonights gme

That surprises me, considering how much flak Koivu gets for being more of a defensive-minded forward. I'd like to call an intervention for these individuals if you happen to recall who said such a thing.
- SotaPopinski

To me there are ony two nationalities of euro'sthat l'd want nothing to do with and they are the greeks and the italians.
history has shown you wan get a like new rifle just prior to the start of a battle as the greeks and italians drop their guys and take off running. This same condition would also occur with greek and italian hockey players with alot of brand new sticks that have never been used because the players instantly retired just prior to the start of the stanley cup leaving their sticks on the ice for someone to go fetch

What where you saying again? All I saw was a picture of brunettes ice skating.
- EKolb13

brunettes i only see boobs

If I am on the Wild coaching staff... I showing the games from the last 2 years of playoff exits from the Hawks. If they were smart, they would employ the same strategy. Aggressive forecheck, force everything to the permiter, send 2 guys to get the puck out of Kane's hands, and clutch-grab everyone.

The scary part is the Wild does have a trio of D/G to make this a series ala Preds.

The keys to me are in 3 areas
1. Kane finally having a big body on his line to cause some havoc in Zeus. Thank God we don't have to watch a smurf line like Kane Kruger Sharp. Or maybe we will?? Size and experience how to use it trumps speed in the playoffs. Especially when you play with Kane. The indicator here won't be how much Zeus scores. It will be how much Sharp and Kane score. Look at their production the last 2 years.

2. 5/6 D- This has been a huge area of problems for us last 2 years. Even though Oduya has looked pretty bad every once in a while, he can also look pretty good. And with Rosy... a big upgrade from our 5/6 of the past.

3. Saad- He got crushed last year playing with the big boys. I don't see that happening this year. He has a boatload of confidence. It will be interesting to see how he responds to players in his grill. If he can play physical playoff hockey... look out.

Hawks in 5

For some reason, I can't grow a beard to save my life, or rather, it grows in patches and has three different colors. I look like I'm wearing a calico cat with mange on my face after a few weeks.


- EKolb13

I'm not allowed to show up at work with a beard of any kind...might have to take 6-8 weeks off

brunettes i only see boobs
- molly2522

JJ,

Do you think Jones is the player that we coveted? To me it makes more sense to draft an offensive talent that could fill the void that Hossa leaves in top 6 since our top dmen will be around for awhile

85 degrees out, a case of cold beer and some brats for the grill.

Couldn't be more ready for this.

85 degrees out, a case of cold beer and some brats for the grill.

Couldn't be more ready for this.
- AceRatbang

70 here, got my birthday Guinness and a box of kleenex -aloe vera infused- to help soak up the tears after tonight's beatdown

85 degrees out, a case of cold beer and some brats for the grill.

Couldn't be more ready for this.
- AceRatbang

Ace- that sounds damn good. If you've got a pineapple, throw that on the grill, too, with a little cinnamon. Headed out to an establishment to meet a couple friends, myself. Gonna be great - enjoy!

70 here, got my birthday Guinness and a box of kleenex -aloe vera infused- to help soak up the tears after tonight's beatdown
- SotaPopinski

Well, I hope you need them, but I'm looking forward to a closely played series. I hope Pominville is back soon.

70 here, got my birthday Guinness and a box of kleenex -aloe vera infused- to help soak up the tears after tonight's beatdown
- SotaPopinski

It's your birthday?

If it is, happy birthday to you, Sota!

It's your birthday?

If it is, happy birthday to you, Sota!
- EKolb13

+1

Hopefully the Hawks give you the best present of all, Sota: a win over the Wild tonight

Off-Off topic...

I don't recall asking this.. and well I'm oldish

When do you offically start your playoff facial hair? I stop shaving Satruday..
- victorymc98

At my job we can't have beards so we agreed to start playoff mustaches when the Hawks won the Presidents Trophy

At my job we can't have beards so we agreed to start playoff mustaches when the Hawks won the Presidents Trophy
- mrpaulish

My boss is a big hockey fan an actually encourages the playoff beard. But the wife is a different story...

At my job we can't have beards so we agreed to start playoff mustaches when the Hawks won the Presidents Trophy
- mrpaulish

You play for the Yankees

Al !! Al !! Al !!!!


Al is on XM right now....