I realize Chicago didn't play it's best game, but losing in OT 2-1 and we don't belong? No need to be a richard
- SotaPopinski

You played the gme you will have to play. Disciplined, methodical, and defensively strong....you don't have the fire power to go up and down the ice with the hwks..you need to keep it close...and hope you get some breaks and bounces and capitalize on the few chances you generate. And your harding or bstrom will need to play on head every gm.

Harding was outstanding..coming in that type of situation and performing like that but I don't think he can that for 6 or 7 gmes.

I think tonight was the last of the nail biting for Hawks fans.

The Wild don't belong.
- AceRatbang

What exactly were you watching? I think the Hawks are the better team but the Wild made it allot closer than many thought it would be.

Speaking of Teemu Selanne....... 2-1 Ducks
- Jagbears

Stalberg's speed made that play!!! Hawks win!!
- UnnamedSource

Stalberg also held the puck too long on two other of his possessions...if he is gonna make a wide turn to attempt the shot, he better get it off, or find an open man who can.
- wiz1901

Like he did

What exactly were you watching? I think the Hawks are the better team but the Wild made it allot closer than many thought it would be.
- paulr

Yeah I don't get the disrespect after an effort like that from Wild and Harding

They played exactly how they needed to. They might not be close to talent level of the Hawks but they came to play.

Don't like Hawk fans getting arrogant because it wasn't so long ago we were the joke of not only the NHL but sports in general.

Hawks had 40 hits tonight... WOW.

Team win,
but

I think a few guys stood out, and the hit totals were up too.

Q for rolling only three and having a quick and fresh Kruger & Frolik as it went deep into the clock...

Andrew Shaw

Johnny Oduya...you guys can call him whatever someone else mocked him with, but he is very quick all around, and threads the needle with that long pass, and was really involved all over.

If the Wild HAD taken Jacob Trouba, he would have been on that backline already.

It already looks like Blues will go deep against LA, good!

Let's just try and get out of the next couple of hawk games in 60 minutes and with wins...
- wiz1901

First time I've seen a team lay the hammer on the Kings as physically as the Blues did, especially early in the game. But the Kings hang around. They won't be easy for the Blues to put away.

Seabrook and Roszival strong tonight.

Yes Shaw made the hit to separate the player from the puck....but without Stalbergs speed the Hawks are unable to finish that play....Oduya doesn't make that pass or doesn't connect with anyone.....this again is another example as to why Stalbergs value is not just scoring....

Hawks had 40 hits tonight... WOW.
- CBHawks88

I guess they have been saving them for the big stage!

Yes Shaw made the hit to separate the player from the puck....but without Stalbergs speed the Hawks are unable to finish that play....Oduya doesn't make that pass or doesn't connect with anyone.....this again is another example as to why Stalbergs value is not just scoring....
- UnnamedSource

I didn't mean to take anything away from Stalberg but Shaw's play was vital and he doesn't even get a point, except from Quenneville.

Yes Shaw made the hit to separate the player from the puck....but without Stalbergs speed the Hawks are unable to finish that play....Oduya doesn't make that pass or doesn't connect with anyone.....this again is another example as to why Stalbergs value is not just scoring....
- UnnamedSource

It was a complete TEAM PLAY...Stals wasn't knocking the player off the puck or making the deft 3 zone pass...Shaw did the first and Oduya the latter...Stals pounced and made a nice feed to Bicks...who FINISHED...great concept for a Hawk forward to FINISH. But that was a TEAM PLAY.

And despite the whiff on the Wild goal...Crow was GREAT...tonite. Let's see if he can be good throughout and WIN a series.

I didn't mean to take anything away from Stalberg but Shaw's play was vital and he doesn't even get a point, except from Quenneville.
- paulr

Correct....Shaw's hit was huge and was the catalyst of the play but that play needs the speed of Stalberg to happen. There are a lot of people on here who fail to see the value of Stalberg and I wanted to point to this as an example.....the only other player on the team that can catch up to that puck is Leddy......The third line was the best all night.

It was a complete TEAM PLAY...Stals wasn't knocking the player off the puck or making the deft 3 zone pass...Shaw did the first and Oduya the latter...Stals pounced and made a nice feed to Bicks...who FINISHED...great concept for a Hawk forward to FINISH. But that was a TEAM PLAY.

And despite the whiff on the Wild goal...Crow was GREAT...tonite. Let's see if he can be good throughout and WIN a series.
- philco28

We are in agreement. It was a team play.....my point is if Stals isn't on the ice that play ends with the Oduya bank off the glass.

It was a complete TEAM PLAY...Stals wasn't knocking the player off the puck or making the deft 3 zone pass...Shaw did the first and Oduya the latter...Stals pounced and made a nice feed to Bicks...who FINISHED...great concept for a Hawk forward to FINISH. But that was a TEAM PLAY.

And despite the whiff on the Wild goal...Crow was GREAT...tonite. Let's see if he can be good throughout and WIN a series.
- philco28

Team play is certainly an apt description. That third line was outstanding tonight as was the fourth. Now crank up the other two to the level they are capable and it should be a long ride. Kudos though to the Wild who's game plan made if difficult for the top Hawks players to get going.

We are in agreement. It was a team play.....my point is if Stals isn't on the ice that play ends with the Oduya bank off the glass.
- UnnamedSource[/quote

Source..i agree with your point...but again...if Shaw doesn't wallpaper his man, if Johnny doesn't perfectly weight his clearance and if Bicks doesn't finish......lot of IF's on the play is my point. Glad they all did what they did.

First time I've seen a team lay the hammer on the Kings as physically as the Blues did, especially early in the game. But the Kings hang around. They won't be easy for the Blues to put away.

Seabrook and Roszival strong tonight.
- RickJ

Well after 11 strt losses to the kings...the blues finally get one thx to the gift that Quick delievered!

the boards are still ringing in the blues arena....my god they are an arrogant comfortable bunch in their barn...they were running at everything in white...BUT they will still lose this series cuz they won't play that way on the road and and the kings will answer..WTF was Quick doing on that....even the great con smythes end up in the twilight zone once in a while but in OT to lose like...

whoaa.....this board would absolutely explode into oblivion if craw pulled a stunt like that

Team play is certainly an apt description. That third line was outstanding tonight as was the fourth. Now crank up the other two to the level they are capable and it should be a long ride. Kudos though to the Wild who's game plan made if difficult for the top Hawks players to get going.
- paulr

Hopefully the jitters are out for the boys. That Kane feed to Hoss for the equalizer was brilliant. Just want to get that out there.

My biggest fear, stated here repeatedly, is having a bad goal ko us in o/t. Wish we could beat teams by 2 or 3 on home ice...but our team generally plays close games.

Pass the diapers.

Well after 11 strt losses to the kings...the blues finally get one thx to the gift that Quick delievered!

the boards are still ringing in the blues arena....my god they are an arrogant comfortable bunch in their barn...they were running at everything in white...BUT they will still lose this series cuz they won't play that way on the road and and the kings will answer..WTF was Quick doing on that....even the great con smythes end up in the twilight zone once in a while but in OT to lose like...

whoaa.....this board would absolutely explode into oblivion if craw pulled a stunt like that
- bogiedoc

The one thing the Hawks have done extremely well all season is support each other. Quick was left alone on that play, it was hardly his fault.

Team play is certainly an apt description. That third line was outstanding tonight as was the fourth. Now crank up the other two to the level they are capable and it should be a long ride. Kudos though to the Wild who's game plan made if difficult for the top Hawks players to get going.
- paulr

The Wild game plan is the same useless f'n approach as the Predators use if they get up a goal. Clog the neutral zone, collapse to the net and rely on goaltending. The only difference is that they have more skill up front than Nashville.They got a lucky one early and then iced the puck about 10 times a period and managed to stay out of the penalty box. Screw them and their game plan.

Hawks get up one or two in a game and the Wild are toast.

I realize Chicago didn't play it's best game, but losing in OT 2-1 and we don't belong? No need to be a richard
- SotaPopinski

Of coarse the Wild "belong". They earned the 8th seed. Arguably should have been a higher seed, but that late season slump almost ruined them...but it didn't.

Playoffs are a different animal, and each game will likely develop it's own personality. Every year interesting story lines develop, and one or several clubs surprise the "experts".

Bring on friday...by that time by heart should be back in rhythm...

Hopefully the jitters are out for the boys. That Kane feed to Hoss for the equalizer was brilliant. Just want to get that out there.

My biggest fear, stated here repeatedly, is having a bad goal ko us in o/t. Wish we could beat teams by 2 or 3 on home ice...but our team generally plays close games.

Pass the diapers.
- philco28

That pass by Kane was outstanding. I thought the same thing about the team putting it out of reach but if you notice they don't take chances, they play a solid game giving the opposition few chances then striking when the opportunity is there. I have invested into Depends stock just for these playoffs!

The Wild game plan is the same useless f'n approach as the Predators use if they get up a goal. Clog the neutral zone, collapse to the net and rely on goaltending. The only difference is that they have more skill up front than Nashville.They got a lucky one early and then iced the puck about 10 times a period and managed to stay out of the penalty box. Screw them and their game plan.

Hawks get up one or two in a game and the Wild are toast.
- RickJ

I don't like the neutral zone trap anymore than you but what are the Wild supposed to do, skate with the Hawks? Give credit where it is due, the Wild know the only way they have a chance is to slow the Hawks down and limit their chances. The Wild are doing a huge service for the Hawks, they are making the Hawks earn everything and that will be a benefit in later rounds.

What exactly were you watching? I think the Hawks are the better team but the Wild made it allot closer than many thought it would be.
- paulr

The Wild and Harding played a great game. Hawks need to start with more energy next game. Shaw and Stalberg were only guys hustling in the first period, rest of team finally got it going in the 2nd and especially 3rd, but Minny played a superb game with less depth. And I respect the hell out of Harding continuing to play with his health issues. I have friends/family who have/had MS and it's a nasty disease, a real ass-kicker.

Well after 11 strt losses to the kings...the blues finally get one thx to the gift that Quick delievered!

the boards are still ringing in the blues arena....my god they are an arrogant comfortable bunch in their barn...they were running at everything in white...BUT they will still lose this series cuz they won't play that way on the road and and the kings will answer..WTF was Quick doing on that....even the great con smythes end up in the twilight zone once in a while but in OT to lose like...

whoaa.....this board would absolutely explode into oblivion if craw pulled a stunt like that
- bogiedoc

Darryl Sutter will say nothing about the physical play in the press but I think there will be some payback by some of the big boys on the Kings. I hope both teams pound each other into oblivion.

Quick had no support from his defence but he was awful slow deciding what to do with the puck.

Damn...the Ducks ruined the trifecta of 2-1 games with an empty netter.