Oh, I'm well aware. Was using a bit of hyperbole to make a point is all.
- FredoXV

-Michael Corleeeee'on'ay

Stahlberg, and to a lesser extent Bickell, are going to get some ridiculous money in Free Agency from somebody this offseason.
- buffalofan19

I think the 'Hawks retain Bickell for a reasonable pricetag ($1.3-$1.5M).

Stalberg will probably get somewhere around $3-3.5M. Honestly, if he keeps this type of play up, I'd be more inclined to try and re-sign him and shed some salary elsewhere (see David Bolland) if I were Stan.

1st...Was that really Bickell throwing his body around???

Thats 1
- hockey nut 28

Better yet was that the whole team throwing their body around. I haven't seen physical play like that from the Hawks in a few years.

All the buzz about JO's bankpass, Stals speed & set up and Bicks nice backhander.... but what were all of us complaining about all year, the lack of physical play? I know the eastern seaboard programming network didn't show it clearly but Shaws hit on Mitchell freed up the biscuit for JO to make the break out pass.

Shaw was lucky not to get a boarding penality right before Oduya made that awesome pass off the boards to Stalberg. If it was any other period than a playoff overtime that would of been called every time.
- barth 39

If that's a penalty, They should just cancel the playoffs.

All the buzz about JO's bankpass, Stals speed & set up and Bicks nice backhander.... but what were all of us complaining about all year, the lack of physical play? I know the eastern seaboard programming network didn't show it clearly but Shaws hit on Mitchell freed up the biscuit for JO to make the break out pass.
- blackhawk24

Shaw was a force from the hop...huge hit in the first shook up the much bigger Stoner...WHOEVER argued for Shaw to be picked by us in the 5th round deserves a HUGE RAISE

If that's a penalty, They should just cancel the playoffs.
- Jocelyn26

No penalty...just a good clean hockey play

No penalty...just a good clean hockey play
- philco28

Fershiz

Where's SAVVYONE ? You're boy with a solid game and a HUGE first period hit
- philco28

Hey Phil -- howyadoin?!

Sort of buried in work (gotta finish some proposals due out today) but I posted this last night about Leddy. Leddy and his "sidekick" Seabs with the biggest hits dished out by the Hawks D-men. I know a bunch of you guys think my boy is Charmin-soft, but upon closer inspection, I think the play of ALL our D men in the slot area falls into that category. And the more I think about it, it HAS to be coached into these guys.

Apparently, Nick has no problem hitting guys along the boards and engaging. Except he is better at it (and not taking a brutal beating in the same way) then say Hjalmarsson.

He was solid -- very solid -- and as long as he continues to play with confidence, I think it bodes well for the Hawks.

Thanks again for the shout-out!

Box score shows 7 hits for Shaw and 6 for Rosie. More of this, combined with the Hawks speed will wear out the Wild (especially with how much they play their top guys).

#8 seed starting their backup goalie with ms at the last minute took you guys to ot? no panic.
- yinzer_nation

The Wild simply played the best possible game they could - and still lost.

After the first period the Hawks were clearly the best team on the ice - and it really wasn't close. Harding - all props - had a magnificent game and kept his team in the game. This might come as a shock for you... that happens in playoff hockey every single year.

All the buzz about JO's bankpass, Stals speed & set up and Bicks nice backhander.... but what were all of us complaining about all year, the lack of physical play? I know the eastern seaboard programming network didn't show it clearly but Shaws hit on Mitchell freed up the biscuit for JO to make the break out pass.
- blackhawk24

Comcast captured it and Foley spent time discussing how that set the play up.

I thought for a moment there that Brandon Bollig was going to score the winner there in overtime...followed by reports of a naked John Jaeckel running down High St....
( Hey! Full marks to B-52. The 4th line was really good last night. And while 16 & 67 are higher in the pecking order, it wasn't like Bollig held that line back in anyway.)

I thought Suter was just a beast last night. What did he play? 41 minutes TOI.... he can't possibly keep that up. Although Yeo, who I don't think is much of a coach, might try. I think that might have been the Wild's best shot, and the Hawks won. This series might be over quicker than the 5 games i thought it was going.

If Kopnopka would have done that to Crosby, the NHL network would have washed away in a flood of tears.
- Tanuki

So very true

I had forgotten but quickly remembered how gut-wrenching playoff hockey is...But I loved every minute of it. I thought Saad was pretty strong last night as well. Nice when all 4 lines can be rolled, no way Suter can hold up to those ice time numbers....

Thought that , #25 was (other than 19 and 81 - obviously) the Hawks' best foward last night.

His speed created numerous chances in game otherwise dominated by tight checking and muddled play down low. He also used both size and speed to win quite a few puck battles and keep the cycle going. And he FINALLY used that big frame to start laying hits on the forecheck.

A big kudos to Stals this morning, and here's hoping he keeps that high level of play going.
- FredoXV

Agreed. Stalberg looked really good last night. He undressed Suter a few times too. Somebody is going to dump some $$$$ in this guys lap this offseason. The ticket is going up.

I think the 'Hawks retain Bickell for a reasonable pricetag ($1.3-$1.5M).

Stalberg will probably get somewhere around $3-3.5M. Honestly, if he keeps this type of play up, I'd be more inclined to try and re-sign him and shed some salary elsewhere (see David Bolland) if I were Stan.
- FredoXV

Agreed.

I think the 'Hawks retain Bickell for a reasonable pricetag ($1.3-$1.5M).

Stalberg will probably get somewhere around $3-3.5M. Honestly, if he keeps this type of play up, I'd be more inclined to try and re-sign him and shed some salary elsewhere (see David Bolland) if I were Stan.
- FredoXV

UFA. I am thinking 4 for 4 or 5 years.

I had forgotten but quickly remembered how gut-wrenching playoff hockey is...But I loved every minute of it. I thought Saad was pretty strong last night as well. Nice when all 4 lines can be rolled, no way Suter can hold up to those ice time numbers....
- Iknockuout

He's done it all year pretty much. What's another 3 games?

Pretty grindy game. Liked what the 3rd and 4th line brought. If Minnesota keeps sending 2 or 3 guys at Kane, Zeus and Sharp are going to get some glorious chances.

I think the 'Hawks retain Bickell for a reasonable pricetag ($1.3-$1.5M).

Stalberg will probably get somewhere around $3-3.5M. Honestly, if he keeps this type of play up, I'd be more inclined to try and re-sign him and shed some salary elsewhere (see David Bolland) if I were Stan.
- FredoXV

Yes. The thing about Stalberg is that speed is game changing and can really open things up when the other guys are getting shut down. No (pretty much) 3rd or 4th line skater can even try to keep up with him and even Suter was giving him space.

A great 3rd line is huge.

The Hawks have one.
- AceRatbang

I was at the game, so I'm not sure if either the radio or tv call mentioned this, but it certainly seemed like Q was matching up our 4th line with their 1st line often.

that is insane. and I don't mean that in a bad way. we really have two second lines and REALLY, we have two first lines, one second line and one third line.

didn't notice Parise or Koivu all night - Suter is fantastic (much better than I gave him credit for in the past) but those minutes are going to have to eat him up by the end of this series.

fun time.

#8 seed starting their backup goalie with ms at the last minute took you guys to ot? no panic.
- yinzer_nation

If his MS was that bad already, he wouldn't have a spot on a roster. You've got your own problems. Another concussion, and ol Sid will be calling Pens games.

MN lost their starting goalie in warmups, and is missing Heatley and Pominville. I am thrilled the Hawks pulled it out, but think it is too soon to start chest thumping and proclaiming the series over. I guessed this series will be the Hawks in 6, but living in MN now, I know how the Wild have kept every game against the Hawks close. If the three aforementionned players return in this series, the Hawks are going to have to play a lot better than last night. Props to Crawford for coming back froma bad first goal and shutting the door the rest of the night. The Wild fans up here were going nuts on the Broziak goal.....wait now, Crawford stoned him twice!

Getting off the soapbox, great game, and Let's Go Hawks!

I had forgotten but quickly remembered how gut-wrenching playoff hockey is...But I loved every minute of it. I thought Saad was pretty strong last night as well. Nice when all 4 lines can be rolled, no way Suter can hold up to those ice time numbers....
- Iknockuout

I am very surprised by how decent he looked out there. He was winning board battles, made a few nice passes.

I honestly thought he wouldn't be ready for the playoffs, but he is Jesus after all.