Excellent game by Rozsival and I thought Seabrook very good too. Keith - wow, major errors in judgement in first period particularly.

Fans shouldn't be surprised by the closeness of any playoff game, its a war out there and every shift matters for every player every game. Regular season don't mean anything anymore.
- RickJ

#2 looked like No. 2 last night...big time. No hustle at times, missed the puck more than a few times, fell over his laces another....no bueno.

On the check he made that got the puck to Oduya? That wasn't boarding.
- Blackwater13

Yeh we are usually on the receiving end of those and I never see boarding calls going the other way.

Say what you want about last night's game. To me, the real story was Josh Harding.

What an outstanding performance under the most stressful of circumstances a backup goalie can face, while dealing with the onset of a terrible disease.

The guy stood on his head last night, and it was very inspirational.
- Return of the Roar

I thought Zus was good too...was pretty good along the boards..used his body,and it seemed like that line had more pressure then when Bolland is out there with Kane and Sharp...I think a Bolland Kruger Frolik line would be pretty good...I doubt Q breaks up the third line the way they have been playing
- captainserious

I'd say that makes the most sense. If the team is as committed to the body as they were in game 1, a guy like Bollig is not needed. A few nice hits but that's about it.

Bolland would make that 4th line the best in the business, assuming a butterfly doesn't land on his back and causes him to be day-to-day for another 3 weeks.

Stalberg will be a Hawk next season. There is so much money to play with in order to fit him in. Let's not forget that he is the only tangible 'win' in trades from the exodus of 2010 - I think that matters.
- nathanjf

i assume you're joking about all the money to play with. with cap projected to go down $6M, no backup goaltender signed, leddy RFA, bickell UFA, and kruger RFA... i don't think there's any way they are going to be able to squeeze in what the market will bear ($3-4M+) for stalberg

Are you asking where he should play or where he will play?

He will likely play 2C

He should play 3C, bump Shaw to 4th line wing (and spot him at times 2nd or 3rd line) and Bollig to the press box.
- Ogilthorpe2

I'd try Bolland at 2C and move Handzus to 4C with Kruger and Frolik. You just can't break up the Shaw/Bickell/Stalberg combo.

i assume you're joking about all the money to play with. with cap projected to go down $6M, no backup goaltender signed, leddy RFA, bickell UFA, and kruger RFA... i don't think there's any way they are going to be able to squeeze in what the market will bear ($3-4M+) for stalberg
- Sconnie

What are the odds that Kruger is back next year? I know he's good on the PK, but really doesn't bring much else to the table. Out of all of the names listed, I can see him outta here next season.

I'd try Bolland at 2C and move Handzus to 4C with Kruger and Frolik. You just can't break up the Shaw/Bickell/Stalberg combo.
- DarthKane

I agree with that, playoff hockey is when bolland decides to show up and play well, also the shaw bicks and stalberg line was just great all night, and big kudos to shaw by delivering the big hit that started the whole play, but id also like to see bollig start to put some big hits on some guys, but need some guys to be more physicall than just the 3rd line

#2 looked like No. 2 last night...big time. No hustle at times, missed the puck more than a few times, fell over his laces another....no bueno.
- JGould70

Jimmy,

No offense but, I'll just say if you really thjnk Parise didn't show up (as others have said), you are missing what's really happening. Parise shows up and shows up hard every night. 2 and 4 are a little like your furnace. You don't notice them or really appreciate them til that rare occasion when they break down. For all of Pierre's fawning over Suter, the Hawk blueliners were very good last night, limiting Minnesota chances. Also some very good backchecking by the forwards.

Give the Hawks some credit. Minnesota played the game that ALWAYS gives the Hawks trouble, taking away the middle of the ice, forcing them outside. I like the fact that the hawks took the body all night and really worked for the victory.

Stalberg was the Hawk MVP last night IMO, good al over the ice and his speed is a problem for MN if he keeps churning through the series.

1) What are the odds that Kruger is back next year? I know he's good on the PK, 2) but really doesn't bring much else to the table. Out of all of the names listed, I can see him outta here next season.
- Fooseshark

1) 100%
2) Disagree, 110%. And I'll be glad to tell you all he does aside from the PK.

What are the odds that Kruger is back next year? I know he's good on the PK, but really doesn't bring much else to the table. Out of all of the names listed, I can see him outta here next season.
- Fooseshark

I think the odds of Kruger coming back next year is almost the highest out of any of the RFA UFA guys. He won't be that expensive compared to some of the other ones. The Hawks can afford who they want as long as Leddy and Stalberg don't ask for ridiculous increases. I wouldn't worry that much about the cap situation here next year. The Hawks can trade Bolland, buyout Rusty and Monty. They will have plenty of money to spend. The only question is if they want to, they have to start planning for Toews and Kane.

I'd say that makes the most sense. If the team is as committed to the body as they were in game 1, a guy like Bollig is not needed. A few nice hits but that's about it.

Bolland would make that 4th line the best in the business, assuming a butterfly doesn't land on his back and causes him to be day-to-day for another 3 weeks.
- teh_HAWKZ

Disagree.

The difference late in the 3rd and in the 4th period last night was the energy and legs the Hawks' third and fourth lines had. Carcillo, Mayers, Handzus, guys like that, are not going to give you that. Bollig is very well-conditioned (and strong as hell) and he and Frolik, Bickell, Kruger and Stalberg, and Shaw were the guys taking it to the Wild late in the game.

i assume you're joking about all the money to play with. with cap projected to go down $6M, no backup goaltender signed, leddy RFA, bickell UFA, and kruger RFA... i don't think there's any way they are going to be able to squeeze in what the market will bear ($3-4M+) for stalberg
- Sconnie

I would look at this again if I were you. Buyout Rusty and Monty, trade Bolland.... The Hawks then have 11,344,872 in cap space. The Hawks are one of the large market teams teams that is well positioned for this decrease in cap.

Not the best game from the hawks, but a big win in regards to overcoming adversity, and most importantly...Crawford letting in a bad goal, and not letting it linger on.

I thought Crawford was dinged a little last night. He looked to be shaking out some cob webs a few times, and took a little bit to get up during commercial breaks. Same with Toews, after he crashed in on Harding.

Gotta think Backstrom is out for game 2 with either a hip/groin issue and maybe even game 3.'

Shaw, Frolik, Stalberg, Kruger, Bickell, Hammer, Oduya, Leddy, Rosival all had huge games. I think Bolig has to sit game 2. You watch Ryan Reaves run around and destroy people, and then you watch Brandon Bolig not to deliver the goods. You have 2, playoff tested, guys ready to go in Mayers and Carcillo who need to show that you finish EACH and EVERY check, and not miss.

Overall, it's a win...I don't care how it happens, and the fact the 3rd line played well, and the depth D guys were solid...good sign.

Disagree.

The difference late in the 3rd and in the 4th period last night was the energy and legs the Hawks' third and fourth lines had. Carcillo, Mayers, Handzus, guys like that, are not going to give you that. Bollig is very well-conditioned (and strong as hell) and he and Frolik, Bickell, Kruger and Stalberg, and Shaw were the guys taking it to the Wild late in the game.
- John Jaeckel

he tries, but he needs to hit people consistently....He missed a few big ones last night, and needs to deliver the Reaves type hits that gets their D men panicking...muich like how Oduya played last year vs Phoenix.

I would look at this again if I were you. Buyout Rusty and Monty, trade Bolland.... The Hawks then have 11,344,872 in cap space. The Hawks are one of the large market teams teams that is well positioned for this decrease in cap.
- droe411

All signs point ot this and I am betting the Hawks deal Bolland. I know of three teams in the East that have had very serious, specific conversations with the Hawks on that very subject.

Which again comes back to Kruger. NOT a coincidence that the 4th line was out a lot against Minnesota's top line last night.

I would look at this again if I were you. Buyout Rusty and Monty, trade Bolland.... The Hawks then have 11,344,872 in cap space. The Hawks are one of the large market teams teams that is well positioned for this decrease in cap.
- droe411

How much of that cap is Leddy, Kruger, Bickell, Stalberg and Emery going to eat up? I don't think the Hawks will be able to keep them all.

he tries, but he needs to hit people consistently....He missed a few big ones last night, and needs to deliver the Reaves type hits that gets their D men panicking...muich like how Oduya played last year vs Phoenix.
- SteveRain

I agree, he missed a few last night. He actually was never more physical than he was against Phoenix last year and opening the season in LA. He WILL hit some people, trust me.

Disagree.

The difference late in the 3rd and in the 4th period last night was the energy and legs the Hawks' third and fourth lines had. Carcillo, Mayers, Handzus, guys like that, are not going to give you that. Bollig is very well-conditioned (and strong as hell) and he and Frolik, Bickell, Kruger and Stalberg, and Shaw were the guys taking it to the Wild late in the game.
- John Jaeckel

There will be a time for Carcillo in the playoffs. Can't see why anyone would have a problem with the way Bollig played yesterday. Agree 100% what we saw last nite was the outcome of not having to play your top dogs 40 minutes a night. Fresh legs in the bottom 2 lines killed the Wild.

Not the best game from the hawks, but a big win in regards to overcoming adversity, and most importantly...Crawford letting in a bad goal, and not letting it linger on.

I thought Crawford was dinged a little last night. He looked to be shaking out some cob webs a few times, and took a little bit to get up during commercial breaks. Same with Toews, after he crashed in on Harding.

Gotta think Backstrom is out for game 2 with either a hip/groin issue and maybe even game 3.'

Shaw, Frolik, Stalberg, Kruger, Bickell, Hammer, Oduya, Leddy, Rosival all had huge games. I think Bolig has to sit game 2. You watch Ryan Reaves run around and destroy people, and then you watch Brandon Bolig not to deliver the goods. You have 2, playoff tested, guys ready to go in Mayers and Carcillo who need to show that you finish EACH and EVERY check, and not miss.

Overall, it's a win...I don't care how it happens, and the fact the 3rd line played well, and the depth D guys were solid...good sign.
- SteveRain

If Mayers or Carcillo played last night, by midway through the third you would have been praying to have Bollig, and especially in overtime. Much younger legs.

1) 100%
2) Disagree, 110%. And I'll be glad to tell you all he does aside from the PK.
- John Jaeckel

Kruger and Frolik may be the most improved players on this team. The fact they play on our 4th line is not good for other squads.

Disagree.

The difference late in the 3rd and in the 4th period last night was the energy and legs the Hawks' third and fourth lines had. Carcillo, Mayers, Handzus, guys like that, are not going to give you that. Bollig is very well-conditioned (and strong as hell) and he and Frolik, Bickell, Kruger and Stalberg, and Shaw were the guys taking it to the Wild late in the game.
- John Jaeckel

Bollig has been much better after his first 12-15 games or so when he wanted to fight in the opening minutes of every game. I'm sure a part of that is building a reputation, but while fighting is still an often necessary par of the game, it's not something that needs to be turned into a showcase like Bollig loves to do. That was my major problem with him. And now that he's ignoring the showboat fighting and instead just playing the game, I have no problem with him. I wish Carcillo were 100 percent healthy and strong again though because, when healthy, he has Bollig's physical ability mixed with much better offensive skills.

Kruger and Frolik may be the most improved players on this team. The fact they play on our 4th line is not good for other squads.
- ilinkhawk

Totally agree. Essentially, Quenneville's 4th line can be his shutdown line and the other three are scoring lines. And lots of size and speed and youth on both the third and fourth. Scary depth.

How much of that cap is Leddy, Kruger, Bickell, Stalberg and Emery going to eat up? I don't think the Hawks will be able to keep them all.
- EKolb13

Why not? 3 Mill each for Leddy and Stalberg, 1 Mill each for Kruger Bickell and Emery. If not, I would pay Leddy over Stalberg. If Emery is going to get a shot at starting somewhere he will take it, otherwise he can stay for a reasonable price. What I am saying is that it's doable. I think Stalberg goes, the Hawks will bring up their next "can't miss prospect" and fill in with veteran low cap hit players. Bollig and Smith have one way deals next year so we could see them up here for cheap cap hits.

Bollig has been much better after his first 12-15 games or so when he wanted to fight in the opening minutes of every game. I'm sure a part of that is building a reputation, but while fighting is still an often necessary par of the game, it's not something that needs to be turned into a showcase like Bollig loves to do. That was my major problem with him. And now that he's ignoring the showboat fighting and instead just playing the game, I have no problem with him. I wish Carcillo were 100 percent healthy and strong again though because, when healthy, he has Bollig's physical ability mixed with much better offensive skills.
- Hemingways

No argument here. Good point and Carcillo will get his chances no question.

And I don't disagree that if someone is looking to replace one guy from last night, it's 52. I'm just not sure he did anything so bad.

Thx