Harding is a real hero. A long game like that could have been a real test for his MS.

I believe his mother was sitting just below us. She had a Harding jersey but it didn't appear to be a Wild jersey. During the anthem, she stood and held her hand in the air - kind of pointing his way so he could try to find her I think.
- tredbrta

The building was quiet for a playoff game. Not much to get excited about til OT.

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

Oh my goodness.

Wanting Bollig to play like Reaves is like wanting urine to be more like a bowel movement.

Don't think about either and just flush the toilet.

Oduya's NTC might make that difficult. It's not like both Oduya and Frolik are in high demand on the trade market.
- EKolb13

Just thinking out loud........I wonder with the emergence of Hammer, Seabrook is made available? You could get a kings ransom for him........maybe not this year but maybe when they are ready to sign Hammer to a long term deal after next season.....if Olsen and Johns develop it could happen....again just hearing voices again.

Oh my goodness.

Wanting Bollig to play like Reaves is like wanting urine to be more like a bowel movement.

Don't think about either and just flush the toilet.
- AceRatbang

He sucks. Dress Carbomb.

Oh my goodness.

Wanting Bollig to play like Reaves is like wanting urine to be more like a bowel movement.

Don't think about either and just flush the toilet.
- AceRatbang

Did you watch the highlights of that game last night before you spout off like a child? Did you hear all the accolades given by actual EXPERTS for being a "human wrecking ball"?

Clean, hard hits wear down an opponent, in case you didnt' know...so YES, I'd like to see Bolig hammer some people, like the way Bickell did in the 2nd period.

Just thinking out loud........I wonder with the emergence of Hammer, Seabrook is made available? You could get a kings ransom for him........maybe not this year but maybe when they are ready to sign Hammer to a long term deal after next season.....if Olsen and Johns develop it could happen....again just hearing voices again.
- UnnamedSource

Not. A. Chance.

Just like Leddy making Keith expendable.

Neither is going....and I'd trade Keith before I'd trade Seabrook.

Shots at net (including blocked shots) CHI 58 - MIN 31. Doesn't count misses. After the first period, the Wild were hanging on and hoping for a gift from the Hawks.

Did you watch the highlights of that game last night before you spout off like a child? Did you hear all the accolades given by actual EXPERTS for being a "human wrecking ball"?

Clean, hard hits wear down an opponent, in case you didnt' know...so YES, I'd like to see Bolig hammer some people, like the way Bickell did in the 2nd period.
- SteveRain

I didn't watch the highlights, I watched the whole game.

Bollig played OK on a line with two guys that played very well. Reaves is not a good hockey player.

I didn't watch the highlights, I watched the whole game.

Bollig played OK on a line with two guys that played very well. Reaves is not a good hockey player.
- AceRatbang

Neither is Bollig

I didn't watch the highlights, I watched the whole game.

Bollig played OK on a line with two guys that played very well. Reaves is not a good hockey player.
- AceRatbang

You watched the entire Blues and Kings game, AND the hawks-Wild game?

Impressive....must have a DVR.

Not. A. Chance.

Just like Leddy making Keith expendable.

Neither is going....and I'd trade Keith before I'd trade Seabrook.
- SteveRain

I'm not talking about this off season but.....Hammer replaced Seabrook on the blue line with keith and more than likely he will be asking for a huge deal next year. You have prospects you are developing for the purpose of having on your team at some point or utilizing them in a trade. If Hammer continue his peak next year than it really could be the most sensible move. A top Dman could fetch you enough to keep your franchise relevant for years to come.

Neither is Bollig
- nickmo2699

HE has some skill...but yes, he didn't offer a helluva lot last night.

That spot has been a revolving door all season, and the guy who is going to deliver the most consistent physical play without hurting the team in the box...needs to play.

Harding is a real hero. A long game like that could have been a real test for his MS.

I believe his mother was sitting just below us. She had a Harding jersey but it didn't appear to be a Wild jersey. During the anthem, she stood and held her hand in the air - kind of pointing his way so he could try to find her I think.
- tredbrta

I don't pretend to know what a guy (much less a goalie) that has MS goes through. It's a great story, akin to the Jason Collins' news. But I've seen quite a few of these posts. At risk of sounding like a huge pr!ck, I doubt he'd be out there, whether it be 20 min or 80 minutes, if he couldn't handle it. I'm sure he has good days and bad days and there's no way of knowing what he faces day to day. But I don't know that playing 80 minutes sets him over the edge, but 60 wouldn't. I'm sure he prepares every day the best he can, given his disability.

Credit to the young man for persevering. God knows he has more courage than I would.

Konopka was lucky to not get a penalty and his ass kicked for cross checking and driving Toews face into the ice in the Wild crease. Even Steven.
- Ogilthorpe2

And which one of the wimps for chicago was going to step in and kick konopkas ass? Thats funny stuff right there!

So the president trophy chicago black hawks eke out a win in OT against an 8 seed, at home no less, and the fans are still on their soap boxes preaching about how dominant their team is. wild will win this one in 6.

I'm not talking about this off season but.....Hammer replaced Seabrook on the blue line with keith and more than likely he will be asking for a huge deal next year. You have prospects you are developing for the purpose of having on your team at some point or utilizing them in a trade. If Hammer continue his peak next year than it really could be the most sensible move. A top Dman could fetch you enough to keep your franchise relevant for years to come.
- UnnamedSource

I dont' disagree but think about how badly Keith has plateued since his Norris year....He was bad in 2011, bad in 2012, and was OK this year...but not worth his contract either...Problem is, is that he's signed FOREVER and has a nmc.

The thing to watch is Leddy....lots of teams could throw an offer sheet his way, especially the team out east who tried it with Weber this offseason. Dont' laugh....the last time the hawks had a young, promising D man, he got offered sheeted...see Hammer.

Everyone keeps bringing up Subban as the best comparable contract. Even though the cap is going down, hard to see Leddy getting same or less than Subban (we can debate the stats and style and toughness all we want).

Fact is, guys that can skate like Leddy and carry the puck like him are far and few between. The fact he is 22 yrs old and has stayed healthy (knock on wood here, don't want to jinx him during the Hawks run -- Leddy going out and having to see Brookstank in his stead -- or Montador (shudders at this thought), not good) has got to play into possible offer sheets for him.

Can't believe he wouldn't get at least 1, if not more, thrown his way. Obviously, hope he signs here -- but wherever he lands, I will cheer him on.
- savvyone-1

I think the Subban deal will give the Hawks a ceiling at least in negotiations with Leddy. Which is why I think Sheehy forces it out to see offer sheets. If he can sucker some team into a blockbuster higher than Subban then the Hawks would be stupid to match. Smart move would be to offer him Subban money at a longer term if they really want him. Otherwise, wait for the OS and decide to match or not.

And which one of the wimps for chicago was going to step in and kick konopkas ass? Thats funny stuff right there!

So the president trophy chicago black hawks eke out a win in OT against an 8 seed, at home no less, and the fans are still on their soap boxes preaching about how dominant their team is. wild will win this one in 6.
- MJLjr

Don't you have a battery to go throw at JD Drew?

Nice sports town...lets see...

Eagles suck.
Flyers might be the biggest joke of the season in regards to failing to meet expectations.
Sixers? Ha.
And your beloved Phillies....too old, and too injury prone. Let me know when Roy Halladay hits 94 again.

When the Hawks win this series, will you go to courting your Jersey trash women?

I'm a big Kruger fan too John, but he's got to stop losing draws clean in the d-zone. At worst you've got to turn it into a 50-50 puck. Its strange to me that he's not good at faces because he is strong with a good stick along the boards. I really didn't feel comfortable in the OT 4 on 4 with that draw and he lost it, so Toews had to come out earlier than the PP
- rollpards19

Valid point

And which one of the wimps for chicago was going to step in and kick konopkas ass? Thats funny stuff right there!

So the president trophy chicago black hawks eke out a win in OT against an 8 seed, at home no less, and the fans are still on their soap boxes preaching about how dominant their team is. wild will win this one in 6.
- MJLjr

There was a series in 2010 that ended in 6. Do you remember who played?

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

Keith needs to be a lot better.

...And yes there is often a fine line.

Today's article...

Blackhawks dodge big bullet, take Game 1 in OT win over the Wild - My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/12VC8OR
- Al

I don't pretend to know what a guy (much less a goalie) that has MS goes through. It's a great story, akin to the Jason Collins' news. But I've seen quite a few of these posts. At risk of sounding like a huge pr!ck, I doubt he'd be out there, whether it be 20 min or 80 minutes, if he couldn't handle it. I'm sure he has good days and bad days and there's no way of knowing what he faces day to day. But I don't know that playing 80 minutes sets him over the edge, but 60 wouldn't. I'm sure he prepares every day the best he can, given his disability.

Credit to the young man for persevering. God knows he has more courage than I would.
- eburgio

I have a family member who has it and the problem with MS is that you can have a flare up at anytime (Sudden weakness/loss of sensation for her). For them anything from heat, to exertion, to something they eats/drinks can trigger one. So 60 minutes of an activity may be ok but 65+ can trigger it.

And which one of the wimps for chicago was going to step in and kick konopkas ass? Thats funny stuff right there!

So the president trophy chicago black hawks eke out a win in OT against an 8 seed, at home no less, and the fans are still on their soap boxes preaching about how dominant their team is. wild will win this one in 6.
- MJLjr

Who will win the Flyers series? Oh wait..... Sad that is 3 years they have gone from Cup final to out of playoffs. Way to go scrub

The building was quiet for a playoff game. Not much to get excited about til OT.
- nickmo2699

I'm still wondering if that was Harding's mother. Maybe just an MS supporter?

I didn't find it that quiet.

>Gigantic win
>Hawks looked like they were trying to win the Stanley Cup in the first period of Game 1 -- lots of running around and very little "team poise"
>Liked the way the team "righted the ship" as the game went on
>Playoff "tough ice" is won with the unique combination of doing the right things physically, while having the mind clear enough to know what that is
>Duncan Keith does so many things well, especially on the PK -- BUT -- he needs to play with a calm mind -- AND "burst with a purpose" -- like his Norris year
>#2 was so amped in period 1 that he took himself dangerously out of position a bit too often -- attacking the puck at very inopportune times
>If the Hawks can indeed play "one game at a time", "one shift at a time" their chances of a long run are very, very good

I'm not talking about this off season but.....Hammer replaced Seabrook on the blue line with keith and more than likely he will be asking for a huge deal next year. You have prospects you are developing for the purpose of having on your team at some point or utilizing them in a trade. If Hammer continue his peak next year than it really could be the most sensible move. A top Dman could fetch you enough to keep your franchise relevant for years to come.
- UnnamedSource

I've considered the Seabs possibility. Teams like the Flyers or TB would kill for him.

I would think he or Sharp going would give them a lot of cap flexibility but I also think the only way the FO does it if they do not go far in the PO this year.