I think you need to evaluate the best matchups based upon two things - which teams play the least physical style, and which teams have the weaker goalies. Smells like the Wings and the Blues to me.

SJ and LAK are not good matchups, but I would say that the sooner the Hawks get a matchup with one of these teams the sooner the debate over whether Stan and Co. have built a team that can go all the way will be resolved.
- Return of the Roar

Excellent point


Sharks are on a good trajectory too and would pose a lot of problems for us. I think it will be them.

what did he do...mix it up with Esplens blog....touchy over there; 6 str losses and 1-8 in their last 9 playoff gmes will do that....
- bogiedoc

Not sure...probably buzzed Micah's tower going Mach 2. Hope he's out in time for the game tonight.

does anyone know the date of when game 2 of round 2 will be played

does anyone know the date of when game 2 of round 2 will be played
- Ruboy88

Round 1 has to conclude first...

does anyone know the date of when game 2 of round 2 will be played
- Ruboy88

Colts doing well eh Rudy ?

Colts doing well eh Rudy ?

- philco28

hey bro yes they are on fire Scheiffle lit it up last night

Not sure...probably buzzed Micah's tower going Mach 2. Hope he's out in time for the game tonight.
- philco28

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=vdHBsWXaHN8

FREE OGI !!!!!
- philco28

im sure, whatever he did, he deserves it. he crazy!

I'd be excited to play either the Wings or the Sharks. The Hawks are superior on both sides of the puck. And while the Sharks might try to muscle the Hawks, the Sharks defense isn't strong enough for them to be that aggressive on the forecheck. The road from Suter to Boyle is long. And Vlasic and Stuart (Especially stuart) are just not quick enough.

Really want to see the Hawks close it out tonight. I'm pretty sure they will.

I'd be excited to play either the Wings or the Sharks. The Hawks are superior on both sides of the puck. And while the Sharks might try to muscle the Hawks, the Sharks defense isn't strong enough for them to be that aggressive on the forecheck. The road from Suter to Boyle is long. And Vlasic and Stuart (Especially stuart) are just not quick enough.

Really want to see the Hawks close it out tonight. I'm pretty sure they will.
- yahoodi

If we face the Sharks we'll really need play with discipline, almost half their goals against Vancouver came on the PP. We generally take less penalties than the Canucks and our PK is better, but it's something we should still be careful with.

If we face the Sharks we'll really need play with discipline, almost half their goals against Vancouver came on the PP. We generally take less penalties than the Canucks and our PK is better, but it's something we should still be careful with.
- DarthKane

without a doubt. And first things first with the Wild. But there's one other thing I'd like to see out of the 'Hawks for round 2. THE RAT. Remember what he did to Jumbo-playoff-no-show-Joe in 2010.

I'd be excited to play either the Wings or the Sharks. The Hawks are superior on both sides of the puck. And while the Sharks might try to muscle the Hawks, the Sharks defense isn't strong enough for them to be that aggressive on the forecheck. The road from Suter to Boyle is long. And Vlasic and Stuart (Especially stuart) are just not quick enough.

Really want to see the Hawks close it out tonight. I'm pretty sure they will.
- yahoodi

The key to a Hawks-Sharks series will probably be Sharks PP vs. Hawks PK. If the Hawks hold SJ to about 15%, the series should be theirs. If SJ does 20-25% or better, the Hawks will be in trouble.

Noemi is also more likely to steal a series than Crawford is

without a doubt. And first things first with the Wild. But there's one other thing I'd like to see out of the 'Hawks for round 2. THE RAT. Remember what he did to Jumbo-playoff-no-show-Joe in 2010.
- blackhawk24

I agree, we need Bolland back for the 2nd round (assuming we take care of the Wild). I would assume Bolland would take his 2C role back, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him centre the shutdown line as the 3C:

Stalberg - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Handzus - Hossa
Bickell - Bolland - Shaw
Saad - Kruger - Frolik

I will be on with Boomer Gordon at 12:25 CST on SiriusXM Home Ice to talk some Hawks-Wild.

Follow me on Twitter@AlCimaglia

hey bro yes they are on fire Scheiffle lit it up last night
- Ruboy88

Have to admit...thought London would take 'em...but bid'ness must be POPPIN'

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=vdHBsWXaHN8
- mrpaulish

Classic Mr. P

im sure, whatever he did, he deserves it. he crazy!
- Jocelyn26

Ogi's GOOD PEOPLE

I will be on with Boomer Gordon at 12:25 CST on SiriusXM Home Ice to talk some Hawks-Wild.

Follow me on Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Will tune in but I don't expect Boomer to even be coherent- took excited about his Islanders.

Ogi's GOOD PEOPLE

- philco28

I don't agree with Ogi's anti-Sharp comments, but I do agree with his pro-Olesz view. Ogi is good people.

I agree, we need Bolland back for the 2nd round (assuming we take care of the Wild). I would assume Bolland would take his 2C role back, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him centre the shutdown line as the 3C:

Stalberg - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Handzus - Hossa
Bickell - Bolland - Shaw
Saad - Kruger - Frolik
- DarthKane

If not Bolly, then I'd like to see Ben Smith get a crack at this. If Bollig ain't gonna be allowed to engage and Carbomb won't be given any TOI, put Smith on the 3rd line centred by Shaw and let him get in Nemo's kitchen.

Plus, I wouldn't mind seeing Smith go to the net on a couple 'Hawks PP's.

One PP I'd like to see is 28/19/88 - 8/81 Just to mix things up and get that PP going. I'm afraid if the Sharks hit everything that moves, take a few penalties doing so and the 'Hawks don't convert, it'll embolden them even further to run the 'Hawks out of the building.

The key to a Hawks-Sharks series will probably be Sharks PP vs. Hawks PK. If the Hawks hold SJ to about 15%, the series should be theirs. If SJ does 20-25% or better, the Hawks will be in trouble.

Noemi is also more likely to steal a series than Crawford is
- John Jaeckel

If any better team, SJ included, follow Minny's game plan the Hawks are done. Play the trap, clog the middle to take away the Hawks speed and capitalize on turnovers and it will be all but done.

I don't agree with Ogi's anti-Sharp comments, but I do agree with his pro-Olesz view. Ogi is good people.
- DarthKane

He's alright. Likes to mix it up. Makes me laugh.

If any better team, SJ included, follow Minny's game plan the Hawks are done. Play the trap, clog the middle to take away the Hawks speed and capitalize on turnovers and it will be all but done.
- paulr

But that's not San Jose's game, so I doubt they would completely change their strategy and play an unproven (for them) style.

I agree, we need Bolland back for the 2nd round (assuming we take care of the Wild). I would assume Bolland would take his 2C role back, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him centre the shutdown line as the 3C:

Stalberg - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Handzus - Hossa
Bickell - Bolland - Shaw
Saad - Kruger - Frolik
- DarthKane

Just want to point out that the Hawks and Q have minimally worried about match ups through out the year. Philosophy being, imo, having superior talent makes matching up the other teams problems.

That said, having Bolland back as "shut down" guy and/or switching to a reactionary matchup strategy is highly unlikely. Having Bolland back is a good thing, but the paradigm you are referencing probably is not part of the planning from Hawk perspective.

I don't agree with Ogi's anti-Sharp comments, but I do agree with his pro-Olesz view. Ogi is good people.
- DarthKane

That's the great thing about blogs like this...we can disagree at times...hopefully without being as they say...'disagreeable'.