Saw that too, and that's just it. During the "streak" I remarked in the blog that it looked like the Hawks had six skaters on the ice for large portions of the game. That's how they've looked at times over the last 5 games.

Bad news for a Kings' team that's tired, banged up and not all that fast to begin with. Hawks are also holding their own physically. Also not good news for the Kings.

Like I said earlier, the Hawks come out of the first period tomorrow night, tied or in the lead, they might just go ahead and put a stranglehold on this thing.
- John Jaeckel

The Hawks "physicality" is what has impressed me quite a bit here these first two games. They key to this entire series has simply been: Dent the net against Quick and they'll do quick (see how I did that!) work of the Kings.

I love Andrew Shaw and what he brings to the lineup but the slash to Richardson's ankle was just a stupid/dirty/dangerous play that is inexcusable. It's one thing to give a guy a little whack with your stick, it's another thing to hit him so hard in the ankle/leg with your stick that you injure him. Shaw needs to learn to control his emotions before he does something stupid that gets called and costs the team.
- Ballam

It's especially interesting considering that Richardson is a friend of his from Belleville, Ontario. It really puts it into perspective how hard this guy competes.

I agree he needs to turn it down a couple notches but you have to love his desire to win at all costs. Plus he knows Frolik and Kruger will bail him out of the PK..

Quote of the year courtesy of CC

"There guy grabbed him...got a couple of free shots so I figured that was enough, so I decided to go in there and grab his head...."

IN his calm dry voice...

Quote of the year courtesy of CC

"There guy grabbed him...got a couple of free shots so I figured that was enough, so I decided to go in there and grab his head...."

IN his calm dry voice...
- TrueGrit

That was the best moment of the game yesterday - Corey-cam at the UC was in full effect after that incident.

That was the best moment of the game yesterday - Corey-cam at the UC was in full effect after that incident.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Talk about a cohesive team that has really come together...you never see a goalie do that. They usually skate away from the fray.

Quote of the year courtesy of CC

"There guy grabbed him...got a couple of free shots so I figured that was enough, so I decided to go in there and grab his head...."

IN his calm dry voice...
- TrueGrit

How about Bernier waiving him to center ice to drop. Can CC at that point tag to allow Emery in ...

Talk about a cohesive team that has really come together...you never see a goalie do that. They usually skate away from the fray.
- Kentxo

Exactly the reason why everyone was so surprised - I think even his teammates were surprised. There was no shortage of Hawk players on ice after that incident that skated past him and gave him some stick lovin'.

Sorry about the octuple posts. Not sure what happened there.

JJ, you really need to quit putting words in my mouth. Nowhere did I ever put the words Saad and Hossa in the same sentence. Or conversation. I've never compared the two. But seeing what he's doing now at age 20 when he hasn't completely filled out and hasn't totally figured out the NHL game yet is very impressive. And to think what he might be in 2 to 3 years when he has makes me very very happy.

I'm more than willing to revisit the conversation too. It will start with you saying you didn't think he was that good, and was simply a product of the Blackhawks PR machine, and that Gorilla salad was a better player. And how you were wrong on all three...
- yahoodi

Who's putting words in whose mouth?!?!?!

What I said was Carcillo, Bickell or Stalberg seemed to be a better fit on the first line. And for 15-20 games, that was borne out, when Saad did nothing but slow the line down.

And I didn't think he was THAT good. Because he wasn't THAT good—at least not as good as the tire pumpers wanted to make him out to be.

He didn't deserve to be a Calder nominee. But that's what relentless p.r. buys you. Won't win the Calder either.

Will agree 100% on potential to be a weapon and showing some flashes of big time ability.

He had a streak of games playing with two huge talents—two of the best players in the league in fact—where he ripped it up a bit.

Then disappeared for two rounds in the playoffs. Coming back now in an energy/forecheck role. All that is good, but also needs to be put into perspective.

Is that you Troy Murray? Best forward on the ICE? Yikes...

I was pushing that if he didn't show up last night, Q had to consider scratching him for Tuesday night. Saad and Stalberg played better, but Saad was VERY TIMID on Saturday. I counted at least 6+ times he peeled off finishing a check, or engaging for a 50-50 puck.

Lets hold off the push for Toronto....he still needs to net his 1st, playoff goal....
- SteveRain

This is so funny to me, Saad has done nothing to warrant the extra criticism. Has he done a lot to stand out? No, big deal. It is the playoffs. Not being noticed is often a good thing in hockey. He is 19 and is on PK and PP. For a 19 year old to be given those responsibilities and play this consistently well is really something special.

The hoopla about he and Hossa is comedy too. We are gonna compare a 19 year old rookie to a 33 year old 14 year veteran? It is irrelevant. Who is tougher, superman or spiderman?

Lets also get one thing straight, the only time this team struggled is when Q juggled his line up sitting Stalberg. For no reason. The boys worked through that. As if Q was tossing and turning about sitting Saad after game 1. My goodness.

Lets clarify before the peanut gallery goes all pop corn on me...juggling lines/adjusting is different than effing with the lineup..that is the guys that dress.

Unless somebody gets hurt, Q leave line up the same.

How about Bernier waiving him to center ice to drop. Can CC at that point tag to allow Emery in ...
- ilinkhawk

Ha, GUARANTEE you Bernier wouldn't have tried that if Emery were in net. GUARANTEED.

On the NHL.com poll 45% of respondents take the Kings to come back and win the series and 55% say they will not

Surprised by the 45%

Kings just opened as a -135 favorite tomorrow night..

This is so funny to me, Saad has done nothing to warrant the extra criticism. Has he done a lot to stand out? No, big deal. It is the playoffs. Not being noticed is often a good thing in hockey. He is 19 and is on PK and PP. For a 19 year old to be given those responsibilities and play this consistently well is really something special.

The hoopla about he and Hossa is comedy too. We are gonna compare a 19 year old rookie to a 33 year old 14 year veteran? It is irrelevant. Who is tougher, superman or spiderman?

Lets also get one thing straight, the only time this team struggled is when Q juggled his line up sitting Stalberg. For no reason. The boys worked through that. As if Q was tossing and turning about sitting Saad after game 1. My goodness.

Lets clarify before the peanut gallery goes all pop corn on me...juggling lines/adjusting is different than effing with the lineup..that is the guys that dress.

Unless somebody gets hurt, Q leave line up the same.
- TrueGrit

Superman! Duh!

Heard Niemi called him after the game...got the transcript...

AN: Hey Corey......

CC: Sup....followed by 6 seconds of silence....

AN: Nice game....5 seconds of silence....

CC: Thanks.....more silence...

AN: Ok later.....

click....

CC: later................................................click.....

This is so funny to me, Saad has done nothing to warrant the extra criticism. Has he done a lot to stand out? No, big deal. It is the playoffs. Not being noticed is often a good thing in hockey. He is 19 and is on PK and PP. For a 19 year old to be given those responsibilities and play this consistently well is really something special.

The hoopla about he and Hossa is comedy too. We are gonna compare a 19 year old rookie to a 33 year old 14 year veteran? It is irrelevant. Who is tougher, superman or spiderman?

Lets also get one thing straight, the only time this team struggled is when Q juggled his line up sitting Stalberg. For no reason. The boys worked through that. As if Q was tossing and turning about sitting Saad after game 1. My goodness.

Lets clarify before the peanut gallery goes all pop corn on me...juggling lines/adjusting is different than effing with the lineup..that is the guys that dress.

Unless somebody gets hurt, Q leave line up the same.
- TrueGrit

It's been said elsewhere and on this board that Saad is "the replacement" for Hossa. So, let's give the real comedians their props, shall we?

Being unnoticed is generally a good quality for a stay at home defenseman, not necessarily a forward.

What Saad has is speed and some nice one on one ability and that is not to be disputed. He is using that speed right now to forecheck and be a pain for LA and that is awesome. Beyond that, has been a non-factor in the playoffs. but good for him that he is embracing the role, because I thought he was very good in his role.

Best player on the ice? Yeah, ok . . .

Heard Niemi called him after the game...got the transcript...

AN: Hey Corey......

CC: Sup....followed by 6 seconds of silence....

AN: Nice game....5 seconds of silence....

CC: Thanks.....more silence...

AN: Ok later.....

click....

CC: later................................................click.....
- TrueGrit

?????

How about Bernier waiving him to center ice to drop. Can CC at that point tag to allow Emery in ...
- ilinkhawk

Crawford beat the hell out of Al Montoya in juniors.

This is so funny to me, Saad has done nothing to warrant the extra criticism. Has he done a lot to stand out? No, big deal. It is the playoffs. Not being noticed is often a good thing in hockey. He is 19 and is on PK and PP. For a 19 year old to be given those responsibilities and play this consistently well is really something special.

The hoopla about he and Hossa is comedy too. We are gonna compare a 19 year old rookie to a 33 year old 14 year veteran? It is irrelevant. Who is tougher, superman or spiderman?

Lets also get one thing straight, the only time this team struggled is when Q juggled his line up sitting Stalberg. For no reason. The boys worked through that. As if Q was tossing and turning about sitting Saad after game 1. My goodness.

Lets clarify before the peanut gallery goes all pop corn on me...juggling lines/adjusting is different than effing with the lineup..that is the guys that dress.

Unless somebody gets hurt, Q leave line up the same.
- TrueGrit

That's great....but lets also remember that in 2010 guys like Ladd, Kopecky, Bickell all sat. It happens.

Toews and Kane aren't scoring....Stalberg and Saad have 0 combined goals in 14 games. Both were key contributors offensively. Dave Bolland who went from 2nd line center, is now trolling around on the 4th line.

You need production in the playoffs....Lots of guys have to start hitting the net, because to rely on 3 goals to score consistently....Hossa, Sharp, Bickell, is a very dangerous game.

I think Saad will be a very good pro....but he hasn't scored since April 19th vs Nashville. Stalberg hasn't scored since April 15th vs Dallas.

We are talking 20+ games for both...that's a LONG time to go scoreless....so yeah, I can see why Q benched Stalberg....and didnt' the Hawks win game 1 vs Detroit without him?

It's a not a coincidence both were wearing white jerseys inbetween the Minny and Detroit series....

It's been said elsewhere and on this board that Saad is "the replacement" for Hossa. So, let's give the real comedians their props, shall we?

Being unnoticed is generally a good quality for a stay at home defenseman, not necessarily a forward.

What Saad has is speed and some nice one on one ability and that is not to be disputed. He is using that speed right now to forecheck and be a pain for LA and that is awesome. Beyond that, has been a non-factor in the playoffs. but good for him that he is embracing the role, because I thought he was very good in his role.

Best player on the ice? Yeah, ok . . .



- John Jaeckel

Fair points, the one thing that is encouraging is as Q would say, I do like how he is trending now. Meaning he has found his game a little more. I know I could have thrown "pace" in there too..but will save that for another time.

On the NHL.com poll 45% of respondents take the Kings to come back and win the series and 55% say they will not

Surprised by the 45%
- PEIHawkFan

They dont lose at home....as I keep on saying...this series is FAR from over.

This is so funny to me, Saad has done nothing to warrant the extra criticism. Has he done a lot to stand out? No, big deal. It is the playoffs. Not being noticed is often a good thing in hockey. He is 19 and is on PK and PP. For a 19 year old to be given those responsibilities and play this consistently well is really something special.

The hoopla about he and Hossa is comedy too. We are gonna compare a 19 year old rookie to a 33 year old 14 year veteran? It is irrelevant. Who is tougher, superman or spiderman?

Lets also get one thing straight, the only time this team struggled is when Q juggled his line up sitting Stalberg. For no reason. The boys worked through that. As if Q was tossing and turning about sitting Saad after game 1. My goodness.

Lets clarify before the peanut gallery goes all pop corn on me...juggling lines/adjusting is different than effing with the lineup..that is the guys that dress.

Unless somebody gets hurt, Q leave line up the same.
- TrueGrit

I know it's an intangible theory you want to live and die by but you don't know that is true anymore than I know it isn't. I look at the tangibles, the trap, the clutching and grabbing and the fact that Toews, among others allowed themselves to lose focus by being frustrated by the game Detroit employed. Also factor in the 'Stalberg incident' the screaming match Stalberg had with Quenneville that left Q no choice but to bench him

They dont lose at home....as I keep on saying...this series is FAR from over.
- SteveRain

THIS

I don't mean this as a kick in the gonads, however, me thinks a lot of "Johnny come latelys" who watch this team/hockey casually don't grasp that aspect.

How about Bernier waiving him to center ice to drop. Can CC at that point tag to allow Emery in ...
- ilinkhawk

If it was 4-1 game in favor of Kings, I bet you CC would have dropped them... CC is a very smart man and knows how to read the situation!!!

Crawford beat the hell out of Al Montoya in juniors.
- fattybeef

True, I was just hoping Ray would get a shot at Jackman.

That's great....but lets also remember that in 2010 guys like Ladd, Kopecky, Bickell all sat. It happens.

Toews and Kane aren't scoring....Stalberg and Saad have 0 combined goals in 14 games. Both were key contributors offensively. Dave Bolland who went from 2nd line center, is now trolling around on the 4th line.

You need production in the playoffs....Lots of guys have to start hitting the net, because to rely on 3 goals to score consistently....Hossa, Sharp, Bickell, is a very dangerous game.

I think Saad will be a very good pro....but he hasn't scored since April 19th vs Nashville. Stalberg hasn't scored since April 15th vs Dallas.

We are talking 20+ games for both...that's a LONG time to go scoreless....so yeah, I can see why Q benched Stalberg....and didnt' the Hawks win game 1 vs Detroit without him?

It's a not a coincidence both were wearing white jerseys inbetween the Minny and Detroit series....
- SteveRain

I do not want to rehash this whole thing, but to address a few things. First, regarding guys not scoring. In hawk system, especially Q, what matters most is the macro play of the team. That is guys playing within the system. By and large the team has bought in and played the system consistently.

That system often forsakes the players improvising and taking chances. That is fine. Stalberg and Saad and even Kane to an extent are getting chances. That is more important than production. That shows that they are doing the right things.

My whole benching of 25 complaint was about philsophy. First, 25 did nothing on the ice to warrant it. Look at his ice time etc in Min series.

There is no doubt that if a guy noticeably struggles, that you juggle things. No beef with that. However, 25 did not struggle. More importantly, Q did not eff with things all year. That third line, the line that many argue put them over the top of everyone all year, gets juggled. You do not mess with the Karma of a team. The move was pre emptive and unnecessary.

That was my point. Regardless if they won the first game. Because as you saw, when the boys struggled right after that, what do you do as the coach? Start juggling some more. Instead of giving your team, the best team all year the benefit of the doubt to go out there to start the series vs Detroit and get their crap together. It is the message you send to the team and players. It does mean something.

As I said, all is well that ends well. There is no net positive in subtracting what either of those guys bring and what the replacement adds. Plus the fact that you let your guys work through issues, allows them to grow and mature and makes players better than the patty cake crap of head games. Which is part of a players maturity process.