It is the Shawn Thornton answer. Boston will waste a roster spot on him, so like an idiot, Q will dress a guy that can play 5 minutes max too.

Instead of sending out another guy that can play, you know, like they have all year....but hey...will see...
- TrueGrit

Here we go again. The Hawks might win Game 1 which will reinforce the decision to put in Bollig, then they get trounced in Game 2 and Stalberg will be back in Game 3.

One thing B52 brings is energy and rested legs. Also can be a target for Bruin troublemakers—taking pressure off the others. If he and any Bruin take 5 minute PIMs, it's likely advantage Hawks, too.
- John Jaeckel

But not when he's only in for 4-7 minutes per game. If he gets the Brookbank treatment, it's a wasted roster space and they are down a forward.

Here we go again. The Hawks might win Game 1 which will reinforce the decision to put in Bollig, then they get trounced in Game 2 and Stalberg will be back in Game 3.
- eburgio

I know I banged that drum loudly before. I am ignoring who he is taking out. Not making it an issue that way so much. But the logic is obvious to me, that is counter Thornton with Bollig, I can see pros and cons, no disrespect to Bollig.

In the new NHL and especially the finals, you do not get guys assualting and murdering one another...no shower rape stuff, I would rather play to my teams strengths.

One thing B52 brings is energy and rested legs. Also can be a target for Bruin troublemakers—taking pressure off the others. If he and any Bruin take 5 minute PIMs, it's likely advantage Hawks, too.
- John Jaeckel

Only works if he plays more 3:42.

But not when he's only in for 4-7 minutes per game. If he gets the Brookbank treatment, it's a wasted roster space and they are down a forward.
- eburgio

See we're in the same rowboat on the B52 gambit.

I know I banged that drum loudly before. I am ignoring who he is taking out. Not making it an issue that way so much. But the logic is obvious to me, that is counter Thornton with Bollig, I can see pros and cons, no disrespect to Bollig.

In the new NHL and especially the finals, you do not get guys assualting and murdering one another...no shower rape stuff, I would rather play to my teams strengths.
- TrueGrit

Not to mention the one thing the Hawks have over Bruins is their overall team speed. Ain't nobody faster than 25. The guy is a knucklehead with the puck on his stick sometimes, but in the spirit of 'dance with the date that brung ya'...I'm not sure it pays to get cute whether Stalberg is the regular occupant on Line 3 or if it were Bollig...or Carcillo. If it ain't broke...

One thing B52 brings is energy and rested legs. Also can be a target for Bruin troublemakers—taking pressure off the others. If he and any Bruin take 5 minute PIMs, it's likely advantage Hawks, too.
- John Jaeckel

To me this is a defensive move. Taking Stalberg off the 3rd line lessens the scoring opportunities that line will generate but should ever so slightly improve team D that much more. The move I am REALLY questioning is putting Kane on a line with Zus. That just seems like a really bad move. And I cannot understand at all Q's hard on for Bolland on the PP, particularly given the style that Kompon utilizes, it just doesn't even play to those strengths that Bolland even possesses on the offensive end.

JJ, thanks for posting, but really, you have to look at all 4 lines and look at the defence for scoring. The Bs have been getting points from the D and from the 3rd and 4th lines. Look at the ice time for all 4 lines.

Listen i dislike both teams and don't give a shiite about original six or whatever. Fact is I dont have a dog in this race but would have to say the Bs gotta be favoured going in.

The Bs are gonna do what LA would have done if they hadnt been screwed over in round 2 (game 3 especially) by the refs and finished off SJ in 5 or 6 at most. The Bs will employ the gameplan the Canucks did to dismantle the hawks which you yourself wrote about during the season. They will ground and pound the Hawks into submission, all the while scoring 3-4 goals per game and having a solid goalchie and defence to reduce the Hawks scoring chances.

I'll take the Bs in 5. Maybe 4.

I am not a fan of Stalberg at all. That being said, don't understand taking him out in place of a guy like Bollig.

Stalberg will thrive elsewhere...If I were him, I would be gone. Like Brouwer, go someplace you are wanted and get some respect.
- TrueGrit

I can see him in Dallas or Calgary. So because of the Cap the Hawks aren't looking at any UFA`s at all outside the team??

john,

has anybody looked into what Toronto did that worked against the Bruins? I didn't pay much attention to that series, but I'm curious if there were certain factors that the Blackhawks could mimic to give them an edge.
- dr_boloney

Get a clue. the Bs were asleep that first round and suffering from playing too many games in too short a time period considering they had no break from making up the games they lost due to the chechen islamic marathon terrorists... and having to play a game every second night for all of march.

Redundant I know, but another solid piece JJ...........

No doubt the Hawks have a depth advantage on D over the Bruins and the piece didn't even mention Rozsival, who was huge in Game 4 at LA minus Kieth, or Leddy who make up the 3rd pairing........These two have taken minutes the top 4 don't have to.

If there is a 3rd pairing in this league as good as those two I haven't seen it yet.

JJ, thanks for posting, but really, you have to look at all 4 lines and look at the defence for scoring. The Bs have been getting points from the D and from the 3rd and 4th lines. Look at the ice time for all 4 lines.

Listen i dislike both teams and don't give a shiite about original six or whatever. Fact is I dont have a dog in this race but would have to say the Bs gotta be favoured going in.

The Bs are gonna do what LA would have done if they hadnt been screwed over in round 2 (game 3 especially) by the refs and finished off SJ in 5 or 6 at most. The Bs will employ the gameplan the Canucks did to dismantle the hawks which you yourself wrote about during the season. They will ground and pound the Hawks into submission, all the while scoring 3-4 goals per game and having a solid goalchie and defence to reduce the Hawks scoring chances.

I'll take the Bs in 5. Maybe 4.
- kaptaan

Get it in today, because I highly doubt we'll see you again after Wednesday night.

JJ, thanks for posting, but really, you have to look at all 4 lines and look at the defence for scoring. The Bs have been getting points from the D and from the 3rd and 4th lines. Look at the ice time for all 4 lines.

Listen i dislike both teams and don't give a shiite about original six or whatever. Fact is I dont have a dog in this race but would have to say the Bs gotta be favoured going in.

The Bs are gonna do what LA would have done if they hadnt been screwed over in round 2 (game 3 especially) by the refs and finished off SJ in 5 or 6 at most. The Bs will employ the gameplan the Canucks did to dismantle the hawks which you yourself wrote about during the season. They will ground and pound the Hawks into submission, all the while scoring 3-4 goals per game and having a solid goalchie and defence to reduce the Hawks scoring chances.

I'll take the Bs in 5. Maybe 4.
- kaptaan

Flawed premise.

So the refs screwing over the Kings in round 2 is why they couldn't ground and pound the Hawks in Round 3? You won't win an argument in court—or anywhere—on that weak logic.

The Canucks did not exactly "dismantle" the Hawks in the regular season either. I recall them being very competitive with the Hawks and giving them trouble.

"Dismantling"? No.

I will also tell you the Hawks since Game 4 of the Detroit Series are 7-1, against two very good teams that tried to ground and pound them. Something happened in the Detroit series that has elevated this team beyond what I thought they were capable of, especially physically.

Not buying your line. The relevant, present day facts don't really support it.

Not to mention the one thing the Hawks have over Bruins is their overall team speed. Ain't nobody faster than 25. The guy is a knucklehead with the puck on his stick sometimes, but in the spirit of 'dance with the date that brung ya'...I'm not sure it pays to get cute whether Stalberg is the regular occupant on Line 3 or if it were Bollig...or Carcillo. If it ain't broke...
- eburgio

Agree, nothing against those other guys at all. If I were coaching, I would send my best out there and maybe, allow Juilien to lose sleep over playing Thornton. That is all I am saying, Just like Detroit, we will preemptively adjust to an opponent away from our strength.

Simple Risk reward. By playing Stalhberg you risk the game being physical and the Hawks losing their spirit, which how 1 guy playing 5 minutes changes...I have no idea. At the same time, Bostons risk is getting down 3 - 0 and having no answer for hawks speed. Then the onus is on them to adjust. I would rather fail doing what I do best, then adjust as needed vs the Detroit strategy.

I can see him in Dallas or Calgary. So because of the Cap the Hawks aren't looking at any UFA`s at all outside the team??
- Jimmy_wiener

Don't have much cap room. Will probably be trading Bolland as well to free up some cap space as well as buying out Montador and Olsez.

They may make a few additions in UFA but I think they will be along the lines of a guy like Roszival. Decent vet willing to take less on a short term deal to win.

As far Stalberg, even if the Hawks had the cap space he wouldn't be back unless Q is gone. Not a Q guy just like Brouwer.

JJ

"Don't sell yourself short, you're a tremendous slouch"

Get a clue. the Bs were asleep that first round and suffering from playing too many games in too short a time period considering they had no break from making up the games they lost due to the chechen islamic marathon terrorists... and having to play a game every second night for all of march.
- kaptaan

More kinda loose theorizing . . .

To me this is a defensive move. Taking Stalberg off the 3rd line lessens the scoring opportunities that line will generate but should ever so slightly improve team D that much more. The move I am REALLY questioning is putting Kane on a line with Zus. That just seems like a really bad move. And I cannot understand at all Q's hard on for Bolland on the PP, particularly given the style that Kompon utilizes, it just doesn't even play to those strengths that Bolland even possesses on the offensive end.
- QStache

Bolland plays power play because he is a right handed shot, something we do not have much of with the left handed playmakers.

Bolland plays power play because he is a right handed shot, something we do not have much of with the left handed playmakers.
- TrueGrit

If that's the case, Q is overthinking things because Bolland shouldn't and, frankly, can't be counted on to make offensive contributions at this point in time.

Get a clue. the Bs were asleep that first round and suffering from playing too many games in too short a time period considering they had no break from making up the games they lost due to the chechen islamic marathon terrorists... and having to play a game every second night for all of march.
- kaptaan

But they are Boston Strong right? Should not matter.

One thing B52 brings is energy and rested legs. Also can be a target for Bruin troublemakers—taking pressure off the others. If he and any Bruin take 5 minute PIMs, it's likely advantage Hawks, too.
- John Jaeckel

He is there to limit the Thornton factor

Flawed premise.

So the refs screwing over the Kings in round 2 is why they couldn't ground and pound the Hawks in Round 3? You won't win an argument in court—or anywhere—on that weak logic.

The Canucks did not exactly "dismantle" the Hawks in the regular season either. I recall them being very competitive with the Hawks and giving them trouble.

"Dismantling"? No.

I will also tell you the Hawks since Game 4 of the Detroit Series are 7-1, against two very good teams that tried to ground and pound them. Something happened in the Detroit series that has elevated this team beyond what I thought they were capable of, especially physically.

Not buying your line. The relevant, present day facts don't really support it.
- John Jaeckel

The Canucks did play what I thought was the perfect game against the Hawks this year. That being said it was the Hawks 3rd game in 4 nights and they had already wrapped up the Presidents Cup so there was very little to play for that night. I do give the Canucks credit though for their effort that game but the Hawks biggest worry in that game was getting out of it healthy and avoiding all the cheap shots that the Canucks usually throw their way. Enjoy your rebuild.

The Bs are gonna do what LA would have done if they hadnt been screwed over in round 2 (game 3 especially) by the refs and finished off SJ in 5 or 6 at most. The Bs will employ the gameplan the Canucks did to dismantle the hawks which you yourself wrote about during the season. They will ground and pound the Hawks into submission, all the while scoring 3-4 goals per game and having a solid goalchie and defence to reduce the Hawks scoring chances.

I'll take the Bs in 5. Maybe 4.
- kaptaan

I like how you make a feeble attempt at making an argument to disguise the fact you're just another jealous Canuck fan spewing garbage.

As JJ already pointed out, above isn't making a whole lot of sense. Just be honest about the fact you just want to see Hawks fail.

More kinda loose theorizing . . .
- John Jaeckel

JJ do you have info on how lines were at practice?