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

waste a roster spot on Thornton? he's been in the lineup all year.

Engels current blog on Team Canada 2014 has Keith-Seabrook as Canada's top D pair. Very happy they will also be paired this SCF for the Blackhawks.

It will be the Hawks in 5 or 6 because the B's will not have an answer for their 5 man attack on offense and the speed on which that will happen. Also Chicago's defense is way more mobile than the Pen's and the goaltending is fairly even. Stanley is coming back to The Windy City

But they are Boston Strong right? Should not matter.
- TrueGrit

classy

It will be the Hawks in 5 or 6 because the B's will not have an answer for their 5 man attack on offense and the speed on which that will happen. Also Chicago's defense is way more mobile than the Pen's and the goaltending is fairly even. Stanley is coming back to The Windy City
- HawkfaninBC

i love that you guys hang your hat on this.

More kinda loose theorizing . . .
- John Jaeckel

In addition, not even correct.

The vast majority of the playoff teams, including Boston, played 7 games between 4/15 adn the start of the POs. The exceptions were Washington, NYI, ANA, DET, and LA.

Stalberg out Bolig in? Can't be serious!?!

Are you Guys Hoping to re-sign Stalberg or let him walk???
- Jimmy_wiener

Why? Do you guys want him back?

waste a roster spot on Thornton? he's been in the lineup all year.
- Fountain-San

I meant we will waste a spot on putting in a similar type player...he serves a roll no doubt, but is limited in his contribution.

He will look like a kid playing on a busy interstate with the speed of Hawks game...

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

It has nothing to do with Thornton. It has everything to do with the Hawks checking the Boston D men....Catching a guy off balance, one time, does not make Stalberg a physical player.....AND....if he's not producing, which he isn't, then what good is he? HE's a liability with turnovers in the neutral zone......Yes, he's fast, but I'll take size and grit with average speed vs a speed demon who cna't do anything else....all day long.

My god....when did Victor Stalberg become some premier player? Wait...he isn't.

i love that you guys hang your hat on this.
- Fountain-San

The B's are my fav team in the East and my brother is a die hard Boston fan but I just don't see them beating the Hawks 4 times . I know we have no barometer for comparison due to no games against each other but I have watched every Hawk game this year and many Boston games as well and Chicago has been the best team all year and I don't see it changing now

It has nothing to do with Thornton. It has everything to do with the Hawks checking the Boston D men....Catching a guy off balance, one time, does not make Stalberg a physical player.....AND....if he's not producing, which he isn't, then what good is he? HE's a liability with turnovers in the neutral zone......Yes, he's fast, but I'll take size and grit with average speed vs a speed demon who cna't do anything else....all day long.

My god....when did Victor Stalberg become some premier player? Wait...he isn't.
- SteveRain

This move is about defense. Moving Bolland to the 3rd line makes the third line that much better of a defensive unit. Taking Stalberg off any line makes the Hawks that much better of a defensive team.

Now you need to score goals. I have to admit I'm a bit concerned about that, but I suppose if you win every game 2-1, who cares about style points ...

classy
- Fountain-San

That's horrile and a cheap shot.

This is about as even a seires the NHL has seen in a long time. I'll be shocked if the refs call it tight, so the speed factor that everyone wants to marvel about, could be gone in an instant.

Watching Boston on TV...they look to be pretty skilled and FAST as well.....

This move is about defense. Moving Bolland to the 3rd line makes the third line that much better of a defensive unit. Taking Stalberg off any line makes the Hawks that much better of a defensive team.

Now you need to score goals. I have to admit I'm a bit concerned about that, but I suppose if you win every game 2-1, who cares about style points ...
- QStache

Stalberg wasn't scoring....so who cares?

Bolland is what concerns me.....he has shown ZERO signs of being able to handle any major task right now. Now, he's going to check Krecji? Not good...

I meant we will waste a spot on putting in a similar type player...he serves a roll no doubt, but is limited in his contribution.

He will look like a kid playing on a busy interstate with the speed of Hawks game...
- TrueGrit

we'll never stop you!!

This move is about defense. Moving Bolland to the 3rd line makes the third line that much better of a defensive unit. Taking Stalberg off any line makes the Hawks that much better of a defensive team.

Now you need to score goals. I have to admit I'm a bit concerned about that, but I suppose if you win every game 2-1, who cares about style points ...
- QStache

Yes better defensive team, but I don't know about them scoring less. Stalberg has 3 assists......... so don't know how much they are going to miss him.

That's horrile and a cheap shot.

This is about as even a seires the NHL has seen in a long time. I'll be shocked if the refs call it tight, so the speed factor that everyone wants to marvel about, could be gone in an instant.

Watching Boston on TV...they look to be pretty skilled and FAST as well.....
- SteveRain

nope. we'll get run off the ice.

Stalberg wasn't scoring....so who cares?

Bolland is what concerns me.....he has shown ZERO signs of being able to handle any major task right now. Now, he's going to check Krecji? Not good...
- SteveRain

He also is far and away the Hawks worst defender. If you aren't scoring, aren't going into the corners to fight for pucks, and are a defensive liability, then you take a seat. Bollig may not deserve the promotion, but Stalberg deserves the pine.

Yes better defensive team, but I don't know about them scoring less. Stalberg has 3 assists......... so don't know how much they are going to miss him.
- droe411

And we all liked seeing him turn on the jets to create space or draw a penality but I haven't seen him do that at all this postseason.

Stalberg wasn't scoring....so who cares?

Bolland is what concerns me.....he has shown ZERO signs of being able to handle any major task right now. Now, he's going to check Krecji? Not good...
- SteveRain

Look at the last few games of the series, TOI, and who he was out there against. The coaching staff will not agree with you.

Yes better defensive team, but I don't know about them scoring less. Stalberg has 3 assists......... so don't know how much they are going to miss him.
- droe411

Have you watched Bollig and Bolland on offense this year? Each of them make Stalberg look like Maurice Richard out there ...

Stalberg wasn't scoring....so who cares?

Bolland is what concerns me.....he has shown ZERO signs of being able to handle any major task right now. Now, he's going to check Krecji? Not good...
- SteveRain

It's not about making Stalberg out to be a martyr. I think it's more about shifting what has worked for you all year, to react to something the Bruins may/will do. Hawks biggest asset is their team speed. If you trot Bollig out there, he probably plays 5 minutes a game...8 if the hawks are winning...which leaves guys like Kaner to double shift. That works out once in a while.

So it's not about love for Stalberg, but rather why alter your approach based on what the other guy may do.

And we all liked seeing him turn on the jets to create space or draw a penality but I haven't seen him do that at all this postseason.
- golfbard

I think he tuned Q out after the benching instead of getting fired up.

i love that you guys hang your hat on this.
- Fountain-San

Speed is a huge difference. What do you hang your hat on? We can do anything under the sun? Speed, skill, physicality, cook, clean, wash, spin, rinse

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.
- TrueGrit

Thornton is a player who plays a regular shift on arguably the best 4th line in hockey so I'm pretty sure Julien won't be losing any sleep. And if Stalberg plays I doubt Julien loses sleep either. I'm not sure Bollig is the guy I'd want in the lineup but I am tired of watching Stalberg give the puck away too.