This could happen. But to me, unless the Hawks really start standing up physically—including putting more hits on Boston and getting THEM thinking twice, it's just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

All the apologists who were on here after Game 1 chastising people for saying the Hawks weren't physical enough for the playoffs, where are they this morning? That bad dream came true last night.
- John Jaeckel

Exactly and this team isn't built for a dump and chase, grind cycle game.

Oh wait.....stalberg may be back. He and all ZERO of his career playoff goals. Salvation is coming. My bad.

This could happen. But to me, unless the Hawks really start standing up physically—including putting more hits on Boston and getting THEM thinking twice, it's just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

All the apologists who were on here after Game 1 chastising people for saying the Hawks weren't physical enough for the playoffs, where are they this morning? That bad dream came true last night.
- John Jaeckel

So, then - it's a question of making game-to-game adjustments: Boston did it in game two - more physical, better job of blowing up the Hawks' forecheck - now let's see if te Hawks can adjust and win one in Boston.

Some encouraging things that I noted at the end of the last blog:

Boston's top line had lots of hits (mainly Lucic) but only 2 SOG.

Boston had only 22 SOG in the last 53 minutes (after the first period, after they started dominating play) and have scored only 2 goals in the last 130 minutes of play. With all of their running around in the defensive zone, the Hawks' defense must be doing something right.

Hawks may lose two in Boston, but I don't see a blow out coming.

Exactly and this team isn't built for a dump and chase, grind cycle game.

Oh wait.....stalberg may be back. He and all ZERO of his career playoff goals. Salvation is coming. My bad.
- SteveRain

One guy I was really disappointed in last night . . . and it is a recurring theme . . . Brandon Saad really does not like contact. Maybe it's because he's 20 and he'll mature into it. Maybe.

This could happen. But to me, unless the Hawks really start standing up physically—including putting more hits on Boston and getting THEM thinking twice, it's just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

All the apologists who were on here after Game 1 chastising people for saying the Hawks weren't physical enough for the playoffs, where are they this morning? That bad dream came true last night.
- John Jaeckel

The Hawks can play physical but they played tentative in Game 2. Maybe, they partied too much after Game 1?

The Hawks are getting away with stuff, too.

Hockey's a contact sport. Hawks need to get the memo. Boston is not taking their foot off the gas. If the Hawks can only play a cute, finesse kind of game, they don't deserve to win in the playoffs. Period.
- John Jaeckel

This board drives me crazy with the whining about the clutch and grab. Hawks are totally getting away with stuff too....like the slash on marchand on his breakaway. That was easily a penalty (note: hawks were on the PP). Or the too many men from game 1, when they had 6 guys on the ice for 12 seconds and didn't get called. It evens out and goes both ways.

It sure does suck they've had 3-4 goals disallowed, but I'm not blaming last night's loss on a disallowed goal w/6 minutes left in the 1st. Gotta be tougher than that if a no-goal that early is going to rattle you off your game.

They took the physicality to the Kings, so they can conceivably do the same to the Bruins. But will they?

Which again points to Hawks facing both the bruins and the zebras. LA va BOS I can understand swallowing the whistle, but allowing the Bruins to CHEAT in prder to prevent the Hawks from playing THEIR game, in other words, to adjust the rules to accomodate BOSTON'S playstyle, is unfair and BIASED.
- Q...argh

It's not on the refs. Jesus Christ. How many pp have the hawks gotten? Boston got 2 freebies in game 1 b/c hawks can't make a change correctly.

You want to be pissed? Look at your gm who gave you a team full of smurfs where the past 2+ yrs teams built with size and physicality win.

See the hawks get their @sses pounded non stop?

Which again points to Hawks facing both the bruins and the zebras. LA va BOS I can understand swallowing the whistle, but allowing the Bruins to CHEAT in prder to prevent the Hawks from playing THEIR game, in other words, to adjust the rules to accomodate BOSTON'S playstyle, is unfair and BIASED.
- Q...argh

Exactly. There are rules for a reason and those rules state about hooking, holding, cross checks to the head and back etc... That is their style. They should be in the box at least 10-15 times a game. Every game. Everyone in boston says they can't keep up with Hawks speed and skill and only way is to slow them down. They don't mean a trapping system

So, then - it's a question of making game-to-game adjustments: Boston did it in game two - more physical, better job of blowing up the Hawks' forecheck - now let's see if te Hawks can adjust and win one in Boston.

Some encouraging things that I noted at the end of the last blog:

Boston's top line had lots of hits (mainly Lucic) but only 2 SOG.

Boston had only 22 SOG in the last 53 minutes (after the first period, after they started dominating play) and have scored only 2 goals in the last 130 minutes of play. With all of their running around in the defensive zone, the Hawks' defense must be doing something right.

Hawks may lose two in Boston, but I don't see a blow out coming.
- StLBravesFan

Talk about moral victories. If they lose both in Boston, they're done. This isn't Detroit. This is a better team than that.

75.3% who win game 2 win the cup. It's such a huge game.

Sadly, I think the hawks are done. Cc is a due for a meltdown and Boston is toughest place to win since 2008/09 playoffs.

Hope im wrong but I see a team full of scared little boys getting intimidated by a team full of men.
- SteveRain

And wasn't it something like 70% of the teams that win game one go on to win the Cup? So, which will it be - both can't happen.

Only stat like those that matter: 100% of the teams that win the LAST game win the Cup.

Hawks must adjust, be more physical, more consistent on the forecheck, get the core going.

One guy I was really disappointed in last night . . . and it is a recurring theme . . . Brandon Saad really does not like contact. Maybe it's because he's 20 and he'll mature into it. Maybe.
- John Jaeckel

Bickell has been non existent.

Hossa and sharp have shown up. Anytime the wonder twins show up wake me. The Jesse Rogers knee pad article on toews was pathetic. 1 f-ing goal in 19 games!!!!!

Nick leddy was beyond bad last night. Should have been benched.

Talk about moral victories. If they lose both in Boston, they're done. This isn't Detroit. This is a better team than that.
- John Jaeckel

Just responding to those saying a blow-out is coming for sure.

If they lose the next 2 in Boston, it's over in 5 or 6.

The Hawks are getting away with stuff, too.

Hockey's a contact sport. Hawks need to get the memo. Boston is not taking their foot off the gas. If the Hawks can only play a cute, finesse kind of game, they don't deserve to win in the playoffs. Period.
- John Jaeckel

The Hawks are commiting chickenpoop that in any event doesnt threaten to throw Boston off their game. And they ARE calling some, but completely arbitrarily, such as swallowing the whistle on Marchand's blatant trips (especially on CC), then calling Bolland for a phantom trip on the little ball of sheit.

This could happen. But to me, unless the Hawks really start standing up physically—including putting more hits on Boston and getting THEM thinking twice, it's just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

All the apologists who were on here after Game 1 chastising people for saying the Hawks weren't physical enough for the playoffs, where are they this morning? That bad dream came true last night.
- John Jaeckel

Steve Rosenbloom of the Score and Chicago Trib said it was a sucker play on the Hawks part in game 1 to come out and try to out hit the Bruins and play their style of game instead of playing the style that got the Hawks where they're at. Wrong Steve, the Hawks were making their D think about getting hit and I'll bet all those hits helped wear the Bruins down as the game went on. For some reason last night they got away from that and were on the receiving end all night long. If the Hawks want to win this series they are going to have to get their noses dirty too. Like I said last night I have no problem with Q playing Bollig as long as Bollig is punishing the Bruins and has 5 to 10 hits. That's what he needs to do to be effective.

Bickell has been non existent.

Hossa and sharp have shown up. Anytime the wonder twins show up wake me. The Jesse Rogers knee pad article on toews was pathetic. 1 f-ing goal in 19 games!!!!!

Nick leddy was beyond bad last night. Should have been benched.
- SteveRain

Did any of the chicago media take Seabrook to task about his swinging gate pass to Bollig?

It's not on the refs. Jesus Christ. How many pp have the hawks gotten? Boston got 2 freebies in game 1 b/c hawks can't make a change correctly.

You want to be pissed? Look at your gm who gave you a team full of smurfs where the past 2+ yrs teams built with size and physicality win.

See the hawks get their @sses pounded non stop?
- SteveRain

There is no doubt the main reason they are getting outplayed is they aren't playing physical enough but still why should one side have an edge over the other when rules are rules? Hawks got away with some true, but most every play by boston can be a penalty of some kind. But I'm not blaming the series on the refs at all. This happens every playoff game. Time to Man Up

>JJ, not sure I've ever seen such a Jekyll & Hyde team performance -- from a great period 1 to a flat out embarrassing effort the rest of the way
>Not sure I've ever seen a team completely stop moving -- especially the 6 Dmen
>Not sure I've ever seen a team try so many cross-ice passes to teammates who were at the same depth on the ice -- resulting in turnovers -- Bickel must have had at least 6 on his own
>Not sure I've seen a worse power play from a team 3 wins away from a Stanley Cup
>Hawks MUST play a North-South game -- forget all the East-West BS
>Part of a North-South game also means -- when a shot is there -- take it -- STOP TRYING FOR AN OPEN NET GOAL -- take the shot and see what happens
>When the Hawks shifts are short -- with players bursting all over the ice with quick starts and stops -- they win -- when they don't burst -- they lose
>Tonight -- players took longer than a cruise ship to change direction -- where is the is the in-game coaching?
>Mr. Toews, with the allowed clutching and grabbing in the playoffs, the league has figured out your below-the-goal-line routine and how to stop you
>Why don't you watch some tape on how the Bruins top line uses a series of drop passes to create open ice space for each other?
>Why don't you start trailing Hossa and Saad instead of always going to the same spots in the offensive zone -- only to get bear-hugged and taken out of the play -- find some open ice
>As bad as the Hawks played, they lost 2-1 in OT
>But, if they want to win the Cup, they must play all-out for 60 minutes, or more, the rest of the games -- there is absolutely no excuse not to
- SnapitUpstairs

THIS...WHAT'S THE PHUCKING PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING THIS BOYZ !!!!!

It's not on the refs. Jesus Christ. How many pp have the hawks gotten? Boston got 2 freebies in game 1 b/c hawks can't make a change correctly.

You want to be pissed? Look at your gm who gave you a team full of smurfs where the past 2+ yrs teams built with size and physicality win.

See the hawks get their @sses pounded non stop?
- SteveRain

I agree 1000%.

Where is Sheldon Brookbank, Jamal Mayers? On the bench. I'm not sure how much of this you can put on Q—or even Kompon. All the Stanley apologists need to see a roster that is probably too soft and no true power play QB (or anything close to it) and Stanley traded away Byfuglien, Brouwer, Campbell. Maybe he had to for money reasons. What has he done with the money to replace those guys? Answer: nothing.

Steve Rosenbloom of the Score and Chicago Trib said it was a sucker play on the Hawks part in game 1 to come out and try to out hit the Bruins and play their style of game instead of playing the style that got the Hawks where they're at. Wrong Steve, the Hawks were making their D think about getting hit and I'll bet all those hits helped wear the Bruins down as the game went on. For some reason last night they got away from that and were on the receiving end all night long. If the Hawks want to win this series they are going to have to get their noses dirty too. Like I said last night I have no problem with Q playing Bollig as long as Bollig is punishing the Bruins and has 5 to 10 hits. That's what he needs to do to be effective.
- jhawk159

He needs to shut up and listen. Lots of opinions about hockey, not much actual insight.

Did any of the chicago media take Seabrook to task about his swinging gate pass to Bollig?
- eburgio

Nope. Just like they don't rip anyone in the core. The media is a joke. Toews, Kane, sharp, seabrrok, and Keith can't do anything wrong.

Remember in 2010 when hossa was asked non stop in the finals about not scoring? Where is that toews? Hossa does at least the same, if not more, outside of scoring.

Yet....crickets on toews. Paid 6 million and is playing like a pile d crap. Injuries or not. He's choking.

I think kruger and frolik have been the hawks most consistent forwards both games, but Shaw and Bolland were amazing in game 1 but bad today. What scares me, though, is boston's 1st line outplayed our star players both games. Toews, Kane, and hossa have to step up in Boston or we come back down 3-1
- tomcat24

100% Correct here. Toews not scoring is an issue. Maybe with home ice, our brilliant coach could have found some opportunities to get Toews on the ice when Chara was on the bench ????? He doesn't have to roll 4 lines in tact every damn shift !! A good coach would realize the importance of finding "space" for our team leader and get him on the ice against the weaker D of the Bruins. Toews success is now critical to winning this thing.....and as his frustration is beginning to show again, the rest of the team will follow.

Look, the refs I'd say were the direct cause of this loss (in my mind when you score 2 goals and the other team has only 1 through end of reg, you win), but Q and his cronies are the real problem. They could have overcome the takeaway of the goal.

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

PP: Change the point man and/or QB and put Bicks in front of the net

And freaking Bollig??? Every game, the coaches hand him a stick, and he asks in CroMagnon fashion: "WOT DIS???!!!" "This stick," answers Q. "Hold stick." "BOLLIG LIKE STICK!!!"


- Q...argh

Bollig has a hard time, FOR REAL, playing with two hands on his stick. He skates around probably 85 % of the time with one hand on his stick. No wonder his touch and dexterity is sub par when asked to handle the puck with two hands on the stick.

75.3% who win game 2 win the cup. It's such a huge game.

Sadly, I think the hawks are done. Cc is a due for a meltdown and Boston is toughest place to win since 2008/09 playoffs.

Hope im wrong but I see a team full of scared little boys getting intimidated by a team full of men.
- SteveRain

And 75% of teams who win game one.......these kind of stats are meaningless without context.
A better stat would be how many times has the team with home ice advantage has faired after winning only one of two at home to start the series. Of course, these same Bruins lost the first two against the Canucks and still won the Cup. The Hawks need to get over their lingering vaginititis and play tougher in Boston. For many of these players, this is their one shot to be part of Cup winning team.

Did any of the chicago media take Seabrook to task about his swinging gate pass to Bollig?
- eburgio

I don't know how they counter that? Boston's D does a great job of pinching on the forwards, making it difficult to chip the puck out. Guess they just have to man up and win the battle

GET BODIES AND SHOTS ON HIM!!!
- paulr

Where was Bickell on the pp ?
Not net presence...nobody wanting to battle Chara in the post

Nope. Just like they don't rip anyone in the core. The media is a joke. Toews, Kane, sharp, seabrrok, and Keith can't do anything wrong.

Remember in 2010 when hossa was asked non stop in the finals about not scoring? Where is that toews? Hossa does at least the same, if not more, outside of scoring.

Yet....crickets on toews. Paid 6 million and is playing like a pile d crap. Injuries or not. He's choking.
- SteveRain

Drives me absolutely bat-poop crazy with these guys. The first line in any article should've read....A bad decision by Seabrook and a turnover by Bollig led to the winning goal.

I'm sure that's what McD wants...no negative press. It's like when ND got trounced in the BCS game and Manti Te'o's old man wanted the people of Hawaii to boycott the newspaper because there was a picture of his son missing a tackle.

But nobody takes anyone to task? Perhaps they don't want to feel the wrath of the players? I'm sure Seabrook would admit it was the wrong play (now) but I want to know WTF he was thinking there. Had Bollig controlled that puck, what would he have done with it? Not much. It's not like there was an odd-man rush waiting to happen had that pass connected. STUPID