How were they "fluky"? That's exactly how you need to beat Rask - put players in front of the net and have redirections, pucks off of people - that's PRECISELY how the Hawks are going to beat Rask and the Bruins. Fire shot after shot (40+ times).. you're going to get a few in.
- CaptainBlackhawk

neither of those goals were intentional re-directs which is why I call them fluky

I have all the respect in the world for the hawks and what they can bring, but you guys won game 1 on two fluky goals.
- Rayven

What do you think Ray? Should the Hawks try and slug it out or play to their speed?

neither of those goals were intentional re-directs which is why I call them fluky
- Rayven

The game winner by Shaw was him standing in front of the net and the puck being redirected, hit his leg and went in the back of the net. That's exactly what they should be doing - that's not "fluky" at all. Bolland might have gotten that puck in the back of the net had it not hit Shaw's leg.

I have all the respect in the world for the hawks and what they can bring, but you guys won game 1 on two fluky goals.
- Rayven

Did you see the bruin-hab game a couple months ago when emelin cross-checked Krecji and Chara roid-raged all over emelin? Very scary to see someone lose it like that

Do you really think that's the answer? Fair enough, we are each entitled to our opinions.
- golfingsince

Not saying that's the only answer.. but I think the Hawks are at their best when they are finishing their checks and creating turnovers in the offensive/neutral zone. A power play goal or two would help too.

This is so indicative of how mercurial this board has always been... Now we're putting Seidenberg and Boychuck in the HOF?

Even JJ's gotten all rah-rah and bandwagon when they win and this blog (while pretty true) was written out on a ledge somewhere...

Bickell, Shaw, Toews and Smith are pretty darn good at what they do for their respective lines... They just need to regroup and bring it.
- busmaster

They may not be HOF candidates but they must be doing something right because the Brutes have given up a total of 7 goals in their last 7 games. And 4 of them came in Game 1 of this series.

What do you think Ray? Should the Hawks try and slug it out or play to their speed?
- golfingsince

You beat the Bruins with speed, transition, and a hard forecheck. If you try and play their game with them you will lose.

Not saying that's the only answer.. but I think the Hawks are at their best when they are finishing their checks and creating turnovers in the offensive/neutral zone. A power play goal or two would help too.
- CBHawks88

If the Hawks can find a way to net a power play goal or two this entire series changes....

Did you see the bruin-hab game a couple months ago when emelin cross-checked Krecji and Chara roid-raged all over emelin? Very scary to see someone lose it like that
- tomcat24

The video I posted previously shows the dirty roid rage play of the Bruins......Unfortunately, the video is also Vancouver propaganda.

You beat the Bruins with speed, transition, and a hard forecheck. If you try and play their game with them you will lose.
- Rayven

And that is PRECISELY why the Hawks beat the Kings in five games - that's how they played. They've struggled to get that type of game going against the Bruins.

There will be absolutely no offence created by the Hawks unless they put some bodies in front of Rask and physically challenge and occupy Chara, Boychuk and Seidenburg for space 'in the house'. If you do that, suddenly your skilled shooters have extra some room to operate. Other than Bickell, who else is going to do it - not Ben Smith, not Mayers, not Kruger or Frolik.

I put Jimmy Hayes in the lineup expressly for that purpose on the PP. I don't give a crap if he can't skate or doesn't look pretty, he's a big body and fresh and a hard man to move.
- RickJ

Nice idea...is he eligible or fit ? Haven't heard his name but he'd be an interesting option. My worry about him vs Chara is....would he melt like Frosty the Snowman if Chara really starting engaging him ?

The game winner by Shaw was him standing in front of the net and the puck being redirected, hit his leg and went in the back of the net. That's exactly what they should be doing - that's not "fluky" at all. Bolland might have gotten that puck in the back of the net had it not hit Shaw's leg.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I don't wanna troll you guys, too much respect for your team, but if you're gonna tell me that they played that re-direct to go off Shaw's leg that's just crazy

and if it wasn't intentional then it was lucky or fluky take your pick of words

Nice idea...is he eligible or fit ? Haven't heard his name but he'd be an interesting option. My worry about him vs Chara is....would he melt like Frosty the Snowman if Chara really starting engaging him ?
- philco28

If anyone is remotely considering putting Jimmy Hayes in the lineup you're season is 100% over.

I don't wanna troll you guys, too much respect for your team, but if you're gonna tell me that they played that re-direct to go off Shaw's leg that's just crazy

and if it was intentional then it was lucky or fluky take your pick of words
- Rayven

Puck shot from outside the circle to the net
Puck hits Bolland's stick as he's standing in front of the net (might have gone it/not)
Re-directed puck hits Shaw's leg on redirect.. goal goes in

This only happens 100 times in an NHL post season.

Did they play to have the puck go directly off of Shaw's leg? Of course not. That doesn't make it fluky. You put players in front of the net for that exact type result.

If anyone is remotely considering putting Jimmy Hayes in the lineup you're season is 100% over.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Desperate times call for desperate solutions. Don't think it will happen, but Chara is KILLING US. We have NO ANSWER for him. And he's getting off easy. Bicks took some licks from him but at least he engaged him. Only took 59 PHUCKING MINUTES for Q to sanction it.

They may not be HOF candidates but they must be doing something right because the Brutes have given up a total of 7 goals in their last 7 games. And 4 of them came in Game 1 of this series.
- RickJ

What they're doing is trying not to wake up a slumbering team with an inept special teams but also with enough talent to skate circles and pants them in one period if they ever wake up and smell the desperation.

Here's hoping it will be sooner rather than later.

I was the one that said the game1 win was lucky but no one heard amidst the parade planning...

"Is the series over? No, if the Hawks can summon the effort they saved for the last five minutes of a pivotal game 3. Otherwise, enjoy the last couple of games and see where the weaknesses are and try to improve for next year."

Couldn't have said it better JJ. That sums it up nicely.

Nice idea...is he eligible or fit ? Haven't heard his name but he'd be an interesting option. My worry about him vs Chara is....would he melt like Frosty the Snowman if Chara really starting engaging him ?
- philco28

Chara is one ugly mother but there is no choice but to challenge him for space physically or they cannot win this series. He's vitually on vacation out there right now. The only guy I saw hit him hard was Bickell in the 3rd period.

"Is the series over? No, if the Hawks can summon the effort they saved for the last five minutes of a pivotal game 3. Otherwise, enjoy the last couple of games and see where the weaknesses are and try to improve for next year."

Couldn't have said it better JJ. That sums it up nicely.
- ArlingtonRob

Pretty much every single time this squad has had their backs up against the wall.. they've come out and wowed us all with their play. We'll see what happens on Wednesday...

The video I posted previously shows the dirty roid rage play of the Bruins......Unfortunately, the video is also Vancouver propaganda.
- faustus1500

I didn't see it. I'm sure you had the Marchand ducking on sedin play where he could have broken his neck? The play where Chara tries to kill Max P? Or basically any "check" a bruin delivers? This whole series every time they check someone they come in high with elbows. Every time. They showed several lucic hits with him leaving his feet after charging, too

The video I posted previously shows the dirty roid rage play of the Bruins......Unfortunately, the video is also Vancouver propaganda.
- faustus1500

The officiating "style" certainly didn't help. Regardless, that's so 2 years ago.

Chara is one ugly mother but there is no choice but to challenge him for space physically or they cannot win this series. He's vitually on vacation out there right now. The only guy I saw hit him hard was Bickell in the 3rd period.
- RickJ

I've been a broken record on this. I'd have everybody, whack'n, hackn', trash talk'n him...get his head on a swivel. Cut off the head and the tail dies.

series over, way to be Boston!!
- Muskoka88

this isn't over

Chara is one ugly mother but there is no choice but to challenge him for space physically or they cannot win this series. He's vitually on vacation out there right now. The only guy I saw hit him hard was Bickell in the 3rd period.
- RickJ

Dump it in and pummel him when he goes back to collect it.

As for Hayes... If he ever skates in another NHL game it would be a mistake.

give me a good reason why Smith who has not played in the NHL this year plays instead of a physical player like Carcillo
Q has gone brain dead
- Maggie

My guess? Because Carcillo isn't good at hockey.