Watching NHLNetwork this morning - I'm a masochist - Pang is right: if the Hawks new beforehand that Hossa might not be able to go, as Q said, why wasn't Smith on the ice during warm ups, instead of scrambling to get dressed right before the game?

Regardless if Toews is 100% or not he can't be expected to do everything. If you want him to score provide some grit players to battle for the puck all night, if you want Toews to battle for the puck all night then you can't really expect him to score can you? Same with Kane. Everyone knows Kane is a timid perimeter player. If you want him to play a more robust game get some bigger more physical players who do the physical work and give Kane confidence knowing someone has his back. But more importantly the physical players make the other team play with a little fear. Right now I see no fear at all from the Bruins. Once Boston adjusted to the Hawks team speed they have taken over the series slowly but surely.
- paulr

Toews was touted on here all season long as an MVP candidate. If he's worthy of being an MVP, I expect more than 1 goal all playoffs long out of him. Heck, Michael Handzus has more points than him. I understand that Toews draws the top defensive pair and all, but he needs to produce offensively. 1 goal from your MVP captain will not win you a Cup.

Agreed............ So much for Mr 4 million a year huh ?? Offer him 2, take it or leave it.
- Hawkytalk

Why was he put back to a non-scoring line instead of staying with Toews and Hossa, where he thrived?

Toews and Kane aren't being hit on the PP - certainly need someone big at the net, but why can't 19/88/10 (81,when he's there) get something done with their quickness and skills at least on the PP, net presence or not, bad schemes or not?

At least win a face-off or two, so they can start the play in the zone instead of 200 feet away after a Boston clear?
- StLBravesFan

A good powerplay needs a pp quarterback and a big shot, and ideally those traits are possessed by the same player. The Hawks have neither. Many Hawk players are also are unable or unwilling to go to the net. Until that player is acquired don’t expect the Powerplay to improve. That said a team doesn’t necessarily need a good powerplay to succeed, the Bruins have shown us that.

Regardless if Toews is 100% or not he can't be expected to do everything. If you want him to score provide some grit players to battle for the puck all night, if you want Toews to battle for the puck all night then you can't really expect him to score can you? Same with Kane. Everyone knows Kane is a timid perimeter player. If you want him to play a more robust game get some bigger more physical players who do the physical work and give Kane confidence knowing someone has his back. But more importantly the physical players make the other team play with a little fear. Right now I see no fear at all from the Bruins. Once Boston adjusted to the Hawks team speed they have taken over the series slowly but surely.
- paulr

Yes I know but I haven´t seen the Toews that been used to. I mean the hole playoffs this year looks like there´s something missing in his game. Yes, he is playing like a very good third liner but we all know what he is capable of. Or is it just me?

Why was he put back to a non-scoring line instead of staying with Toews and Hossa, where he thrived?
- StLBravesFan

We kind of made the same questions while playing against the Bruins. It's frustrating knowing the puck is not going in. Sucks.

Toews was touted on here all season long as an MVP candidate. If he's worthy of being an MVP, I expect more than 1 goal all playoffs long out of him. Heck, Michael Handzus has more points than him. I understand that Toews draws the top defensive pair and all, but he needs to produce offensively. 1 goal from your MVP captain will not win you a Cup.
- jmatchett383

Giroux is touted as the best player in the world, that makes Toews the best in the universe … no?

I'm pulling for the hawks for obvious reasons haha, but what a game like last night also shows is that the east is not as soft as a lot of western fans bases or media would have you believe. sure regular season hockey isnt the same but the habs took the season series against boston by using their speed and drivng the net. toronto took boston to 7, pitts beat up on boston all season. my point is that the east is a very tough conference, this series in a small way helps prove that.

if the hawks can get back to their game I'm sure they can take the bruins, got to watch a few tapes keep their heads up and chip it past the bruins slow not as agile def.

No shortage of FAIRWEATHER QUITTERS Rollie...

- philco28

Yes, but sadly, the ones who count seem to be our players.

Face offs, guys - worse than the PP (well, almost).

Can't possess the puck if you keep letting the other team start with it.

16 and 40: that's 28.5%.

Handzus, Kruger, Bolland - combined 3 and 22 - that's 12% from your 2-3-4 centers.

Even Toews - second in the league this year - less than 45% the past two games.

Seems to me that face-offs require some skill, but mostly a lot of "want to" from the whole team : most result in 50/50 scrums - Boston is winning almost all of those.

This series is making me puke... Being a leafs fan Ive had enough disapointment this playoffs. I got on the Hawks bandwagon and boom.. With a tema wiht that talent I am amazed that ther eis no creativityon the PP. Or the simple thought of getting pucks to the net.. Rask had an eays go of it last night. To me at times Kane looks disintersted. Sharp seems to be the best forward that I have seen. Keith has been great on back end. Correct me if I am wrong but does Leddy always maake such bad decisions? The kid can fly but boy he turns pucks over and does dumb things.. I cant tell you how much I hope Chicago comes back but Im afraid it is not going ot happen

Giroux is touted as the best player in the world, that makes Toews the best in the universe … no?
- paulr

ny who laviolette?? haha crosby is hands down the best in the world imo. certainly the most complete player

All it takes is a Wednesday win by CHI and this series is 2-2 going back to that Insane building in Chicago, I am certainly not counting my chickens yet. Our NEW 3rd line has been awesome and the reason why we have won the last 2 games, plus the defensive shut down, but it takes 4 wins and everyone knows in the Playoffs it only takes 1 great period, or 1 great play to turn the series on a dime.

Crawford has been really really good, I'm not sure why he gets so much flack, his positioning is very good.
- MrBeanTown

Judging by your location, a little Wildcat love?

Crawford has been good. Rask has been great or near great.

Why was he put back to a non-scoring line instead of staying with Toews and Hossa, where he thrived?
- StLBravesFan

Because our insane, line juggling HC believes he is a genius.

Toews was touted on here all season long as an MVP candidate. If he's worthy of being an MVP, I expect more than 1 goal all playoffs long out of him. Heck, Michael Handzus has more points than him. I understand that Toews draws the top defensive pair and all, but he needs to produce offensively. 1 goal from your MVP captain will not win you a Cup.
- jmatchett383

95+% certain, he's playing through something that will require offseason surgery. Maybe two things.

Giroux is touted as the best player in the world, that makes Toews the best in the universe … no?
- paulr

I don't know what a lie (or at least untruth) spoken by our coach last year has to do with your MVP candidate scoring 1 goal all playoffs long.

ny who laviolette?? haha crosby is hands down the best in the world imo. certainly the most complete player
- munky123

Of course he is. I was just being as hyperbolic as our Flyer friend who should have more pressing things to worry about with his team.

Because our insane, line juggling HC believes he is a genius.
- Q...argh

So, who do you replace Q with? Need names of available coaches and why they'd do a better job.

A good powerplay needs a pp quarterback and a big shot, and ideally those traits are possessed by the same player. The Hawks have neither. Many Hawk players are also are unable or unwilling to go to the net. Until that player is acquired don’t expect the Powerplay to improve. That said a team doesn’t necessarily need a good powerplay to succeed, the Bruins have shown us that.
- paulr

A classic power play needs that - you still have the man advantage - move you skates, move your bodies, pass quickly and accurately - something will open up. These are among the most skilled players in the league - 88/19/10/81 - on a PP, they should have time and space - move, shuffle it up.

Don't need a big shot at the point - need someone who can consistently get a quick wrist shot thru - THRU - so you can get a rebound or a deflection from your guy in front of the net.

Well, there is that, too.

Judging by your location, a little Wildcat love?

Crawford has been good. Rask has been great or near great.
- John Jaeckel

Crawford has been more than good enough to win. The rest of the team just stinks of late. How does a goalie steal a game for you when you can't even score one goal?

are all blackhawks fans bipolar or just the writer and people who post on HB? honest question. one week the hawks are invincible, the next they need to blow the team up. relax, its a 2-1 series in the cup final.
- flyershockey

Some people here can't seem to keep a level head after a loss.

It's always this way. Team loses it's "fire Q, fire Bowman, trade Kane." No real grasp on reality for many.

Of course he is. I was just being as hyperbolic as our Flyer friend who should have more pressing things to worry about with his team.
- paulr

Like what? There's nothing the Flyers can officially do (including overpaying Streit) until the SCF are over. I'm just wondering why the guy you all touted as MVP hasn't been able to produce constant offense against ANY of these teams, Minnesota included.

Judging by your location, a little Wildcat love?

Crawford has been good. Rask has been great or near great.
- John Jaeckel

Yes on Rask, but - hasn't been tested that much under pressure since the first period of game 2.

Because our insane, line juggling HC believes he is a genius.
- Q...argh

This has more to do with a GM not providing the right type of players for the p;layoffs than the coach juggling lines to try to cover that fact up. Q has made a number of mistakes, the GM has made more.

So, who do you replace Q with? Need names of available coaches and why they'd do a better job.
- John Jaeckel

Who? Too early to tell, but I'll suggest Havi. Why? Can you seriously look at the lines he put out to start yesterday's game with and really require an answer to that question? i would put the same question to you regarding his stubborn insistence on sticking with the same power-play scheme that hasn't worked for three years.