as if the game wasn't bad enough, reading this blog and the comments section makes it worse.

the bi-polar nature of this whole thing. hawks win (we ARE physical enough!) hawks lose in OT (we will NEVER WIN with this lineup!) is just nuts.

the powerplay is awful.

you have your best center centering the fourth line last night.

you have Handzus out there losing every draw and then skating around with a piano on his back.

but yeah, throw blame at Stalberg and think about throwing Carcillo out there. right on, man. that'll do it.

at no point do i see anybody giving any bit of credit that maybe, just maybe we are playing a really really reallllllllly good team. i'm sorry, but Kane was having trouble skating with Handzus on his back against a beat up Kings team, why do we think he's gonna have a better go of it against a healthy Bruins squad?

i asked this question last night on twitter: if Q really thought Bollig was good enough to play in Game One and Two (with all those "meaningful hits" that JJ loves!) then why wasn't he in the lineup yesterday after Hossa was scratched?
so all of the sudden a guy off the bench who hasnt played in two months is a better option?

wtf Q. wtf blackhawks.

THANKFULLY this will all be easier next year after we trade Kane and Crawford for Chris Neil in the offseason.

I have no problem with a hard-fought loss....but when your Presidents'-Trophy-wining team - playing in the Cup Finals - looks like the Florida Panthers, I have a REAL hard time dealing with it.

Similar to most of everyone's posts, I'm not sure why this team likes to feel the ropes against their backs before playing with heart for 60+ minutes. Don't get it.

So, at what point are the Bruins just the better team, as opposed to Chicag just playing poorly? I'm not going to point to anyone specific, but I'm hearing a bunch of "Oh, if only this and that.." and "Well, this player just didn't show up." Is it too foreign of a concept that, possibly, the Bruins are a better team?

Read my above post at 8:44, which is what I've been saying forever, as have MANY others here:

BB-JT-PK
PS-MH-MH
BS-DB-AS
MF-MK-VS

These lines paid off huge against LA, and Q just inexplicably stopped playing them to begin this series. Success slapped Q in the face, and Q responded with "Huh?"

THAT is how he is misusing personnel. Those lines came through big and won the WCF for them. Instead of going with something PROVEN to work, he went back to the Bozoputer for the SCF. I mean, honestly ... are you DEFENDING his line combinations for last night? How do you respond to his failure to even TRY the above line combinations again, when they NEVER failed???
- Q...argh

I'm not gonna defend his line combos last night and part of the reason was because he was missing Hossa. Sure he can try that and I bet he will. No telling it'll work. But again, the Bruins aren't the Kings and vice versa. They've made Bickell a non-factor.

So, at what point are the Bruins just the better team, as opposed to Chicag just playing poorly? I'm not going to point to anyone specific, but I'm hearing a bunch of "Oh, if only this and that.." and "Well, this player just didn't show up." Is it too foreign of a concept that, possibly, the Bruins are a better team?
- jmatchett383

exactly, the premise has always been the Hawks were the better team! Maybe the "B" s are just better. I think the Kings wanted to do much of the same thing but injuries became a problem for them.

So, at what point are the Bruins just the better team, as opposed to Chicag just playing poorly? I'm not going to point to anyone specific, but I'm hearing a bunch of "Oh, if only this and that.." and "Well, this player just didn't show up." Is it too foreign of a concept that, possibly, the Bruins are a better team?
- jmatchett383

Refer JJ's blog title. The Bruins are playing better so far as a TEAM and have been superior in executing the fundamentals of the game, like faceoffs. And they are skating harder and playing with more determination than Chicago - example Paille forcing Hammer to take a penalty when he drove the net.

Honestly, I see so much of Lovie in Q that it makes me want to Barf. The comparisons are innumerable.
- Q...argh

And simultaneously nonexistent.

As Hawks head coach...

Q has been to 3 conference finals, won 2 conference titles and 1 stanley cup and still striving for a second.

I'd say that makes Q infinitely superior to Lovie Smith.

Perspective people...stop making outlandish comparisons across sports that mix like oil and water.

Q>Lovie Smith

So, at what point are the Bruins just the better team, as opposed to Chicag just playing poorly? I'm not going to point to anyone specific, but I'm hearing a bunch of "Oh, if only this and that.." and "Well, this player just didn't show up." Is it too foreign of a concept that, possibly, the Bruins are a better team?
- jmatchett383

It's a combination of both. Matchups are key in the postseason. Hawks don't match up with Boston and in fact, haven't matched up well in the last few years even during the few regular season matchups they've had.

Refer JJ's blog title. The Bruins are playing better so far as a TEAM and have been superior in executing the fundamentals of the game, like faceoffs. And they are skating harder and playing with more determination than Chicago - example Paille forcing Hammer to take a penalty when he drove the net.
- RickJ

That's my point. I'm not saying Hawks fans are being as delusional as Leafs fans, not close. But even with JJ's title, I am just getting a sense of...almost entitlement in here, that it's more what the Hawks AREN'T doing more than what the Bruins ARE doing. And I just think that it may be the other way around.

Wait...are people serious with this "fire Q" nonsense? This is the classic sports fan knee-jerk reaction to a bad game. The coach always gets thrown under the bus. I understand you can't afford to come out flat and have a bad game in the Cup playoffs, but there's some personal responsibility of the players to execute and do their jobs, too. Not just the coach. People seem to forget that and blame the line juggling. These guys are grown men playing at a professional level. They can and should be able to play and adapt to changes.

THANKFULLY this will all be easier next year after we trade Kane and Crawford for Chris Neil in the offseason.
- dr_boloney

Don't forget Ott...Hawks have no chance without Ott.

Wait...are people serious with this "fire Q" nonsense? This is the classic sports fan knee-jerk reaction to a bad game. The coach always gets thrown under the bus. I understand you can't afford to come out flat and have a bad game in the Cup playoffs, but there's some personal responsibility of the players to execute and do their jobs, too. Not just the coach. People seem to forget that and blame the line juggling. These guys are grown men playing at a professional level. They can and should be able to play and adapt to changes.
- Hank3Henshaw

Those who are "serious" about firing Q...

...are not to be taken seriously.

Those who are "serious" about firing Q...

...are not to be taken seriously.
- ArlingtonRob

Yep. Exactly, my friend.

It's a combination of both. Matchups are key in the postseason. Hawks don't match up with Boston and in fact, haven't matched up well in the last few years even during the few regular season matchups they've had.
- golfbard

Golf...

...you know how the Hawks would match up better with the Bruins? And I didn't think this was the case earlier, but now I do...

Powerplay. If the Hawks could make them pay, it would be a better day.

Alas, maybe next year because this year's PP is a waste of time and energy.

Those who are "serious" about firing Q...

...are not to be taken seriously.
- ArlingtonRob

late to the show but does that stem from line juggling? seems like injuries forced his hand

the fun part though is getting the people that want a really good coach fired to come up with a better option. you rarely get a name.

Don't forget Ott...Hawks have no chance without Ott.
- ArlingtonRob

Dress Cacrillo full-time
Trade Kane for Ott and Kaleta
Carcillo/Ott/Kaleta new first line
Develop superior penalty killing strategy
Kaleta Conn Smythe

Golf...

...you know how the Hawks would match up better with the Bruins? And I didn't think this was the case earlier, but now I do...

Powerplay. If the Hawks could make them pay, it would be a better day.

Alas, maybe next year because this year's PP is a waste of time and energy.
- ArlingtonRob

lot of 5 on 5 chances that could have been buried.

I don't know why it's so bad. There's really no reason. If, like people are saying, Toews is injured, he may actually be a deterrent out there. If he can't win a faceoff, put Zeus out there and tell him to win the faceoff then just stand in front.
- jmatchett383

Really? Bupkis-for-10 Zeus? That guy you think would be goodon PP face-offs?

And simultaneously nonexistent.

As Hawks head coach...

Q has been to 3 conference finals, won 2 conference titles and 1 stanley cup and still striving for a second.

I'd say that makes Q infinitely superior to Lovie Smith.

Perspective people...stop making outlandish comparisons across sports that mix like oil and water.

Q>Lovie Smith
- ArlingtonRob

Dude, he won a Stanley Cup with the most stacked team since the 80's Oilers. Glen Sather didn't look the genius after Gretzky left either, did he? That's hardly a "coaching win." They went to 1-3 vs. Detroit and nearly lost because of his goofy line juggling. And he nearly lost them the WCF with his goofy line juggling. He regained his sanity late in both series and they were able to scratch out wins.

If you look at the playing of favorites, surrounding himself with yes-men and lackies rather than with qualified assistants, stubborn refusal to change what isn't working, stubborn refusal to make obviously needed adjustments in-game to try and salvage a big game ... need I go on?

as if the game wasn't bad enough, reading this blog and the comments section makes it worse.

the bi-polar nature of this whole thing. hawks win (we ARE physical enough!) hawks lose in OT (we will NEVER WIN with this lineup!) is just nuts.

the powerplay is awful.

you have your best center centering the fourth line last night.

you have Handzus out there losing every draw and then skating around with a piano on his back.

but yeah, throw blame at Stalberg and think about throwing Carcillo out there. right on, man. that'll do it.

at no point do i see anybody giving any bit of credit that maybe, just maybe we are playing a really really reallllllllly good team. i'm sorry, but Kane was having trouble skating with Handzus on his back against a beat up Kings team, why do we think he's gonna have a better go of it against a healthy Bruins squad?

i asked this question last night on twitter: if Q really thought Bollig was good enough to play in Game One and Two (with all those "meaningful hits" that JJ loves!) then why wasn't he in the lineup yesterday after Hossa was scratched?
so all of the sudden a guy off the bench who hasnt played in two months is a better option?

wtf Q. wtf blackhawks.

THANKFULLY this will all be easier next year after we trade Kane and Crawford for Chris Neil in the offseason.
- dr_boloney

Lots to read here - Don't know if anybody else already made this point. I think the ice conditions definitely contributed to the Bruins advantage last night. The B's style of play isn't affected nearly as much by the inability to get the puck to lie flat and slide true.

late to the show but does that stem from line juggling? seems like injuries forced his hand

the fun part though is getting the people that want a really good coach fired to come up with a better option. you rarely get a name.
- Fountain-San

Some fans have been calling for Q's firing since 2009...the year he was hired.

Day shoulda kept dat Savard guy, he was great wit da spin-o-rama...

Please.

late to the show but does that stem from line juggling? seems like injuries forced his hand

the fun part though is getting the people that want a really good coach fired to come up with a better option. you rarely get a name.
- Fountain-San

No, you don't see enough of Q. Line juggling is his MO.

Dude, he won a Stanley Cup with the most stacked team since the 80's Oilers. Glen Sather didn't look the genius after Gretzky left either, did he? That's hardly a "coaching win." They went to 1-3 vs. Detroit and nearly lost because of his goofy line juggling. And he nearly lost them the WCF with his goofy line juggling. He regained his sanity late in both series and they were able to scratch out wins.

If you look at the playing of favorites, stubborn refusal to change what isn't working, stubborn refusal to make obviously needed adjustments in-game to try and salvage a big game ... need I go on?
- Q...argh

Nothing personal, but Q's been coaching since about 96, and played his whole life...

...so I'll defer to his judgement over yours. Something tells me he has more ice time.

Those who are "serious" about firing Q...

...are not to be taken seriously.
- ArlingtonRob

The ONLY reason I would kick Q out is the fact that last season the PP sucked, and he had the opportunity to rsolve it. What did he do, hire his buddy who is not qualified to even step into an arena. On that fact alone, Q has to go. He forced Haviland out, and had the chance to do well. He didn't! Sorry, bye.

I wasn't doom and gloom until I heard this stat on the radio: when the two teams split the first two games in Cup Finals, the winner of game 3 won the Cup 21 out of 24 times.