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.
- ArlingtonRob

Yep. When you can't argue the facts, get personal. Q's "judgement?" Irrational people have no judgment. Glad to know that you defer to those ingenius line combo's of his from last night.

BTW, Topps and Bazooka were in the bubble gum biz for what, like 75 years? Their gum still sucked.

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."
- Q...argh

I thought that was Bylsma that coached the Eastern Conference All Stars to a win in 2009.

Also, how did the Oilers fare 2 years after Gretzky left. I think they were kind of okay.

SLAM!!!! That noise you heard a month ago was the window closing forever on your current band of divers and whiners. At least Toews plays hard unlike sister number two who stood there and allowed a player half his size to use his head as a speed bag. Go back to your board and read Esplen tell you your team will win 3 - 1 tonight.
- paulr

do you even watch hockey? Get a clue the window doesn't close on a team just cuz you say it does. New coach, New power play, New systems.you might want the window closed but it's not.

who cares if J Toes plays hard? The guy is paid to produce and he has one goal.the Sedins would be run out of town if they did that, one goal .but they don't and didn't.fact is the #canucks are still in the mix and will prove it again next season. One of most successful team last 10 years consistently in the playoffs unlike your local team.the leafs.you have to be in the show to have a chance to win.

I thought that was Bylsma that coached the Eastern Conference All Stars to a win in 2009.

Also, how did the Oilers fare 2 years after Gretzky left. I think they were kind of okay.
- jmatchett383

I don't think Sather coached them at the time. He bailed on his HC job after 1 season sans-Gretzky and let someone else take all the L's on his coaching record, IIRC, but he did come back to the bench for a season or 2 later, IIRC. If Sather broke .500 even once after Gretzky left, it couldn't have been by much.

do you even watch hockey? Get a clue the window doesn't close on a team just cuz you say it does. New coach, New power play, New systems.you might want the window closed but it's not.

who cares if J Toes plays hard? The guy is paid to produce and he has one goal.the Sedins would be run out of town if they did that, one goal .but they don't and didn't.fact is the #canucks are still in the mix and will prove it again next season. One of most successful team last 10 years consistently in the playoffs unlike your local team.the leafs.you have to be in the show to have a chance to win.
- kaptaan

Impressive - making the playoffs consistently by walloping teams like the Oilers, Wild, Flames and Avalanche. Enjoy playing LA, Anaheim and SJ on a more regular basis.

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.
- powerenforcer

That's pretty cut-throat, man. I'd like to see you call Q into your office and inform him that you're letting him go. When he asks "why?" and points to all the success/accomplishments he's had as a head coach over the years and with the Hawks, you say: "You forced Haviland out, and had a chance to do well. And you didn't! Sorry, bye." I'm sure he'll understand. Again, these dudes are grown men playing at the highest level, regardless of who is coaching the PP, when does the personal responsibility come into play for the players? You're telling me these guys (pro hockey players- elite of the elite) can't string together a good PP because of coaching? Come on? Coaches lay down the blueprints, but if the players can't follow/execute them, it's the coaches fault, right? Get real..

I don't think Sather coached them at the time. He bailed on his HC job after 1 season sans-Gretzky and let someone else take all the L's on his coaching record, IIRC, but he did come back to the bench for a season or 2 later, IIRC. If Sather broke .500 even once after Gretzky left, it couldn't have been by much.
- Q...argh

My bad, you're correct, they lost in the semi-finals his last year (88/89). But to be fair, his other 3 years of coaching was a horrible 93/94 Edmonton team and those mismatched NYR teams in the early 2000s. Scotty Bowman would have had trouble with them.

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.
- Der Kaiser

both teams play on the same ice

both teams play on the same ice
- Rayven

I think the Bruins had a movable heater placed under the ice and they were moving it towards the puck any time the Hawks had it. Typical Boston goonery!

You guys need John Scott to play forward and battle Chara in front of the net.

That's pretty cut-throat, man. I'd like to see you call Q into your office and inform him that you're letting him go. When he asks "why?" and points to all the success/accomplishments he's had as a head coach over the years and with the Hawks, you say: "You forced Haviland out, and had a chance to do well. And you didn't! Sorry, bye." I'm sure he'll understand. Again, these dudes are grown men playing at the highest level, regardless of who is coaching the PP, when does the personal responsibility come into play for the players? You're telling me these guys (pro hockey players- elite of the elite) can't string together a good PP because of coaching? Come on? Coaches lay down the blueprints, but if the players can't follow/execute them, it's the coaches fault, right? Get real..
- Hank3Henshaw

You answered your own question. They (Kompon) has no blueprint. Yes, it would be easy to fire him for that hiring. Knowing you had the opportunity to bring someone in, and it failed, bye. If an employee of yours keeps making the same mistake time after time, even though he does other things well, you have to decide if the mistakes wiegh more than the success. I beleive in this case it does. If the team can excel at the PP, then they can dictate their style of play. I thas been mentioned here by many fans, the best way to compat physical play is by converting on the PP. The physical team will not be able to take liberties, and will have to ease up on their style of play. It is so obvious what this team lacks. It has to be fixed NOW.

You guys need John Scott to play forward and battle Chara in front of the net.
- Scooby_Doo

BUFF!

You guys need John Scott to play forward and battle Chara in front of the net.
- Scooby_Doo

Again, one of the turning points of the 2010 SCF was when Buff ran Pronger early in Game 5. It was a sort of, "Yeah, you're tough, but we're tougher and we're not gonna take any crap from you." Don't know if the Hawks can do that this year.

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.
- faustus1500

... and bruins are currently -260 to win series. doesn't mean it can't be done but most, including vegas think it will take a borderline miracle. after watching last night's game, i can't disagree, esp with hossa questionable for rest of series.

both teams play on the same ice
- Rayven

but we're some how much better with bouncing pucks. like when marchand lost control of that breakaway. clearly our advantage.

both teams play on the same ice
- Rayven

I think he means that bad ice hurts the more skill-reliant team proportionately more.

a small and fast team is gonna beat a big physical team by accepting the agression and punishing them on the powerplay, just like montreal often do when they play boston.
- jdacosta

Big difference between regular season vs Boston, and 7 game series. Not that this is going 7 games at this rate.

I think he means that bad ice hurts the more skill-reliant team proportionately more.
- Q...argh

I think he means that bad ice hurts the more skill-reliant team proportionately more.
- Q...argh

How was the ice in the UC for game 2?

Boston is WORKING the Blackhawks. They are the better team, disciplined as hell and do the little things SO MUCH better than the Hawks.

Lets check our excuse log:
1-Gretzky Stalberg wasn't playing
2-Blackhawks are tired
3-Referees
4-Bad Ice
5-Bad matchup

Eventually Hossa's injury will be tossed in there. Again, excuses. No one here said the Hawks wins over the Wild and Kings were suspect even though those teams were absolutely ravaged by key injuries.

Lost in the laundry list is Boston is just wood shedding the Hawks right now...for SIX straight periods, that is SIX straight I haven't gotten the feeling the Hawks have a prayer in hell of winning this series.

Can the Hawks turn it around? Yes, but they are going to have to play a more determined, focused, simpler game...they got to start doing the little things that has boston 2 games from skating the Cup.

I watched game 7 versus Toronto
Leafs up 4-1. with 10 minutes to go and up 2 goals with a Minute 20 left and the net empty
Bruins looked horrible
Hard to believe 3 weeks later they look this good
What an amazing turn around
- PEIHawkFan

I knew when Boston got off the canvas they were gonna be a TERROR.
PHUCK U TORONTO.

So, Hossa takes himself out of the game

WOW



Makes you really appreciate Jagr

How was the ice in the UC for game 2?

Boston is WORKING the Blackhawks. They are the better team, disciplined as hell and do the little things SO MUCH better than the Hawks.

Lets check our excuse log:
1-Gretzky Stalberg wasn't playing
2-Blackhawks are tired
3-Referees
4-Bad Ice
5-Bad matchup

Eventually Hossa's injury will be tossed in there. Again, excuses. No one here said the Hawks wins over the Wild and Kings were suspect even though those teams were absolutely ravaged by key injuries.

Lost in the laundry list is Boston is just wood shedding the Hawks right now...for SIX straight periods, that is SIX straight I haven't gotten the feeling the Hawks have a prayer in hell of winning this series.

Can the Hawks turn it around? Yes, but they are going to have to play a more determined, focused, simpler game...they got to start doing the little things that has boston 2 games from skating the Cup.
- kwolf68

I was just trying to clarify what the poster seemed to be arguing. I wasn't BACKING his argument. Back off, I actually agree with you.

I think he means that bad ice hurts the more skill-reliant team proportionately more.
- Q...argh

Yeah, let's see Boston do anything with skill. Imagine if old man jagr had to make some amazing pass and a defensive specialist like Bergeron would have to actually settle a puck and fire a perfect shot off the post with no time for mistake. Not a chance.

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

A curious amount of common sense in this one...

Get the first goal, then play like your lives depend on it. That's the key.

So, Hossa takes himself out of the game

WOW



Makes you really appreciate Jagr


- Marshmont63

That's a low blow. Ever consider that he may have a concussion or a fracture? Or that he was somehow rendered a liability by the injury? Or is Hammer a warrior and Campbell a pizzy because they both took a shot to the same area and Hammer came back out.