... 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.
- Sconnie

Vegas knows nothing about hockey: the lines are set based on their projections of future betting.

Has nothing to do with any hockey analysis or which team is likely to win the series: based on the casino's ability to manipulate the betting to maintain their vig.

If Hossa is concussed again, not only would that be very bad for the balance of the series, but I think we also know who the first compliance buyout will be in the offseason.
Dude has a young family and more money than God already. I think he is smart enough to know when to hang them up. Here is to hoping that is not the case. They need him in the lineup.
- Return of the Roar

i dont think this will be the case with Hossa. He's shown he can recover very nicely from a severe concussion, and if he got hit with a puck i doubt its the same level of severity.

Just for fun though, if they did compliance buy out Hossa, what kind of move would that leave open to make? You have a huge hole on your roster without 81. Is there then a major trade made? Theres no free agent who's close to what Hossa is worth, so if you buy him out who do you get the replace him, or do you make a move for one or two big time players?

I dont see that happening

No biggie. Everyone says things where they come off 'not cool', but I have no issue with Boston, their team or fans and all of us ARE on edge because we see the series slipping away and are a bit more sensitive to trolls (which I don't think you are one).

Regarding Hossa. Before I try and convict him I'd like to see the story. Obviously, if what you heard reported is factual then that is another ugly, sordid situation, but given the Hawks were aware Hossa may not play I think there was something there. I have no idea when he got hurt, didn't think he was hurt in game 2. Hopefully, we'll find out...It's gonna be hard enough to beat Boston WITH Hossa, let alone without him.
- kwolf68

How about we cut thru all the BS. As Barry Melrose said last night the Hawks just did not show up. The further BS going around about why Hossa did not play is pathetic. if they knew before the game he was out why wasn't Smith out in the warm-up with Brookbank and Mayers and who started the rumor(probably true) that he got hit in the warm-up. This team from the top Scotty Bowman to Q and his half ass staff should all be taken to task. The assistants should be fired and if Q objects then he is gone. I'm also beginning to think that they should trade Kane now and a couple of good big Physical wingers that they lack. Crawford is just fine!!!

I don't think so, every Hawk fan I know has been lifelong and we are all in our 50's
- HawkfaninBC

Hawk fans are some of the most rabid, loyal fans in all of sports. There was a 7-ish year period where Hawk fans finally threw up their arms and told WWW in their actions.. we are done being treated the way you have for decades. Outsides have ZERO clue as to that story and what was the impetus behind it.

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

Takes skill to exit their zone the way Boston does: quick, short passes that the ice has less of an opportunity to screw up.

Hard to make the stretch passes that the Hawks seem to like with bad ice.

Vegas knows nothing about hockey: the lines are set based on their projections of future betting.

Has nothing to do with any hockey analysis or which team is likely to win the series: based on the casino's ability to manipulate the betting to maintain their vig.
- StLBravesFan

DING DING DING!! Exactly spot on correct...

And right now if you're a bettor and those odds were any lower you'd be going to the bank to bet on the Bruins - need to keep it high enough to get action on the Hawks.

Oh you didn't hit a nerve at all. I'm just calling you exactly what you are for making that comment: A clueless dolt who has no idea what they are talking about. I hope you can comprehend the difference.

I haven't remotely said that this series is over - still think it goes 6 or more likely 7.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Wow did you sandblast your vagina before work this morning? Would you like some cranberry juice? I hear midol will help with those cramps there Sally.

Besides your staggering level of douchebaggery I agree with you(pukes) 6 games will most likely with Bruins taking the cup in Boston of course.

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

Yup I think the PP has come back to haunt them. What makes it worse is Boston has broken through on the PP.

Wow did you sandblast your vagina before work this morning? Would you like some cranberry juice? I hear midol will help with those cramps there Sally.

Besides your staggering level of douchebaggery I agree with you(pukes) 6 games will most likely with Bruins taking the cup in Boston of course.
- glove_was_stuck

easy fella.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/great-marian-hossa-game-3-injury-mystery-040447258.html

The Blackhawks were aware that Hossa may not play earlier on Monday, although the star winger participated in practice. He took warmups before Game 3, but was a late scratch.

Don't think it's a fabricated injury.
- jmatchett383

Why would he take himself out unnecessarily? If he thought he could go - game 3 of the Finals, for God's sake - he is enough of a "warrior" to go - obviously thought he wouldn't be able to be effective, doctor's note or not.

Vegas knows nothing about hockey: the lines are set based on their projections of future betting.

Has nothing to do with any hockey analysis or which team is likely to win the series: based on the casino's ability to manipulate the betting to maintain their vig.
- StLBravesFan

Exactly. The goal is to bring in even money on both sides of the line. Let's say that right before gametime, there is a big line movement (10 or or cents). It may mean that big betters placed a lot of money on one side. Therefore, the books moved the numbers in an attempt to make the other side look more attractive to other bettors to even out the money placed on both ends.

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

Q has won a championship as a head coach.
Q shows emotion
Q has shown this year a willingness to change game plan and line up if needed
Q has made the playoffs every year

Bit of a difference. Silly comparison.

easy fella.
- Fountain-San

Wow did you sandblast your vagina before work this morning? Would you like some cranberry juice? I hear midol will help with those cramps there Sally.

Besides your staggering level of douchebaggery I agree with you(pukes) 6 games will most likely with Bruins taking the cup in Boston of course.
- glove_was_stuck

Ahhh! Yes - the childish insults. Par for the course. Good work!

Amaze us again with your knowledge of the Hawks franchise and Hawk fans.. please. It's fun to see stupidity in writing!

BTW: The Hawks find a way to win Game 4, enjoy a Game 6 in which Boston needs to win on home ice to move the series to a Game 7.

I don't think so, every Hawk fan I know has been lifelong and we are all in our 50's
- HawkfaninBC

Speak for yourself, HFBC: I'm only close to my 50s.

And if I were 5 years younger, I'd be even closer.

Can't use CBO on an injured player (Pronger, Heatley, Savard)
- jmatchett383

But can't you put them into some category where they don't count against the cap?

So, Hossa takes himself out of the game

WOW



Makes you really appreciate Jagr


- Marshmont63

Wow, really?

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.
- jmatchett383

A sense of "entitlement"? Do you actually read this thread? There is more criticism of their play here as well as roster makeup as well as coaching....

Stop pretending you add anything to the discussion. You are a troll and have been for month. On Lil Ian's thread you would have been banned already. Now FO.

FAIL! I think I can speak for Hawks fans when we say we like fans from other teams coming here, but not people like this. You have no idea what happened with Hossa and this is classless. Hossa has done nothing but work hard his entire career and has been one of the steadiest professionals in the sport.
- kwolf68

He's also been a glass man in the Indian Head...

Q has won a championship as a head coach.
Q shows emotion
Q has shown this year a willingness to change game plan and line up if needed
Q has made the playoffs every year

Bit of a difference. Silly comparison.
- fattybeef

Yea I don't get the Lovie/Q comparisons either.

That said Q looks confused and unfocused in this series. Making lineup decisions that boggle the mind. I think he's trying, but I think he's trying too hard.

The Hawks for Game 4 need to go back to a simple, set lineup that was most prevalent in the season. Put good players together and let them play. Lose with what brought you. Return to a total dump and chase style of hockey. In the least that will prevent stupid neutral zone mistakes that are ending up on Crow's head...

Ahhh! Yes - the childish insults. Par for the course. Good work!

Amaze us again with your knowledge of the Hawks franchise and Hawk fans.. please. It's fun to see stupidity in writing!

BTW: The Hawks find a way to win Game 4, enjoy a Game 6 in which Boston needs to win on home ice to move the series to a Game 7.
- CaptainBlackhawk

http://m.si.com/3055687/8b30f219/

in writing.

But can't you put them into some category where they don't count against the cap?
- StLBravesFan

LTIR.

And anything beats allowing a player on a long term big money deal to retire of his own choosing.

What suprises me is that they haven't been already. I know in Boston any one of would us would have driven them to the airport by now for free. I wouldn't let it get to you though. Majority of the Hawks "fans" are only 3 years old. Do Do dee do do dee do dee do dee YAAYYYY THE CUBBIES!! OLD TIMEY BEER!!!

EDIT: Chelsea Dagger is a horrible and annoying song. Like Jim Belushi annoying.
- glove_was_stuck

Majority are bandwagon, just like the Bruins fans.

Nothing is more annoying than the Boston accent. Does everyone in Boston collect disability for that speech impediment?

But can't you put them into some category where they don't count against the cap?
- StLBravesFan

If they're unable to play, you can place them on LTIR once the season begins. They count against the cap during the offseason.

He's also been a glass man in the Indian Head...
- fattybeef

No argument. ... Hossa has come up injured quite a bit and with the exception of the Torres hit so much of it is a mystery.

Hoss has a lot of tread off the tire...he's another player who I think will be considered for a new home next year. But when he's healthy wow, he's such a good player.