Hawks win Game 4, 4-2
Hawks win Game 5 in a nail biter at home, 2-1
Bruins win Game 6, 3-1
Hawks win the Cup at home in Game 7.. 3-1!


- CaptainBlackhawk

Then you wake up...and reach for the Kleenex.

Completely agree - something is up with Toews and he's playing thru whatever it is.. broken hand, arm, fingers. Something.

You're right - he's never played like this his entire career... ever. Never looked this bad, on the dot etc. There's something wrong.
- CaptainBlackhawk

The face offs are the tell...something is up.

Then you wake up...and reach for the Kleenex.
- Ogilthorpe2

A man can hope my friend.. a man can hope my friend...

The face offs are the tell...something is up.
- dpard

Exactly - why I included the dot commentary. He's always been superior on the dot his entire career.

He's played that role this season with ok results...but one puck possession team is getting a BEATDOWN AT THE DOT by another bigger, nastier, puck possession team

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc
#Blackhawks lost 40 of 56 faceoffs vs. Bruins in Game 3—including 6 of 7 on both the power play and while short-handed.
- philco28

I know we're not a strong face off team, but this is bad even for us. Even if Toews has a good night on the dot the rest of the team is horrid. Maybe Sharp takes more draws on Wednesday.

Exactly - why I included the dot commentary. He's always been superior on the dot his entire career.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Need more effort from the wingers to get to the puck off the draw...

Anyone want to see Mayers..and or Carcillo ?

I know we're not a strong face off team, but this is bad even for us. Even if Toews has a good night on the dot the rest of the team is horrid. Maybe Sharp takes more draws on Wednesday.
- DarthKane

Good idea...if that ratio remains that lopsided....our chances are seriously hindered.

Anyone want to see Mayers..and or Carcillo ?
- philco28

I wouldn't hope for that after watching Thornton stapled to the bench during the 3 OT's of game 1.

I know we're not a strong face off team, but this is bad even for us. Even if Toews has a good night on the dot the rest of the team is horrid. Maybe Sharp takes more draws on Wednesday.
- DarthKane

It's a joke he doesn't, because he's really pretty good on the dot. Our team is so foolish and arrogant it's annoying and they'll enjoy watching Boston skate the cup around the ice in another couple games.

For the players that this is indeed their biggest series - they've shown up: Shaw, Bickell, Crawford, Kruger, Frolik. For the likes of Toews, Kane, and Sharp they've all been here before, and they're nt playing with the same hunger as the guys I first mentioned.
- DarthKane

Bickell has come nowhere near showing up this series

before its all said and done, Johnny Toews will man up and lead this team.

If they score the first goal and play a complete game, the Bruins don't have the manpower to keep up.

Bickell has come nowhere near showing up this series
- rollpards19

Waiting for the "Well he hit post tonight!" commentary... Five.. Four... Three....Two... One....

I think he's hurt.There is something there,anyway. The guys a warrior,and I don't subscribe to the BS on the Canucks board about him showing his "True Colors" this spring (low production,visable frustrated,etc).
- Jeropotato

I agree definitely hurt. Really bad timing. But the hawks have been pretty lucky healthwise through this Cup run and definitely 2010. This really hits home the need to get a 2nd line center this summer. It has been a need for 5 years. But never more so than this cup run. A somewhat physical 2nd line center who can also win draws

You have no fact or stats. Just play that card because you know nobody will dig up film to prove some raging @sshole on a blog wrong.

And IF the hawks lose and WHEN stalberg becomes the next Tim Connolly and is out of hockey in 2 years? My guess is you'll be hiding.

I did enjoy your comments about how the hawks mood in the locker room was horrible because stalberg was sat. That was classic.

Keep spinning Sally.....you're more entertaining then most politicians.
- SteveRain

The discussion about this one player is completely irrelevant to what's happening in the series to date.

Seriously, did you see any real difference between Stalberg's play tonight and Kanes? So why beat a dead horse over a 3rd/4th liner?

Bottom line is that the Bruins handed the Hawks 5 opportunities to score on the PP and they didn't even come close. Crawford played well enough to win most games. Keith played an outstanding game. Bolland didn't. Saad did next to nothing. Leddy tried real hard but ultimately his solo efforts produced nothing.

TEAMS win games, individuals don't.

I wouldn't hope for that after watching Thornton stapled to the bench during the 3 OT's of game 1.
- golfingsince

You really see how far their stock has fallen when Smith, a Rockford callup, gets the nod over two long time NHLers.

Anyone want to see Mayers..and or Carcillo ?
- philco28

No, and I don't want to see much of Handzus either.

Can you really call out Toews and Kane after taking their team to the Cup finals 3 years after they took it all. Boston just shut down Malkin and Crosby just like they shut down the twins 2 years ago. Boston just has a team built to shut down one dimensional offensive teams. Hossa is one of Chicago's best two-way forwards and his injury is as bad to Chicago as Chara would be to the Bruins

You really see how far their stock has fallen when Smith, a Rockford callup, gets the nod over two long time NHLers.
- philco28

Because Smith will be here next year and they won't be.

Need more effort from the wingers to get to the puck off the draw...
- CBHawks88

There is no better team in the league at turning an apparent face off win into a loss of possession.

You really see how far their stock has fallen when Smith, a Rockford callup, gets the nod over two long time NHLers.
- philco28

Why was Smith in Rockford all year? I thought he looked good in the playoffs a couple of seasons ago.

Well said Rudy....I'M NEVER GIVING UP THOUGH

- philco28

me niether but that was tough to watch reminds me of the Detroit series when they were getting in front of Howard. it sounds basic but if they get traffic and pucks to the net they can still beat these guys.

Can you really call out Toews and Kane after taking their team to the Cup finals 3 years after they took it all. Boston just shut down Malkin and Crosby just like they shut down the twins 2 years ago. Boston just has a team built to shut down one dimensional offensive teams. Hossa is one of Chicago's best two-way forwards and his injury is as bad to Chicago as Chara would be to the Bruins
- sudburyboy

How does this apply to the Hawks?

Because Smith will be here next year and they won't be.
- DarthKane

Good point. Smith's rust was obvious when he didn't get to the boards on Rozy's ring around and the puck ends up in our net seconds later.

Why was Smith in Rockford all year? I thought he looked good in the playoffs a couple of seasons ago.
- golfingsince

Guess others were preferred. I like the kid but am suspicious of his defensive awareness. He tends to turn pucks over a lot in the neutral zone, but then again...the whole phuck'n team's been doing for over 5 periods now.