I never thought of Zeus as a 2nd line center but Q has...

Circus trip ends with impressive 5-2 win. Hawks are set up for a great December. On The Blackhawks: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eDT6X6
- Al

Q likes big guys and he likes gritty players. Zus holds his own. Pirri is not so gritty. But Pirri did look good with the reduced time.

You probably should not forget San Jose and Anaheim in the mix. Sj won 3 games in 4 nights against blues, anaheim and kings. A better team with Burns in the lineup. But the Hawks matchup well against them. Anaheim is hanging in there with tons of injuries.

The Hawks are starting to win their closer games now, and probably will prevail against the Blues in a close game - as both Blues wins were 3rd period comebacks if i recall correctly. the hawks team is slowly evolving into a resemblance of last years team which won a majority of their tight games. Slow start this season due to cup hangover and new player assimilation.

Don't discount the Avs, we lost to them without Duchene in the lineup. That team has a very good team defense and their speed may cause some issues.

A 1.3 S% just isn't cutting it.
- Beaver-Warrior

My guess is it's going to help him more than Pirri's 20%...

Circus trip ends with impressive 5-2 win. Hawks are set up for a great December. On The Blackhawks: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eDT6X6

You probably should not forget San Jose and Anaheim in the mix. Sj won 3 games in 4 nights against blues, anaheim and kings. A better team with Burns in the lineup. But the Hawks matchup well against them. Anaheim is hanging in there with tons of injuries.

The Hawks are starting to win their closer games now, and probably will prevail against the Blues in a close game - as both Blues wins were 3rd period comebacks if i recall correctly. the hawks team is slowly evolving into a resemblance of last years team which won a majority of their tight games. Slow start this season due to cup hangover and new player assimilation.

Don't discount the Avs, we lost to them without Duchene in the lineup. That team has a very good team defense and their speed may cause some issues.
- Topshelf2010

I think both SJ and Anaheim are great teams, just not quite on the overall level of the Hawks or Blues. SJ didnt have Burns in their game VS the Hawks, but we also didnt have Hossa. We do matchup well against them, have kinda had their number the past few years and i jus dont think they have enough defensively to beat the Hawks in a 7 game series. Same with the Ducks for that matter, yet Anaheims bigger issue is the lack of a true 2nd line IMO. Too much of a drop off after the Getzlaf line, although they have a deep pool of 3rd/4th line caliber players.

I agree and either will Rozsival...

They could bring Pirri back and forth or let Mills sit in the press box most night.

I thought Pirri had a good chance of staying when Q put him on the 3rd line but his minutes are fewer and fewer.

Circus trip ends with impressive 5-2 win. Hawks are set up for a great December. On The Blackhawks: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eDT6X6
- Al

At what point do we start calling the Kruger line the third line? Realistically, that's what it is these days.

You probably should not forget San Jose and Anaheim in the mix. Sj won 3 games in 4 nights against blues, anaheim and kings. A better team with Burns in the lineup. But the Hawks matchup well against them. Anaheim is hanging in there with tons of injuries.

The Hawks are starting to win their closer games now, and probably will prevail against the Blues in a close game - as both Blues wins were 3rd period comebacks if i recall correctly. the hawks team is slowly evolving into a resemblance of last years team which won a majority of their tight games. Slow start this season due to cup hangover and new player assimilation.

Don't discount the Avs, we lost to them without Duchene in the lineup. That team has a very good team defense and their speed may cause some issues.
- Topshelf2010

They need to worry about the Hawks. (frank) them all.

I think both SJ and Anaheim are great teams, just not quite on the overall level of the Hawks or Blues. SJ didnt have Burns in their game VS the Hawks, but we also didnt have Hossa. We do matchup well against them, have kinda had their number the past few years and i jus dont think they have enough defensively to beat the Hawks in a 7 game series. Same with the Ducks for that matter, yet Anaheims bigger issue is the lack of a true 2nd line IMO. Too much of a drop off after the Getzlaf line, although they have a deep pool of 3rd/4th line caliber players.
- SimpleJack

Anaheim gave us some trouble last year - not sure how well we matchup against them.
But the worries about these teams if we face them in a series, what kind of condition will the team be in after a 7 game series. And San Jose has Torres.
The concern will be if the opponent has a game plan of mini cheap shots throughout the game, but i guess that is playoff hockey. But i thought Detroit took it to the limit last year.

Truly, we probably should not overlook any team when we get to the playoffs. The majority thought we had a easy first round opponent in Phoenix in the 2011-2 season - we all know how that fared.

My guess is it's going to help him more than Pirri's 20%...

Circus trip ends with impressive 5-2 win. Hawks are set up for a great December. On The Blackhawks: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eDT6X6
- Al

Apples and oranges Al. Pirri is a single dimensional wantabe #2 center and Keith is well, Keith. 1.3 S% just isn't going to cut it when the folks start talking about the Norris.

They need to worry about the Hawks. (frank) them all.
- Elbows15

Thats what i say.

Anaheim gave us some trouble last year - not sure how well we matchup against them.
But the worries about these teams if we face them in a series, what kind of condition will the team be in after a 7 game series. And San Jose has Torres.
The concern will be if the opponent has a game plan of mini cheap shots throughout the game, but i guess that is playoff hockey. But i thought Detroit took it to the limit last year.

Truly, we probably should not overlook any team when we get to the playoffs. The majority thought we had a easy first round opponent in Phoenix in the 2011-2 season - we all know how that fared.
- Topshelf2010

LA was supposed to beat them up last year - didn't happen - had plenty left for Boston.

Could never get past Boston - too big, too tough - took six games.

They could theoretical lose in any round, depending on the opposition - but it won't be because of intimidation, or getting hit out of the building. They proved that last year.

The last paragraph I agree with 110% (I learned math from Derek Rose's teacher).

They need to worry about the Hawks. (frank) them all.
- Elbows15

Whomever you want to talk about in the West that is going to beat this team, they're going to have to rip the Hawks' hearts out in order to do it.

And the other contenders in the West know it.

Trestman's decision making is dreadful, and it may get him fired quickly...

...but I'll give him this much.

The games are interesting.
- ArlingtonRob

WTF is the dif between Trestman & Lovie? I haven't seen any. Same dumb ass decisions. Defers with a bad D. Goes for on on 4th when it makes no sense, and punts when keeping possession is critical. Keeps the Cover 2. Phuck Trestman.

WTF is the dif between Trestman & Lovie? I haven't seen any. Same dumb ass decisions. Defers with a bad D. Goes for on on 4th when it makes no sense, and punts when keeping possession is critical. Keeps the Cover 2. Phuck Trestman.
- Q...argh

How do you feel about Thibs? Robin? Can't really have an opinion of Renteria yet, I would guess.

Just askin'.

Apples and oranges Al. Pirri is a single dimensional wantabe #2 center and Keith is well, Keith. 1.3 S% just isn't going to cut it when the folks start talking about the Norris.
- Beaver-Warrior

23 assists so far shouldn't go unnoticed.

But the Norris has eveolved into an Eastern Conference popularity contest not an award for the best defenceman - as evidenced by last year's winner, who may or may not even be picked for Team Cnada.

They need to worry about the Hawks. (frank) them all.
- Elbows15

(frank)ing right they do.

At what point do we start calling the Kruger line the third line? Realistically, that's what it is these days.
- NewToHockey

The way it is going they could get nearly the same TOI.

Such a big edge to have a 4th line that can play meaningful minutes.

Circus trip ends with impressive 5-2 win. Hawks are set up for a great December. On The Blackhawks: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eDT6X6

Whomever you want to talk about in the West that is going to beat this team, they're going to have to rip the Hawks' hearts out in order to do it.

And the other contenders in the West know it.
- MartiniMan

They may well lose MM, but it isn't going to be easy to beat this bunch in a 7 game series. They are experienced, confident and talented.

Apples and oranges Al. Pirri is a single dimensional wantabe #2 center and Keith is well, Keith. 1.3 S% just isn't going to cut it when the folks start talking about the Norris.
- Beaver-Warrior

Singing to the choir on that one...

I wrote about the fact it took Keith 51 shots to score.

His shooting % when he won the Norris was 6.6% and that is a far cry from 1.3%.

Circus trip ends with impressive 5-2 win. Hawks are set up for a great December. On The Blackhawks: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eDT6X6

How do you feel about Thibs? Robin? Can't really have an opinion of Renteria yet, I would guess.

Just askin'.
- StLBravesFan

Wanna bet?

23 assists so far shouldn't go unnoticed.

But the Norris has eveolved into an Eastern Conference popularity contest not an award for the best defenceman - as evidenced by last year's winner, who may or may not even be picked for Team Cnada.
- RickJ

True statement.

The way it is going they could get nearly the same TOI.

Such a big edge to have a 4th line that can play meaningful minutes.Circus trip ends with impressive 5-2 win. Hawks are set up for a great December. On The Blackhawks: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eDT6X6
- Al

And key goals too - Kruger vs Vancouver, Smith in the SO vs Dallas, Bollig last night.

Q even has them out in the last 3 minutes of a tight game.

Al , I may be beating a dead horse here but I still am not ruling out a trade for another high end center. don't know where it would come from or if the dollars shake out. Shawn Matthias ? or is he another fricken Bickell who shows up when he wants. not too many teams out of the hunt yet to even speculate who could become available.
JJ, I agree with your blog, as much as I am a fan and yes we have the crown but as in every championship series, the team that wins usually has some help along the way by process of elimination. I'm with you, no champagne yet, beat St Louis, Anahiem, LA, SJ, & even the lanche with regularity this year & I'll listen. on paper we're stacked, but a nasty #2 big center LIKE David Backus would help immensely.

Apples and oranges Al. Pirri is a single dimensional wantabe #2 center and Keith is well, Keith. 1.3 S% just isn't going to cut it when the folks start talking about the Norris.
- Beaver-Warrior

As long as he leads all D-men in points Beav, he has a shot. He is also among the league leaders in assist.

Al , I may be beating a dead horse here but I still am not ruling out a trade for another high end center. don't know where it would come from or if the dollars shake out. Shawn Matthias ? or is he another fricken Bickell who shows up when he wants. not too many teams out of the hunt yet to even speculate who could become available.
JJ, I agree with your blog, as much as I am a fan and yes we have the crown but as in every championship series, the team that wins usually has some help along the way by process of elimination. I'm with you, no champagne yet, beat St Louis, Anahiem, LA, SJ, & even the lanche with regularity this year & I'll listen. on paper we're stacked, but a nasty #2 big center LIKE David Backus would help immensely.
- wonthecup10

Dude. seriously. Shawn Mathias blows ass chunks.

And key goals too - Kruger vs Vancouver, Smith in the SO vs Dallas, Bollig last night.

Q even has them out in the last 3 minutes of a tight game.
- RickJ

A lot in the last 5 mins and he puts that line out 2nd in the batting order in the 1st period.

Circus trip ends with impressive 5-2 win. Hawks are set up for a great December. On The Blackhawks: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eDT6X6