Play him TONIGHT

- philco28

My goalie is locked for the week. Maybe next week.

There is a mental aspect of fatigue as well, which is something not typically working to a younger player's advantage They need to be careful not to set him up to fail.
- Return of the Roar

I think the mental fatigue thing gets to a lot of young players; this year I think it has affected Pirri and Morin (maybe Nordstrom, too).

Yeah, it's pretty ironic that so many are so up-in-arms about C2's groin when some were saying you could put a monkey in net with this team D and still win more often than not.

Ultimately, I think there will be a re-dedication and re-focusing of the team on their defensive assignments and we will see a bit less goal production and much tighter defensive posture from not just the D but forwards in particular. Will likely also be a focus on not taking any penalties that would add much more pressure on the team and Raanta.
- savvyone-1

I agree on all this, although we did take about 40 penalties after Crow was injured on Sunday.

Yeah, it's pretty ironic that so many are so up-in-arms about C2's groin when some were saying you could put a monkey in net with this team D and still win more often than not.

Ultimately, I think there will be a re-dedication and re-focusing of the team on their defensive assignments and we will see a bit less goal production and much tighter defensive posture from not just the D but forwards in particular. Will likely also be a focus on not taking any penalties that would add much more pressure on the team and Raanta.
- savvyone-1

>Re-dedication and re-focus for sure
>And as you say -- stay out of the box
>If Raanta can avoid softies, puck-mishandling, and be solid on the PK -- Hawks will be fine -- but it is a lot of ifs
>Bowman model does not build around the goalie, but rather the team style of play -- this is not a knock on CC -- at all -- a Cup-winning goalie is always good in my book

Kostka in as the sixth D-man tonight.

We've been told this by many on this board for the past several years - "anybody can win with that team in front of them", that sort of thing. So, we shouldn't be at all nervous about Crow being hurt, right?
- mohel

What I remember some (including me) say was any coach could win with this group. I do not recall that talk about a goalie. I may be wrong though.

Kostka in as the sixth D-man tonight.
- mohel

Nice...it's good to have him back. I have a feeling that Kostka has a good shot to return next season if he performs well.

- Beaver-Warrior

Between that ^, and this one:



The Bears had me pretty happy last night.

Instead of Khabby or Huet can we just lay a stick across the goal line?
- waitforawhistle

Ahh...Khabby and Huet.

I agree on all this, although we did take about 40 penalties after Crow was injured on Sunday.
- mohel

Oh, that was just to help Antti get warmed up properly, nothing more.

We've been told this by many on this board for the past several years - "anybody can win with that team in front of them", that sort of thing. So, we shouldn't be at all nervous about Crow being hurt, right?
- mohel

As resident optimist, they are going to get on a roll with Raanta I think. Simpson might suck too bad to really be an NHL goalie, but Raanta has shown he's capable of making the saves. Feel very confident the Hawks continue to hum along at the best pace in the league just like they have been

As resident optimist, they are going to get on a roll with Raanta I think. Simpson might suck too bad to really be an NHL goalie, but Raanta has shown he's capable of making the saves. Feel very confident the Hawks continue to hum along at the best pace in the league just like they have been
- rollpards19

If Raanta can hold the opposition to two or three goals per game, the Hawks have a good chance of nicely surviving the Crawford injury.

He's allowed 2 goals in each of his four games: keep that up, please.

I don't believe they ever gave a time on Bickell.
- mohel

They did say 2 to 3 weeks...

They did say 2 to 3 weeks...
- TrueGrit

You are correct, sir!

Instead of Khabby or Huet can we just lay a stick across the goal line?
- waitforawhistle

Let's use the empty hot dog wrappers that swirl around the Cell and somehow managed to infiltrate the uniforms of the Bears defense

Between that ^, and this one:



The Bears had me pretty happy last night.
- prd797

Great to see them do it on Ditka night and on National T.V....where they're 4-0 in Prime Time this season.

Great to see them do it on Ditka night and on National T.V....where they're 4-0 in Prime Time this season.

- philco28

And it could not happen last night against a better team. I can't stand Jerry Jones and the Cowpokes can go f$&k themselves.

Great to see them do it on Ditka night and on National T.V....where they're 4-0 in Prime Time this season.

- philco28

Yeah the win was good, BUT the Bears did not punt and controlled the football for almost 37 minutes, which remains the only way the D has a chance to stop anybody. This historically bad defense dampens my party mood a wee bit.

Kostka in as the sixth D-man tonight.
- mohel

Paired with Leddy, and Roszy sits, I would guess?

Paired with Leddy, and Roszy sits, I would guess?
- Tugboat

I believe so.

Yeah the win was good, BUT the Bears did not punt and controlled the football for almost 37 minutes, which remains the only way the D has a chance to stop anybody. This historically bad defense dampens my party mood a wee bit.
- Tugboat

Hello Tug. I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday; it is good to win, but I still think they can lose to ANY team because of their defense. It especially sucks to see them give it up like that against the run.

Great to see them do it on Ditka night and on National T.V....where they're 4-0 in Prime Time this season.

- philco28

one more chance on National TV..their week 16 game vs the Eagles has been flexed to Sunday night football on NBC..

Let see some blood tonight

one more chance on National TV..their week 16 game vs the Eagles has been flexed to Sunday night football on NBC..
- Glenman12

Aren't they playing the Browns next Monday too?

Let see some blood tonight
- BlazinMike

PMS getting you down? I kid I kid.