No he hasn't. That guy and Shcwartz have been dangerous nearly every time they step on the ice.
- HawkintheD

Schwartz has done everything but score the last few games. Hope he keeps squeezing that stick.

Not true.



Zus has been great defensively the past two home games.


In games 1 and 2 he was directly responsible for goals against the Hawks.

His blocking shots on the PK has been magnificent the past 2 games.

I'm still pining for Morin in over B52. Morin can be as physical and has actual offensive upside.
- mrpaulish

Yeah, Morin has the offensive upside and does play a physical game. However, he's not going to be able to dole out the punishing hits like Bollig can.

I guess it comes down to this - Q isn't going to change a line-up that has won two games straight. So I would think that arguing for a line-up change is kind of futile at this point.

We are just happy if Zues does not eat Crow

And what has been proved with Zues that makes everyone's assessment wrong?

Did I miss something? Did the Hawks win the series last night?
- TrueGrit

I've stayed away from the endless hand-wringing and angst over Zeus. Here's my only comment on him: he's there because Q trusts him. If they lose the series, it won't be because Handzus was in the lineup vs. a 13th or 14th forward, whomever that is.

In the past several years the Hawks winning percentage has gone up as the series has moved along. They wear down the other team, either physically from chasing or mentally from the constant pressure of playing the Hawks. We'll see if it continues.

We are just happy if Zues does not eat Crow

And what has been proved with Zues that makes everyone's assessment wrong?

Did I miss something? Did the Hawks win the series last night?
- TrueGrit

He plays a role, and when confined to that role, he plays it well. That's what's been proven. What hasn't yet been proven is if that specialty role is valuable enough to justify him being in the lineup. Would a more versatile player like Regin be a better choice, we'll never know for sure, but if they keep putting themselves short 8-10 times a night, he'll earn his keep.

In the past several years the Hawks winning percentage has gone up as the series has moved along. They wear down the other team, either physically from chasing or mentally from the constant pressure of playing the Hawks. We'll see if it continues.
- mohel

I guess when you look at it the Hawks are sneaky physical for lack of a better term.

Hammer , Bollig, Bickell , Shaw , even Hossa last nite , play physical enough that it could ware opponents down.
Brookbank and Seabrook hit a bit too now don't they


Nice post Mo

I've stayed away from the endless hand-wringing and angst over Zeus. Here's my only comment on him: he's there because Q trusts him. If they lose the series, it won't be because Handzus was in the lineup vs. a 13th or 14th forward, whomever that is.
- MartiniMan

There it is again...thank you...pulling that pearl of wisdom out was much easier than I thought.

Did anyone notice the chances Ben Smith had late in the game, skating with the second line? How come Zues does not seem to get those chances? Oh Yeah, he is UNABLE to be in any position to score. But having a 2C who is able to chip in does not make any difference at all right?

This is like proving a negative. It is opportunity cost and nobody can quantify the unknown of what we really are missing. But, we do know it is not his fault. Gotcha...

I say you dress next game, since one guy does not effect the whole of the team.

Schwartz has done everything but score the last few games. Hope he keeps squeezing that stick.
- TrueGrit

Til it breaks!

Wiz,

Agreed. I will never forget when we saw him at 2009 Prospects Camp and the story about how Scotty tipped the hawks on him, as the Wings Swedish scouts were so high on him.

As he matures further physically, because he is NOT there yet, he will continue to become a better and better NHL player. Gigantic heart in what is still a boy's body. And some skill.

Agreed on Backes, his not playing in game 4 signals that they are being cautious. He was concussed.
- John Jaeckel

Did anyone catch the typical footage used in the pre-game of the teams arriving to the UC in suits and ties? Backes was leading the Blues in and honest to God looked like he was in a fog and out of sorts. Looked like he was drunk.

He plays a role, and when confined to that role, he plays it well. That's what's been proven. What hasn't yet been proven is if that specialty role is valuable enough to justify him being in the lineup. Would a more versatile player like Regin be a better choice, we'll never know for sure, but if they keep putting themselves short 8-10 times a night, he'll earn his keep.
- Ogilthorpe2

Well said, it is that unknown of opportunity cost, that I posted above that is the huge wild card. Along with the effect he has on his linemates and their production, or lack of.

In the past several years the Hawks winning percentage has gone up as the series has moved along. They wear down the other team, either physically from chasing or mentally from the constant pressure of playing the Hawks. We'll see if it continues.
- mohel

I think it has to do with how intense one has to play to beat the Hawks. You either have to chase/chase/forecheck the Hawks into oblivion and if the Hawks move the puck fast enough that leaves you hanging with your tongue dragging. On top of that one slight variation in positioning could see the Hawks scoring a goal (see Kane OT winner). The slightest of mistakes against the Hawks are typically more costly than against almost any other team.

Thus mentally you get worn down by gunning for the Hawks. I have a good feeling about Game 5.

There it is again...thank you...pulling that pearl of wisdom out was much easier than I thought.

Did anyone notice the chances Ben Smith had late in the game, skating with the second line? How come Zues does not seem to get those chances? Oh Yeah, he is UNABLE to be in any position to score. But having a 2C who is able to chip in does not make any difference at all right?

This is like proving a negative. It is opportunity cost and nobody can quantify the unknown of what we really are missing. But, we do know it is not his fault. Gotcha...

I say you dress next game, since one guy does not effect the whole of the team.


- TrueGrit

Ben smith was fantastic.


Is he capable of being a full time 2C next season ?

I think it has to do with how intense one has to play to beat the Hawks. You either have to chase/chase/forecheck the Hawks into oblivion and if the Hawks move the puck fast enough that leaves you hanging with your tongue dragging. On top of that one slight variation in positioning could see the Hawks scoring a goal (see Kane OT winner). The slightest of mistakes against the Hawks are typically more costly than against almost any other team.

Thus mentally you get worn down by gunning for the Hawks. I have a good feeling about Game 5.
- kwolf68

Me too Wolfe.


Feeling a game 5 victory and game 6 hawks blow out !

Did anyone catch the typical footage used in the pre-game of the teams arriving to the UC in suits and ties? Backes was leading the Blues in and honest to God looked like he was in a fog and out of sorts. Looked like he was drunk.
- PhatJoeSki

That could have been staged a little too don't you think.

There it is again...thank you...pulling that pearl of wisdom out was much easier than I thought.

Did anyone notice the chances Ben Smith had late in the game, skating with the second line? How come Zues does not seem to get those chances? Oh Yeah, he is UNABLE to be in any position to score. But having a 2C who is able to chip in does not make any difference at all right?

This is like proving a negative. It is opportunity cost and nobody can quantify the unknown of what we really are missing. But, we do know it is not his fault. Gotcha...

I say you dress next game, since one guy does not effect the whole of the team.


- TrueGrit

Several have commented on that earlier and I think most people on this board have no problem giving him longer looks at 2c.

Said earlier, don't care if you pair him with 10 and 81 or 88 and 20/29. Smith was very Toewsian along the boards last night.

Ben smith was fantastic.


Is he capable of being a full time 2C next season ?
- mrpaulish

Ben Smith can play anywhere in your line up and he is a winner flat out. He could do what Shaw does on the PP, he can kill penalties. Physically, you would like a bigger center, but to me if he played with Sharp and Kane, would be dynamite. Replace him with Nordstrom or Morin on 4th and move on....

Ben smith was fantastic.


Is he capable of being a full time 2C next season ?
- mrpaulish

I don't know MrP but I think he should be in a mix of guys (28, 65, 86, 16) they look at there if they don't deal for one.

Several have commented on that earlier and I think most people on this board have no problem giving him longer looks at 2c.

Said earlier, don't care if you pair him with 10 and 81 or 88 and 20/29. Smith was very Toewsian along the boards last night.
- HawkintheD

Well said, nice adjective. I heard you were a bit Toewsian around the donut plate this morning....

Well said, it is that unknown of opportunity cost, that I posted above that is the huge wild card. Along with the effect he has on his linemates and their production, or lack of.
- TrueGrit

I agree he should be no where near the 2nd line. Hopefully Smitty there when it mattered most signals a permanent change in that regard.

Well said, nice adjective. I heard you were a bit Toewsian around the donut plate this morning....
- TrueGrit

Wouldn't that be Hitchcockian?

I guess when you look at it the Hawks are sneaky physical for lack of a better term.

Hammer , Bollig, Bickell , Shaw , even Hossa last nite , play physical enough that it could ware opponents down.
Brookbank and Seabrook hit a bit too now don't they


Nice post Mo
- mrpaulish

Last year when the Blues played the Kings the 'experts' marvelled at how physical the series was and the physical punishment that both teams laid on each other. Their fat ass coach calls it 'heavy hockey'

Well, I think the Blues are actually quite surprised by the punishment they are receiving from the Hawks - Backes, Sobotka, Bouwmeester, Jackman and a few others. One thing for sure is the Hawks aren't shrinking violets.

He plays a role, and when confined to that role, he plays it well. That's what's been proven. What hasn't yet been proven is if that specialty role is valuable enough to justify him being in the lineup. Would a more versatile player like Regin be a better choice, we'll never know for sure, but if they keep putting themselves short 8-10 times a night, he'll earn his keep.
- Ogilthorpe2

I can't argue with you about what Handzus has done over the past few games.

However, if the Hawks make it to the second round and face Colorado, would it make more sense to replace Handzus in the line-up with Regin? Would Handzus be effective against a speedier Colorado team?

Wouldn't that be Hitchcockian?
- HawkintheD

Money...now that is the playoff HawkintheD we have been waiting for.!!!

Did anyone catch the typical footage used in the pre-game of the teams arriving to the UC in suits and ties? Backes was leading the Blues in and honest to God looked like he was in a fog and out of sorts. Looked like he was drunk.
- PhatJoeSki

Damn. I didn't see that. anyone got the clip ?

There it is again...thank you...pulling that pearl of wisdom out was much easier than I thought.

Did anyone notice the chances Ben Smith had late in the game, skating with the second line? How come Zues does not seem to get those chances? Oh Yeah, he is UNABLE to be in any position to score. But having a 2C who is able to chip in does not make any difference at all right?

This is like proving a negative. It is opportunity cost and nobody can quantify the unknown of what we really are missing. But, we do know it is not his fault. Gotcha...

I say you dress next game, since one guy does not effect the whole of the team.


- TrueGrit

I never said 2nd line center, I said he's in the lineup because Q trusts him. That's all. Didn't even say I agreed with it.

If you want to (frank) up the PK rotation (which has been stellar), which apparently you do, by scratching Zus, I'm glad you're not the coach. I'm done commenting on this.