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.
- RickJ

Not. Shrinking. Violets.

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

Oh yeah, definitely could have been hamming it up for the camera. Was commenting more that it was funny than it was a sign he is still in distress.

Does anybody else notice that the longer series go, the better Kane gets? Its like once the teams wear each other down for the first 4 dogfight games or so, then Kane seems to have more room to operate or something. I dont know, i wouldnt be surprised to see him just keep scoring though, especially with how much the Hawks and Blues are beating no each other.

Ogi wants mea culpas from all of you clowns who have ever referred to #17 as "Brookstank".
- Ogilthorpe2

I called him "Sheldon Orr" after hearing about the Seabrook suspension. I believe my exact words were, "hopefully Sheldon Orr can lead us to victory". It wasnt in red font either so it wasnt sarcastic

Does anybody else notice that the longer series go, the better Kane gets? Its like once the teams wear each other down for the first 4 dogfight games or so, then Kane seems to have more room to operate or something. I dont know, i wouldnt be surprised to see him just keep scoring though, especially with how much the Hawks and Blues are beating no each other.
- BlazinMike

Not only that but he was hurt and missed time , looks like he found his legs and that's "Ut oh" for everyone else.

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.
- MartiniMan

Wtf do you think you're doing!?! Everyone was plying nice in the sandbox kind of getting along; why'd you have to open this can of worms?

TG! MM was not in his right mind. Could you give him another chance before going all Shock and Awe with the Zus posts?

edit - and Q posts

Ogi wonders why no one is talking about Zeus today. Interesting...winning changes things
- Ogilthorpe2

The fact that Q relegated him to fourth line duty late and played 28 on the second might have mitigated the uprising...

The fact that Q relegated him to fourth line duty late and played 28 on the second might have mitigated the uprising...


- FredoXV

Truth

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.
- MartiniMan

Just don't bother responding to him on the subject of Zus. Rather than watch the games and take note of the good (and bad) things #26 does, he prefers to spout off hoping for an audience. I don't bother reading or listening - I prefer hockey talk at a higher than kindergarten level. Ignoring him might be educational and prompt some change in his dialogue.

I'm really waiting on Hossa. If he can get going, look out.
- PuckAndSticks

#81 has been just fine. Getting shots, playing his 2 way game, puck possession....just not getting rewarded.

Wtf do you think you're doing!?! Everyone was plying nice in the sandbox kind of getting along; why'd you have to open this can of worms?

TG! MM was not in his right mind. Could you give him another chance before going all Shock and Awe with the Zus posts?

edit - and Q posts
- HawkintheD

Why shouldn't he "open that can of worms?" The man has a right too, doesn't he?

You don't think the playing time, weather at W or D, helped to keep him in game shape? I believe there was method to the madness of him playing wing some nights. You almost always need more than 6D in the playoffs. I credit Stan for finding a near perfect fit for his 7th D-man, and Q for keeping him ready to play both mentally and physically.
- Ogilthorpe2

I'm sure that helped and will agree if you agree that him playing on the wing was maddening at times.

Edit:maybe a better solution was sitting seabs instead.

Does anybody else notice that the longer series go, the better Kane gets? Its like once the teams wear each other down for the first 4 dogfight games or so, then Kane seems to have more room to operate or something. I dont know, i wouldnt be surprised to see him just keep scoring though, especially with how much the Hawks and Blues are beating no each other.
- BlazinMike

He and #91 in blue are mighty dangerous every time they have the puck. Deceptively deadly and accurate sniping.

Why shouldn't he "open that can of worms?" The man has a right too, doesn't he?
- EKolb13

I plead temporary insanity. Probably too late to put the genie back in the bottle.

*thows molotov cocktail through a window; speeds away in the opposite direction.*

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

No reason to play in Game 4 for Backes...Blues were up in the series and he shouldn't try to rush back.

Players almost always don't fly when concussed and he did...But he still took a pounding and was knocked out for awhile it appeared. But I hear the injury was more hitting his head in the back and a whiplash like action.

Many players are nursing in juries already....I hear Keith hurt his shoulder and it could be separated on the Ott hit in Game 3.

Last night he played fine but wasn't nearly as physical as he has been...Looks like he could be hurting to me.

Obviously this series has and will continue to take a big toll on both teams.

Kane wins Game 4 in OT 4-3 Kane/Toews back in form-Q pushes right buttons-Turnovers/mistakes +Injuries??:Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1iin1na

For all the praise Kane is getting for his huge OT goal this morning, he owed us that one for that bone-headed play near the end of the 2nd period that completely turned the game around in favor of St. Louis.

I liked Saad last night. You could see the extra effort in his attempts to drive to the net more. I have a feeling he will catch one of their D flat-footed and pot one soon.

Why shouldn't he "open that can of worms?" The man has a right too, doesn't he?
- EKolb13

I suppose Eli. I'm just not a very strong reader and my eyes are getting weak (old). My head still hurts from yesterdays posts.

I plead temporary insanity. Probably too late to put the genie back in the bottle. Feel like I threw a molotov cocktail through a window; speeding away in the opposite direction....
- MartiniMan

Wtf do you think you're doing!?! Everyone was plying nice in the sandbox kind of getting along; why'd you have to open this can of worms?

TG! MM was not in his right mind. Could you give him another chance before going all Shock and Awe with the Zus posts?

edit - and Q posts
- HawkintheD

I apologize to MM and you and everyone. My bad mood stems from your Hitchcockian move with the donuts. You kept calling me Pirri and not letting me near the plate until it was empty...

Maybe Hitch can fool you, JJ, with his "Backes could be skating at another rink right now, comments, but I think they demolished the rink in La-La land.

Even if Capt. "courageous" attempts a return to lift his team, he is dumber than the stray dogs he and his wife fill collect as air fresheners.

He has very little self control when he is hit, and his style also dictates contact and more collisions. It won't take long to see him involved and re-scrambled.

If macho does dictate an unwise early return, they may be playing one short after a period if he goes looping.
Besides the league rules, I ma pretty sure the Blues have doctors who will hold him from a possible too early return for fear he does just that.

We mentioned some guys but we all overloked Kruger who has been lights out on effort, and will.

I guess some of you are watching a diffferent Versteeg than I am...juts don't see any concern or reason to play a rookie in his stead, because he understands movement, and flow, and is pretty tough.

This is by far the best series, the one with constant ebb & flow, and one where the defenders are lights out high level NHL defenders, even after the hiys they are all taking. Those PP are not failures because of poor attempts as much as solid defensemen (and killers).

This too me is like a final series, and both teams deserve accolades for diiging in....
- wiz1901

My heart has been ripped out and transplanted about a dozen times already.

Pitt/Cbus emtertaining: each team that had a 2 goal lead ended up losing in all 4 gmes. Also Ducks/Stars having its share of peaks and valleys.

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.
- MartiniMan

I'm glad you commented on it. Quenneville should have earned our trust by now, but I guess some feel they know more.

An interesting stat I saw somewhere yesterday (don't know how official it is..) but apparently the 'Hawks were 0-5 on the year when Wes McCauley ref'd their games...

Lots of missed calls on the Blues last night (at least from my bias perspective). Glad to see that the 'Hawks won, but might not exactly be a coincidence ...

I suppose Eli. I'm just not a very strong reader and my eyes are getting weak (old). My head still hurts from yesterdays posts.
- HawkintheD

I guess we all have our posters we don't like. I either ignore them and scroll on by, or I make it a point to lambaste them every chance I get. Sometimes I do a little of both.

An interesting stat I saw somewhere yesterday (don't know how official it is..) but apparently the 'Hawks were 0-5 on the year when Wes McCauley ref'd their games...

Lots of missed calls on the Blues last night (at least from my bias perspective). Glad to see that the 'Hawks won, but might not exactly be a coincidence ...
- TommyHawk

You're starting to encroach into powerenforcer territory.

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

Yeah that's true. Being tied 2-2 is very common with this core then they usually take games 5 and 6. I'm just a little worried that they usually have home ice for that. Winning that game 5 is huge and they are on the road friday