Almost every team has weaker links. The Hawks are one of if not the deepest team in the league.
- TheTrob

Thanks, exactly my point.

While Bollig had what 7 hits he also had one horrid turnover. Would rather see Morin out there. As mentioned Q will keep him in there, so he needs to start getting to Stoner.

Hawks looked sloppy for sure at times last night as they always seem to start a series slow.

Concerned about Shaw - although Q said he's (day to day) in the post presser. Shaw's the only guy on this team that will go to the net. Although playoff Bickell is really rounding into form (4 goals already).

Wonder if Steeger is still in the doghouse or if it was something else last night?

Craw to the rescue again with another 17 shot second period for the opposition.
- DK002

Crow has shown himself to be a premier PO goaltender. MAF will once again send the Pens home before the big show.

My point is if Bollig is the Hawks weakest link it isn't too bad when the Wild have weaker links
- paulr

My point is we have stronger links than Bollig (Morin, Nordstrom etc.) which would put even more distance between us and the Wild. Bollig is only in there because he can retaliate physically.

Never as good as you are on your best night, and never as bad as you are on your worst night.

Bollig taking more heat than he deserves. It was one turnover, plus he scored a goal.

Never as good as you are on your best night, and never as bad as you are on your worst night.

Bollig taking more heat than he deserves. It was one turnover, plus he scored a goal.
- Ogilthorpe2

He sure did. Too bad it was disallowed

My point is we have stronger links than Bollig (Morin, Nordstrom etc.) which would put even more distance between us and the Wild. Bollig is only in there because he can retaliate physically.
- Canardhawk

Agreed about Bollig but if the coaching staff feel they would be better served using someone else don't you think they would use that player?

>>>Were it not for Crawford and Kane's heroics, the outcome of this one would have been different. Minnesota outshot the Hawks 32-22 and took over the game for long stretches. The Hawks will need to be better because it is doubtful Crawford (or, in fairness, any goalie) will be this good night after night throughout a series.<<<

He was spectactular. Square, strong, locked in, challenging every shot.

but the Wild came to play two days after G7 in Denver. Despite their goalie woes they played a very good and structured defensive game just as we saw during the Aves series. They skate well and have very good team speed.

And what is it with almost scoring 2x on stretch passes on the PK...that suggest they have seen something about the way the Hwks line change on the pp or was that just Seabs falling asleep.

Outshot 32-22 also outshot by 10 on 5 on 5. And the wild missed the net on many chances. Don't know the overall possession stats but I suspect the hwks got throttled on those.

Hwk pk + pp +C2 + Kane = a narrow win.

Today's article...

Hawks beat the Wild 5-2 despite sloppy effort-Kane leads the charge: On The Blackhawks :Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1q0FnTL
On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Never as good as you are on your best night, and never as bad as you are on your worst night.

Bollig taking more heat than he deserves. It was one turnover, plus he scored a goal.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yes he did....that "intention to blow the whistle" rule needs to go. Yeah its tough for the ref to see the puck during those crease scrums with bodys crashing in like a football fumble...but that gives way to much subjective leeway to the zebras and their calls.

Agreed about Bollig but if the coaching staff feel they would be better served using someone else don't you think they would use that player?
- paulr

I agree, they don't have another guy with his physicality. Until we get someone who is physical and can offer other hockey skills Bollig will drive me crazy.

Yes he did....that "intention to blow the whistle" rule needs to go. Yeah its tough for the ref to see the puck during those crease scrums with bodys crashing in like a football fumble...but that gives way to much subjective leeway to the zebras and their calls.
- bogiedoc

Bad calls tend to even themselves out over time. I guarantee the Hawks will be the recipient of one of those 'intent to blow the whistle calls' and we'll be happy the call went the Hawks way.

I agree, they don't have another guy with his physicality. Until we get someone who is physical and can offer other hockey skills Bollig will drive me crazy.
- Canardhawk

I hope we get that player too but we have to live with what we have

Agreed about Bollig but if the coaching staff feel they would be better served using someone else don't you think they would use that player?
- paulr

Stirring the pot awful early on a Saturday.

It is certainly tantalizing to consider what if the hwks started bombarding Bryz with 30 plus shots a game....his playoff record is awful. Not all those goals on him but they need to get after him.

When he came in G7...i thought the Wild are in trouble...but Aves got 1 shot on goal in 13 minutes in that game. Are the Wild that good at protecting the house??

Suter with only 25 TOI....did he get benched???

Suter with only 25 TOI....did he get benched???
- bogiedoc

Lol.



He started slow with8 minutes in the1st

I am so confused as to why there was not a boarding call call on Stoner. Left his feet, lunged toward the head of Shaw, classic example of the types of hits the league is trying to do away with. All I have to say is Stoner and the Wild are lucky they have Cooke on the team so the league has someone else to focus on.

I am so confused as to why there was not a boarding call call on Stoner. Left his feet, lunged toward the head of Shaw, classic example of the types of hits the league is trying to do away with. All I have to say is Stoner and the Wild are lucky they have Cooke on the team so the league has someone else to focus on.
- powerenforcer

It was text book Charging.


Didn't like the Koviu hit on Kruger . Maybe it looked worse on TV than it really was.

Stirring the pot awful early on a Saturday.
- HawkintheD

Me! Stir the pot??? Never!!!

It was text book Charging.


Didn't like the Koviu hit on Kruger . Maybe it looked worse on TV than it really was.
- mrpaulish

Maybe a little apathy for them since they already have 1 player out on suspension?

I am so confused as to why there was not a boarding call call on Stoner. Left his feet, lunged toward the head of Shaw, classic example of the types of hits the league is trying to do away with. All I have to say is Stoner and the Wild are lucky they have Cooke on the team so the league has someone else to focus on.
- powerenforcer

Bettman doesn't want the Hawks to win so he has instructed the refs to look the other way. C'mon powerenforcer you taught me that!

Great writeup JJ.

I agree that this was another goalie win, despite the two (not soft) goals. CC has grown into an elite goalie. Period. This is my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

The Blackhawks still need to play better more consistently to go all the way. IMHO, the need to keep Handzus around for the PK, and the lack of a true 2C, which moves Smitty into the top 6, means that we no longer have a functioning 4th line. This is a problem.

Bollig's TO that led to MN's tying goal is as bad as it gets on the NHL level. Absolutely brutal... This team, though much better than the post-fire sale 2011 and '12 teams, is not as deep or as solid as either Cup winning squad.

The Blackhawks are "consistently inconsistent". At this point you just have to say (as Dan Bernstein would put it): "It's who they are."

Will it be enough? That's why they play the games... We'd be a decided underdog against the Bruins, if it comes to that.

But any playoff W is a good W, and I'm happy with the win. If the stars continue to play like stars in big moments, anything is possible.

Things a bit sour over in the Pens thread. Saw one of their posters suggesting that Syd get a night in the press box.
- mohel

Did you offer?

>>>Were it not for Crawford and Kane's heroics, the outcome of this one would have been different. Minnesota outshot the Hawks 32-22 and took over the game for long stretches. The Hawks will need to be better because it is doubtful Crawford (or, in fairness, any goalie) will be this good night after night throughout a series.<<<

He was spectactular. Square, strong, locked in, challenging every shot.

but the Wild came to play two days after G7 in Denver. Despite their goalie woes they played a very good and structured defensive game just as we saw during the Aves series. They skate well and have very good team speed.

And what is it with almost scoring 2x on stretch passes on the PK...that suggest they have seen something about the way the Hwks line change on the pp or was that just Seabs falling asleep.

Outshot 32-22 also outshot by 10 on 5 on 5. And the wild missed the net on many chances. Don't know the overall possession stats but I suspect the hwks got throttled on those.

Hwk pk + pp +C2 + Kane = a narrow win.
- bogiedoc

Minnie also held Colorado to less than 25 SOG per game - including a 12 - so last nite wasn't a complete aberration.

Hawks need to figure out how to put more pressure on the goalie.

I hope we get that player too but we have to live with what we have
- paulr

Given his new contract, not likely the Hawks will either replace him (if he's as bad as everyone says he is, who will take on that contract?) or add another similar player.

The second clause in your compound sentence is correct (see, I went to school).