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!
- paulr

Do you see it that way too, or just mocking the truth? I can tell you this, if Shaw (or Carcillo when he was with the Blackhawks) made that same hit, there would have been a penalty called.

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.
- paulr

May have gotten very lucky on an uncalled DOG at one point.

May have gotten very lucky on an uncalled DOG at one point.
- StLBravesFan

The one that landed in the bench? That would've been a ridiculous call.

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).
- StLBravesFan

I never accused anyone of not having gone to school??

Bollig's contract isn't a big deal, he can play for the Hawks until a better depth player is available and when the time comes to trade him there are plenty of teams that would have a use for a reasonably good player who provides a physical presence but who isn't mindless like many of that type are.

As much as posters try to point out that weak link on the Hawks I really don't think there is one. The worst Hawk player, be it Zus, Bollig or whomever, would be in the lineup in most, if not all teams in the league.

Do you see it that way too, or just mocking the truth? I can tell you this, if Shaw (or Carcillo when he was with the Blackhawks) made that same hit, there would have been a penalty called.
- powerenforcer

Problem us, PE, you don't understand hockey - or network - economics.

Who do you think NBC would like to see in the WCF - Chicago (3rd largest local market plus a major national following, for hockey) or Minneapolis? Chicago or St. Louis? Chicago or any other Western Conference team (including the west coast teams)?

Your position has no logic behind it.

Do you see it that way too, or just mocking the truth? I can tell you this, if Shaw (or Carcillo when he was with the Blackhawks) made that same hit, there would have been a penalty called.
- powerenforcer

No I don't see it that way. Calls tend to even out of the season. There is no conspiracy, in fact who do you think Bettman would prefer to go further in terms of revenue for the league, a big market club like the Hawks or a smaller market club like the Wild?

Any scoop on Shaw? I'm torn. Love his energy, but sick and tired of that dumb penalty every game.

I never accused anyone of not having gone to school??

Bollig's contract isn't a big deal, he can play for the Hawks until a better depth player is available and when the time comes to trade him there are plenty of teams that would have a use for a reasonably good player who provides a physical presence but who isn't mindless like many of that type are.

As much as posters try to point out that weak link on the Hawks I really don't think there is one. The worst Hawk player, be it Zus, Bollig or whomever, would be in the lineup in most, if not all teams in the league.
- paulr

Just showing off my third grade English skills.

Bollig is inconsistent: was good on the fourth line with Kruger and Smith for much of the year - until he signed the contract, as I recall.

Even tho he isn't that young (27), this year was his first full year in the Show: perhaps he still has some improvement available.

The issue with the Pens is dub par coaching. A coach is primarily responsible for teaching and implementing a defensive system and the Pen's defensive system is sub par. Crosby would do well to watch a Hawk game to see what effort and leadership is.
- paulr

I think their might be critics who think the GM really didn't provide the mid line low end players, because their prospects have not really strongly transitioned into those forward positions.

Let's just say someone I telephone inside the brain trust there didn't say but gave me a "tell" that Crosby's not 100 %.

Yeah this game was much closer than the final score and some may say high Wild energy of the last series win, combined with Hawk days off, but thye are a really good team.
I talked prior to the game about "their Nordstrom (Finn Eric Haula)" and the emergence by Olympian Grandlund, and the smart more reactive play of a bit older Charlie Coyle.

I was most impressed by Kane in the post game.
He really has grasped the importance of PR and never fails to be modest and spread credit. (I wonder if the Hawks have a guy that tutors the newbie on this when they arrive?)

I have looked at Shawzie's "day to day" injury, and to me it may be ankle.

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

Don't you mean Go(lfing) Leafs?
- blackhawks30

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.
- StLBravesFan

I dunno...you don't think the times Kaner was methodically moving effortlessly all around behine the goal line trying to put the puck of the Russian Philosher's backside wasn't pressure.
To me puck position is as much pressure as shots in a lot of cases...

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

Clean hit, unfortunate result. Guys are gonna get hit and that guy is a big meatball who is good at it. Objectivity is important, try not to let your fandom supersede your vision.

Problem us, PE, you don't understand hockey - or network - economics.

Who do you think NBC would like to see in the WCF - Chicago (3rd largest local market plus a major national following, for hockey) or Minneapolis? Chicago or St. Louis? Chicago or any other Western Conference team (including the west coast teams)?

Your position has no logic behind it.
- StLBravesFan

1st off, the TV deal has already been signed, so he is not trying to "sell" the game to the networks. 2nd, he has to try to sell to the small market owners that they have a chance to compete with the big boys. I believe he is working for the owners, not so much for the fans (indirectly for sure). My view is that sports is in competition for the everyday man's money against movies, theater (entertainment $) so they have to make it entertaining. If the same teams win all the time, then everyone will grow tired of it. I may be way off base, but that is the way I view sports as I grow older (maybe wiser, maybe not).

I dunno...you don't think the times Kaner was methodically moving effortlessly all around behine the goal line trying to put the puck of the Russian Philosher's backside wasn't pressure.
To me puck position is as much pressure as shots in a lot of cases...
- wiz1901

How much of the game was that? Kane had 15 minutes TOI 5 on 5 - that leaves a lot of additional 5 on 5 time.

I think they need more of the more normal kind of pressure, too - and certainly more than 9 SOG (don't have the Corsi/Fenwick) in the last two periods.

I thought Stoner's attempt death hit on Nordstrom was far worse than his hit on Shaw. He was definitely head hunting and I'm glad Nordstrom protected himself and got out of the way.

Heatley should have gotten a penalty for attacking Seabrook 45 seconds after the whistle. How the hell is that not a penalty?

Clean hit, unfortunate result. Guys are gonna get hit and that guy is a big meatball who is good at it. Objectivity is important, try not to let your fandom supersede your vision.
- Sandus

Try not to let your bad vision supercede your objectivity.

Stoner launched himself clearly off his skates (supposedly, not allowed), didn't get Shaw's head because Shaw's head was moving slightly away from the hit.

These kinds of hits are what the league says it is trying to eliminate, regardless of the resulting injury.

1st off, the TV deal has already been signed, so he is not trying to "sell" the game to the networks. 2nd, he has to try to sell to the small market owners that they have a chance to compete with the big boys. I believe he is working for the owners, not so much for the fans (indirectly for sure). My view is that sports is in competition for the everyday man's money against movies, theater (entertainment $) so they have to make it entertaining. If the same teams win all the time, then everyone will grow tired of it. I may be way off base, but that is the way I view sports as I grow older (maybe wiser, maybe not).
- powerenforcer

That doesn't explain the Red Sox and Yankees being on national TV 5x a week. Big cities draw higher TV ratings, no matter the sport. Oklahoma City in the NBA finals is a nice story, but almost every NBA city has a higher population and more TV eyeballs. If any sport is going to try and control/influence what teams play in the championship it wouldn't make a lot of sense to pick the cities with the smallest populations.

You could even back up my theory by looking at the horrendous calls that seemed to all go against Minnesota in the Colorado series. Twice the Avs had players knock over goalies and stand in the crease to not let them get back into position - which is a penalty by the rulebook, but allowed in that series, and each led to a goal immediately. Not to mention the blatant off-sides that was a goal a few seconds later by the Avs. Those are the things that are so one sided and badly called that make me sometimes break out the inner conspiracy theorist. lol.

1st off, the TV deal has already been signed, so he is not trying to "sell" the game to the networks. 2nd, he has to try to sell to the small market owners that they have a chance to compete with the big boys. I believe he is working for the owners, not so much for the fans (indirectly for sure). My view is that sports is in competition for the everyday man's money against movies, theater (entertainment $) so they have to make it entertaining. If the same teams win all the time, then everyone will grow tired of it. I may be way off base, but that is the way I view sports as I grow older (maybe wiser, maybe not).
- powerenforcer

Next contract hasn't been. Need to keep your partners happy. Need to very like Mayer Lansky (or Hymie Roth, can't remember which) and always make money for your partners.

Since there hasn't been a repeat champion in 20 years - and five separate champions in the past six years - 10 separate finalists in the past six years - I don't think the national fans are getting sick of the same winners all of the time.

Im starting to get concerned at how often the Hawks have been out shot and out chanced, and at times even out possessed, so far in these 7 games of the playoffs. Im happy we won, Kane is clutch and amazing as we all know, Crawford is proving his doubters wrong yet again, but im still not liking our overall quality of play. The Wild OWNED us from the opening minute of the 2nd till Kane's 1st goal in the 3rd. Like, completely owned....

Gotta step it up, might be able to win this series....but against either the Kings, Ducks, or possibly later the Bruins....this formula(only using 10 forwards and not being our usual dominant selves when it comes to possession and chances) will not bring us a repeat. Its that simple.

Try not to let your bad vision supercede your objectivity.

Stoner launched himself clearly off his skates (supposedly, not allowed), didn't get Shaw's head because Shaw's head was moving slightly away from the hit.

These kinds of hits are what the league says it is trying to eliminate, regardless of the resulting injury.
- StLBravesFan

There had better be a PHUCKING SUSPENSION for that.
Hope the nice guy Hawks don't let that slide.

Im starting to get concerned at how often the Hawks have been out shot and out chanced, and at times even out possessed, so far in these 7 games of the playoffs. Im happy we won, Kane is clutch and amazing as we all know, Crawford is proving his doubters wrong yet again, but im still not liking our overall quality of play. The Wild OWNED us from the opening minute of the 2nd till Kane's 1st goal in the 3rd. Like, completely owned....

Gotta step it up, might be able to win this series....but against either the Kings, Ducks, or possibly later the Bruins....this formula(only using 10 forwards and not being our usual dominant selves when it comes to possession and chances) will not bring us a repeat. Its that simple.
- SimpleJack

SPOT ON

Hawks win in 4

Crawford has been the mvp of the playoffs so far, to me. And that isn't good. The way this team is set with all the talent and depth the goalie shouldn't even get a star on most nights. But so far in the playoffs and even against boston last year Crawford was usually the 1st or 2nd star imo. Most of them were bad yesterday. I hope for a better effort tomorrow Afternoon. I hate those games