Agreed. He deserves to be questioned for some stubbornness and not playing some kids....but......I can't name a coach outside of Babcock I'd want coaching this team.
- SteveRain

Speaking of, I would kill to fire Kompon and hire Oates as an assistant and power play coach

And for everyone calling for Joel Quenneville's head....does he get praise this morning? Perfect line shake ups, and fresh D pairings. A coach coached. Imagine that.

Happy for Handzus...if that's his last career NHL goal, god bless him. Keep him down in the bottom 6.
- SteveRain

...amazed at the Hawks performance in both OTs.

The one positive is now LAK has to start playing to not lose

Hawks need to continue taking the team bus to the staples center without a brake pedal
- FourFeathers773

Despite what certain poster(s) try to tell us, the best teams play not to lose unless they are in a hole and have to get out. If LA decide to open the game up, they are doomed, they cannot play run and gun with the Hawks.

Speaking of Q, I think he's officially done with Versteeg. I don't see Versteeg back on the ice unless a rash of injuries happen to this team. I fully expect Regin to take his spot tomorrow.

People calling for Q's head, ripping on him etc. simply have no clue what they are talking about. And never have.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Yep, liked the D pairings quite a bit, especially Keith and Hjalmarsson, 38 and 32 minutes TOI respectively, leading the team by far.

Agreed. He deserves to be questioned for some stubbornness and not playing some kids....but......I can't name a coach outside of Babcock I'd want coaching this team.
- SteveRain

On the surface I may agree, but we know what Q can get out of this team. We have no idea if Babcock can do the same.

Speaking of Q, I think he's officially done with Versteeg. I don't see Versteeg back on the ice unless a rash of injuries happen to this team. I fully expect Regin to take his spot tomorrow.
- dan9189

I was really frustrated with Versteeg (not that any of us were not), but multiple times I recall seeing him down on the ice and after getting up just standing around. It just hasn't worked out and I was glad that Q didn't play him at all after that. I don't wish him any ill-will or anything like that, but he really seems to hurt the team with lazy play, over-stickhandling, not getting the puck deep, etc.

Saad-Shaw-Kane will probably look different without last change. Need a big night from Bicks-Toews-Hoss Friday.

Of course it won't happen, but it's time for Morin and/or Regin. Seems the only thing the Kings are vulnerable to is speed and Bollig and Steeger aren't bringing anything right now.

Watching the Kings last night, it finally dawned on me what it must be like for other teams fans watching the Hawks beat them. Granted, they've been maxing out their abilities this series, but the Kings' play and pressure has just been oppressive.

Think the longer the series goes, bigger advantage to the Hawks. All these playoff games have to be catching up with the Kings.

Agreed on Saad, but we need THIS Saad in Los Angeles. Not the timid Saad that comes out a few times on the road and shyed away from contact.

1 win is great...but the Hawks still have to play a lot better, and that includes Crawford, if they want to be playing on Sunday.

Before I get called a Crawford hater, the national media was rightfully roasting him up until OT last night on twitter.
- SteveRain

One good game and all of the sudden we're putting this "new" line in competition with Detroit's "Production Line" of the 50's.

One bad deflection in the last 40 minutes and I don't think we're this positive about Shaw/Saad/Kane.

Remember: this is the same Shaw who was called the stupidest player in the league here just 24 hours ago. The same Shaw who had not really succeeded in previous 2C tries.

This is the same Saad that we've been calling out for not engaging and over-controlling the puck and not using his big body and not making good decisions.

Great game for these guys last nite - but can we please see some consistently good play over several games before we believe we've suddenly found the new miracle?

Funny how Versteeg didn't see the ice after about midway through the third period. I truly hope that we've seen the last of him in Chicago, this season and beyond.
- bogiedoc[/quote]

He was exiled after a miserable shift where he flubbed and dubbed with the puck at least 3x leading to kings 3rd goal in mid way thru the 2nd....finished with 6+ TOI

Versteeg also stood watching Stoll pick up a loose puck and score the first goal. Why he would not tie him up in a goalmouth scramble is ridiculous.

He was right until last night. I think that game might have been a 4-2 win for the Hawks and pretty easy if Crawford had played a little better. , if Crawford can tighten it up (and he is capable of it) the Hawks have a very good shot tomorrow night.
- John Jaeckel

I would also point out that Cro needs to get his emotions under control. On many of the goal allowed, we see him reacting negatively and with too many gestures. A clear sign of frustration and something we are not used to seeing from him. Somebody also pointed out that he has played almost 80 games this season - higher than in past seasons. So fatigue may be setting in for him. Tighten up the D in front - i.e. fewer fire drills in the crease where he is down on his knees trying to locate the puck - and we will be in a great position.

I'm done with it.
- StLBravesFan

Sorry...i just know there's a
so much more to the sport than the race. Lot of love, sweat, blood
and tears by all the great people who prepare the animals.
Some bad apples and bad things happen too, but overall,
it's one of the greatest sports EVER.

Versteeg also stood watching Stoll pick up a loose puck and score the first goal. Why he would not tie him up in a goalmouth scramble is ridiculous.
- OnlySix

Versteeg is the only blackhawk on the team still playing perimeter passenger

Him dancing around the boards and along the blue line around 2 defenders is not producing results. The good news is Q finally stopped giving him enough rope to hang himself

I was really frustrated with Versteeg (not that any of us were not), but multiple times I recall seeing him down on the ice and after getting up just standing around. It just hasn't worked out and I was glad that Q didn't play him at all after that. I don't wish him any ill-will or anything like that, but he really seems to hurt the team with lazy play, over-stickhandling, not getting the puck deep, etc.
- stp1978

I'm not sure what happened to the guy, he was never a top 6 guy in my eyes but he was at least a decent hockey player. He really has been not very good at all since his return. I don't expect him on the team next year regardless of how the rest of the playoffs go.

I was really frustrated with Versteeg (not that any of us were not), but multiple times I recall seeing him down on the ice and after getting up just standing around. It just hasn't worked out and I was glad that Q didn't play him at all after that. I don't wish him any ill-will or anything like that, but he really seems to hurt the team with lazy play, over-stickhandling, not getting the puck deep, etc.
- stp1978

He did a few good things a game or two ago...mainly separating guys from the puck along the walls. But, in all honesty other players in the Indianhead system could likely have done the same thing. Aside from that brief glimmer, he's been a black hole. I was astounded at his lack of effort helping clean up his own mess after the turnover. Really struggling to find any redeeming qualities in his play--and worst of all his effort

Kings are done...there's no way we're going to win another game. you guys got the start you needed. That will NOT happen at Staples Center. I would be very worried that despite your teams desperation you squandered a 2-0 and 3-1 lead. Great overtime, too bad Kopi didn't bury that one that hit the post. I'm very encouraged if you can be for a loss. Friday night handshakes are in order...
- arh777

Sorry...i just know there's a
so much more to the sport than the race. Lot of love, sweat, blood
and tears by all the great people who prepare the animals.
Some bad apples and bad things happen too, but overall,
it's one of the greatest sports EVER.
- philco28

No problem, Phil - shouldn't make comments about something I don't understand (altho if everyone here had that mind-set, we'd be down to about 25 posts per day here).

These playoff games I'm CONVINCED take years off of your life:

- Blood pressure
- More booze
- Lack of sleep
- Nerves

The whole shebang! Things Doctors tell you DO NOT DO happen during these games!
- CaptainBlackhawk

Amen....crazy what these games due to the body, mind and spirit.
CRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAZY

Anyone have a video clip of the hit on Kreugs in OT last night?
- powerenforcer

Hopefully the league does

And for everyone calling for Joel Quenneville's head....does he get praise this morning? Perfect line shake ups, and fresh D pairings. A coach coached. Imagine that.

Happy for Handzus...if that's his last career NHL goal, god bless him. Keep him down in the bottom 6.
- SteveRain

Yeah, what people miss is that Q really has only 10 forwards to go up against the Kings with - Vertseeg and Bollig are just warm bodies right now that don't count; Shaw and Zus count as a 1/2 each because of injury and age and Sharp just can't get untracked and that's alot of goals to that have to come from elsewhere.

Just incredible how bad #23 is.

I'm not sure what happened to the guy, he was never a top 6 guy in my eyes but he was at least a decent hockey player. He really has been not very good at all since his return. I don't expect him on the team next year regardless of how the rest of the playoffs go.
- dan9189

Hawks will likely save a little cap $$ by replacing him with an entry level contract

Sharp, Steeger, Bollig out......

Mills, Mashintor, LeBlanc in.....

No problem, Phil - shouldn't make comments about something I don't understand (altho if everyone here had that mind-set, we'd be down to about 25 posts per day here).
- StLBravesFan

Cheers Stl and for sure bro

Agreed on Saad, but we need THIS Saad in Los Angeles. Not the timid Saad that comes out a few times on the road and shyed away from contact.

1 win is great...but the Hawks still have to play a lot better, and that includes Crawford, if they want to be playing on Sunday.

Before I get called a Crawford hater, the national media was rightfully roasting him up until OT last night on twitter.
- SteveRain

The national media and the broadcasters have been LA knob gobblers this whole series, and the more games LA has won the worse it has gotten. They spent minutes slobbering over the Kopitar play on the 2nd LA goal, about how great he was starting the play down by his net, and how was down there because of what great instincts he has, blah, blah, blah. He was there because a) his man, Toews just beat him to the puck and the net and 8 of 10 times scores on that play. b) as the center is supposed to be there as the center is usually the second man in on plays down low with the defense being 1st man.

It was a basic Hockey play, that 90% of the first line centers in the league make regularly because THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE PAID TO DO. There was nothing exceptional about it. If Toews scores on that chance do we get to hear how much Kopitar wasn't on his man?

Just call a neutral game.

Magic number again will be 3. Score 3 in LA, and I love their chances.

The Kings will treat Friday as their game 7. They know what Chicago is, and the thought of fly cross country for the 3rd time in 2 weeks and rolling the dice in a game 7 for the 3rd time these playoffs....no way that veteran team wants any part of it.

Now the pressure IS ON the Kings. Score early, get on the Kings, and start to plant the seed of doubt.
we haven't seen the best from either of these goaltenders, and I'm thinking game 6 could be the game we saw in 2011 in Vancouver where Crawford and Luongo stood on their head in game 7.
- SteveRain

Hawks scored early a lot last night and it still took them 2 OT's to finally win.

Like Sutter said "tough building, bad start and still damn near pulled it off."
Think Sutter is still pretty comfortable where they are at.