Today's article..


Blackhawks say not so fast to Kings & win Game 5-Will Brandon Saad be a series changer? Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1pnTAsC

Believe me, there are no lovers of Pierre McGuire in Canada. Unfortunately for the USA, they gave that jerk a Green Card to work ... so he became an export nobody cared about, wanted or missed.

Except for some 5 minute daily gig on radio in Toronto that he has, we don't even have to listen to his B.S. However, I do hope the Penguins sign him as their General Manager so his brilliant hockey mind f's up that team for 15 years.
- RickJ

If Maguire ever manages the Penguins, he'll never need Viagra!

If Maguire ever manages the Penguins, he'll never need Viagra!
- paulr

True, but Crosby would need a constant chaperone to keep Pierre away.

Great coach, and i get that the Wings switched conferences and confronted all of the challenges associated with such a move, but they finished 7th...SEVENTH.
And Babs is a finalist for coach of the year ??????????????
- philco28

You have to tip your hat to him getting them in the playoffs with the injuries they had

BUT

they moved to a MUCH weaker East. They would have been in the morgue by February if they were still in the West.

also, they got a TON of help by Toronto throwing up all over themselves and Washington collapsing down the stretch

Agreed. And agreed.

LA will try to stand Saad up a the blue line and knock him down to get him to quit in their building. He has to keep flying.
- John Jaeckel

One of Sutters moves would be to take out a player like Saad at his own blue line if he's on the weak side (the side opposite of the puck). He's been coaching that for years.

You have to tip your hat to him getting them in the playoffs with the injuries they had

BUT

they moved to a MUCH weaker East. They would have been in the morgue by February if they were still in the West.

also, they got a TON of help by Toronto throwing up all over themselves and Washington collapsing down the stretch
- FourFeathers773

Good points FF, especially about the collapse of the Maple Laffs

>That game was an instant classic -- and the poster for playoff hockey
>Every inch of ice was battled for and earned
>Huge props to the Hawks who stood toe to toe with the Kings in an epic slugfest
>Hawks will need that same level of effort to win game 6
>Now would be a great time to see the CC that stole some games in Round 1 & 2
>And please continue to go hard to the net at every opportunity
>Toews vs Kopitar lines had some unreal battles just for puck possession -- Marion Hossa played a fantastic game -- his effort every shift is amazing
>Anybody thinking the Kings didn't want this game badly is kidding themselves -- they emptied the tank to try to end it and came up short
>Sutter has last change and will protect the D of his that are slow-footed and clutch & grab
>Hawks will need to play a lot better without the puck around the faceoff dots and in their own slot area

IMO, over the past 4 games iv seen Quick make a save on what would have been a FOR SURE goal AT LEAST 5-6 times. Iv seen Crawford over that same stretch make MAYBE one of those kinda saves. Im not sure how much better Quick can play, even though the Hawks did just put up 5 goals, they could/should have had 8. I think Crawford though can be MUCH better. Hopefully game 6 is one of those games where he shows up big time and makes a statement.
- SimpleJack

And it seems like every time Quick makes one of those huge saves, it turns into goal for the King.

One of Sutters moves would be to take out a player like Saad at his own blue line if he's on the weak side (the side opposite of the puck). He's been coaching that for years.
- 6628

Legally or (uncalled) illegally?

Babcock is a magician. Great coach. Love him. Only one I would take over Q.
- SteveRain

I agree. And I'll say this, if Q ever left, Babcock would be #1 on Scotty's list to replace him.

And it seems like every time Quick makes one of those huge saves, it turns into goal for the King.
- ksilvy58

yeah he made a huge save on a toews one-timer and the hawks got caught low in the offensive zone resulting in a 2 on 1...and in the net it goes.

I am not a big supporter of the all out push with active dmen acting like forwards to start games. Yes they got a couple goals....but early leads are pretty meaningless in these games. They were up 3-1 at that point and I thought they needed to rechannel that aggressive offensive push and begin to manage the game defensively. Instead they gave counter opportunities and it cost them.

True, but Crosby would need a constant chaperone to keep Pierre away.
- PancakesPenner

Unless Crosby likes it

>That game was an instant classic -- and the poster for playoff hockey
>Every inch of ice was battled for and earned
>Huge props to the Hawks who stood toe to toe with the Kings in an epic slugfest
>Hawks will need that same level of effort to win game 6
1- Now would be a great time to see the CC that stole some games in Round 1 & 2
>And please continue to go hard to the net at every opportunity
2- Toews vs Kopitar lines had some unreal battles just for puck possession -- Marion Hossa played a fantastic game -- his effort every shift is amazing
>Anybody thinking the Kings didn't want this game badly is kidding themselves -- they emptied the tank to try to end it and came up short
3- Sutter has last change and will protect the D of his that are slow-footed and clutch & grab
>Hawks will need to play a lot better without the puck around the faceoff dots and in their own slot area
- SnapitUpstairs

1- Agreed.
2- Agreed. This is why all the jokers calling him a buyout candidate just don't get it. The guy is the epitome of professionalism and dedication. The kids can and will learn from him. And he can still play with anyone.
3- The new line makes that harder. Sutter has to have two pairs that can really skate—if the Toews line and the Shaw line skate like they did last night. And it also forces the forwards matching up against these lines to think twice and be ready to get back. It was a GREAT adjustment by Q. Too little too late? Remains to be seen.

I agree. And I'll say this, if Q ever left, Babcock would be #1 on Scotty's list to replace him.
- John Jaeckel

I'm wondering if the smoke in Pittsburgh concerning Babcock is true....My thinking is it is.

I wouldn't be surprised if he goes there as more of a head coach/GM position.

Blackhawks say not so fast to Kings & win Game 5-Will Brandon Saad be a series changer? Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1pnTAsC

Why doesn't Sutter get any props?

What he's done with LAK is amazing: took over halfway thru the season two years ago and led an 8th-seed to the Cup; back to the WCF last year; comeback from down 3-0 to SJ and 3-2 to Annie to win 7th games on the road this year - that sounds pretty good to me.
- StLBravesFan

Deep roster, and a very good goalie. I dont know why he doesnt get the same props. Maybe because he hasnt been around as long as Q and Babcock?

Legally or (uncalled) illegally?
- StLBravesFan

Nothing legal about it. Interference all night long. I saw the Sutter coached Sharks beat the heavily favored Blues in a series around 1999 or 2000. The Blues broke out of their zone from their high slot to the right wing at the blueline. The weak side left wings were flying and were looking to see what play to make because when the Blues got the puck to the center line they threw it over to the left wing. All series long. No matter what. But early on Sutter adjusted. Passive pressure on the Blues breakout but his right wing knocked the Blues left wing on his ass at his own blue line. Phuckin dropped him. So when the pass came across the ice the left wing was still picking himself up. And the puck turned over and away the Sharks went. And that was all series long. I laughed my ass off. This was before the 2004 lockout and it was a different game then. So who was the Blues coach who got tooled? Not gonna go there. But don't bother to ask any of the kool aid drinkers because they don't know. And they don't want to.

I like Brian Engblom (and his horrible spray tan, he was oompah, loompah orange last night) better than Pierre, but Kenny Albert and Michelliti need to go. Theyre embarrassingly bad. Have they seen/broadcasted ANY western conference games? They don't seem to know who anyone is, how they play, etc.
- TheTrob

I think Engblom is the color guy for either Kings games or Sharks games.

one of the things i posted last nite during that OT is the hawks were doing this with 9 forwards: steeg was deep sixed, bolig got what 2-3 shifts in OT, sharp is a basket case and shaw was playing on one leg with zuz getting spot duty (he was on the ice for a faceoff and he got the game winner)

amazing gutty performance last nite by the men in red; however they may have paid huge price with that kinda effort with nothing left for Friday...

Nothing legal about it. Interference all night long. I saw the Sutter coached Sharks beat the heavily favored Blues in a series around 1999 or 2000. The Blues broke out of their zone from their high slot to the right wing at the blueline. The weak side left wings were flying and were looking to see what play to make because when the Blues got the puck to the center line they threw it over to the left wing. All series long. No matter what. But early on Sutter adjusted. Passive pressure on the Blues breakout but his right wing knocked the Blues left wing on his ass at his own blue line. Phuckin dropped him. So when the pass came across the ice the left wing was still picking himself up. And the puck turned over and away the Sharks went. And that was all series long. I laughed my ass off. This was before the 2004 lockout and it was a different game then. So who was the Blues coach who got tooled? Not gonna go there. But don't bother to ask any of the kool aid drinkers because they don't know. And they don't want to.
- 6628

Lemme guess, he's a Frenchman from Windsor, ON? LOL

Good points Roar....i knew Detwat had a tough year for man games lost due to injury, but they were a M.A.S.H. unit.
Like i said "Babs for COACH O' THE YEAR."

- philco28

I think Engblom is the color guy for either Kings games or Sharks games.
- BlazinMike

Engblom used to be the Kings radio color guy in the 90's but has long since left.

I couldn't agree more. He does a very good job.

Also, Joe Micheletti doesn't help ... he just has to say something, anything, non-stop. Maybe I could take Kenny Albert a little more if there was just a little more silence.
- stp1978

Albert and Micheletti both suck...Dave Strader should be in there with Panger in the booth and Engbloom between the benches...I have no idea why they moved out Strader this year. Just stupid.

Micheletti is in love with his voice and his talking points...brutal.

Albert meanwhile is the Rags radio play by play guy... and we still have to deal with him during the Bears preseason games.

Lemme guess, he's a Frenchman from Windsor, ON? LOL
- John Jaeckel

the way Q intro'd himself in this HNIC SCF player intro piece last year at 2:10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCWAUF5L4Vo

Albert and Micheletti both suck...Dave Strader should be in there with Panger in the booth and Engbloom between the benches...I have no idea why they moved out Strader this year. Just stupid.

Micheletti is in love with his voice and his talking points...brutal.

Albert meanwhile is the Rags radio play by play guy... and we still have to deal with him during the Bears preseason games.
- DK002

They moved Strader out because they bumped up Albert to #2.

Blackhawks say not so fast to Kings & win Game 5-Will Brandon Saad be a series changer? Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1pnTAsC

the way Q intro'd himself in this HNIC SCF player intro piece last year at 2:10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCWAUF5L4Vo
- philco28

Haha, thx Phil, showing my age, Orr would've been my guy, followed by Bryan Trottier