Here's what I'm thinking:

Bickell/Toews/Kane
Sharp/Richards/Hossa
Saad/Shaw/Morin
Carcillo/Kruger/Smith

That's what I would like to see for a game or two...

I'd love to see Smitty on the 3rd line, but with the way Morin played and Carcillo's knack to go gonzo at any given moment, there isn't much there on that line that's dependable outside of Kruger.

Perhaps it's me, but I thought that the line of Carcillo/Kruger/Morin looked like hot garbage last night. At least the little of saw of it. Was Q even rolling that combination together all that much?
- EKolb13

Like it, agree that Car bomb, Krugs and Morin is very limited

Will like these lines more when Versteeg is back and on the third with Saad and Shaw.

Like Smith Krugs and Morin better as the 4th line

Here's what I'm thinking:

Bickell/Toews/Kane
Sharp/Richards/Hossa
Saad/Shaw/Morin
Carcillo/Kruger/Smith

That's what I would like to see for a game or two...

I'd love to see Smitty on the 3rd line, but with the way Morin played and Carcillo's knack to go gonzo at any given moment, there isn't much there on that line that's dependable outside of Kruger.

Perhaps it's me, but I thought that the line of Carcillo/Kruger/Morin looked like hot garbage last night. At least the little of saw of it. Was Q even rolling that combination together all that much?
- EKolb13

Like those combos as well and we saw a little chemistry among Richards, Hossa and Sharp last night when they were together. Bicks, Toews and Kane generated a lot of zone time (as usual).. I'd be in favor of this as well.

Oh look! The same argument we've heard about the Hawks since the 2008-2009 season.

4 WCF appearances later
2 Cups

... I think they'll be just fine.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Relax, man. I was asking JJ something. If you disagree, that's fine, but present your side in an educated manner. Don't take the Boers and Bernstein route and try to shut someone down by delievering a snarky response and discount their input becuase it maybe different than yours or you think it's stupid. If you read, I pointed out the fact that they have two cups and multiple playoff appearances and I think they'll be fine. I was saying that I still think there's a place for physicality, as it's an important part of the game and a way to wear a team down.
Someone else on here mentioned the idea of "playing big" which is a great point I had not thought of earlier.

But I do love Daryl Reough, the Dallas guy you were knocking...he is their color guy...he is entertaining and in the end I find him to always be reasonable and fair in describing the outcome of a game, for his team or the opponent...but that is just me...

- TrueGrit

Daryl Reaugh is terrific... I am not sure he was the one being the homer....to me it sounded like the other guy, but I might be wrong...I watched the game on HS last night with Edzo and Pat, but watched some highlights today when I came home at NHL.com and it sounded like the other guy was a bit of a homer, but can't be sure....

Not the greatest of games, but this is why they play the games....If Q thinks rolling 3 forward lines is going to cut it in the playoffs the Hawks are screwed....Also, sooner or later Runblad,TVR,Dahlbeck someone ..... anyone....is going to have to be trusted to play some meaningful minutes, otherwise this D will be screwed by the time April comes around

Like those combos as well and we saw a little chemistry among Richards, Hossa and Sharp last night when they were together. Bicks, Toews and Kane generated a lot of zone time (as usual).. I'd be in favor of this as well.
- golfbard

I like the Bickell-Toews-Kane line. Its got a little bit of everything (when everyone is on their game). Its got size, defense, offense, creativity, gritty/grindy/hard working.

I wish Q would let the lines/pairings just roll for a while. I dont care if the results arent immediately there. I know the guy knows what he's doing and all, but the core is gonna be gassed come playoff time unless the team finds out they have some quality depth young guns.

Here's what I'm thinking:

Bickell/Toews/Kane
Sharp/Richards/Hossa
Saad/Shaw/Morin
Carcillo/Kruger/Smith

That's what I would like to see for a game or two...

I'd love to see Smitty on the 3rd line, but with the way Morin played and Carcillo's knack to go gonzo at any given moment, there isn't much there on that line that's dependable outside of Kruger.

Perhaps it's me, but I thought that the line of Carcillo/Kruger/Morin looked like hot garbage last night. At least the little of saw of it. Was Q even rolling that combination together all that much?
- EKolb13

One bad game and we doing what we continually criticize Q for doing: mashing the lines.

I theoretically liked the lines originally set up last nite (except, of course, for Carcillo, but that seems unavoidable now): maybe we should give that a few games to work out the kinks.

Relax, man. I was asking JJ something. If you disagree, that's fine, but present your side in an educated manner. Don't take the Boers and Bernstein route and try to shut someone down by delievering a snarky response and discount their input becuase it maybe different than yours or you think it's stupid. If you read, I pointed out the fact that they have two cups and multiple playoff appearances and I think they'll be fine. I was saying that I still think there's a place for physicality, as it's an important part of the game and a way to wear a team down.
Someone else on here mentioned the idea of "playing big" which is a great point I had not thought of earlier.
- Hank3Henshaw

people getting pretty touchy after game 1 of the REGULAR season.

people getting pretty touchy after game 1 of the REGULAR season.
- BlazinMike

Exactly why I stay away from what we call the asylum (sttoday.com blues forum). There isn't enough Prozac in the state for the people over there.

wasnt that fun....

hawks got 2 when they have gotten none...but hey there will be games when they should have had 2 and got none

i said after the leddy trade if the hwks were going with the likes of TVR, RunBAD, and Rosi...well look for Keith to play Suter type minute..Keith TOI = 29...bingo

Yes alot of special teams play pumped up his toi and OT...but that bottom 3 scares the hell out of me....TVR looks like he can handle it but he will have growing pains

Craw was outstanding...quick and positionally sound...and better stay healthy

I like the Bickell-Toews-Kane line. Its got a little bit of everything (when everyone is on their game). Its got size, defense, offense, creativity, gritty/grindy/hard working.

I wish Q would let the lines/pairings just roll for a while. I dont care if the results arent immediately there. I know the guy knows what he's doing and all, but the core is gonna be gassed come playoff time unless the team finds out they have some quality depth young guns.
- BlazinMike

I agree.. i don't mind in game adjustments when things aren't working but then switch back to the original plan because they could rediscover chemistry the next game. I also hope he lets these young guys devleop on the ice. They're kids and are going to make mistakes. It's ok to let them miss a shift or two but throw them back out there.

wasnt that fun....

hawks got 2 when they have gotten none...but hey there will be games when they should have had 2 and got none

i said after the leddy trade if the hwks were going with the likes of TVR, RunBAD, and Rosi...well look for Keith to play Suter type minute..Keith TOI = 29...bingo

Yes alot of special teams play pumped up his toi and OT...but that bottom 3 scares the hell out of me....TVR looks like he can handle it but he will have growing pains

Craw was outstanding...quick and positionally sound...and better stay healthy
- bogiedoc

no one wants to admit that Q ran leddy out of town. was likely given a choice by stanley: we can ship off Rozsival or we can ship off Leddy. which one do you want? we all know Q goes with his grizzled and over-the-hill veterans.

huge blunder. rozy hurt already and season isn't even begun. between injuries and his "rest" games, maybe he plays in 25 or 30. i'm thinking maybe 1/3 of them this season. we'll see how the prediction rolls out over the course of this season.

Like it, agree that Car bomb, Krugs and Morin is very limited

Will like these lines more when Versteeg is back and on the third with Saad and Shaw.

Like Smith Krugs and Morin better as the 4th line
- vabeachbear

Ha ha
Just hit me, look at me fawning for Versteeg back, all summer i was saying he should be the first one traded (well except of course for Rozy)

No wonder this board is crazy at times

One bad game and we doing what we continually criticize Q for doing: mashing the lines.

I theoretically liked the lines originally set up last nite (except, of course, for Carcillo, but that seems unavoidable now): maybe we should give that a few games to work out the kinks.
- StLBravesFan

Personally I'm not to keen on Shaw with Saad and Kane. Richards has an innate ability for knowing where the open player is and that would really work well with Saad and Kane's ability to get out front of the play. Plus Richards can win those face-offs against top 6 centers, Shaw not so much.

no one wants to admit that Q ran leddy out of town. was likely given a choice by stanley: we can ship off Rozsival or we can ship off Leddy. which one do you want? we all know Q goes with his grizzled and over-the-hill veterans.

huge blunder. rozy hurt already and season isn't even begun. between injuries and his "rest" games, maybe he plays in 25 or 30. i'm thinking maybe 1/3 of them this season. we'll see how the prediction rolls out over the course of this season.
- savvyone-1

No

Noone would take Rozy, return for Leddy was better, couldn't sign Leddy after this year.
I actually didn't mind Leddy on the third pairing, just think it was only viable option.

John Jaeckel: How To Win On The Road
- John Jaeckel

Score more goals than the home team.

Oh look! The same argument we've heard about the Hawks since the 2008-2009 season.

4 WCF appearances later
2 Cups

... I think they'll be just fine.

I do not mean this comment in anyway to be a "dbag". I'm just stating this has been the argument for YEARS and the Hawks (next to the Kings) have been the most dominant NHL team now going on for about 7 years.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Respectfully disagree. There is something to this point this year.

2010 team could handle anything brought at them - more than physical enough. 2013 had less of the grit element but there was a real team response due to the Hossa/Torres incident. You had Jamaal Mayers in the room and you had that Frolik/Bolland presence now missing. Hopefully we see this team define itself as one that doesn't back down and/or sticks up for each other.

Call my obsessive, but I got up at 3 am and i figured I use my new STREAMS subscription to rewatch the game, since I missed watching a big part of period one while blabbing on the phone with TRUE GRIT, who was nice enough to call me to tell the Brighthouse Cable though not showing teh game in the HD Centre ice package was showing it in SD.
Maybe my fancy Pioneer Elite TV snubbed it's noce up to SD, because it looked so unclear I had trouble seeing it- the on line feed was so clear!

That coupled by whomever the color analyst was...as this WAS the Dallas feed.

The guy was the homer of homers.anybody know his name, I want to write him a letter, and tweet him. Every play seeemed to caused by Stars superiority, even the ones that weren't. People crap talk Eddie, but he has always been more fair and giving of due, as MANY of the home team 'casters, but this could wait to chime in yah yah garbage. I just hate when simple hockey bounces are suddenly the brilliance of Dallas players...

I even wondered if part of his prep for the match was him reading that article froma few days ago someone pointed out about using the off handed wins on the point for one timers from the point...the funny thing is the Stars power play set up the very same way the hawks did with a left shot left side & right shot right side.

I think the situation in Q's mind, dictated playing his top four a lot, and then TVR and and lastly Runblad as rest fillers.

The only way he gets comfotable with these guys IS playing, them, and if they mess up, that simply is how he uses this bench as a teaching device.

I bet the top four were HAPPY to pay a lot.

and finally I guess we can dismiss the "Richards has lost a step" worries as his skill hands and head along with good jump were pretty impressive, and I gotta give it to the lines Q concocted...a greta reaosn for all you hockey fans to reframe from make a list illustrting t

To all of us where you think each player should be playing, and to the Crawford detractors, you got served, I watch big parts of the other game sin my insomniatic night and he he clearly was really stellar and on.

Also though having Rousel against Kane early, pushing buttons was a nice touch to the way Future Stars Hawsk games will be played.
- wiz1901

Wiz, it's Darryl Reaugh, @Razor5Hole on twitter.

While I agree you need some physical presence and the Hawks have some and maybe not as much as others, however there's also the notion of playing big. Guys like Toews, Kruger, and others. They did that during the 2013 run. Also you mention finesse but don't forget speed. More times than not speed can expose a team's weakness in the playoffs over a long series. That's why you see the Hawks seemingly dominate late in series.
- golfbard

This is what gives the Hawks and any other team the biggest problem in the long term. Whether it is speed on the fore check allowing a team to get on the defense before they have time to turn and make a play causing them lose a puck battle or make a bad pass; or it is speed on the rush causing the defense to either give too much time and space or get beat to the net (with or without the puck) the bottom line is "SPEED KILLS".

For the most part the Hawks have more speed than any other team and that is why they have done so well.

Sure it would be great to have a big, physical, skilled and fast team, but that is very hard to come by and I am not sure any current team has all of these traits. For my money, skilled and fast beats big and physical most nights and certainly in long series.

Daryl Reaugh is terrific... I am not sure he was the one being the homer....to me it sounded like the other guy, but I might be wrong...I watched the game on HS last night with Edzo and Pat, but watched some highlights today when I came home at NHL.com and it sounded like the other guy was a bit of a homer, but can't be sure....

Not the greatest of games, but this is why they play the games....If Q thinks rolling 3 forward lines is going to cut it in the playoffs the Hawks are screwed....Also, sooner or later Runblad,TVR,Dahlbeck someone ..... anyone....is going to have to be trusted to play some meaningful minutes, otherwise this D will be screwed by the time April comes around
- captainserious

Homer was Craig Ludwig...

he owns an ECHL team with Modano and Belfour; played with Stars for a lotta years

Homer was Craig Ludwig...

he owns an ECHL team with Modano and Belfour; played with Stars for a lotta years
- fvineze

Craig Ludwig is on the pre-and post-game shows in Dallas. Darryl Reaugh is the color analyst.

Last night was a true goalie win. Crow was rediculous. The team overall looked out of sync. It was game 1. Would think you have to run the the same lineup again to see if the dust settles. Chemistry doesn't happen over night. We just came out of the preseason where it was line scramble nearly every game.

The legs will be better Saturday. Let's not forget. Hawks are one of THE teams to beat in the NHL. Dallas is big and skilled. Tough team. What does it say about the hawks when u are jelly legged for two periods, out hit, out played and still win???


Let the dust settle. This is a good hockey team.

This is what gives the Hawks and any other team the biggest problem in the long term. Whether it is speed on the fore check allowing a team to get on the defense before they have time to turn and make a play causing them lose a puck battle or make a bad pass; or it is speed on the rush causing the defense to either give too much time and space or get beat to the net (with or without the puck) the bottom line is "SPEED KILLS".

For the most part the Hawks have more speed than any other team and that is why they have done so well.

Sure it would be great to have a big, physical, skilled and fast team, but that is very hard to come by and I am not sure any current team has all of these traits. For my money, skilled and fast beats big and physical most nights and certainly in long series.
- PuckMaster

Not sure the Hawks still have more speed in their forward group than Dallas, NYR, Avs.... More skill yes.

no one wants to admit that Q ran leddy out of town. was likely given a choice by stanley: we can ship off Rozsival or we can ship off Leddy. which one do you want? we all know Q goes with his grizzled and over-the-hill veterans.

huge blunder. rozy hurt already and season isn't even begun. between injuries and his "rest" games, maybe he plays in 25 or 30. i'm thinking maybe 1/3 of them this season. we'll see how the prediction rolls out over the course of this season.
- savvyone-1

And - had he chosen Roszival (assuming he really was given the choice) - are you sure someone was willing to take him at his salary/cap hit (and that instead of a choice, Bowman actually did shop him), and who else would have had to go to get under the cap?

I don't think Roszival by himself was enough.

Score more goals than the home team.
- BetterCallSaul

It helps

And - had he chosen Roszival (assuming he really was given the choice) - are you sure someone was willing to take him at his salary/cap hit (and that instead of a choice, Bowman actually didnt shop him), and who else would have had to go to get under the cap?

I don't think Roszival by himself was enough.
- StLBravesFan