Lower for sure maybe ankle
- oldduffman

Looked to me like he got at least one blade stuck under the boards and torqued his knee. That could be any kind of soft tissue injury to the knee, including ACL.

A few high level notes.....

- I said this right after Game 2: If Weber was lost for any period of time, the Preds were in deep doo doo. I still believe that, and his loss will go down as the single biggest note of this series.

- Even with Weber & Fisher, I still thought the Hawks were winning this series. I think, without those two, the path becomes even easier.

Game 4 should be interesting - I'm back in Chicago & will be in my perch at the UC!

Two best lines yesterday were Toews and Kruger’s. Vermette’s and Richards were fine, working hard, good forecheck. Hossa was amazing all game. Saad was causing problems with his speed. I thought Oduya was very strong. Keith and Seabs did a nice job sheltering Rozy and Kimmo.

Kane looks tentative and not very dynamic.
- John Jaeckel

Frankly, I'm not surprised. He's not 100%, and there's zero doubt he's probably playing somewhat tentative out there with concern over his collarbone.

Looked to me like he got at least one blade stuck under the boards and torqued his knee. That could be any kind of soft tissue injury to the knee, including ACL.
- John Jaeckel

I though it looked like a hyperextension and speaking from the three scope holes and 5 inch scar from pulling the tedon graft on my right knee.... ACL...but I didn't sleep in a holiday inn express last night.....

looks grim for the Preds.... one good game flips it back tuesday to home ice advantage for Nashville..but confidence is not high

Not being mentioned much but Kane looks about 85% at best to me.
- John Jaeckel

He looks incredibly tentative. I would definitely agree with you. I just dont think Versteeg is what Kane needs right now. I think a line of Kane-Vermette and Bickell is what he needs. Say what you want but in watching Vermette closely yesterday, I thought he was very strong. You dont notice him, and that's a good thing. He isnt standing out for poor play and he takes care of his own end. Play him with Kane because with Bickell on the other wing Kane will not need to win board battles bc Vermette can puck retrieve and a big body like Bickell will truly give him the space he needs.

Yeah...they aren't saying anything. But the way he went down, I have to think it is his knee (maybe ankle). Just a fluke thing at the worst possible time.
- nikoli1206

It was a fluke thing for sure .But dose not happen if HAWKS players are not finishing checks . And good on Saad for the , sorry .

It was a fluke thing for sure .But dose not happen if HAWKS players are not finishing checks . And good on Saad for the , sorry .
- oldduffman

An awful lot of knee injuries are "fluke" things

Two best lines yesterday were Toews and Kruger’s. Vermette’s and Richards were fine, working hard, good forecheck. Hossa was amazing all game. Saad was causing problems with his speed. I thought Oduya was very strong. Keith and Seabs did a nice job sheltering Rozy and Kimmo.
- John Jaeckel

I think Hossa knew he was off in Game 2 and like the champion/warrior he is came out yesterday and took over that game at times. His skates will hang in the hockey hall of fame one day.

He looks incredibly tentative. I would definitely agree with you. I just dont think Versteeg is what Kane needs right now. I think a line of Kane-Vermette and Bickell is what he needs. Say what you want but in watching Vermette closely yesterday, I thought he was very strong. You dont notice him, and that's a good thing. He isnt standing out for poor play and he takes care of his own end. Play him with Kane because with Bickell on the other wing Kane will not need to win board battles bc Vermette can puck retrieve and a big body like Bickell will truly give him the space he needs.
- nickmo2699

Yes. Kane should not be the primary player on any line he is placed on for now and that is the role he is being forced into now because these line mates cannot carry the play on their own. This is why this line is effective.

He looks incredibly tentative. I would definitely agree with you. I just dont think Versteeg is what Kane needs right now. I think a line of Kane-Vermette and Bickell is what he needs. Say what you want but in watching Vermette closely yesterday, I thought he was very strong. You dont notice him, and that's a good thing. He isnt standing out for poor play and he takes care of his own end. Play him with Kane because with Bickell on the other wing Kane will not need to win board battles bc Vermette can puck retrieve and a big body like Bickell will truly give him the space he needs.
- nickmo2699

I actually like this idea, but given those guys have basically never played together the lack familiarity could draw against this being an option.

Looked to me like he got at least one blade stuck under the boards and torqued his knee. That could be any kind of soft tissue injury to the knee, including ACL.
- John Jaeckel

Thats what I thought on seeing the replay. Blade stuck in a rut or boards and torqued his ankle or knee.

Not being mentioned much but Kane looks about 85% at best to me.
- John Jaeckel

I agree with you about Kane's condition right now. He is at best about 80% right now. To be honest, I think Kane was brought back a week to early. He needed more time practicing full contact drills and scrimmages. It is kind of a joke expecting Kane to play playoff hockey with only one full contact scrimmage under his belt. My prediction is that Kane will not be up to snuff until the start of the second round( if we beat the Preds )

I think Kane is avoiding those "dirty" areas and Steeg is trying to get in there a mix it up a bit. Those passes which were on the tape in Nov-Dec are just a little off. Before we go and toss Kris out I'd give PK some time to work up to game shape again. Looking at Kane minutes they are stilll sheltered.
- Cup-Bearer

Kane also seems to be staying away from the walls more than usual. Probably not a bad thing for now

Yes. Kane should not be the primary player on any line he is placed on for now and that is the role he is being forced into now because these line mates cannot carry the play on their own. This is why this line is effective.
- 67hawks

Kane does not have his game legs yet, but he is still at his point a GREAT decoy. No matter what physical shape he is in, he is still dangerous, and the opposition still has to respect him and match up better players against him. This frees other lines.

I think he is out of game shape and a little tentative. Give it a few games and he will be OK.

Did anyone see what Stalberg did to Hossa to piss him off?

I agree with you about Kane's condition right now. He is at best about 80% right now. To be honest, I think Kane was brought back a week to early. He needed more time practicing full contact drills and scrimmages. It is kind of a joke expecting Kane to play playoff hockey with only one full contact scrimmage under his belt. My prediction is that Kane will not be up to snuff until the start of the second round( if we beat the Preds )
- spanky

I thought Kane looked good the 1st two games , maybe not 100% good put still 3 points in 2 games good . He has always been more of a night owl then a morning persons. Line seemed to wake up as the game went on ..

Two best lines yesterday were Toews and Kruger’s. Vermette’s and Richards were fine, working hard, good forecheck. Hossa was amazing all game. Saad was causing problems with his speed. I thought Oduya was very strong. Keith and Seabs did a nice job sheltering Rozy and Kimmo.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed, and forwards helped out the D better--not leaving them alone on the island and better support in the slot areas where the Preds were killing them. It'll be interesting to see how the Preds adjust next.

If Weber isn't as serious as believed--and does come back--I'd lob it/dump it in his side & make him turn & skate against a hard forechecker...turn him into a liability. Thought consistently shooting high to the blocker side on Rinne was masterful. At some point, he may start cheating to compensate.

I agree with you about Kane's condition right now. He is at best about 80% right now. To be honest, I think Kane was brought back a week to early. He needed more time practicing full contact drills and scrimmages. It is kind of a joke expecting Kane to play playoff hockey with only one full contact scrimmage under his belt. My prediction is that Kane will not be up to snuff until the start of the second round( if we beat the Preds )
- spanky

I thought Kane looked good the 1st two games , maybe not 100% good put still 3 points in 2 games good . He has always been more of a night owl then a morning persons. Line seemed to wake up as the game went on ..

Kane does not have his game legs yet, but he is still at his point a GREAT decoy. No matter what physical shape he is in, he is still dangerous, and the opposition still has to respect him and match up better players against him. This frees other lines.

I think he is out of game shape and a little tentative. Give it a few games and he will be OK.
- TheTrob

Once the 2nd period started, Kane was calling for the puck and skating a lot harder than he had. Even saw him lightly finish a check with his shoulder in the corner. Q had reunited the Toews/Kane/Hossa line in the PP in the 3rd. Yes he's shying away from contact, but he always has in the playoffs. He's still flying up the ice and hanging around the net like he always has. I think his confidence is growing game-by-game and should be back to 100% sooner than later.

Did anyone see what Stalberg did to Hossa to piss him off?
- scottak

No put he was some steamed .

Kane also seems to be staying away from the walls more than usual. Probably not a bad thing for now
- grinder10

I wouldn't be surprised if Q's message to Kaner is "go out there, get back up to speed and limited the hits you take... we're going to need you for next round."

It was mentioned yesterday that Kane is zipping through the neutral zone like he normally does.

That's why when the Hawks get a PP Kane needs to get the puck more. There were a couple PPs that he barely touched the puck and the Hawks were keeping it to the left sidewall.

I though it looked like a hyperextension and speaking from the three scope holes and 5 inch scar from pulling the tedon graft on my right knee.... ACL...but I didn't sleep in a holiday inn express last night.....

looks grim for the Preds.... one good game flips it back tuesday to home ice advantage for Nashville..but confidence is not high
- RASSEGA

To not even travel tells me he'll miss the series. Too bad, its not great when stars get injured this time of year no matter who they play for.

Myself, I was looking for the "Pronger/Chara treatment" for Weber. Hit the hitter, and he doesn't like it. Wear him down over the 6 or 7 games and beat him.

Hawks get killed all year for not hitting enough during the season, but both times they won the cup, they beat the hell out of the supposedly big bad tough guys.........

and I like it.

To not even travel tells me he'll miss the series. Too bad, its not great when stars get injured this time of year no matter who they play for.

Myself, I was looking for the "Pronger/Chara treatment" for Weber. Hit the hitter, and he doesn't like it. Wear him down over the 6 or 7 games and beat him. Hawks get killed all year for not hitting enough during the season, but both times they won the cup, they beat the hell out of the supposedly big bad tough guys.........

and I like it.


- vabeachbear

I miss Buff in the playoffs. I still remember him steam-rolling Pronger repeatedly in 2010. Bickell got a nice contract after his 2013 playoff performance including putting Chara on his ass a couple times. Bicks can go when he wants to and I think those two chippy games vs STL at the end of the season woke up Playoff Bickell. He's been hitting big since the first STL game started. Special thanks to Ott for waking him and Sharp up?

I wouldn't be surprised if Q's message to Kaner is "go out there, get back up to speed and limited the hits you take... we're going to need you for next round."

It was mentioned yesterday that Kane is zipping through the neutral zone like he normally does.

That's why when the Hawks get a PP Kane needs to get the puck more. There were a couple PPs that he barely touched the puck and the Hawks were keeping it to the left sidewall.
- TyCamScore

I believe he was actually getting frustrated by not getting the puck. On some of the replays that they showed of him on the PP, he was open and repeatedly banging his stick on the ice with what appeared to be frustration. The PP starts and ends with Patrick Kane. He is the engine that makes him go. The PP has to get going not only this series but should the team make a run.

But Kane definitely is playing more cautious and obviously doesn't want to be hit. Once that injury starts healing a little more I think we'll be seeing him hold on to the puck longer and create opportunities for his teammates rather than instantaneously shooting or passing the puck once he touches it as he's done in the three games so far.