Props to Rinne, who played really well last night, and to most of the Preds team actually. Without Fisher and Weber, they're still hanging tough and should not be taken lightly. James Neal...ugh. I'd say more but I'm going to keep it classy.

Darling: Wow! What a great story--though I have liked his game since he started with us.

Now for the whining: Can we PLEASE get a franking Power Play? Most of our time on the PP is PAINFUL to watch. We have, without question, some of the best scorers in the league. WHY CAN'T WE HAVE A POWER PLAY THAT ACCOMPLISHES SOMETHING CONSISTENTLY?? Ok. I'm done.

Great win last night...er, this morning.

Oh yeah. Seabs is a beast and so is Hoss.
- fourfeathers

Give some credit to NSH on the PK. Yes the PP was not good, but NSH was pressuring the puck hard. Really forces quick decisions and passes and NSH did a good job of shutting down a lot of it and recovering to block shots, passes and fill lanes.

Seabs did not have his best game last night, first goal was on him, had the puck with time and space and didn't get it out. Great shot to end it, definitely one of the players I want shooting in those situations, but overall not a great game by him.

Honestly, hope for a STL win tonight, Hawks victory thursday so Kane can rest another half a week to a week before a possible matchup with Minny or STL. If STL-MINNY goes 7 then we can get a rest before what would be an incredibly physical series.
- nickmo2699

Honestly, hope for a STL win tonight, Hawks victory thursday so Kane can rest another half a week to a week before a possible matchup with Minny or STL. If STL-MINNY goes 7 then we can get a rest before what would be an incredibly physical series.
- nickmo2699

Torn on that. I really hope STL gets eliminated, and the quicker they do the more joy to be had, even though MINN may be the tougher opponent going forward.

If both series go 5, I don't think round 2 starts any earlier than it would if one of them goes 7.

"The Three-Wheeled Jewel Shopping Cart"

Too funny

"But Seabrook’s goal probably doesn’t happen without Bryan Bickell blotting out the sun in front of Pekka Rinne."


JJ - PLEASE, PLEASE tell me you are as fed up as I am with this PP. It's time to put #29 in front of the net (among other tweaks).

Why can't the Hawks have as much drive with the man advantage as they do 5-on-5. They lull themselves into a coma and give an irritated staredown when an opponent takes it away.
- TyCamScore

Agree, I said it last night... 29 should be on the PP.

To me, the biggest positive of the night besides seeing Vermette score was seeing Versteeg moved down to the 4th line. Just one step from the bench, where he belongs. It's almost like Q started to see the same thing the rest of us have been seeing for months.

just saw on twitter no update on Weber will be given until tomorrow

To me, the biggest positive of the night besides seeing Vermette score was seeing Versteeg moved down to the 4th line. Just one step from the bench, where he belongs. It's almost like Q started to see the same thing the rest of us have been seeing for months.
- RomanF

I thought Versteeg looked good last night. He had some jump and the 4th line is good for him.

To me, the biggest positive of the night besides seeing Vermette score was seeing Versteeg moved down to the 4th line. Just one step from the bench, where he belongs. It's almost like Q started to see the same thing the rest of us have been seeing for months.
- RomanF

as the game went on i think he actually did sit out several shifts

I thought Versteeg looked good last night. He had some jump and the 4th line is good for him.
- SaskHawkFan

With versteeg's demotion to the 4th line he should be perched in the press box and get #42, a better man on the PK, in there.

To me, the biggest positive of the night besides seeing Vermette score was seeing Versteeg moved down to the 4th line. Just one step from the bench, where he belongs. It's almost like Q started to see the same thing the rest of us have been seeing for months.
- RomanF

Versteeg won't take a hit to make a play. Most selfish hockey player I've seen here in a long time. Guys (and gals) will say he plays best with Kane. Well no poop, who wouldn't?

Versteeg won't take a hit to make a play. Most selfish hockey player I've seen here in a long time. Guys (and gals) will say he plays best with Kane. Well no poop, who wouldn't?
- 6628

I just don't think there's a version of him that has DirecTV (props to JJ for a great line).

With versteeg's demotion to the 4th line he should be perched in the press box and get #42, a better man on the PK, in there.
- ksilvy58

Versteeg is better than Nordstrom. Nordstrom is a north and south player where as Versteeg can cycle the puck better and stick handle better.

JJ you don't think that Darling's performance is Stanbo's free ticket out of cap hell?

By trading CC you may be able to keep two of Seabs, Oduya, and Sharp as well as resign Saad and Kruger. And even if CC is somehow better than Darling next year, the cost of replacement for those other guys will likely be a significantly greater drop off...
- busmaster

Certainly the hawks would save money with Darling. And I'm not trying to be a Richard here, but I'd like to see Darling maintain sobriety for a year. I'd like to see him get blown out once next year and see how he handles it. If he lights it up next year does he maintain his humility. I'd like to think he'd handle it well, and I hope he does. But I think a larger sample size with all situations would not be too much to ask. Darling did bring any and all scrutiny on himself. But I like the guy and i'm pulling for him.

So Nashville has former hawk Carter Hutton as the backup. And the hawks have former Nashville system goalie Scott Darling. Chalk one up for Stan.

Certainly the hawks would save money with Darling. And I'm not trying to be a Richard here, but I'd like to see Darling maintain sobriety for a year. I'd like to see him get blown out once next year and see how he handles it. If he lights it up next year does he maintain his humility. I'd like to think he'd handle it well, and I hope he does. But I think a larger sample size with all situations would not be too much to ask. Darling did bring any and all scrutiny on himself. But I like the guy and i'm pulling for him.

So Nashville has former hawk Carter Hutton as the backup. And the hawks have former Nashville system goalie Scott Darling. Chalk one up for Stan.
- 6628

FWIW, (he claims) he's been sober since 2011.

FWIW, (he claims) he's been sober since 2011.
- CBHawks88

And he's still a kid. How many of us made really bad decisions in college (or in the similar age group)? Sounds like he's got his head right and is keeping it there. Are there risks that he falls off the wagon? Sure. But if it's a known problem, I'm sure the Hawks will keep an eye on him.

Versteeg is better than Nordstrom. Nordstrom is a north and south player where as Versteeg can cycle the puck better and stick handle better.
- fourfeathers

Versteeg can stick handle better, just not as good as he thinks he can.

as the game went on i think he actually did sit out several shifts
- ehawk

Q did sit him. He drove the net in OT and had a decent chance. Played harder from there. He's been frustrating but better equipped for the playoffs than TT and more offense than Nordstrom. Q doesn't have much of a choice - if Versteeg continues with the dumb turnovers TT could be a possibility though.

Let the Wild go up 3-1 today. If the Blues stretch that series let it be at home so the Wild close them out in 6. They still have Cooke but seem to be playing hockey the right way. Wouldn't have a problem seeing the Wild go all the way.

Time to stick a fork in this Hitch era for the Blues. This year's team can actually play but Hitch still chooses the low road and has Otts and Backes to lead the way. Instead of seeing hockey we see Ott trying to hurt people when they lose. He and Burrows should be out of the game. Ott was actually a cleaner player when he was younger. Hard to imagine....

FWIW, (he claims) he's been sober since 2011.
- CBHawks88

I know and that's great. But the big show can have a lot of pressure and expectations. Before they tear up his contract for a new larger one I would like to see him struggle just a little and see how he handles it. I think that's fair.

Certainly the hawks would save money with Darling. And I'm not trying to be a Richard here, but I'd like to see Darling maintain sobriety for a year. I'd like to see him get blown out once next year and see how he handles it. If he lights it up next year does he maintain his humility. I'd like to think he'd handle it well, and I hope he does. But I think a larger sample size with all situations would not be too much to ask. Darling did bring any and all scrutiny on himself. But I like the guy and i'm pulling for him.

So Nashville has former hawk Carter Hutton as the backup. And the hawks have former Nashville system goalie Scott Darling. Chalk one up for Stan.
- 6628

I hear you, but I think I read where he's basically been sober since 2011.

I know and that's great. But the big show can have a lot of pressure and expectations. Before they tear up his contract for a new larger one I would like to see him struggle just a little and see how he handles it. I think that's fair.
- 6628

One way to sum up your legitimate concerns is to say that he's unproven. He's having a great run here against Nashville, but that doesn't mean he's a #1 NHL goalie.

Still, in the cap era, every team needs to take some gambles. You simply can't have proven talent at all positions plus proven depth.

Darling seems like a good gamble to take.

Certainly the hawks would save money with Darling. And I'm not trying to be a Richard here, but I'd like to see Darling maintain sobriety for a year. I'd like to see him get blown out once next year and see how he handles it. If he lights it up next year does he maintain his humility. I'd like to think he'd handle it well, and I hope he does. But I think a larger sample size with all situations would not be too much to ask. Darling did bring any and all scrutiny on himself. But I like the guy and i'm pulling for him.
- 6628

Personally, I'd like to see everyone let the whole "past issues" go. It's been discussed enough, and while we society enjoys a "feel good" story, I think he'd like to let the past be and let his performance now and in the future be what he's remembered for.

Personally, I'd like to see everyone let the whole "past issues" go. It's been discussed enough, and while we society enjoys a "feel good" story, I think he'd like to let the past be and let his performance now and in the future be what he's remembered for.
- resqmed99

Boom. This.

"The Three-Wheeled Jewel Shopping Cart"

Too funny
- CBHawks88

I got some odd looks when I burst out laughing over the DirecTV Bryan Bickell.

JJ is bringing the lumber with the jokes today. Which is amazing to me since I can barely keep my eyes open.

Versteeg is better than Nordstrom. Nordstrom is a north and south player where as Versteeg can cycle the puck better and stick handle better.
- fourfeathers

North/South players are what you need on the 4th line, and Versteeg becomes a better player when he plays like that...like get did last night. When Versteeg tries to get cute and be Kane Lite, that's when he starts becoming a turnover machine.