https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYv_thyvxGY

If kronwall did this to stewart, do you think the league would have argued that this was a stewart reverse hit gone wrong. Note how kronwall looks over his left shoulder and stops short of the boards. Of course they didn't and gave Stewart a suspension.

I'm not saying it wasn't suspension worthy just that they can rationalize it however they want to fit whether they want to give a suspension or not.

When is the NHLPA going to stick up for the guys on the end of receiving questionable hits? Oh wait, they won't because they get paid while injured while the suspended player loses pay. I'm over simplifying but the tenet is true.
- stljam

Shouldnt have been a penalty if Ovi's hit last night wasnt. Oh my goodness, those refs shouldnt be allowed to ref Mens league

Stop it with logical cerebral analysis. Great point on matchups. This is going to be interesting, and as you alluded to, the Wild have the capability to frustrate the Hawks.
- TexasFlood

Tremendous effort by Leddy.

https://vine.co/v/eWPwFP7vmvL
- CBHawks88

Seen that before

Hey everyone. I've been reading these blogs for about three years now and finally decided to get on the roller coaster.

The Wild are going to be a tough out this year again, but if the Hawks can find a 60-minute defensive effort the way they played to finish out game 6 against Nashville, I think they can win the series in 6.

However, if they decide to poop themselves for entire periods at a time again, the Hawks could be eliminated real quick.
- Hawks_49

Happy first post to you

Kronwall faces player Safety hearing for hit on Kucherov.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...765539&navid=nhl:topheads

Stop Parise from getting down low and this could be a quick series. The guy gets those greasy dirty goals every time against the Hawks.

This is the problem in my eyes with Chicago's defense - the lack of willingness to abandon the stick check in favor of clearing bodies from the lower slot and crease could be their Achilles' heel against the Wild.

Dubnyk could get exposed in this series, as his success has been far more about the team in front of him preventing quality chances than him being some kind of Vezina caliber goalie. If - and this is a very qualified if - CHI can get off of the perimeter and get dirtier down low, they can solve Dubnyk.

This is the problem apparent to most of us with the Hawks' offense all season long though. When they get to the slot they score, and when they play keep away it is pitch and catch to the goalie crest all night.

Coin flip for sure, but as usual, it is more about what the Hawks do to beat themselves than what their opponents do to them.

I didn't like the way they played against the Preds at times just like everyone here...And I remember saying to myself even if they get by Nashville in round 1, round 2 will be a blood bath because of Minny/St.Louis....Everyone is predicting a 6 or 7 game series...for whatever reason I think this one might end up a short one, much like the Ana/Winn series....And to tell you the truth, right now I don't have the confidence that the Hawks can pull this off...I just don't like the way the D has played, and CRow and Darling have been very good at times and below average at others

Happy first post to you
- Cup-Bearer

Thank you, sir!

I didn't like the way they played against the Preds at times just like everyone here...And I remember saying to myself even if they get by Nashville in round 1, round 2 will be a blood bath because of Minny/St.Louis....Everyone is predicting a 6 or 7 game series...for whatever reason I think this one might end up a short one, much like the Ana/Winn series....And to tell you the truth, right now I don't have the confidence that the Hawks can pull this off...I just don't like the way the D has played, and CRow and Darling have been very good at times and below average at others
- captainserious

The inconsistencies for Chicago are definitely worrisome. They played heart attack hockey in the first round. If they don't smarten up it'll be an exit at the hands of a very good Wild team.

If you play HNA in Chicago, we might find out in Toronto sometime.
- stljam

Love the Toronto tourney. One of the things I miss from HNA.

Love the Toronto tourney. One of the things I miss from HNA.
- sty27

I've heard mixed reviews about the quality of HNA. Some people say it's just a bunch of blue-hairs with lots of time to travel, others says it's fast and cutthroat. Which one is more accurate?

The inconsistencies for Chicago are definitely worrisome. They played heart attack hockey in the first round. If they don't smarten up it'll be an exit at the hands of a very good Wild team.
- Hawks_49

The hawks have to stick to their game. Speed through the neutral zone, carry the puck in and shoot. They have to keep getting pucks to then net. Minny's defensive system can suffocate any offense in the league. A good sign though is to me kane looked better and better every single game he played. Starting to get his speed back. Speed is key for the hawks, speed kills. And on the pp.... just shoot the (frank)ing puck. Too much passing. Shoot, retrieve the puck, shoot, retrieve the puck.obviously easier said than done though. Looking forward to this series.

Chris Kuc tweeted the second round schedule will be available soon...... that was almost an hour ago though

>JJ, think you are spot on regarding Kronwall -- has been protected by the Little Caeser's pizza baron's league office connections for far too long
>One could easily find a half dozen or more hits he has made that have been suspension worthy
>This kind of league bias really hurts the NHL long-term

A nhl.com video seems to have captured the Blackhawks locker room victory song after each win.

Old Thing Back - The Notorious BIG ft Ja Rule

http://digg.to/hZmMI

If you play HNA in Chicago, we might find out in Toronto sometime.
- stljam

Which team do you play for? My brother plays in HNA and is on the Voyagers.

Kronwall faces player Safety hearing for hit on Kucherov.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...765539&navid=nhl:topheads
- DestinBlackhawk

Now they need to go after Ovi for his boarding non-call last night.

Kuc is saying looks like G1 will be friday at 8:30, G2 sunday at 7:30

at the UC of course

Looks like Friday / Sunday for the Hawks

Edit see ehawk

Now they need to go after Ovi for his boarding non-call last night.
- Ogilthorpe2

O ya, big time

Which team do you play for? My brother plays in HNA and is on the Voyagers.
- carcus

A couple of divisions down from him.

Love the Toronto tourney. One of the things I miss from HNA.
- sty27

We have been invited 2 of the last 3 years and can't get enough guys to go. May have to add another team that is willing to go but dang, it's the most expensive in town.

We lost by a goal in the final in Toronto the last time we went. So maddening and fun at the same time but still left a very bitter ending taste.

I've heard mixed reviews about the quality of HNA. Some people say it's just a bunch of blue-hairs with lots of time to travel, others says it's fast and cutthroat. Which one is more accurate?
- Sandus

Lots of divisions with really varying skill from the little I know in Chicago. This is also definitely true in St. Louis where their A level used to be lower to mid level with the better leagues in town but now is more like the second highest leagues at other places in town. The lowest divisions contain beginner teams that often has guys who literally just started playing. So the skill gap is very wide but you have multiple divisions (9 or so in st. Louis for example)

Lots of divisions with really varying skill from the little I know in Chicago. This is also definitely true in St. Louis where their A level used to be lower to mid level with the better leagues in town but now is more like the second highest leagues at other places in town. The lowest divisions contain beginner teams that often has guys who literally just started playing. So the skill gap is very wide but you have multiple divisions (9 or so in st. Louis for example)
- stljam

Sounds a little bit better than I thought. Do they do a good job of keeping the divisions fairly even? How do they assign talent?

GAME 1 Friday 8:30 (again?!?!?!)
GAME 2 Sunday 7:30