That IMO would be a credible excuse (UFA) -- but Leddy just signed a 7 yr HUGE deal, so clearly that can't be his excuse. He was invited to the Olympic camp, you'd think he'd want to go. Puzzling and disappointing to say the least.
- savvyone-1

Some of said names have players who are injured and recovering. We would never know exactly who, but probably and answer for a handful of guys. As you all know, a lot of guys play hurt in the playoffs and need time to recover...

They should be embarrassed. I hope this group pulls a medal out of this.
- Elbows15

*yawn*

Only thing more boring than Olympic hockey is non-Olympic international hockey.

*yawn*

Only thing more boring than Olympic hockey is non-Olympic international hockey.
- Ogilthorpe2

The two games today we're not boring - arguably, more exciting games than Rags-Bolts.

*yawn*

Only thing more boring than Olympic hockey is non-Olympic international hockey.
- Ogilthorpe2

I'd rather watch any hockey game rather than basketball.

I'd rather watch any hockey game rather than basketball.
- paulr

Well, yeah...but it was sunny and warm today

The argument that Chicago was better in the regular season holds no water. Look at the standings (82 games sample). The Ducks are at the top. This is being completely ignored. You argued a weaker division made it happen, so I posted the divisional records. (21 game sample) Ducks came out on top again with a better record against the central than Chicago has against the Pacific. "It was the bottom teams," you said. The Ducks had a better record against the top central teams than Chicago had against the bottom pacific teams (9 game sample). So now you are resorting to the 3 head to head games to make your case. The only game the two played when Anaheim wasn't icing an AHL team was the game the Ducks won. I'd also like to point out that in the playoffs, the Ducks have been better in literally every single statistical category.

Anaheim has three amazing lines going now also. While you are going on about Kesler only playing against one line, you fail to mention the Ducks other line has Getzlaf and Perry. The Ducks actually have a deeper defense than Chicago and Keith, unless hes paired with Seabrook, will have to stay back. The Ducks easily forced Calgary's big 3 to stay back and dump the puck in. Keith is all world, but he isn't as good as 3 players just by himself. And I'm looking forward to 25 minutes per game against Oduya. Have fun watching the same 4 guys all series against Anaheim's forecheck and cycle. You really think they wont be worn down by the end of the series?

I like the Hawks fans talk about playing along the boards but unfortunately I doubt the Hawks are planning for this. This series won't be about hitting, except in the Anaheim offensive zone. Anaheim gives the boards and clogs the middle really well. Their gap control has been unreal. Even Stoner can keep up with Kane and Saad playing a tight gap. The Hawks will be dumping the puck far more than you expect.

Home ice advantage means matchup advantage. This has all the makings of a repeat of last year's conference finals.
- sniper11

Except with the Hawks winning this year!

*yawn*

Only thing more boring than Olympic hockey is non-Olympic international hockey.
- Ogilthorpe2

you don't like something? Shocking.

My daughter lives in North Hollywood and I find it silly how you all use AMAZING to describe everything. I think it is because you really never witnessed amazing.

Love the way your chest is puffed out, like a true fan.

If you think Stoner can play tight on Kane, or think all your defense is the best gap control team in the world, I would suggest they come with blades sharpened, because they aren't play two newbie-to-the-playoff teams with 18 and 19 year olds, they get to play against a really GOOD team.

I used Good instead of amazing.

What I will truly think would be amazing, is if your team loses this series you come back and say the Hawks were amazing at beating them.

Enjoy the smog and your every-other-showering-schedule.

I am praying it rains on you.
- wiz1901

Probably to get away from you.

Um, we're in Orange County, not Los Angeles or North Hollywood. No smog here. Nice and sunny too. And we even get to shower every day if we want. Thanks for the mature post.

I have to agree with True Grit.

I really don’t care what TSN, THN, ESPN, Sportworld, sports net, Kanye West/Bette Midler dot com thinks, or what the analytic breakdown from Stats in your drawers says.

Don’t find solice in who anybody thinks wins, or why.

I have experienced enough Stanley Cup Final Fours to know that each game is totally separate entity and each shift and everyone’s play is what gets a win.

Sure I used to feel comfort in pre-series opinions, but now the way I look at it, is if everyone favored the team I wanted to win, and they lose even one (the first game) those same “experts” start reporting in negative terms about the whys and where-fore,
Conversely the team I am rooting for wins, and it is so very easy to get cocky and think the next three wins will come the same way, and that really isn’t the way Cup playoffs go…teas don’t ro;;over and pucks deflect, bounce, skip, and go dead and the other guys score, besides the times they simply make good plays and beat my guys.

I am not chastising anyone, just trying to be a hawk fan who keeps an even keel. Not gonna go all rah-rah and then return to the board if there are sour moments to critique this player or that.

Not suggesting you all fall in line, just saying let’s play hockey a bit, on the ice, not the board.
- wiz1901

Well said Wiz! And I agree with you...don't care what anyone says, nor does it matter what they say, if the players on the ice don't perform then nothing really matters

My daughter lives in North Hollywood and I find it silly how you all use AMAZING to describe everything. I think it is because you really never witnessed amazing.

Love the way your chest is puffed out, like a true fan.

If you think Stoner can play tight on Kane, or think all your defense is the best gap control team in the world, I would suggest they come with blades sharpened, because they aren't play two newbie-to-the-playoff teams with 18 and 19 year olds, they get to play against a really GOOD team.

I used Good instead of amazing.

What I will truly think would be amazing, is if your team loses this series you come back and say the Hawks were amazing at beating them.

Enjoy the smog and your every-other-showering-schedule.

I am praying it rains on you.
- wiz1901

Amazing post! I've witnessed the birth of at least two of my children, so I know what amazing is.

The way the playoffs are officiated, it becomes a little easier to clog the neutral zone and slow players down. I don't think Stoner will be playing much against Kane and I think the Rangers have the best gap control in the world.

Its a bummer (another SoCal word) that you think only one "really GOOD team" is coming to this party. By the way, its not like Ducks fans think they are playing Winnipeg again, we know the Hawks will be the toughest competition yet and I think the Ducks can win this series. It is strange that Hawks fans are acting like Nashville is a tougher team than Anaheim. The Hawks haven't faced this level of competition yet either, my friend.

It rained yesterday... thanks a lot you jerk.

My daughter lives in North Hollywood and I find it silly how you all use AMAZING to describe everything. I think it is because you really never witnessed amazing.

Love the way your chest is puffed out, like a true fan.

If you think Stoner can play tight on Kane, or think all your defense is the best gap control team in the world, I would suggest they come with blades sharpened, because they aren't play two newbie-to-the-playoff teams with 18 and 19 year olds, they get to play against a really GOOD team.

I used Good instead of amazing.

What I will truly think would be amazing, is if your team loses this series you come back and say the Hawks were amazing at beating them.

Enjoy the smog and your every-other-showering-schedule.

I am praying it rains on you.
- wiz1901

This. All day. Thanks Wiz.

Kesler has talked smack about how beatable Chicago is before, and only won one of them. The rest of the time, he's been crying in front of his stall in the dressing room after games 6 or 7.

His record as a Duck versus Chicago is 1-2. It was worse as a Canuck. Some Duck fan (oh wait, it was Sniper) was on here talking about how all the "prognisticators" were taking the Amazing Ducks.

The 1 out of 14 at ESPN? The Score? The Hockey News? nbcsports.com?

Craig Button is taking the Ducks by a hair, so there's that.

But prognostication is just that.

I did find Travis Yost's Analytic Storyline' immediately preceding Button's pick to be more telling:

"If there's one team that Bruce Boudreau didn't want to see, it's the Chicago Blackhawks. Since his first full season a a head coach in Anaheim, the Ducks have managed to control just 45 percent of the scoring chances and just 44 percent of the shots at even strength agaisnt Joel Quenneville's team."

Like being outshot 105-72 in the regular season series? Ya think?

Because that, again, is a statistical outcome driven by talent and styles of play that will likely not change, barring injury. Even if as Sniper assures us (himself?), the Ducks have become the greatest possession team in history since the trade deadline.

Hey Kids,

looks like there's an actual game to play this afternoon thank God. We can dispense with all of the chatter and actually see some real live hockey.

Caught some of the Bolts/Rags yesterday. Rags caught a break on the winner after Tampa had three PPs in a row.

Sadly I think we get Kenny Albert and Joe Micheletti this afternoon with the call (gag). Would rather have Strader with the call, but Al mentioned Kenny has moved up to their #2 last season (mistake)...

I imagine the Hawks will show a bit of rust here in the first 5 minutes or so and then they should settle in.

Let's Go Hawks!!!

Really looking forward to this matchup. The first two series were great but there wasn't that nasty streak that this series potentially may have with the likes of Kesler,Perry and Getzlaf.

I see two teams matched up pretty closely but in three areas I think the Hawks match up better. Kane and Toews are a step above Perry and Getzlaf. Keith and Seabrook are better than Anaheim's top pairing. And Boudreau isn't in the same league as Quenneville as a tactician, especially as an in game tactician, however as one of the top player's coaches, his team will go through the boards for him.

If the Hawks win today I think it will be over quickly with the Hawks taking it in 5. If they don't win it could be a long series.

Since I never pretend to be a goalie expert (just everything else) I found this breakdown of each goalies styles as close to brilliant.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=767866&navid=DL|NHL|home

Again, all this doesn't account for for a deflection going into the net off Nick Leddy in overtime...

Kesler has talked smack about how beatable Chicago is before, and only won one of them. The rest of the time, he's been crying in front of his stall in the dressing room after games 6 or 7.

His record as a Duck versus Chicago is 1-2. It was worse as a Canuck. Some Duck fan (oh wait, it was Sniper) was on here talking about how all the "prognisticators" were taking the Amazing Ducks.

The 1 out of 14 at ESPN? The Score? The Hockey News? nbcsports.com?

Craig Button is taking the Ducks by a hair, so there's that.

But prognostication is just that.

I did find Travis Yost's Analytic Storyline' immediately preceding Button's pick to be more telling:

"If there's one team that Bruce Boudreau didn't want to see, it's the Chicago Blackhawks. Since his first full season a a head coach in Anaheim, the Ducks have managed to control just 45 percent of the scoring chances and just 44 percent of the shots at even strength agaisnt Joel Quenneville's team."

Like being outshot 105-72 in the regular season series? Ya think?

Because that, again, is a statistical outcome driven by talent and styles of play that will likely not change, barring injury. Even if as Sniper assures us (himself?), the Ducks have become the greatest possession team in history since the trade deadline.
- John Jaeckel

Kesler was unreal during the Vancouver-Chicago 2010-11 series, but he is a few years older. Stoner can also be a player that can knock a player out of a series like he did Shaw last year. this series will come down to goaltending (if Crawford can play solid and Anderson not be superman), special teams, and injuries, and the defense corp (Anaheim lack of experience with Wiz sitting and minutes for Chicago main 4). And in the end if it comes down to lucky puck bounces, may the bounces and calls favor the Hawks.

I see two teams matched up pretty closely but in three areas I think the Hawks match up better. Kane and Toews are a step above Perry and Getzlaf. Keith and Seabrook are better than Anaheim's top pairing. And Boudreau isn't in the same league as Quenneville as a tactician, especially as an in game tactician, however as one of the top player's coaches, his team will go through the boards for him.

If the Hawks win today I think it will be over quickly with the Hawks taking it in 5. If they don't win it could be a long series.
- paulr

Agreed, Hawks do seem to have a favorable matchup against the Ducks and less favorable than a healthy Kings team. But the Ducks do seem to be playing a lot like the Kings recently. Should be a good series. Nate Thompson played quite well for the Ducks last few games. But he will be up against better 3rd and 4th line players this round.

Its a bummer (another SoCal word) that you think only one "really GOOD team" is coming to this party.

It rained yesterday... thanks a lot you jerk.
- sniper11

Actually know my teams capabilities, but don't brag on what they can/might do...I have seen most playoffs since 1960's and know not only that underdogs can elevate to win but stuff happens, and parity exists.

really good team replaces AMAZING team in my jargon...and you know what?, the roster of my team has guys who have been there not crapped the bed in their attempts to GET there.

And lastly: I truly think - check the weather and hope for rain there.

I called you no names.

Its a bummer (another SoCal word) that you think only one "really GOOD team" is coming to this party.

It rained yesterday... thanks a lot you jerk.
- sniper11

Actually know my teams capabilities, but don't brag on what they can/might do...I have seen most playoffs since 1960's and know not only that underdogs can elevate to win but stuff happens, and parity exists.

really good team replaces AMAZING team in my jargon...and you know what?, the roster of my team has guys who have been there not crapped the bed in their attempts to GET there.

And lastly: I truly think - check the weather and hope for rain there.

I called you no names.

and...I am still praying it rains on you.

Really looking forward to this matchup. The first two series were great but there wasn't that nasty streak that this series potentially may have with the likes of Kesler,Perry and Getzlaf.
- jhawk159

...and of course all the times our Blackhawks played the St. Louis Blues, the Blues had no nasty streak.


At some juncture all the old school hockey fans must embrace the new paradigns in the way the game has changed.

I see two teams matched up pretty closely but in three areas I think the Hawks match up better. Kane and Toews are a step above Perry and Getzlaf. Keith and Seabrook are better than Anaheim's top pairing. And Boudreau isn't in the same league as Quenneville as a tactician, especially as an in game tactician, however as one of the top player's coaches, his team will go through the boards for him.

If the Hawks win today I think it will be over quickly with the Hawks taking it in 5. If they don't win it could be a long series.
- paulr

This.

I see two teams matched up pretty closely but in three areas I think the Hawks match up better. Kane and Toews are a step above Perry and Getzlaf. Keith and Seabrook are better than Anaheim's top pairing. And Boudreau isn't in the same league as Quenneville as a tactician, especially as an in game tactician, however as one of the top player's coaches, his team will go through the boards for him.

If the Hawks win today I think it will be over quickly with the Hawks taking it in 5. If they don't win it could be a long series.
- paulr

Paul, I think there's a distinction that you didn't hit here (although clearly you realize it) that I have yet to hear a Duck fan admit, much less say how they will address this in the series.

Perry and Getzlaf play on trhe same line, Kane and Toews don't. The truth is, when teams load up to stop Saad-Toews-Hossa, Kane usually runs wild.

Same dynamic regular season versus Minnesota—and in the playoffs. Same dynamic regular season versus Anaheim. Playoffs?

There's a serious matchup issue there and so I think a key to this series is also Sharp-Vermette-TT. if they get somthing going offensively—and they've shown flashes—look out, this is over in 5.

Paul, I think there's a distinction that you didn't hit here (although clearly you realize it) that I have yet to hear a Duck fan admit, much less say how they will address this in the series.

Perry and Getzlaf play on trhe same line, Kane and Toews don't. The truth is, when teams load up to stop Saad-Toews-Hossa, Kane usually runs wild.

Same dynamic regular season versus Minnesota—and in the playoffs. Same dynamic regular season versus Anaheim. Playoffs?

There's a serious matchup issue there and so I think a key to this series is also Sharp-Vermette-TT. if they get somthing going offensively—and they've shown flashes—look out, this is over in 5.
- John Jaeckel

The other key, how aggressive will the Hawks defense be and will they be involved in the offense?

New blog is up