Me while reading this write-up

being a kings fan I'm quite familiar with the ducks. And the one player I despise above all else is Perry. He is unquestionably one of the worst cheap shot artists/idiots in the game. I have a ton of respect for Getzlaf. Dudes an absolute warrior and a fantastic/respectable player. But Perry is easily a top 5 "asshat" in the game. Please, defeat him... and make it rather painful preferably.
- Woodysdemise

There might be some youtube tape somewhere of a game in Anaheim in like 2008 or 2009, where Byfuglien hit Perry so hard, he seriously looked like he was gonna cry on the bench afterward. Also basically quit for the rest of the game too.

Me while reading this write-up

- BURDA13

JJ...what's your thoughts on Boudreau vs. Q?

Boudreau doesn't seem to be that great of an in-game tactician. Think that's worth a game?

Every year it's the same story. The other team will mash the Hawks, then they themselves get mashed.

The Ducks improve their chances if they get pucks behind the Chicago D, and go to work. If they are trying to line Hawk d-men up for killshots all series, they are in deep trouble, because that will typically be when the puck is already going the other way and they should be getting back.

Bickell and Shaw will hit some people but they will take their shots selectively.

Perry's health is critical for the Ducks.
- John Jaeckel

I think there is a little bit of smoke and mirrors behind his "maintenance" day off of practice today. That was a pretty bad hit on his knee the other day, and regardless of whether he came back or not that game it probably swelled and stiffened overnight.

They have a few days for treatment, etc. especially if the series starts on Sunday, but I would almost count on the fact that he is feeling it a little bit and is not 100% even if he does play.

Getzlaf and Perry are great in the O-zone when they can use their size to effectively cycle in the corners and below the goal line, make them chase in the D-zone and they have trouble keeping up with what they can't catch, and a slightly hobbled Perry will exacerbate that.

JJ...what's your thoughts on Boudreau vs. Q?

Boudreau doesn't seem to be that great of an in-game tactician. Think that's worth a game?
- CanOCorn

Q holds more cards, and he knows how to play them better.

And where he doesn't have the cards (3rd pair), he proved in the first two rounds, he can play that masterfully, against at least one better coach than BB (LaVi).

Doesn't hurt to have 2, 7 and 4 to cover your deficiencies back there.

He's the dirtiest "Star" player in the league. Seabs will deal with him if necessary.
- Ogilthorpe2

Perry is the biggest, whiniest, babiest (that's not a real word), player when his team is losing. Actually... he is when his team is winning too. And he's just (frank)ing ugly. God I just hate looking at him

I think there is a little bit of smoke and mirrors behind his "maintenance" day off of practice today. That was a pretty bad hit on his knee the other day, and regardless of whether he came back or not that game it probably swelled and stiffened overnight.

They have a few days for treatment, etc. especially if the series starts on Sunday, but I would almost count on the fact that he is feeling it a little bit and is not 100% even if he does play.

Getzlaf and Perry are great in the O-zone when they can use their size to effectively cycle in the corners and below the goal line, make them chase in the D-zone and they have trouble keeping up with what they can't catch, and a slightly hobbled Perry will exacerbate that.
- TheTrob

And maybe reason Q might want Bickell out there against Perry at some point. Make him have to really work along the boards. Although Saad and Hossa are not exactly "weak" there.

Hey that's fine. I just want to hear the fact based argument that the Ducks are going to win.

It's not like the Hawks hold ALL the cards. But I have yet to see a cogent, comprehensive, fact-based argument yet for why the Ducks will win or even get it to 7.
- John Jaeckel

You want facts to base an argument on? I will give you facts:

During the 1978-79 season, both Q and Boudreau played for God's team - the magnificent Toronto Maple Leafs.

Q suited up for 61 games in the regular season and scored 2 Goals and had 9 assists. His +/- was +7. He also played in the playoffs.

Boudreau suited up for only 26 games and had 4G and 3A with a +/- of -3. They parked his sorry ass in the press box to eat hot dogs for the playoffs.

This clearly proves that Gabby Boudreau knows sweet FA about defence. Q will expose his shortcomings in a short series.

And those are the facts Your Honour, I rest my case.

Every year it's the same story. The other team will mash the Hawks, then they themselves get mashed.

The Ducks improve their chances if they get pucks behind the Chicago D, and go to work. If they are trying to line Hawk d-men up for killshots all series, they are in deep trouble, because that will typically be when the puck is already going the other way and they should be getting back.

Bickell and Shaw will hit some people but they will take their shots selectively.

Perry's health is critical for the Ducks.
- John Jaeckel

Couldn't agree more in terms of Perry's health being a critical factor in the outcome of this series. I very rarely, if ever, wish ill health on other folks... Perry is the single exception. with the amount of bulls**t he's delivered throughout his career he's more than earned his retribution. I have nothing but respect for players who play a hard, physical, and mostly honest game. but Perry's tactics are pure dirty and he 's often afforded the benefit of the doubt because of his "superstar" label. The best payback for all the stuff he's about to do to you guys in this series is to send him home golfing. get it done. Go Hawks

JJ...what's your thoughts on Boudreau vs. Q?

Boudreau doesn't seem to be that great of an in-game tactician. Think that's worth a game?
- CanOCorn

Boudreau is a fool. NOT a playoff coach at all. Hawks will have no worries....and I dont even like the hawks.

Q holds more cards, and he knows how to play them better.

And where he doesn't have the cards (3rd pair), he proved in the first two rounds, he can play that masterfully, against at least one better coach than BB (LaVi).

Doesn't hurt to have 2, 7 and 4 to cover your deficiencies back there.
- John Jaeckel

Yes, Yes, Yes.

Q is great at making adjustments, especially in a 7 game series. BB has just not shown that ability. When you face the same team over and over, little changes in line-ups and style of play make a huge difference.

At home BB will have a little more leash because of the last change, but the Hawks are one of the best teams in the league at getting the quick changes and the matchups they want. When the Hawks are home there will be even a bigger advantage to the Hawks.

The main advantage though is like you say.....Q just has more, higher value, cards to play

You want facts to base an argument on? I will give you facts:

During the 1978-79 season, both Q and Boudreau played for God's team - the magnificent Toronto Maple Leafs.

Q suited up for 61 games in the regular season and scored 2 Goals and had 9 assists. His +/- was +7. He also played in the playoffs.

Boudreau suited up for only 26 games and had 4G and 3A with a +/- of -3. They parked his sorry ass in the press box to eat hot dogs for the playoffs.

This clearly proves that Gabby Boudreau knows sweet FA about defence. Q will expose his shortcomings in a short series.

And those are the facts Your Honour, I rest my case.
- RickJ

And with this...we close the thread!

yzermaneely
Anaheim Ducks
Location: Poway, CA
Joined: 12.17.2011


Today @ 3:30 PM ET
"for the love of God, please defeat the Ducks. I'd love nothing more than to see Perry cry a river after yet another failed attempt at a Stanley Cup. and one more thing, I'm hoping that there are ample hawk fans located in southern CA to help invade Honda Center. I'm sure there aren't as many as say Red Wing fans that live here, but hopefully there are decent enough numbers to make a difference for the games in Anaheim. Anyways, Go Hawks. Sincerely, a Kings fan " - Woody

Dude, you haven't been paying attention long enough. The Chicago bandwagon is even bigger than the King bandwagon. Just last night I was sitting in my pickup locker room after playing when a guy I've known for 15 years mentioned he was a diehard Hawk fan. Dude grew up in VT and has been a Bruins fan as long as I have known him. Everywhere you look, there are lifetime Hawks fans over the past 6 years. I don't think you have to worry about there being some at the games in Anaheim.

Here's a concept for you. One person can be a fan of 2 teams.

Think of it this way. Mickey likes Daffy but also likes Pluto. If Daffy isn't playing then Mickey roots for Pluto.....

The Disney IT department may have a PowerPoint available but you will have to request it in Hindi. They just fired all the Americans.

Dude, you haven't been paying attention long enough. The Chicago bandwagon is even bigger than the King bandwagon. Just last night I was sitting in my pickup locker room after playing when a guy I've known for 15 years mentioned he was a diehard Hawk fan. Dude grew up in VT and has been a Bruins fan as long as I have known him. Everywhere you look, there are lifetime Hawks fans over the past 6 years. I don't think you have to worry about there being some at the games in Anaheim.
- yzermaneely

Paul McCann, is that you?

OK guys I'll start this time: On the bandwagon since 1969.

And maybe reason Q might want Bickell out there against Perry at some point. Make him have to really work along the boards. Although Saad and Hossa are not exactly "weak" there.
- John Jaeckel

Yeah, a few bone/teeth rattlers from Bickell could bring out some of the quit in Perry, but if BB does match that line against the Toews line, Hossa and Toews while not big hitters are some of the best at leaning and using leverage against the opponent, which also can cause stress on a bum knee.

JJ, one thing I disagree with.

The Blackhawks roster is not the same as when the Blackhawks played them earlier in the year.

The first game there were 6 players that will not be starting, game one, for the Hawks(projected):

Morin
Smith
TVR
Versteeg
Darling
Roszival

The 2nd game there were 5 players that will not be starting, game one, for the Hawks(projected):

Carcillo
Versteeg
Smith
Roszival
Nordstrom

The 3rd game there were 3 players that will not be starting, game one, for the Hawks(projected):

Smith
Roszival
Nordstrom

Now I would say our defensive unit is in a little weaker position, player wise, compared to the previous games on our 3rd defensive line (even though the defensive unit, as a whole, have started to play a much stronger game).

Other than that I think there is a great improvement everywhere else. Getting a #2 center to play on our 3rd line (Vermette), adding a bottom line guy with some grit (Desjardins), and getting playoff Bickell will be huge improvements. Not to mention moving Sharp to the third line with TT. Overall I would say the Hawks added a 2nd line to the team (Sharp/Vermette/TT) and are using them as the third line because the Hawks already have a 2nd line (Kane/Richards/Bickell).

That depth is going to be very difficult for the Ducks to combat against. Their excuse of them hitting/injuring the Hawks doesn't concern me either (as long as our top 4 d-men stay healthy) because we have a top 6 forward (Versteeg) and 2 bottom line guys (Nordy/Carcillo) that can fill in.

The forward depth, on this team, is something all teams wish they had.

Not to mention having 3 NHL goalies on the team too that all, individually, had over a .920 save percentage during the regular season.

The Score here in Chicago just announced Gm1 2pm Sunday Central time...

Great blog as always JJ...take cover here come the loonies...
- DK002

wow 10 day rest.. that's crazy... We may see Rozy again this year after all

And maybe reason Q might want Bickell out there against Perry at some point. Make him have to really work along the boards. Although Saad and Hossa are not exactly "weak" there.
- John Jaeckel

And don't forget #65, especially on home ice. I can see Shaw pull a trick from Corey's bag of d!cks and use it on him.

Stu17
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Anaheim, CA
Joined: 10.15.2013


Today @ 3:24 PM ET



I'd actually prefer a Ducks win the WCF and then see them beat in the SCF. []

Where is the Voynov defense fund on GoFundMe.com at????

There might be some youtube tape somewhere of a game in Anaheim in like 2008 or 2009, where Byfuglien hit Perry so hard, he seriously looked like he was gonna cry on the bench afterward. Also basically quit for the rest of the game too.
- John Jaeckel

Thank you for mentioning this. I will undoubtedly do everything in my power to find this video. and relish it. Big Buff is an absolute beast of a man, so I'm giddy just thinking about the devastation he must have unleashed upon Perry. Must've been epic.

Yeah, a few bone/teeth rattlers from Bickell could bring out some of the quit in Perry, but if BB does match that line against the Toews line, Hossa and Toews while not big hitters are some of the best at leaning and using leverage against the opponent, which also can cause stress on a bum knee.
- TheTrob

What's cool about the whole matchup thing is BB has to chase Q's lines, not the other way around. I fully expect to see many variations of Q's blender recipes come out during this series and it will truly make BB blow a head gasket.

my biggest concern is their asshats (including chief Richard perry) start taking runs and cheap shots at hawk dman....also of note when the ducks are losing perry asshatery rises to the top....hawks can not afford any loss of game time with their dmen

I really can't stand that guy...heres to bicks or shaw taking it to that jag...
- bogiedoc

Well said. And without a doubt you can fully expect,it. Just like you can expect some questionable, cheap shots on the top four on d.

Thank you for mentioning this. I will undoubtedly do everything in my power to find this video. and relish it. Big Buff is an absolute beast of a man, so I'm giddy just thinking about the devastation he must have unleashed upon Perry. Must've been epic.
- Woodysdemise

That kid (not so much anymore) can absolutely destroy people.

SMBDragon
Vancouver Canucks
Location: surrey, BC
Joined: 07.29.2010


Today @ 3:52 PM ET
I dont expect that to be too difficult for the star defeNse the hawks have. I cant stand the hawks personally due to personal bias but you can see their strengths and if you understand hockey its very clear the ducks cant win this 1. Especially with fool boudreau behind the bench.

I guess I dont hate the hawks as much with all the team canada members they have had.

Btw dont you just laugh watching queneville press conferences? Always has a death grip on the podium like its gonna fly away.

Has Benning looked into long term care insurance on your core yet? Probably time to start planning. Very little risk of riots or car fires in Vancouver any time soon. Maybe there will be funds available from that savings?