The Toews line vs the triplets will dictate this series. Aside from having the D that Chicago has; Toews and Hossa are both in the top 10 for converting defensive zone transitions and starts in to offensive zone production.
- nords21

All I saw is that Chicago has D's...

Hawks offense doesn't stop after Kane and Toews. Not even close. In fact, they can and have spread it out more so than the Bolts during these playoffs. TBs top 6 forwards can all produce, we know that. But after that im pretty sure nobody has more than 1 goal throughout their playoff run. Lets not act like the Lightning have more scoring depth/firepower than the Blackhawks because thats simply not true.

Crawford will not have to stand on his head, Hawks will really challenge the Bolts with their puck possession, center depth and ability to win face offs. Multiple shut down lines, deep pool of 2way forwards....not to mention they can match TBs pace which very few teams can say. And when all else fails the Hawks have an unmatchable group of top end talent with the added experience to get the job done. Not even Stamkos, Hedman, and the triplets and matchup to the likes of Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Hossa, Sharp, and Saad on this grand of a stage.

Really not much in Tampa's favor other than the bottom pairing defenseman and home ice.

Hawks offense doesn't stop after Kane and Toews. Not even close. In fact, they can and have spread it out more so than the Bolts during these playoffs. TBs top 6 forwards can all produce, we know that. But after that im pretty sure nobody has more than 1 goal throughout their playoff run. Lets not act like the Lightning have more scoring depth/firepower than the Blackhawks because thats simply not true.

Crawford will not have to stand on his head, Hawks will really challenge the Bolts with their puck possession, center depth and ability to win face offs. Multiple shut down lines, deep pool of 2way forwards....not to mention they can match TBs pace which very few teams can say. And when all else fails the Hawks have an unmatchable group of top end talent with the added experience to get the job done. Not even Stamkos, Hedman, and the triplets and matchup to the likes of Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Hossa, Sharp, and Saad on this grand of a stage.

Really not much in Tampa's favor other than the bottom pairing defenseman and home ice.
- SimpleJack

Who acted like the Lightning have more scoring depth/fire power? One of my "Three Reasons the Chicago Blackhawks Will Win the Stanley Cup" is "More Scoring Depth."

I love Toews. And I love Kane... but I think that the TBL brings more offense. CHI has a better D, but it's banged up. I think the series comes down to whichever D deals with the other O better...
- lumlums

Two things:

- Other than the top two lines of TB (which BTW, the Hawks top line is right up there with Tampas), they have a highly suspect third and fourth line. One thing that playoff hockey has taught me - you need four solid lines to win a Cup.

- The bolded part: Where are the Hawks D banged up? Or are we playing the whole assumption game again that this WILL happen?

Two things:

- Other than the top two lines of TB (which BTW, the Hawks top line is right up there with Tampas), they have a highly suspect third and fourth line. One thing that playoff hockey has taught me - you need four solid lines to win a Cup.

- The bolded part: Where are the Hawks D banged up?
- CaptainBlackhawk

My point is that it's the cup... Keith could be playing on a fractured tibia right now and wed know poop all about it... (he's not, but there's an example)

Who acted like the Lightning have more scoring depth/fire power? One of my "Three Reasons the Chicago Blackhawks Will Win the Stanley Cup" is "More Scoring Depth."
- Michael_Stuart

Time to revise:

Three reasons that Hawks will win the cup:

1) Toews

2) Crawford

3) A completely reasonable and non-arrogant fanbase who give it everything and was totally there for the team 10 years ago...


PS: I'll enjoy my ban when the oh-so-reasonable Hawks ref comes in here...

Michael get ready for the Hawks fans... seriously... only the things they say are fact and everything we say is wrong. That's what I have noticed reading their blog and ours.

John Jaeckel says for the Lightning to win Bishop has to stand on his head, the Bolts get lucky bounces in an up tempo game or an injury to one of the Hawks top four defenders. That's the only way. What do you think about that?

Hawks fans are very dismissive of the Bolts... they are underestimating this team. I have watched them all year and they are much better then the Hawks fans are giving them.

I don't know how this series will end up but those already anointing the Hawks the champions will surely be surprised by what the Bolts can bring.
- stammerman

Haha are you really going to call the Blackhawks fanbase out like that then not even make a prediction? My goodness... Own something other than how awful the daunting Hawks fans are...

Who acted like the Lightning have more scoring depth/fire power? One of my "Three Reasons the Chicago Blackhawks Will Win the Stanley Cup" is "More Scoring Depth."
- Michael_Stuart

lumlums said "I love Toews. And I love Kane... but I think that the TBL brings more offense" a few posts ago, also someone also said "CC will have to stand on his head".

For some reason i couldn't quote the posts.

lumlums said "I love Toews. And I love Kane... but I think that the TBL brings more offense" a few posts ago, also someone also said "CC will have to stand on his head".

For some reason i couldn't quote the posts.
- SimpleJack

Mike;s next blog will perform this action...

Great piece, MS.. Will be interested in your next one.

Faceoffs probably are the key. Both of these teams will be looking to own possession and it starts there. Hawks have not been this deep with quality and quantity face off takers since 10 IMO. Toews, Vermette, Krueger, Shaw, Richards, Desi... Bolts may miss Thompson in this series.

This is going to be some great hockey if the clutch and grab is controlled.

Hawks fans are very dismissive of the Bolts... they are underestimating this team. I have watched them all year and they are much better then the Hawks fans are giving them.

I don't know how this series will end up but those already anointing the Hawks the champions will surely be surprised by what the Bolts can bring.

Total over generalization. Lots of solid comments about the Bolts from Chicago - bloggers and team... but if this helps you get worked up have at it.

Time to revise:

Three reasons that Hawks will win the cup:

1) Toews

2) Crawford

3) A completely reasonable and non-arrogant fanbase who give it everything and was totally there for the team 10 years ago...


PS: I'll enjoy my ban when the oh-so-reasonable Hawks ref comes in here...
- lumlums

I still LOVE this argument. The facts are the facts: Chicago was always a hockey town. Sold out, or dear near it, since the inception of the franchise. A blip in the early-mid 2000's when the fanbase finally said enough was enough with how Wirtz was abusing the franchise, but moreso the fans. Learn history, my friend

Haha are you really going to call the Blackhawks fanbase out like that then not even make a prediction? My goodness... Own something other than how awful the daunting Hawks fans are...
- PuckAndSticks

Own what, why do I have have to make a prediction. I said I don't know how the series is going to end up, personally I think the Bolts are the underdogs but they have been that pretty much the whole playoffs, they are plenty capable of winning this series. I was just stating the Hawks fans are dismissive of the Bolts, that in their minds they are right and we are wrong in regards to hockey, I wouldn't* call them daunting. *EDIT

Own what, why do I have have to make a prediction. I said I don't know how the series is going to end up, personally I think the Bolts are the underdogs but they have been that pretty much the whole playoffs, they are plenty capable of winning this series. I was just stating the Hawks fans are dismissive of the Bolts, that in their minds they are right and we are wrong in regards to hockey, I would call them daunting.
- stammerman

There's a difference between being confident of your team based upon facts/stats and being dismissive.

Do I dismiss the Bolts? Not at all. They got here a result of a very good regular season coupled with a very strong post season.

Do I think the Hawks are better? I do. For quite a few reasons.

That doesn't make me dismissive.

Total over generalization. Lots of solid comments about the Bolts from Chicago - bloggers and team... but if this helps you get worked up have at it.
- tredbrta

I haven't really found that, maybe I am wrong but I have read all kinds of things since the match up has been set. I have been told repeatedly in other forums and social media by Hawks fans (not on this blog because I have really bantered with you guys just read) that I know nothing, they know everything. It's not even worth debating when its like that.

I still LOVE this argument. The facts are the facts: Chicago was always a hockey town. Sold out, or dear near it, since the inception of the franchise. A blip in the early-mid 2000's when the fanbase finally said enough was enough with how Wirtz was abusing the franchise, but moreso the fans. Learn history, my friend
- CaptainBlackhawk

Second lowest attendance circa 2005 says not...

PS: Reasearch is my Jam... this is what I'm good at

And you wanna know about "Owner abuses fans"? Try looking up "Harold Ballard"...

I love th Hawks game and franshise as it stands, but there were many dark years.. don't try and put lipstick on the pig; own it... The best fans are the ones who stood by DESPITE the poopty years.... If you're one of those, I tip my hat to you...

Pitch Perfect > Chicago Blackhawks

Pitch Perfect > Chicago Blackhawks
- Mr_Underwood

How was Pitch Perfect 2, worth a movie ticket or wait for blu ray? I always find comedy sequels to have less plot and worse comedy schtick. Anna Kendrick does has that hot nerd vibe going, but I could do without that cow Rebel to be honest, don't find her funny at all.

Second lowest attendance circa 2005 says not...

PS: Reasearch is my Jam... this is what I'm good at

And you wanna know about "Owner abuses fans"? Try looking up "Harold Ballard"...

I love th Hawks game and franshise as it stands, but there were many dark years.. don't try and put lipstick on the pig; own it... The best fans are the ones who stood by DESPITE the poopty years.... If you're one of those, I tip my hat to you...
- lumlums

The Chicago Blackhawks have been around an AWFUL long time. During the mass majority of that time, the Hawks were consistently drawing large crowds. That's my point. There were about 8-9 years in which Hawk fans, again, stopped being abused.

Did Harold Ballard not allow fans to watch home games, instead telling them to go and pay to watch every single regular season game while lining his own pockets?

Did Harold Ballard reject trades that would cause an uptick in salary on the team and be quoted as saying "That will cost money"?

Did Harold Ballard purposely not sign key/homegrown free agents simply because he didn't want to pay them, but then turn around & sign aged/over the hill free agents?

That's three issues off the top of my head. It was so horrible, I got (3) phone calls from friends around 6 a.m. to let me know he passed away the morning he did.

Read a book (there is actually a book on this very topic): Mark Weinberg,"Career Misconduct: The Story of Bill Wirtz's Greed"

Second lowest attendance circa 2005 says not...

PS: Reasearch is my Jam... this is what I'm good at

And you wanna know about "Owner abuses fans"? Try looking up "Harold Ballard"...

I love th Hawks game and franshise as it stands, but there were many dark years.. don't try and put lipstick on the pig; own it... The best fans are the ones who stood by DESPITE the poopty years.... If you're one of those, I tip my hat to you...
- lumlums

So you mean the Oilers fans

How was Pitch Perfect 2, worth a movie ticket or wait for blu ray? I always find comedy sequels to have less plot and worse comedy schtick. Anna Kendrick does has that hot nerd vibe going, but I could do without that cow Rebel to be honest, don't find her funny at all.
- stammerman

Still haven't seen it

Before the Ducks/Hawks series, the consensus (Hawks board) was Hawks in 5 or 6 at most. Some predicted a sweep. "Ducks first 2 opponents not nearly as good as the Hawks first two". "No way could the Ducks win". Series went 7.

Tampa Bay defeated Detroit ( 100pts) and Montreal (110pts) the first 2 rounds. Just defeated the Presidents Trophy winner (113pts).

The Hawk fans (not all, but many), again, are dismissing Tampa Bay as an opponent that doesn't stand a chance against Chicago.

Before the Ducks/Hawks series, the consensus (Hawks board) was Hawks in 5 or 6 at most. Some predicted a sweep. "Ducks first 2 opponents not nearly as good as the Hawks first two". "No way could the Ducks win". Series went 7.

Tampa Bay defeated Detroit ( 100pts) and Montreal (110pts) the first 2 rounds. Just defeated the Presidents Trophy winner (113pts).

The Hawk fans (not all, but many), again, are dismissing Tampa Bay as an opponent that doesn't stand a chance against Chicago.
- quackup

West is best. Hawks in 5

Still haven't seen it
- Mr_Underwood

Step aside. I'm an expert on the Pitch Perfect subject. I should really quit blogging about hockey and switch to blogging about that glorious franchise.

How was Pitch Perfect 2, worth a movie ticket or wait for blu ray? I always find comedy sequels to have less plot and worse comedy schtick. Anna Kendrick does has that hot nerd vibe going, but I could do without that cow Rebel to be honest, don't find her funny at all.
- stammerman

Anna Kendrick

Yes, worth seeing. Lots of laughs.