I will take the under, but not by much: 80-82 mins.

This!!!

I brought this up a few blogs ago.
My feeling is once you miss the playoffs, you have to reset the count. It's like saying they made the playoffs 5 straight years, except 1.
But, most fans won't think that way, they will be fed what the media feeds them.
- powerenforcer

Agreed PB....so which way will the media go?....My assumption is the Blackhawks because most of the media is east coast biased.

Im fine w Fabbri being on vs Toews line. Schwartz and Stastny very responsible. Plus I want Hossa to have to play some D.
- Gerk

Fabbri is with Brouwer and Stastny, no?

Agreed PB....so which way will the media go?....My assumption is the Blackhawks because most of the media is east coast biased.
- ILGolfer

My thinking is if LA should win the SC this season, there will be non-stop talk about 3 in 5 (no mention of missing a playoff season in that run). The suits in NYC don't want any negatives surrounding feel-good stories.

My thinking is if LA should win the SC this season, there will be non-stop talk about 3 in 5 (no mention of missing a playoff season in that run). The suits in NYC don't want any negatives surrounding feel-good stories.
- powerenforcer

Gotcha PE...another blog acronym.....NYCS=NYC Suits....

Different thought here after reading some ESPN hockey coverage.....I know, I know...that's an oxymoron.

If LA wins the Cup this year, they win 3 out of 5 years vs Hawks 3 out of 6 years. BUT they missed the playoffs altogether last year. So the question is, if that happens....which "dynasty" is better?
- ILGolfer

I'd say 3 out of 5 and coming back from missing the playoffs is more impressive - even though that gave them extra rest. It's also why the Hawk front office - if they fall short - need to look at some early aggressive moves this summer. Dumping Bickell's salary, address 4d and 1 and 3 LW etc....

I'm gone. Enjoy all (even the blowseys). Let's hope this one is as good as 14 with the same result. Go Hawks!

Fabbri is with Brouwer and Stastny, no?
- Jason Millen

Yes my bad, Schwartz is the S in STL line.

Granted these line will prob hold for maybe first 5 mins of the game.

It appears that Ladd is now injured. Any buzz on why Ladd has not been practicing??

Berglund - Steen - Backes

Wont matter Hitch has last change. Will look for matchups to put this line against Toesw or Kane's line. Would say STL line against either bottom two of hawks lines is the look he is wanting.
- Gerk

Last change is something that I think Quenneville does reasonably well. How about Hitchcock, does he typically get the match-ups he wants?

I'd say 3 out of 5 and coming back from missing the playoffs is more impressive - even though that gave them extra rest. It's also why the Hawk front office - if they fall short - need to look at some early aggressive moves this summer. Dumping Bickell's salary, address 4d and 1 and 3 LW etc....

I'm gone. Enjoy all (even the blowseys). Let's hope this one is as good as 14 with the same result. Go Hawks!


- tredbrta

Later Tred and remember, don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes....or until the 5 hole is open!!!

It appears that Ladd is now injured. Any buzz on why Ladd has not been practicing??
- EnzoD

I sure hope not, if so that's a big deal

It appears that Ladd is now injured. Any buzz on why Ladd has not been practicing??
- EnzoD

he practiced yesterday...

Last change is something that I think Quenneville does reasonably well. How about Hitchcock, does he typically get the match-ups he wants?
- etchtech

He tries to play matchups to much.

he practiced yesterday...
- Glenman12

Am I already drunk, or did he miss practice as well on Monday?

Last change is something that I think Quenneville does reasonably well. How about Hitchcock, does he typically get the match-ups he wants?
- etchtech

He tries to play matchups to much.

Last change is something that I think Quenneville does reasonably well. How about Hitchcock, does he typically get the match-ups he wants?
- etchtech

He tries to play matchups to much.

Am I already drunk, or did he miss practice as well on Monday?
- EnzoD

I thought I read maintenance days and he is fine

He has to be better than Oshie (30 games 5g, 4a, -12) I would think. Brouwer has 78 games, 7g, 12a, -5. Maybe not that much better, lol.
- Jason Millen

Obviously many of the Hawks players have a bigger sample size than most of the Blues players when it comes to playoff scoring, but even when comparing points per game the Hawks players are much better. New/young players with little or no playoff experience on both teams will play huge roles so there's no book on how those players will perform in the ramped up pressure packed playoffs.

Looking at the playoff scoring from some of the main player from both teams:

(Games played / Points / PPG)

Kane: 116 / 114 / 0.98
Toews: 117 / 102 / 0.87
Hossa: 194 / 144 / 0.74
Anisimov: 32 / 14 / 0.44
Ladd: 57 / 16 / 0.28
Shaw: 61 / 29 / 0.47
Keith: 116 / 75 / 0.65
Seabrook: 112 / 57 / 0.51

Tarasenko: 13 / 11 / 0.85
Steen: 31 / 14 / 0.45
Stastny: 28 / 19 / 0.68
Backes: 29 / 13 / 0.45
Brouwer: 78 / 19 / 0.24
Schwartz: 18 / 7 / 0.39
Pietrangelo: 26 / 10 / 0.38
Shattenkirk: 27 / 17 / 0.63

Obviously many of the Hawks players have a bigger sample size than most of the Blues players when it comes to playoff scoring, but even when comparing points per game the Hawks players are much better. New/young players with little or no playoff experience on both teams will play huge roles so there's no book on how those players will perform in the ramped up pressure packed playoffs.

Looking at the playoff scoring from some of the main player from both teams:

(Games played / Points / PPG)

Kane: 116 / 114 / 0.98
Toews: 117 / 102 / 0.87
Hossa: 194 / 144 / 0.74
Anisimov: 32 / 14 / 0.44
Ladd: 57 / 16 / 0.28
Shaw: 61 / 29 / 0.47
Keith: 116 / 75 / 0.65
Seabrook: 112 / 57 / 0.51

Tarasenko: 13 / 11 / 0.85
Steen: 31 / 14 / 0.45
Stastny: 28 / 19 / 0.68
Backes: 29 / 13 / 0.45
Brouwer: 78 / 19 / 0.24
Schwartz: 18 / 7 / 0.39
Pietrangelo: 26 / 10 / 0.38
Shattenkirk: 27 / 17 / 0.63
- EbonyRaptor

Slightly skewed for your benefit

yes the blues stink in the playoffs

Yes the hawks are awesome and will never lose another series as long as the NHL is in existence

Like almost all of this RS, I expect the first goal in this game to be HUGE! Hawks score first and the Blows will be taking runs, activating their defense at the offensive blue line and trying to open up the game. Blows score first and Hitch will lock it down and try to suffocate/frustrate the Hawks skill forwards. First goal wins tonight, IMO. I also think that Elliot will (like Ryan Miller) be a weak link for STL in this series. He is not a big body and if given open looks, I think 88+72+19+Co will be able to beat him.
- EnzoD

Their name is the Blues, show a little respect. Just because a team has not won 3 cups in 6 years does not mean they suck. Nor does getting ousted in rd one a few years in a row either. The Blues have been a solid team for 20 years, the Hawks have not.

Different thought here after reading some ESPN hockey coverage.....I know, I know...that's an oxymoron.

If LA wins the Cup this year, they win 3 out of 5 years vs Hawks 3 out of 6 years. BUT they missed the playoffs altogether last year. So the question is, if that happens....which "dynasty" is better?
- ILGolfer

Equal imo.

Slightly skewed for your benefit

yes the blues stink in the playoffs

Yes the hawks are awesome and will never lose another series as long as the NHL is in existence
- sycsam

If it's skewed to the benefit of the Hawks, it wasn't done intentionally. I simply took the "main players" that had playoff experience (i.e. no Panarin or Fabbri).

Please explain how it's skewed and I'll be happy to edit.

Also - it was in response to the comparison between Oshie and Brouwer - I just expanded it to more players from both teams.

Andy Strickland @andystrickland

Andrew Ladd returned home to be with wife who is giving birth to child. Game time decision #Blackhawks

Their name is the Blues, show a little respect. Just because a team has not won 3 cups in 6 years does not mean they suck. Nor does getting ousted in rd one a few years in a row either. The Blues have been a solid team for 20 years, the Hawks have not.
- tyweb69

Thanks for the lesson Mother.

Did you forget the Hawks run of playoff appearances in the 80s and early 90s? How about this, if you don't like my posts, don't read them. Otherwise, you can go down to Missouri with the rest of the Blows fans and revel in the glory of their only championship team...the St. Louis Cardinals.