Is Ehrhoff really that bad that he can't play over Lurch?

Is Ehrhoff really that bad that he can't play over Lurch?
- Dannyboy

Yes.

To everyone saying Mash "can't catch" any of the fast/skilled skaters - how many solid hits come from skating another player down from behind? They come from skarting toward an incoming player. He doesn't have to catch them he just has to be in the way when they are skating in his direction.

I'm not quite as big of a Mash hater as others. He will go to the net and has had a couple of deflections/tip ins that in the dirty areas. I know it is a minor thing, but does anyone notice notice how not only he, but the whole team erupts when he scores? How many times do we see ugly Mash-type goals turn a game or series.
- Chunk

Hi Q, nice of you to stop by this morning. Hope your lineup decisions have most of us eating our words late tonight.

My 2nd bold prediction: at least 2 Too Many Men Penalties will be taken by the Blackhawks tonight as a result of #53's bench time after the 1st few shifts -- and the double-shifting that will be happening. This will cause much confusion and will give #22 and the PK guys plenty of time to tune up.

"But Mashinter can, through his play, target Blues like Robby Fabbri or Vladimir Tarasenko, or at least distract guys like Brouwer, Backes and Reaves."

He has been "targeting" players all year, but cannot catch them. JJ, you can diminish and rationalize the Mashinter situation all you like. I, for one, think it is a huge mistake that makes this game (sans Keith) nearly unwinnable. Thankfully, Queneville has lowered my expectations to ZERO for tonight by dressing 3.66 lines. Now I can watch comfortably with no expectations. Hope for a split, but even if they go down 2-0, that worked so well for the Blows in 2014
- EnzoD

I have watched every hawk game this year...and I can't recall any "big legal hit" or even a very good forecheck by mash...however he generally doesn't make big mistakes eaither...yes he made a bad TO in the bruin game...but generally he is not a big mistake machine...probably also why Q plays him (for 5-6 minutes)

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! Yeah Baby!!!!!

I love the first round! Mucho hokey o!

Hey, Mash taters ain't no Carbomb but he ain't no Christian Ruutuu either.
Enjoy my frents. Enjoy.

GO HOCKS!

https://youtu.be/ydZ704j2QeU

Is Ehrhoff really that bad that he can't play over Lurch?
- Dannyboy

erhoff was never a stellar defender in his younger days with the nucks...he got the big deal with the sabres as offensive minded dman...and of course went south and took some really bad hits resulting in concussion problems...that has impacted his game big time...he looks very tentative out there trying to avoid contact (cant blame him really)...i suspect his nhl days are over after this season...the hawks took a high reward/low risk trade by moving scuderi and clearing some $$$...

the high reward numerator has not worked out so far...

No way TT has a good series with that line he is suited up with tonight. TT needs to put up some offense for this team to be productive. He will not with Mashinter on one of his wings. Not shooting the messenger either JJ, just stating what is true. If the Hawks want to dress 53 all series then my prediction of the Hawks being done in 5 is looking better and better!!

Hi Q, nice of you to stop by this morning. Hope your lineup decisions have most of us eating our words late tonight.

My 2nd bold prediction: at least 2 Too Many Men Penalties will be taken by the Blackhawks tonight as a result of #53's bench time after the 1st few shifts -- and the double-shifting that will be happening. This will cause much confusion and will give #22 and the PK guys plenty of time to tune up.
- savvyone-1

lead the league in that dept with 17..i think (is that all)...oh and the refs have missed a more than a few....

Hi Q, nice of you to stop by this morning. Hope your lineup decisions have most of us eating our words late tonight.

My 2nd bold prediction: at least 2 Too Many Men Penalties will be taken by the Blackhawks tonight as a result of #53's bench time after the 1st few shifts -- and the double-shifting that will be happening. This will cause much confusion and will give #22 and the PK guys plenty of time to tune up.
- savvyone-1

Me too. in all seriousness, how many times do the Hawks poop the bed on the first road game of a series. It's almost like clockwork. And it's not like Q won't change it up if he finds that Mash simply can't do it in the playoffs.

I am NOT saying that I think this is a great decision, but Mash was in the lineup for half the season and we are still in the playoffs. I know it is not "because" of him, but the playoffs are a different animal. Bickel was completely different between regular and post. I know they are not the same player, but you never know what can happen. Let's enjoy the games!

I'm not on Twitter, but if I was, I'd start some kind of movement like this:

#UnleashtheWeise

lead the league in that dept with 17..i think (is that all)...oh and the refs have missed a more than a few....
- bogiedoc

Expect a few tonight Bogie, especially with this lineup.
I'd love to eat my words tomorrow morning with Q looking like a genius.
But my guess is, most of what we prophetically expect tonight will happen.

Only a totally dialed-in Crawford and whole lotta luck hoping that Toews and Hossa find their offensive games so that there will be more than 1 line the Blues/Hitch needs to worry about will help the Hawks come up with a W tonight.

Not only more games in the last 7 years than any team on the planet, but more games over 7 years than any team in the story of the sport.

If the Blackhawks should lose to the Blues this series, I will feel better than I did when the Blackhawks lost to Phoenix a few seasons ago. The Blues are a good team, and we all have to remember, Chicago was in their shoes not too long ago. As long as the team is competitive and the series is tough, I am happy that the Blackhawks will always have a chance to win.

Expect a few tonight Bogie, especially with this lineup.
I'd love to eat my words tomorrow morning with Q looking like a genius.
But my guess is, most of what we prophetically expect tonight will happen.

Only a totally dialed-in Crawford and whole lotta luck hoping that Toews and Hossa find their offensive games so that there will be more than 1 line the Blues/Hitch needs to worry about will help the Hawks come up with a W tonight.
- savvyone-1

Crawford usually is really good against the Blues.

It is a lot to ask of him to be totally dialed in after missing as much time as he has and jumping back into a playoff series.

I have a feeling that this series will be a higher than normal scoring series.

I have watched every hawk game this year...and I can't recall any "big legal hit" or even a very good forecheck by mash...however he generally doesn't make big mistakes eaither...yes he made a bad TO in the bruin game...but generally he is not a big mistake machine...probably also why Q plays him (for 5-6 minutes)
- bogiedoc

Same here Bogie. I've missed maybe 2 games all year and like I have been saying all week....If it was Ryan Reaves next to Tuevo or Chris Neil or another NHL level goon, FINE! But, as it stands, Brandon Mashinter cannot deliver a punishing body check, or punish someone with his fists (look at his horrible fights this year), so what purpose does he really serve? Someone commented this weeks ago, but 2 games that Toews fought this year, Mashinter was in the lineup. So much for that "deterrence"

Not feeling good about this game. If Crawford still has some rust I expect a blowout tonight
- waitforawhistle

If you're thinking a blowout that's because Q's lines will look like this:

53-53-53
53-53-53
53-53-53
53-53-53

53-53
53-53
53-53

Crawford

Hawks will be penalized for too few men on the ice and Crow will serve the penalty....

Expect a few tonight Bogie, especially with this lineup.
I'd love to eat my words tomorrow morning with Q looking like a genius.
But my guess is, most of what we prophetically expect tonight will happen.

Only a totally dialed-in Crawford and whole lotta luck hoping that Toews and Hossa find their offensive games so that there will be more than 1 line the Blues/Hitch needs to worry about will help the Hawks come up with a W tonight.
- savvyone-1

Mornin' Savvy, Bogie...et all...still can't believe Mash is in this evening.
This is the Blues game to lose tonight - no Keith and Mash is in. I'm sure this will deter Brouwer from nailing TT early and often. If Q really wants to go for the trifecta Runny should get a start this evening. Q was almost gushing about Runny yesterday in the presser...'he's been playing 25 minutes a game at Rockford.'

Let me conclude by saying I am by no means a hockey coach, but I did stay at a Holliday Inn Express last night...

GO HAWKS!!!

I got watch Payton play football, Jordan play basketball and now Toews and Kane play hockey. Whos cares about Taters? Can't you people enjoy anything? Wait for it to unfold. Q doesn't want to lose. Golly gum drops people. I'm excited and I'll be listening on the radio in my bubble.

GO TATERS!

I got watch Payton play football, Jordan play basketball and now Toews and Kane play hockey. Whos cares about Taters? Can't you people enjoy anything? Wait for it to unfold. Q doesn't want to lose. Golly gum drops people. I'm excited and I'll be listening on the radio in my bubble.

GO TATERS!
- hocktock

LOL I like the outlook Hocktock! Here's hoping Monster Mash goes for the Gordie Howe Hattrick and leaves Blows' nation in shock!!

LOL I like the outlook Hocktock! Here's hoping Monster Mash goes for the Gordie Howe Hattrick and leaves Blows' nation in shock!!
- EnzoD

LIKE

If the Blackhawks should lose to the Blues this series, I will feel better than I did when the Blackhawks lost to Phoenix a few seasons ago. The Blues are a good team, and we all have to remember, Chicago was in their shoes not too long ago. As long as the team is competitive and the series is tough, I am happy that the Blackhawks will always have a chance to win.
- powerenforcer

other than 91 and schwartz and yes elliot (he has been good) this team is nothing special and they have done nothing special except have good seasons and dump out in the 1st round with home ice as the big man stands folded arms behind the bench mumbling to himself...and the blues faithful is just kidding themselves saying ..."oh this team is deeper and better..." poop its the same core of 10-12 players that has crapped out time and time again...

the blues are going have to earn it and belly up big time to beat the hawks in 7...it took the nucks 7 and ot to beat the hawks after going up 3-0, it took 5 ot and a stand on head mike smith to get rid of a inferior 2012 team..

mees think Q has some interesting match ups coming hitches way...would not be surprised kane and/or panerin up with toews at times...also krugs centering the wonder twins....q has alot of options to mix and match up and down his line-up...

blues like to force the play with their dmen...whip it around and shoot from the points to get bounces and deflections...they could pay for that with odd mans going the other way...and really are boumeister and petrangelo going to consistently handle 88 and 72....(frank) that....

where the hawks suck and get hammered is the down low behind the net play...they give up way to many goals getting burned down there

LOL I like the outlook Hocktock! Here's hoping Monster Mash goes for the Gordie Howe Hattrick and leaves Blows' nation in shock!!
- EnzoD

Setting the bar really high.

To everyone saying Mash "can't catch" any of the fast/skilled skaters - how many solid hits come from skating another player down from behind? They come from skarting toward an incoming player. He doesn't have to catch them he just has to be in the way when they are skating in his direction.

I'm not quite as big of a Mash hater as others. He will go to the net and has had a couple of deflections/tip ins that in the dirty areas. I know it is a minor thing, but does anyone notice notice how not only he, but the whole team erupts when he scores? How many times do we see ugly Mash-type goals turn a game or series.
- Chunk

then they go around him like he's a pylon...

Assuming Crawford is healthy, I wouldn't be worrying about the Hawks goaltending. The bottom 3 rear guards are another matter.
- Jason Millen

Both teams will play the hell out of the Top 4 this series.

Having seen Gunnarson in action with the Leafs I know he isn't much and neither is Bortuzzo but the Blues have the edge on D overall.

lead the league in that dept with 17..i think (is that all)...oh and the refs have missed a more than a few....
- bogiedoc

per cbs

Seven of the NHL’s 16 playoff teams were among the league’s most penalized clubs for having too many men on the ice, according to STATS. Chicago, which begins its title defense Wednesday in St. Louis, was second with 13, followed by Detroit (11), Minnesota (10) and the New York Islanders (10), and Anaheim, Dallas and San Jose in a group at nine.