wow...great point as the game went i said the same thing to a buddy of mind...but i did not know the actual stats...at least 4-5 times i thought that's going in and they missed the net....
- bogiedoc

Hawks had really good stats all around.

My eye test says that with all of the stats - and I'm sure someone will post stats that disprove this - they just didn't put enough pressure on Elliot - lots of one-and-dones, not many 2nd/3rd shot ops, didn't get him to move much, ESPECIALLY on the PPs.

Maybe it was because he was getting cut off at every pass and clobbered late. I hope he's in good shape going forward.
- kinigitt

(Frank)ing warrior man. Still going in to make contact and to the blue paint.

Had to end that way - excellent defense and goaltending by both teams - excellent PK by the Indianhead and blue note.

From my viewpoint - the Hawks needed to capitalize on the OT PP - game over after that, I thought - no surprise to me at the ending.

If your guys could shoot straight, it might have been over sooner - only 18 of 60 Blues shots were on net - 20 blocked, 22 missed. Good protection by the Hawks - scoring chances were Chicago by 37-21 (War On Ice).
- StLBravesFan

THe blues were trying to be cute and make a lot of passes instead of just shooting and hoping for rebounds.

Blues have to be a ton better to win this series but they won a game that was as close to a must win for a Game 1

ITs not going to be easy for either team

It shouldn't be easy

Hopefully Parayko takes some time in practice to try and hit the net

Hawks had really good stats all around.

My eye test says that with all of the stats - and I'm sure someone will post stats that disprove this - they just didn't put enough pressure on Elliot - lots of one-and-dones, not many 2nd/3rd shot ops, didn't get him to move much, ESPECIALLY on the PPs.
- StLBravesFan

In a playoff game like that the real opportunities to score were by Toews (2) and when Panarin split the D and shot from the circle. And 5 PP's.

Of course you can find 4 or 5 chances the Blues had as well.

Hawks had really good stats all around.

My eye test says that with all of the stats - and I'm sure someone will post stats that disprove this - they just didn't put enough pressure on Elliot - lots of one-and-dones, not many 2nd/3rd shot ops, didn't get him to move much, ESPECIALLY on the PPs.
- StLBravesFan

no shooting lanes up top and seabs went wide on a couple of blasts; seemed content to try to set up the back door one timer every PP...blues are aggressive and force quick decisions on the pp....

blues missed the net...hawks had the puck bounce the other way all night...

Much easier to juggle forward lines to generate offense than to come back from a 4-0 or 5-0 pounding because the Hawks couldn't keep the puck out of the net.

1) Very interested to see who sits when Keith returns as one guy provides no o-zone presence (Sveddy) and one scares you in the d-zone (Gus)

2) I was a bit surprised that there was no sustained line blender in the third. I would expect Panarin to go with 19/81, Laddy to go with 86/12, and TBD to go with 15/88 at some point. The Blues job on the Anisimov line was very crucial to the Game #1 victory.

Much easier to juggle forward lines to generate offense than to come back from a 4-0 or 5-0 pounding because the Hawks couldn't keep the puck out of the net.

1) Very interested to see who sits when Keith returns as one guy provides no o-zone presence (Sveddy) and one scares you in the d-zone (Gus)

2) I was a bit surprised that there was no sustained line blender in the third. I would expect Panarin to go with 19/81, Laddy to go with 86/12, and TBD to go with 15/88 at some point. The Blues job on the Anisimov line was very crucial to the Game #1 victory.
- phantasmo

with keith back...they stay with sved....i don't see erhoff in G2...

we saw the twins with krugs in the 3rd....we will the nuc option with 72 and/or 88 with toews at some point....

with keith back...they stay with sved....i don't see erhoff in G2...

we saw the twins with krugs in the 3rd....we will the nuc option with 72 and/or 88 with toews at some point....
- bogiedoc

I'd keep Svedberg out there. Just... I'm hoping Gustafsson gets more on the job training next season to work on his defensive game, but the playoffs aren't the place to do it. Svedberg covers a surprising amount of ice, and he holds his own when taking his man out of the play. Gus is largelely ineffective at shutting guys down, which would be ok if he had his O zone game going, but that seems to have vanished.

When 2 comes back Friday, i'd like to see him and 7 paired, keep 4-57 and let Sved-Rosy be pair 3.
Weiss for Mash, Panik for Fliesh

Hawks had really good stats all around.

My eye test says that with all of the stats - and I'm sure someone will post stats that disprove this - they just didn't put enough pressure on Elliot - lots of one-and-dones, not many 2nd/3rd shot ops, didn't get him to move much, ESPECIALLY on the PPs.
- StLBravesFan

Toews biffed two break aways and they crapped the bed on the 5v3.

They had 13 high danger chances at 5v5 as opposed to STL at 5. Would have been nice to put that one away but this team is clearly tooled up for the playoffs and ready to rock.

Hawks had really good stats all around.

My eye test says that with all of the stats - and I'm sure someone will post stats that disprove this - they just didn't put enough pressure on Elliot - lots of one-and-dones, not many 2nd/3rd shot ops, didn't get him to move much, ESPECIALLY on the PPs.
- StLBravesFan

The boys played a really solid read game last night and deserved a better fate. At the very least if would have been better to lose on a good goal and not a flukey shot. But give credit to Backes for putting the puck on the net, that's never a bad idea in OT.

With a couple lineup changes game 2 should be different. I would take out Svedberg for Keith, but it would easily be Gus sitting out. I know we all complain about Mashinter but he needs to come out too, for either Wiese or Panik (it doesn't matter which). Mash played just under 7 and a half minutes while his line mates all played over 12 and a half. That speaks volumes about Mash'e abilities. He's not terrible, but the team has better options right now than Mashinter.

When 2 comes back Friday, i'd like to see him and 7 paired, keep 4-57 and let Sved-Rosy be pair 3.
Weiss for Mash, Panik for Fliesh
- jt19

Agree completely on the D pairings and that Mash needs to be out. Need to be able to put the 3rd line out more than you can with Mash in and he really didn't add any grit (3 hits and not many minutes). Fleish isn't going anywhere. Would be good with Panik or Weise in on 3rd line LW.

with keith back...they stay with sved....i don't see erhoff in G2...

we saw the twins with krugs in the 3rd....we will the nuc option with 72 and/or 88 with toews at some point....
- bogiedoc

Having Ehrhoff on the point on the 2nd PP would have been a real plus with his shot. He also would ease the zone exit pressure from the forechecking as Sved is glacially slow. Gus and TVR looked very tenative like the pressure of the moment was too big for them, especially in OT (speaking of OT the TMM should have been called).

The good news for the Hawks is Backes was invisible and hopefully will remain so, the bad news is Tarasenko will probably be told by Hitch to shoot the damn puck and he will not be looking to dish it in the high slot.

Having Ehrhoff on the point on the 2nd PP would have been a real plus with his shot. He also would ease the zone exit pressure from the forechecking as Sved is glacially slow. Gus and TVR looked very tenative like the pressure of the moment was too big for them, especially in OT (speaking of OT the TMM should have been called).

The good news for the Hawks is Backes was invisible and hopefully will remain so, the bad news is Tarasenko will probably be told by Hitch to shoot the damn puck and he will not be looking to dish it in the high slot.
- Sundevil

Yup blues passed too much last night

Tarasenko Schwartz Fabbri Parayko all need to hit the net with their shots

Agree completely on the D pairings and that Mash needs to be out. Need to be able to put the 3rd line out more than you can with Mash in and he really didn't add any grit (3 hits and not many minutes). Fleish isn't going anywhere. Would be good with Panik or Weise in on 3rd line LW.
- Marlowe

Q has Fleischmann on the PK and likes to move him up and down the lineup. I can't see him going anywhere either.

Great game! The Hawks outplayed the Blues but as it so often happens, a fluke goal allows a team that shouldn't win to come out ahead. Both goalies were outstanding, I almost feel bad for Crawford that it ended like that...nah, I don't. LOL Looking forward to Friday's game. The Blues definitely need to get more shots on net. I think today they practice hitting the net.

Geez, you'd a thought they won the cup the way they celebrated in the corner. Great game.

i think that is the best team game the hawks have played in months...gotta find away to beat that blues pk and get it up and over elliot....
- bogiedoc

All of this Bogie

Yup blues passed too much last night

Tarasenko Schwartz Fabbri Parayko all need to hit the net with their shots
- sycsam

I certainly expect those two to be more impactful as the series moves forward. Hopefully, getting Keith back, and the Hawks willingness to block shots, offsets that.

There were a lot of positives last night, but the bottom line is that the game was there for the taking, and the Hawks didn't get it done. The PP failures on the 5-on-3 and the OT man advantage simply can't happen.

I certainly expect those two to be more impactful as the series moves forward. Hopefully, getting Keith back, and the Hawks willingness to block shots, offsets that.

There were a lot of positives last night, but the bottom line is that the game was there for the taking, and the Hawks didn't get it done. The PP failures on the 5-on-3 and the OT man advantage simply can't happen.
- Hank_Greenberg

Yup but if I was a hawks fan I would be thrilled with last nights effort even with a loss

Q has Fleischmann on the PK and likes to move him up and down the lineup. I can't see him going anywhere either.
- 93Joe

Flash won't be taken out of the lineup, he's been too versatile to Q. Mash needs to come out, he played 5 minutes less than his linemates (and bit more than that with TT). It's not just about any mistakes Mash makes, it's about the opportunity cost of not having Wiese or Panik in the lineup just to play Mashinter for a handful or protected minutes.

Some respect from one of the greats for an (often outside of Chicago) unsung guy on our team:

Continually amazed at how he takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin' - thought he might be down for the count a couple of times tonight.


- pdx2ord

They don't call him the Swedish warrior for nothing

Yup but if I was a hawks fan I would be thrilled with last nights effort even with a loss
- sycsam

A moral victory and $1 will get you a McDouble. There are no moral victories come playoff time, and the Hawks should have won that game. 0-6 on the PP is unacceptable, even with a top notch PK unit in STL. I said before the series that the Blues would be unable to stay disciplined and that the Hawks PP would be a huge factor in this series. I hope that the officals from last night officiate again, bc I think they were more consistent than most Zebras I've seen throughout the year. Like Bogie said, Keith as the rover all over the offensive zone on the PP should open up the 88>72 cross ice pass which it where the PK really breaks down.

I am very optimistic about this series after last night's performance from all THREE lines. Toews line was just a trio of big, hungry veteran forwards that dominated the boards and really had a lot of zone time. Toews line is due for a greasy goal in G2 bc they were all over Elliot's crease. Panarin+Kane got better as the game went on and I think 72 will adapt quickly to the playoff style of hockey. If only Mashinter wasn't in the lineup, Q could have rolled 4 lines. Kruger had a hell of a game and that line was good over 200ft. The only line that was an adventure, shockingly, was Tuevo+Flash+Mash. Get Keith+Weise/Panik in the lineup and Hawks take game 2!

A moral victory and $1 will get you a McDouble. There are no moral victories come playoff time, and the Hawks should have won that game. 0-6 on the PP is unacceptable, even with a top notch PK unit in STL. I said before the series that the Blues would be unable to stay disciplined and that the Hawks PP would be a huge factor in this series. I hope that the officals from last night officiate again, bc I think they were more consistent than most Zebras I've seen throughout the year. Like Bogie said, Keith as the rover all over the offensive zone on the PP should open up the 88>72 cross ice pass which it where the PK really breaks down.

I am very optimistic about this series after last night's performance from all THREE lines. Toews line was just a trio of big, hungry veteran forwards that dominated the boards and really had a lot of zone time. Toews line is due for a greasy goal in G2 bc they were all over Elliot's crease. Panarin+Kane got better as the game went on and I think 72 will adapt quickly to the playoff style of hockey. If only Mashinter wasn't in the lineup, Q could have rolled 4 lines. Kruger had a hell of a game and that line was good over 200ft. The only line that was an adventure, shockingly, was Tuevo+Flash+Mash. Get Keith+Weise/Panik in the lineup and Hawks take game 2!
- EnzoD

Smurf config on the pp was USELESS

I'd keep Svedberg out there. Just... I'm hoping Gustafsson gets more on the job training next season to work on his defensive game, but the playoffs aren't the place to do it. Svedberg covers a surprising amount of ice, and he holds his own when taking his man out of the play. Gus is largelely ineffective at shutting guys down, which would be ok if he had his O zone game going, but that seems to have vanished.
- kinigitt

One thing you can say for Gus is that along with Keith he's one of the best passers of the D-men. He's accurate and has a feather light touch.