Teuvo was brutal.

Not making excuses but TT can't be effective if he plays with the Mashinters of the world.

Also, TT needs to play the point on the 2nd PP unit....Q didn't want him out there last night with a young dman in a tie game..

I have said this before...But unless the master plan is to turn AA into the 3rd line center or have TT develop chemistry with Fleischman or someone with skill...
He doesn't really fit in and if the front office thinks the same-He will be part of the big off season trade.
- Al

FACT. ABSOLUTE SHHHHHITE.

No offense, but there is always an excuse for 86 as to why he doesn't produce. Always. My huge problem is if this kid has so much talent as has been hyped he has to make those around him better. Fact is....he doesn't and what it does is screw with the philosophy where the Hawks thrive. having that 3rd line have skill to exploit the other team's bad matchup. That's where this team has long term playoff success. Instead they rolled out 2 checking lines, and the other 2 and I'm sure Q figured his real top line (72-15-88) would get shut down and force 19 and friends to carry the load. They had chances and maybe this game plan over 7 games nets you 4 wins, but against better teams you are really playing with fire. Speed beats a lumpy team hell bent on forechecking. So scratch 53 and insert 14/25. End of story.

I probably woke up the whole damn village of Plainfield when 86 walking down the slot instead tried a give and go with 53, who by the hand of god, somehow got it back to 86 cleanly but of course....TT f'd up. So not only does he NOT shoot from 5 ft away he tries a BS play and then whiffs on the chance with Elliott down and out. Where's the offensive confidence to fire that on net?

I've said it for years...he's not a center. He's a RW. Maybe he slides up to RW as I think 81's days of being a true finisher as top 6 player, alla Modano, are over. Put 65 between him and 12 or 14, if 12 wont' step up, and slide 25 down with 11 and 22 and explain to 25 not to go stupid and end up in the box. In my mind 25/65 almost exact same player.....
- SteveRain

What you have with TT is Ryan Nugent Hopkins Jr, only even lighter (but cheaper). Having to match up against a bigger, heavier, more experienced center is a problem and always will be. That's why I was surprised they sent Rasmussen down. And then dropping a winger like Mashinter onto the wing beside him makes the problem even worse.

Q will make some adjustments.

you presume beat writers know how to ask such questions....let me know when one does....they never ask tactical or strategic questions....

its all about "how did you "feel" when....., how "frustrating" is it when....
- bogiedoc

Did you watch the Q interview after the game? As soon as he was done and started walking to his left a certain female reporter leaped out of her front and center seat like her hair was on fire to follow right behind him as he left. And in a circular standing media scrum she's always the first one to his side. She follows him around like a puppy dog. Never going to hear a hardball question from her.

Hawks don't want a Tim Sasson and at this point they won't tolerate one anymore. Some of the posters here give much better insight than anything you'll ever hear in a media scrum.

you presume beat writers know how to ask such questions....let me know when one does....they never ask tactical or strategic questions....

its all about "how did you "feel" when....., how "frustrating" is it when....
- bogiedoc

Exactly....I don't really watch the players talk because they are programmed. hat on, and fire up the cliché 2000.

the only thing I will watch is Q and usually it's the same body language, I'm sure by conscience effort, with him gripping the podium, sleeves rolled up and staring ahead.

There isn't a good beat guy here anymore. Nobody who pushes the envelope when it should be pushed. Most are just lap dogs of the organization and McDonough. If you aren't, well......you get booted like Josh Mora when you dare question anything.

I will say this, I loved Foley growing up as a kid, but these broadcasts are brutal. too much grab @ss. I don't need yard sale and johnny west proshop plugs. Can't wait for Sunday and a national TV audience game. Very tempted to start muting my TV and let Troy actually analyze, albeit 3-5 seconds ahead of my feed.

No offense, but there is always an excuse for 86 as to why he doesn't produce. Always. My huge problem is if this kid has so much talent as has been hyped he has to make those around him better. Fact is....he doesn't and what it does is screw with the philosophy where the Hawks thrive. having that 3rd line have skill to exploit the other team's bad matchup. That's where this team has long term playoff success. Instead they rolled out 2 checking lines, and the other 2 and I'm sure Q figured his real top line (72-15-88) would get shut down and force 19 and friends to carry the load. They had chances and maybe this game plan over 7 games nets you 4 wins, but against better teams you are really playing with fire. Speed beats a lumpy team hell bent on forechecking. So scratch 53 and insert 14/25. End of story.

I probably woke up the whole damn village of Plainfield when 86 walking down the slot instead tried a give and go with 53, who by the hand of god, somehow got it back to 86 cleanly but of course....TT f'd up. So not only does he NOT shoot from 5 ft away he tries a BS play and then whiffs on the chance with Elliott down and out. Where's the offensive confidence to fire that on net?

I've said it for years...he's not a center. He's a RW. Maybe he slides up to RW as I think 81's days of being a true finisher as top 6 player, alla Modano, are over. Put 65 between him and 12 or 14, if 12 wont' step up, and slide 25 down with 11 and 22 and explain to 25 not to go stupid and end up in the box. In my mind 25/65 almost exact same player.....
- SteveRain

Would be better off with Moose at center + Weise or Panik + Flash becomes a tough line to play against

PE, do you know what time in the games the runs were? Or at least about? which period? which half of the period?

I didn't notice anything outrageous with him and CC but it might have been at the other end or maybe when I was dealing with a couple of issues.

What I did notice and I'm not sure if it translated on TV is that the game was nasty. Most checks on both sides were finished with high elbows, a ton of cross check stick work going both ways, lots of behind the play, drive by type slashes both ways, etc. Definitely some interference type checks too.
- Jason Millen

There was an obvious elbow to the head very early in the game. The puck was to the left of Crow in the corner, and Troy blew past the crease and threw his elbow out and struck his head. There were a few others in the context of the play, but that first one was very obvious because neither player was anywhere near the puck.

PE, do you know what time in the games the runs were? Or at least about? which period? which half of the period?

I didn't notice anything outrageous with him and CC but it might have been at the other end or maybe when I was dealing with a couple of issues.

What I did notice and I'm not sure if it translated on TV is that the game was nasty. Most checks on both sides were finished with high elbows, a ton of cross check stick work going both ways, lots of behind the play, drive by type slashes both ways, etc. Definitely some interference type checks too.
- Jason Millen

there was one in the 1st period...can't be specific on time...but i commented to a buddy looks like brouwer is trying to finish off what he started a few weeks ago with CC...

as far as the nastiness...yep...over all i thought the zebs did a good job...

but teams have been running at the hawks and out hitting them since 2009 and 5 WC finals and 3 cups later....

the blues have been taking runs at teams for the last 4 years and have 1st round losses on their resume...count me impressed

I'm open to this. Taking into mind Shaw looks like he needs a few more days off. However that seems highly unlikely.
Fleischmann-Shaw (if possible)-TT
Desi-Kruger-Weise

I'd ask the tactical/strategic/tougher ones and not get allowed back to the next press session
- Jason Millen

Yep, no more feedbag for you!

Did you watch the Q interview after the game? As soon as he was done and started walking to his left a certain female reporter leaped out of her front and center seat like her hair was on fire to follow right behind him as he left. And in a circular standing media scrum she's always the first one to his side. She follows him around like a puppy dog. Never going to hear a hardball question from her.

Hawks don't want a Tim Sasson and at this point they won't tolerate one anymore. Some of the posters here give much better insight than anything you'll ever hear in a media scrum.
- 6628

Agreed. 100% it wont' be tolerated nor will it happen. They want that message 100% positive. if the score ever got the rights, you would have a muzzle put on Bernstein the same way Marriotti had one put on him on 1000 when he ripped the Sox/Hawk constantly.

I said it before...Myers is an employee...you'll get nothing from her other then wine shots, and her quest for a man.

Kuc...is running double duty. Not much here.

Lazerus will give you back sided smart @ss takes but also does enough tongue in cheek to fly below the radar. He enjoys poking the bear of the fan base and giggling as his twitter feed explodes.

Not much else from anyone...Rozner may or may not be married to McDonough. Whenever this organization needs a fluff piece it's him or Haugh or both they lean on.

Hawks need to finish. If they do they win the series and if they don't it all comes down to bounces and breaks like last night did.

What you have with TT is Ryan Nugent Hopkins Jr, only even lighter (but cheaper). Having to match up against a bigger, heavier, more experienced center is a problem and always will be. That's why I was surprised they sent Rasmussen down. And then dropping a winger like Mashinter onto the wing beside him makes the problem even worse.

Q will make some adjustments.
- RickJ

For me he's polarizing. You see a flash and start to believe, and then he disappears for a long stretch. Just far too inconsistent. I will say his defensive game is very good but like you I was shocked they sent Rasmussen down. Teuvo just doesn't have the strength or size or snarl to play center. I saw Kruger get slew footed twice at the dot and thrown down but that kid at least fights and enjoys it. Teuvo would rather stay wide and play a skill game.....

Would be better off with Moose at center + Weise or Panik + Flash becomes a tough line to play against
- Sundevil

Don't disagree but just going off what is up here.

Q obviously feels with 53/25/14 as his 12th F options he has enough.

For me he's polarizing. You see a flash and start to believe, and then he disappears for a long stretch. Just far too inconsistent. I will say his defensive game is very good but like you I was shocked they sent Rasmussen down. Teuvo just doesn't have the strength or size or snarl to play center. I saw Kruger get slew footed twice at the dot and thrown down but that kid at least fights and enjoys it. Teuvo would rather stay wide and play a skill game.....
- SteveRain

TT at center continues to be a big joke. I hated the idea when they first talked about it, hated it worse when they actually did it. But Q has all those wins and yea probably has forgotten more hockey than I know so I respect the guy, but on TT at center I don't buy it. Now you have arguably the worst line in the NHL playing on our L3. It's craptastic. And because Krugers line is so focused on defense, we really are down to 2 legit scoring lines and 1 of those will see the best Blues D...no depth at forward when you are submitting such an atrocious line

There was an obvious elbow to the head very early in the game. The puck was to the left of Crow in the corner, and Troy blew past the crease and threw his elbow out and struck his head. There were a few others in the context of the play, but that first one was very obvious because neither player was anywhere near the puck.
- powerenforcer

Yeah I noticed that too. Texted my dad Brouwer was trying to concuss Crow again

With all of the PP chances especially to start OT-- the Hawks couldn't convert-- so I'm not surprised they lost on a puck bouncing off a friendly skate--

Encouraged by the overall play and commitment to team defense-- and that team effort deserved a better outcome-- except for the failure on the PP--

Shaw and Anisimov looked like they were hampered by injury-- seemed like there were stretches that 15 was replaced by 22 --- Crawford and Hossa both looked good--

What adjustments would you make?

To me Weise would be a smart addition over Manshinter-- or maybe even Panik but not sure how he fits with 86/12-- I'd go with Weise there for his physical play, history with 12 and playoff track record--
- jb3333

Change a couple of players in the lineup...And score 5 on 5....Which has been an issue all season.

There was an obvious elbow to the head very early in the game. The puck was to the left of Crow in the corner, and Troy blew past the crease and threw his elbow out and struck his head. There were a few others in the context of the play, but that first one was very obvious because neither player was anywhere near the puck.
- powerenforcer

Figures. I had some issues with Directv last night and only got the recording started with a few minutes into the 2nd. Rats.

TT at center continues to be a big joke. I hated the idea when they first talked about it, hated it worse when they actually did it. But Q has all those wins and yea probably has forgotten more hockey than I know so I respect the guy, but on TT at center I don't buy it. Now you have arguably the worst line in the NHL playing on our L3. It's craptastic. And because Krugers line is so focused on defense, we really are down to 2 legit scoring lines and 1 of those will see the best Blues D...no depth at forward when you are submitting such an atrocious line
- kwolf68

100% agreed and maybe Q is banking on slowing the game down in STL and taking his chances that 19/81/16 can win a game. I don't know...dangerous game, but this is what I was trying to relay to the other guy.

Kane line gets checked by top blues pairing and f line
Kruger line tries to matchup with Blues top line
Toews line faces other top Blues defensive matchup
So that leaves line 3 facing what should be a favorable matchup but no so when you skate a pile of crap and have Teuvo at center. You basically neutralize it yourself before the game starts....so you are essentially down to 19 carrying the offensive load unless you get a special teams goal OR get Kane free from Blues mathup.

I'm open to this. Taking into mind Shaw looks like he needs a few more days off. However that seems highly unlikely.
Fleischmann-Shaw (if possible)-TT
Desi-Kruger-Weise
- 93Joe

Shaw didn't get a ton of PP time....It looks like he is really banged up.

100% agreed and maybe Q is banking on slowing the game down in STL and taking his chances that 19/81/16 can win a game. I don't know...dangerous game, but this is what I was trying to relay to the other guy.

Kane line gets checked by top blues pairing and f line
Kruger line tries to matchup with Blues top line
Toews line faces other top Blues defensive matchup
So that leaves line 3 facing what should be a favorable matchup but no so when you skate a pile of crap and have Teuvo at center. You basically neutralize it yourself before the game starts....so you are essentially down to 19 carrying the offensive load unless you get a special teams goal OR get Kane free from Blues mathup.
- SteveRain

Ding! That's the chess match in a nutshell. I just can't understand WTF these people are thinking. You trade young assets for a player projected to give you much needed playoff experience, physicality and skill... then you put him in the press box and play a guy that probably wouldn't draw into a starting lineup of 90% of all NHL teams and you install him onto Line 3? Then you put TT at his center. Also, Fleishman has looked great at times this year, he has NEVER looked great with Mash. So he is now generally useless. Essentially Line 3 is a void.

It seems the dumbest crap works out for Q. Vermette at wing? That's another hairbrained moved...of course Q sobered up and put AV at center and he got it going and was beast modian on the dot.

I hope Q sobers up now.

No offense, but there is always an excuse for 86 as to why he doesn't produce. Always. My huge problem is if this kid has so much talent as has been hyped he has to make those around him better. Fact is....he doesn't and what it does is screw with the philosophy where the Hawks thrive. having that 3rd line have skill to exploit the other team's bad matchup. That's where this team has long term playoff success. Instead they rolled out 2 checking lines, and the other 2 and I'm sure Q figured his real top line (72-15-88) would get shut down and force 19 and friends to carry the load. They had chances and maybe this game plan over 7 games nets you 4 wins, but against better teams you are really playing with fire. Speed beats a lumpy team hell bent on forechecking. So scratch 53 and insert 14/25. End of story.

I probably woke up the whole damn village of Plainfield when 86 walking down the slot instead tried a give and go with 53, who by the hand of god, somehow got it back to 86 cleanly but of course....TT f'd up. So not only does he NOT shoot from 5 ft away he tries a BS play and then whiffs on the chance with Elliott down and out. Where's the offensive confidence to fire that on net?

I've said it for years...he's not a center. He's a RW. Maybe he slides up to RW as I think 81's days of being a true finisher as top 6 player, alla Modano, are over. Put 65 between him and 12 or 14, if 12 wont' step up, and slide 25 down with 11 and 22 and explain to 25 not to go stupid and end up in the box. In my mind 25/65 almost exact same player.....
- SteveRain

Not as many excuses as Toews.

Anyway. That line wasn't all that bad. And in their limited time (10 ish minutes like i said they would get the other day) they drove play in the right direction.

NOT part of the problem last night. The problem was not finishing on a 5v3 and Toews not finishing either of his jail breaks. Otherwise the Hawks dominated that game with out their most important player and should be able to tilt the ice even more moving forward.

Super super super encouraging first game. Aside from the result there isn't anything to be disappointed about with that effort.
Hawks in 5, maybe 6 if Elliot pulls another gem out of his ass.

What you have with TT is Ryan Nugent Hopkins Jr, only even lighter (but cheaper). Having to match up against a bigger, heavier, more experienced center is a problem and always will be. That's why I was surprised they sent Rasmussen down. And then dropping a winger like Mashinter onto the wing beside him makes the problem even worse.

Q will make some adjustments.
- RickJ

Agree on Moose Rick - was surprised they sent him down. Weise Moose Flash...or Panik heavier line to play against...wonder if Q will change up much tomorrow night.

It was Sharp and Vermette with TT last year...Mash has to be out tomorrow night.

Ding! That's the chess match in a nutshell. I just can't understand WTF these people are thinking. You trade young assets for a player projected to give you much needed playoff experience, physicality and skill... then you put him in the press box and play a guy that probably wouldn't draw into a starting lineup of 90% of all NHL teams and you install him onto Line 3? Then you put TT at his center. Also, Fleishman has looked great at times this year, he has NEVER looked great with Mash. So he is now generally useless. Essentially Line 3 is a void.

It seems the dumbest crap works out for Q. Vermette at wing? That's another hairbrained moved...of course Q sobered up and put AV at center and he got it going and was beast modian on the dot.

I hope Q sobers up now.
- kwolf68

I'm puzzled too but we don't know what's gone on behind the scenes. I would love to see Mash in Rockford but what is the story on Weise? Is he pouting because of the trade? Is he not getting with the program? Is Q just being Q?

Before Mash took the penalty I thought he looked fine. He should still be out next game for either Panik or Weiss. I hope he puts keith and seabs together and I would stick with Roz and Gus on the 3rd pairing

Seabs, Kane, Pan, TT, and (who it was is escaping me) Those 3 should not be on the same PP. Get at least 2 guys that will go in front of the NET!!!!!
- kmw4631

You mean in 1:37 of ice time he had to that point?

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

I know, right?

Can't believe they were celebrating an overtime win.