Hawks missed the net a lot too.
- philco28

Yeah. We joked a bit that it was like watching our beer league games try and execute.

I think that was Fabbri. He's done that a lot against the hawks. Prime scoring position, just him and crawford and he airmails it or crow robs him.
- kinigitt

Fabbri has airmailed lots of shots in prime scoring position. Once he gets stronger/older and if he can fine tune that shot some, he could be a really good player. I have to keep reminding myself that he just turned 20.

Well that is surprising bc I dont recall seeing more than 1 clean win from 15. What was his faceoff % on offensive zone PP draws?
- EnzoD

AA was 8-4 (67%) in the OZone (3-3on pp)

Toews was 5-5 in the OZone (3-3on pp)

Maybe you shouldn't look at Toews through rose colored glasses while seeing everything being AA, Mash, or TT's fault?

Given how banged up Shaw appears, I think it would be really tough for him to play center right now.
- Jason Millen

As much as I like Shaw if he's hurt Q is better to play 1 of the Depth guys like Weise, Panik and or Ras

Yeah. We joked a bit that it was like watching our beer league games try and execute.
- stljam

With these goalies being razor sharp, shooters often try to make the perfect shot and miss the cage entirely.

AA was 8-4 (67%) in the OZone (3-3on pp)

Toews was 5-5 in the OZone (3-3on pp)

Maybe you shouldn't look at Toews through rose colored glasses while seeing everything being AA, Mash, or TT's fault?
- PatShart

My glasses are beer goggles and while you are correct that Toews is not infallible, IDK what more you want from him last night besides putting it behind Elliot. Toews line looked built for the grind of playoff hockey with 3 big body forwards really imposing their will in the offensive cycle game. Regarding my comment on AA, apparently I was focused in on those 4 losses over the 8 wins. The eyes wander when watching in a Chicago Bar Kind of like you are more focused on telling everyone that you are right and they are wrong and Mashinter has no negative impact on the lineup....one other thing..did Toews sleep with your GF in high school or something? why do you resent The Captain so much?

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?
- DMCsPulledHammy

As JJ stated in a few blogs-- when the crusher wants to be a rusher he becomes and usher-- Weise needs to play simple straight ahead physical hockey-- no dangling--

I suspect Weise is in the lineup game 2 and back to being a crusher

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.
- fattybeef

Good to hear from you.....

The Hawks best players have to be better then the oppositions. No question. I get that, and I made mention that Toews had 7 shots and 4 or 5 were PRIME chances. I was pointing out to another poster that breaking down every single chance he had there was a lot more to it. Just as I'm sure you would do/will do with 86.

however, my point again....if you look at the big picture and the playoff chess match it's pretty easy to see.

72-15-88 will be neutralized on the road when opposition coaches can put their top defensive pair and top defensive wingers against them. Key to this line for me on the road is 15's willingness to work and get dirty. After he got cross checked on his attempted stuff shot, I thought he went soft.

16-19-81, Seems Hitchcock was hell bent keeping Tarasenko away from this line, which is fine. So toews and company got the Blues 2nd pairing. They pretty much dominated their shifts and had lots of chances, but have to capitalize.

11-22-64...Hitchcock chose this line to roll out Taraenko against which was perfect. A Q iwin, as I bet this will be the SAME matchup in Chicago.

53-86-12...and then you have this line. Left against the crap STL has and needs to be better and offer depth scoring or draw penalties but at least control the play so you set up the next line for an offensive zone draw at worst. Sadly, skating 53 doesn't work, but again....86 has to produce here and if he can't make 12 better then what good is he at center? He isnt'. For as much pining for PP point time he got, Eddie O made it point to single him out for stupid passes and turnovers at the end of the 1st period. Already...in game 1 so the patience is already running thin as usually Eddie O doesn't go out on a limb to often.

Again, I was pretty much happy with the result ,and so a VERY tight STL team that isn't going to change until this series is over. Lots of guys on that team trying to escape demons of past failures from fs to d to Elliott. hawks need to push back strong and let STL think about that coming to Chicago where the series could change in a hurry.

After all this rambling, what it comes down to for me based on the chess matches is the Hawks will need offense from that bottom 6 and if they dont' get it they will be done sooner rather then later because teams will shut down your top guys.

Fabbri has airmailed lots of shots in prime scoring position. Once he gets stronger/older and if he can fine tune that shot some, he could be a really good player. I have to keep reminding myself that he just turned 20.
- stljam

When did Fabbri become a reckless player? VERY dangerous and dirty play on Kane taking out his feet at high speed into the end boards-- and a 'charge'/ high hit on Rosy--

Fabbri's best chance is that Hitch is gone next year and he is with a coach that lets him develop into a skill player-- rather than cheap shots-- I know thats not Fabbri's game and I think he can be a difference maker as he develops-- under the right coach

My glasses are beer goggles and while you are correct that Toews is not infallible, IDK what more you want from him last night besides putting it behind Elliot. Toews line looked built for the grind of playoff hockey with 3 big body forwards really imposing their will in the offensive cycle game. Regarding my comment on AA, apparently I was focused in on those 4 losses over the 8 wins. The eyes wander when watching in a Chicago Bar Kind of like you are more focused on telling everyone that you are right and they are wrong and Mashinter has no negative impact on the lineup....one other thing..did Toews sleep with your GF in high school or something? why do you resent The Captain so much?
- EnzoD

I'll tell you what scares the hell out of me.....Tarasenko is setting up the Hawks defenders. He's cutting inside and dropping that pass to the oncoming D man. Maybe not next game but by about game 3 or game 4 when he goes to do that somebody is going to cheat and that guy is going to be sitting dead red in the slot with a clear path to Crawford. Very important the Hawks fs back check against that kid.

I'll tell you what scares the hell out of me.....Tarasenko is setting up the Hawks defenders. He's cutting inside and dropping that pass to the oncoming D man. Maybe not next game but by about game 3 or game 4 when he goes to do that somebody is going to cheat and that guy is going to be sitting dead red in the slot with a clear path to Crawford. Very important the Hawks fs back check against that kid.
- SteveRain

Most dangerous Blue shift in/out by MILES

Fabbri has airmailed lots of shots in prime scoring position. Once he gets stronger/older and if he can fine tune that shot some, he could be a really good player. I have to keep reminding myself that he just turned 20.
- stljam

We've seen these games all year. One game team misses most shots and then a game or two later they put in 6. Just need to get more thru even at weird angles. Blues can outwork hawks in the paint at both ends. Why do you think Elliott looked so good. Minimal second changes or screened shots.

So does Q justify the game being close and Blues winning on a fluke goal to keep Mash in the lineup.

Most dangerous Blue shift in/out by MILES
- philco28

You can see it coming....either he's going to get a freebie left alone where a Hawks D man misreads the drop pass OR he will catch them flat footed and go around them.

More I see him play the better he gets. Hawks and CC did a great job blocking those rushes or seeing through a mass of bodies in front of him, but hawks need to not cheat here because that kid has an absolute lazor of a shot.

I should also be clear that while I kind of picked on him for biffing the break aways, Toews had a thoroughly dominant game aside from not getting on the sheet. More of that please.
- fattybeef

YES!

Toews was dominant-- he just didn't score-- on the OT PP he had a glorious chance on the rebound of Kane's shot-- pretty much alone in front-- 2 Hawks in front of Elliot--

Give Elliot credit he stopped the big shots on Toews, Panarin etc--

When did Fabbri become a reckless player? VERY dangerous and dirty play on Kane taking out his feet at high speed into the end boards-- and a 'charge'/ high hit on Rosy--

Fabbri's best chance is that Hitch is gone next year and he is with a coach that lets him develop into a skill player-- rather than cheap shots-- I know thats not Fabbri's game and I think he can be a difference maker as he develops-- under the right coach
- jb3333

oh please

You can see it coming....either he's going to get a freebie left alone where a Hawks D man misreads the drop pass OR he will catch them flat footed and go around them.

More I see him play the better he gets. Hawks and CC did a great job blocking those rushes or seeing through a mass of bodies in front of him, but hawks need to not cheat here because that kid has an absolute lazor of a shot.
- SteveRain

Logic is on point Rain Man....he could be setting us up.
Someone needs to lay him out a time or two to shake him out of that pattern.

Team D last night was very encouraging.

I'll tell you what scares the hell out of me.....Tarasenko is setting up the Hawks defenders. He's cutting inside and dropping that pass to the oncoming D man. Maybe not next game but by about game 3 or game 4 when he goes to do that somebody is going to cheat and that guy is going to be sitting dead red in the slot with a clear path to Crawford. Very important the Hawks fs back check against that kid.
- SteveRain

Tarasenko really is a special player. Took three guys to get the puck from him on a 1v3. He was a threat on the right wing coming off the half wall and looking for trailers/shooting lanes like Kaner does with most o-zone entries. I am worried about the gap control on Vladimir bc, as has been stated this morning, 3-4 chances for him to rip it from the top of the circle after getting space and he tried to force a pass. Beyond Tarasenko +Fabbri, I did not see much offensive firepower from the Blues. Hopefully Steen+Stasny stay quiet.

oh please
- Gerk

Take a look Gerk-- clearly pushes Kanes skates out-- VERY dangerous and the Rosy hit was a charge-- but debatable-- and Hitch is gone anyway

So does Q justify the game being close and Blues winning on a fluke goal to keep Mash in the lineup.
- Gerk

Abso(frank)inglutely!

> Q has laundry that needs to get to the cleaners
> A car that needs to be detailed now that it's Spring
> And always, a knob to be polished!

I'm guessing he's thinking the only decision he's got to make is which D to pull when #2 gets back in tomorrow.

Tarasenko really is a special player. Took three guys to get the puck from him on a 1v3. He was a threat on the right wing coming off the half wall and looking for trailers/shooting lanes like Kaner does with most o-zone entries. I am worried about the gap control on Vladimir bc, as has been stated this morning, 3-4 chances for him to rip it from the top of the circle after getting space and he tried to force a pass. Beyond Tarasenko +Fabbri, I did not see much offensive firepower from the Blues. Hopefully Steen+Stasny stay quiet.
- EnzoD

Exactly-- that space was available for Tarasenko last night-- Hawks must adjust there--

Take a look Gerk-- clearly pushes Kanes skates out-- VERY dangerous and the Rosy hit was a charge-- but debatable-- and Hitch is gone anyway
- jb3333

The hit on Rosi was clean IMO but the Kane trip at full speed at the goal line...very dangerous and subtle dirty play. Fabbri is a solid player already. Hopefully he stays snakebitten and keeps making rookie mistakes along with Parayko.

YES!

Toews was dominant-- he just didn't score-- on the OT PP he had a glorious chance on the rebound of Kane's shot-- pretty much alone in front-- 2 Hawks in front of Elliot--

Give Elliot credit he stopped the big shots on Toews, Panarin etc--
- jb3333

Toews' line should get all kinds of chances - STL knows they need to shut down Kane and are matching up that way.

Hawks won't win simply because Toews' hustles and Hossa backchecks. Need to put the puck in the back of the net to put pressure on Hitchcock to change matchups

Abso(frank)inglutely!

> Q has laundry that needs to get to the cleaners
> A car that needs to be detailed now that it's Spring
> And always, a knob to be polished!

I'm guessing he's thinking the only decision he's got to make is which D to pull when #2 gets back in tomorrow.
- savvyone-1

Hopefully it's that trainwreck #52

Take a look Gerk-- clearly pushes Kanes skates out-- VERY dangerous and the Rosy hit was a charge-- but debatable-- and Hitch is gone anyway
- jb3333

Kinda how Rosy took out Upshall with the puck no where around. Fabbri hit Rosy clean and is the size of Marty St Louis.

The hit on Rosi was clean IMO but the Kane trip at full speed at the goal line...very dangerous and subtle dirty play. Fabbri is a solid player already. Hopefully he stays snakebitten and keeps making rookie mistakes along with Parayko.
- EnzoD

Thats my point--- you must play the game-- thats the type of play that players notice-

Agreed Fabbri is a solid player-- and IMO he will get better under a different coach-- Hitch obviously wants Blues to take the body and take guys out-- even if it takes his players out of the play-- Fabbri doesn't need to do any of that--