I would speculate that the playoff fourth line is Kero-Kruger-Tootoo/Desi/Rasmussen
- 93Joe

I would think Kero and Kruger are shoe-in on the 4th line (unless Krugs is playing on the 3rd line). Between the other 3 I'd start Rasmussen, but he seems to have fall out of favor with Q.

Miller was amazing, agreed.
More surprising then that however, is that y'all allowed the second worst offense in the league to score 5 goals lol.
- Whiskey-Tango

The best answer is it's probably human nature to let down a bit after playing well for a long stretch. They did the same things against the Avs on Sunday where they played with less than full focus and less than full energy and the Avs jumped on them and had a 3-1 lead in the 3rd period before the Hawks went into blitz mode and scored 5 goals to win the game. This time they did the same thing and were in even worse shape being down 4-1 in the 3rd before going into blitz mode and tying up the game.

The ebbs and flows of the season.

I would think Kero and Kruger are shoe-in on the 4th line (unless Krugs is playing on the 3rd line). Between the other 3 I'd start Rasmussen, but he seems to have fall out of favor with Q.
- DarthKane

Feels like Tootoo is being auditioned for the expansion draft with his added PT lately. I like Desi for the spot and he's been playing well the past few weeks and seems healthy finally so that could be why. Perfect 4th line guy. Agitates, plays smart, gets in the dirty areas, solid defense. He's the safe play there. Just my opinion and agree Moose seems to be the odd man out most nights for Q

Can someone tell me how reversing goals on offside calls and goalie interference calls, NOT CALLED BY THE REFS IN REAL TIME, benefits the game of hockey? Don't say that it's because we need to get the call right. What about a 4 minute high stick that is missed, isn't this a more important infraction? It has to do with player safety. It's crap and it's ruining my enjoyment of the game.

Respect the refs.

That's all.

Can someone tell me how reversing goals on offside calls and goalie interference calls, NOT CALLED BY THE REFS IN REAL TIME, benefits the game of hockey? Don't say that it's because we need to get the call right. What about a 4 minute high stick that is missed, isn't this a more important infraction? It has to do with player safety. It's crap and it's ruining my enjoyment of the game.

Respect the refs.

That's all.
- hocktock

Except when the refs call some bullpoop against the Hawks or whatever team someone roots for, and then its infuriating to have a goal stand and not be reviewed at all with no possible chance of over turning. (frank) all that. imagine losing a series clinching game on a blown offside call that results in a goal against.

Cant wait for Playoff Hockey!!!

Can someone tell me how reversing goals on offside calls and goalie interference calls, NOT CALLED BY THE REFS IN REAL TIME, benefits the game of hockey? Don't say that it's because we need to get the call right. What about a 4 minute high stick that is missed, isn't this a more important infraction? It has to do with player safety. It's crap and it's ruining my enjoyment of the game.

Respect the refs.

That's all.
- hocktock

I was very excited for the "Coaches Challenge" when it was first announced. However, the entire process is a joke. When there are 80" HD TV's at the NHL HQ and the Refs/Linesman are making HUGE decisions on a 8" Tablet without having every camera angle, its an embarressment to the National Hockey League. That is not to mention the absolute killer of the Game Flow and pace that makes Ice Hockey the best sport to watch. Football literally has less than 15 minutes of actual game play. The rest of the TV Broadcast is commericals, halftime, and teams in the huddle. I never thought I'd say this, but I'd like to see the Challenges removed from the league. Let the Zebras Frank it up in real time, not after looking at a IPad for 10 minutes and Franking up the call 50% of the time anyway. Does that centimeter that Panik's blade was no longer in contact with the blue line have ANY impact on the play? NO. Let the Zebra's and Linesman call the game in real-time. If its obviously offiside, goalie interference, ect, they usually get it right.

Except when the refs call some bullpoop against the Hawks or whatever team someone roots for, and then its infuriating to have a goal stand and not be reviewed at all with no possible chance of over turning. (frank) all that. imagine losing a series clinching game on a blown offside call that results in a goal against.
- BlazinMike

Yes but they dont even get it right after reviewing the call most of the time. I thought for sure Panik was on-side last night. It was basically simultaneous as the back of his skate blade crosses the blue line almost exactly the same time the puck does. That had no impact on the play and the Ref called it on-side in real time.

Feels like Tootoo is being auditioned for the expansion draft with his added PT lately. I like Desi for the spot and he's been playing well the past few weeks and seems healthy finally so that could be why. Perfect 4th line guy. Agitates, plays smart, gets in the dirty areas, solid defense. He's the safe play there. Just my opinion and agree Moose seems to be the odd man out most nights for Q
- Assman22

Tootoo is already expansion draft eligible and he's been in the league long enough that Vegas would know what they are getting. I think Q will make the choice between 11/22/70 (and maybe 67) based on the match-up.

I was very excited for the "Coaches Challenge" when it was first announced. However, the entire process is a joke. When there are 80" HD TV's at the NHL HQ and the Refs/Linesman are making HUGE decisions on a 8" Tablet without having every camera angle, its an embarressment to the National Hockey League. That is not to mention the absolute killer of the Game Flow and pace that makes Ice Hockey the best sport to watch. Football literally has less than 15 minutes of actual game play. The rest of the TV Broadcast is commericals, halftime, and teams in the huddle. I never thought I'd say this, but I'd like to see the Challenges removed from the league. Let the Zebras Frank it up in real time, not after looking at a IPad for 10 minutes and Franking up the call 50% of the time anyway. Does that centimeter that Panik's blade was no longer in contact with the blue line have ANY impact on the play? NO. Let the Zebra's and Linesman call the game in real-time. If its obviously offiside, goalie interference, ect, they usually get it right.
- EnzoD

Actually - small sample size - but I thought the reviews got the last 4 that the Hawks were involved in (all fairly controversial) right.

As far as "does that centimeter...have any impact...." - what about foul balls that are JUST outside the line by a centimeter; what about fourth-and-one's made or missed by a centimeter....

The rule is the rule - if you start saying that the rule can be expanded or contracted by a centimeter - or an inch - or a foot - what's the difference - then you may as well not have an offside rule. The refs - especially in hockey - have too much leeway to expand or contract the rules as it is.

Yes but they dont even get it right after reviewing the call most of the time. I thought for sure Panik was on-side last night. It was basically simultaneous as the back of his skate blade crosses the blue line almost exactly the same time the puck does. That had no impact on the play and the Ref called it on-side in real time.
- EnzoD

It looked just offside to me. It can be difficult as they TV crew only had so many frames/sec in the shot they showed on the broadcast but I thought his skate was in the zone ahead of the puck. It was certainly a close one.

It looked just offside to me. It can be difficult as they TV crew only had so many frames/sec in the shot they showed on the broadcast but I thought his skate was in the zone ahead of the puck. It was certainly a close one.
- breadbag

I thought he was off sides when it happened live, and after the review

It's just comical they have to use those tiny screens, right idea video review, and f'n up the process, typical NHL

Actually - small sample size - but I thought the reviews got the last 4 that the Hawks were involved in (all fairly controversial) right.

As far as "does that centimeter...have any impact...." - what about foul balls that are JUST outside the line by a centimeter; what about fourth-and-one's made or missed by a centimeter....

The rule is the rule - if you start saying that the rule can be expanded or contracted by a centimeter - or an inch - or a foot - what's the difference - then you may as well not have an offside rule. The refs - especially in hockey - have too much leeway to expand or contract the rules as it is.
- StLBravesFan

I understand that logic of yes the inches can add up to have an impact, and you want to get the call right. I just think that the NHL game flow and limited interruptions of play is a huge attribute that no other sport has (besides Soccer). The interruption of play for Reviews that are not going to be called accurately 100% of the time, anyway, IDK man. What about the Parise offside call a few weeks back. 10 minute delay in game action and they still get the call wrong. Maybe keep the Coaches Challenge but dont have the Zebras basing their decision on an IPad?? Just send it to Toronto and let them decide with EVERY Camera Angle and Massive TVs to analyze the play. The Tablet thing is laughable, IMO.

Except when the refs call some bullpoop against the Hawks or whatever team someone roots for, and then its infuriating to have a goal stand and not be reviewed at all with no possible chance of over turning. (frank) all that. imagine losing a series clinching game on a blown offside call that results in a goal against.
- BlazinMike

It has nothing to do with the team. It has to do with the game. You didn't answer my question.

That said, i want the 1999 stanley cup final game replayed because hull was in the crease and everyone knows it!

Respect the refs.

JJ's initial scouting report on Jurco included "blazing speed"....my NHL GameCenter Live Feed is fuzzy and laggy often, but I dont see anything close to "blazing speed". Was his injury a lower-body one this year? IDK man you can see the puck skill at times but he just doesnt have the intensity needed for a guy who is on a tryout for both this team and every other NHL club. Soft plays with the puck throughout the game last night and missed a wide open net in the first on a beautiful play from Kero and Moose.
- EnzoD

Unfortunately, some players have many tools to get them into the NHL, problem lies between the ears, what's troubling is he comes from Detroit which plays the same style of hockey we do? Get him eligible and be done with him. I can understand Schmaltz making mistakes he's a rookie thrown in against the best the world have to offer.

The more I see Hayden the more I like, loved that play he made to hustle back to keep the Canucks off the board, or along the blue line to use his body and toughness to take the puck away and then get the puck safely out, he's got a clue which is going to go a long way with Q.

Lots of shots and scoring chances, but if we've learned one thing with this team it is that those pushes eventually pay off in goals. Sometimes not enough to win, but as long as the drive is there and they are playing their game it's a game every night.

Notice passing was not as clean last night, lots of stick work from the Nucks and clutch/grabbing, but this is what the playoffs can become and need to overcome all that stuff game in and game out.

To me the regular season is about consistent play against different teams every night and yes, there is scouting involved, but you don't gameplan as much in the reg. season as when playoffs roll around. This has been where Q's lineups and changes have made the impact he has needed more often than not. This is what the line juggling during the season can help with - who plays well with whom and what style the line works best with. As much as I love seeing all of these "put so-and-so with so-and-so and they are awesome" but in reality styles of play and compatibility matter way more than individual skill.

Also of note, if you watched their forecheck, they sent a single man between the 2 Hawks D all night long. Maybe they saw something on tape, but taking away that back and forth D passing seemed to mess with the Hawks breakout timing and led to some broken plays more often than not - or a reversal backwards and someone skating out of the zone with speed.

If Hayden can keep his spot on Toews wing, then Schmaltz can continue to play center when Anisimov comes back, regardless which one plays 2C and which one plays 3C. Then Kruger plays 4C and maybe you can put a couple speed merchants on Kruger's wings.

Hayden-Toews-Panik
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Hartman-Schmaltz-Hossa
Hinostroza-Kruger-Jurco
- EbonyRaptor

I agree with the top 3 lines, but will people stop with Hino being in the lineup to start the playoffs!! He is in the minors for a reason. He adds one thing and that is speed. He avoids hits like the plague, is a turnover machine, and Like someone said in this blog or another 1 he is Ken Yaremchuk 2.0

Kero is going to be in the lineup period. He has gained the trust of Q and will be in there. He will be on the 4th line with 16. I like how Jurco has played the last few games, lets see if he continues it.

What I really found great last night was the Kruger's 3 million dollar ass was stuck to the bench the last 15 minutes of the 3rd while chasing 3 goals. He should NEVER be centering anything but the 4th line EVER!!! He has no offensive game of any kind. Wonder if JJ will write about that in his next blog since he had to make a smart ass remark when he scored an empty netter!!!!

I understand that logic of yes the inches can add up to have an impact, and you want to get the call right. I just think that the NHL game flow and limited interruptions of play is a huge attribute that no other sport has (besides Soccer). The interruption of play for Reviews that are not going to be called accurately 100% of the time, anyway, IDK man. What about the Parise offside call a few weeks back. 10 minute delay in game action and they still get the call wrong. Maybe keep the Coaches Challenge but dont have the Zebras basing their decision on an IPad?? Just send it to Toronto and let them decide with EVERY Camera Angle and Massive TVs to analyze the play. The Tablet thing is laughable, IMO.
- EnzoD

Exactly!!!

I agree with the top 3 lines, but will people stop with Hino being in the lineup to start the playoffs!! He is in the minors for a reason. He adds one thing and that is speed.
- SaadBeast

Thank you! And furthermore, he's not exactly playing well in Rockford to boot. Haven't watched but in 12 games he has 6 points and -7. Could be hiding him from the draft but I doubt it. I think he's down there so he gets more mins and earns his way back up like Schmaltzy did and thus far he hasn't. It's cool he's a local kid and that alone may be some of the nostalgia love he gets from people on here but guys like him are a dime a dozen tbh.

It has nothing to do with the team. It has to do with the game. You didn't answer my question.

That said, i want the 1999 stanley cup final game replayed because hull was in the crease and everyone knows it!

Respect the refs.
- hocktock

I did though. It benefits the game of hockey by making sure there isn't a blown call in the game.

Would rather have the greatest ending to a game only be remembered for 1 or 2 horrendously blown calls? Or would you rather the greatest ending was remembered for being a great hockey play?

Except when the refs call some bullpoop against the Hawks or whatever team someone roots for, and then its infuriating to have a goal stand and not be reviewed at all with no possible chance of over turning. (frank) all that. imagine losing a series clinching game on a blown offside call that results in a goal against.
- BlazinMike

You mean like the LA Kings 1st goal in game 7 against us in the Conference Finals when Jeff Carter was offside by 3 feet with us leading 2 zip in the 1st period ? The game totally changed on that blown call. Whatever !!
Still bites my ass.

I did though. It benefits the game of hockey by making sure there isn't a blown call in the game.

Would rather have the greatest ending to a game only be remembered for 1 or 2 horrendously blown calls? Or would you rather the greatest ending was remembered for being a great hockey play?
- BlazinMike

There was a great hockey play, Haydens goal. There was no offside call on the ice. Good goal. The challenge takes away from the hockey play. We've had over 75 years of hockey without this joke. Respect the refs.