Everything is connected, everything. First thing veterans will tell rookies were playing the Kings tonight Doughty has a tendency to blow you up when your not paying attention. Somehow the NHL will enable the player who makes the hit and say oh the player should of had his head up? Okay based on NHL rules it's legal, legal or not a team mate sees that they will come after the player eventually.

Do you remember that cheap shot Sedin made on Keith and wasn't called for it and later in the game Keith elbowed Sedin in the head. The league let the Sedin play go, but then suspended Keith? See how the two are connected. One was supposedly within the rules of the game the other was not.
- BetweenTheDots

I guess I look at things differently. To me, Keith was wrong for his cheap shot on Sedin, whether Sedin had it coming or not. If you have a score to settle - settle it face to face, not with a cheap shot. There was no justification for Tkachuk to cheap shot Doughty because there is never justification for a cheap shot. They happen and many players can't control their emotions and actions in a highly charged situation, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be held accountable for their actions and shouldn't try to never let it happen again. To excuse such actions is wrong. But ... I guess that's just my opinion.

I know you don't have D in here, but think I's pair Kempny and TVR for a games and see how they work together.

Last night was the first time in a while I've been able to watch an entire game, Campbell is a bit scary back there. Not Cominskey scary, but a little scary none the less
- vabeachbear

I like Campbell but it's more out of loyalty than performance and your points are well taken.


In the end it's a lot stronger lineup heading to the Dance than a year ago.

Knock on wood AA is back and no one else goes down.

Chicago Blackhawks‏
@NHLBlackhawks

Forward Vinnie Hinostroza has been recalled from the @goicehogs. He has 3 goals and 4 assists in 15 games with Rockford this year.

Hey where is hawk fan patshart on here? oh wait he is on Wilson's message board ripping Toews. Jump in on that one boys good stuff. Toews sucks ass basically. can't believe the praise he gets. Big stat page from Wilson proving how useless Toews is. good stuff on there.
- Thoroldbhawks

Haters will hate Thoroldbhawks, that's fine, let the Pens worry about who's best based on stats, the Hawks will be busy looking for their fourth in eight, led by their captain, as always. Crosby is by far the best hatchet man in the league, he can take that title all day long, his nickname should be "fingers". Btw, JJ new here from the Niagara area in the crosshairs of Sabres and Leaf fans, but no worry, plenty of old time Hawk fans in this area like Thoroldbhawks and myself, keep up the great blogs, always insightful and bang on, been reading them for a long time now, great work.

Chicago Blackhawks‏
@NHLBlackhawks

Forward Vinnie Hinostroza has been recalled from the @goicehogs. He has 3 goals and 4 assists in 15 games with Rockford this year.
- pdx2ord

Not sending anyone down.

Not sending anyone down.
- walleyeb1

As long as there is cap space they don't need to.

Lines for me

Toews Smaltz Panik
AA Panarin Kane
Kero Hartman Hossa
Kruger Hayden Rasmussen

Fill inns
Tootoo Desi Jurco
- Colbyboy

I don't know - for me Hayden doesn't see the ice in the playoffs - certainly not on the 4th line. If it were me I would want more defensively proven guys out there (on the 4th forward line) - not some 'energy line' which is basically a euphemism for being one shift away from doing something boneheaded to prove that you belong .... like taking chances to score goals that might lead to higher probability scoring opportunities going back the other way than the one that a guy in that position might try.

Or put another way ... personally, I am experiment-averse ... not in the playoffs.

I don't know - for me Hayden doesn't see the ice in the playoffs - certainly not on the 4th line. If it were me I would want more defensively proven guys out there (on the 4th forward line) - not some 'energy line' which is basically a euphemism for being one shift away from doing something boneheaded to prove that you belong .... like taking chances to score goals that might lead to higher probability scoring opportunities going back the other way than the one that a guy in that position might try.

Or put another way ... personally, I am experiment-averse ... not in the playoffs.
- steve-hist-sdc

For an experienced 4th line with some jam, I would go with Kruger centering Desjardins and Tootoo. If Q is confident enough in him, I'd insert Hayden to spot Desjardins and Tootoo once in a while. Then of course there's Rasmussen and Jurco who could sub in.

I see the Isles came to play in a game they desperately need...

Flyers 5 - 0 Islanders after one.

Chicago Blackhawks‏
@NHLBlackhawks

Forward Vinnie Hinostroza has been recalled from the @goicehogs. He has 3 goals and 4 assists in 15 games with Rockford this year.
- pdx2ord

Go to see Hino back up...speed kills...hope he gets in here in the next couple games.

For an experienced 4th line with some jam, I would go with Kruger centering Desjardins and Tootoo. If Q is confident enough in him, I'd insert Hayden to spot Desjardins and Tootoo once in a while. Then of course there's Rasmussen and Jurco who could sub in.
- AEL_Fox

We see it differently
Pittsburgh won with speed , youth and energy

Don't see that in TooToo and Desi and don't see experience as more valuable than speed
It's why Hino was called up and
It's why Hayden starts game

As long as there is cap space they don't need to.
- DarthKane

Pro-rated for only 12 more days, so Hinestroza's cap hit can't be much, but it does eat into next year's cap space if Panarin hits his bonus(es).

I like it. Hayden is a work in progress but the kid is big and can play physical.
- breadbag

Careful. You will get wonthecup all flustered.

We see it differently
Pittsburgh won with speed , youth and energy

Don't see that in TooToo and Desi and don't see experience as more valuable than speed
It's why Hino was called up and
It's why Hayden starts game
- Colbyboy

Tootoo isn't slow knows his role.

This picture supports the notion that Panik is in very good shape and is quite strong.


- AEL_Fox

Plus he was a black belt judo champion in his native country. Wow, suddenly we have a fast, tough, edgy power forward, with skill and finish! Stan the Sorcerer created this from Jeremy Morin!

I will feel much better about the Hawk's post-season chances if they can get a victory tomorrow against the Blue Jackets. Bobrovsky having an MVP type year in goal. Here's an interesting and probably useless stat: the Blue Jackets lead the league in snap shot goals, while the Hawks currently lead the league in slap shot goals.

Tootoo isn't slow knows his role.
- eagle50

And somehow manages to find a good scoring chance every game in his limited minutes.

And somehow manages to find a good scoring chance every game in his limited minutes.
- TTtime

Ya he does

We see it differently
Pittsburgh won with speed , youth and energy

Don't see that in TooToo and Desi and don't see experience as more valuable than speed
It's why Hino was called up and
It's why Hayden starts game
- Colbyboy

Agree .And you have experienced players to insert if the kids falter .And both TooToo and Desi have been playing much better .

I see the Isles came to play in a game they desperately need...

Flyers 5 - 0 Islanders after one.
- ArlingtonRob

here comes the wild...look like a winner vs the sens...4-1 in the 3rd

Here's the real deal breaker.....the good teams who win in the playoffs ignore those clowns 99% of the time. Hawks have shown a good ability to be immune to most of it. Teams like the Canucks, Sharks, Blues, Ducks all melted down trying to do those tactics to the Hawks.

What is hilariously to me is that Tkachuck is a young kid with barely a track record and how badly he's in the Kings heads you would think he was Claude Lemiuex in the mid 90s.

Most of the NHL game is all mental and when guys can expose that weakness, they will........
- SteveRain

I'm not sure Tkachuck was in the Kings' head that badly if the Kings still won by 3 goals. I would much rather my team win than have my top defensemen fight.

I guess I look at things differently. To me, Keith was wrong for his cheap shot on Sedin, whether Sedin had it coming or not. If you have a score to settle - settle it face to face, not with a cheap shot. There was no justification for Tkachuk to cheap shot Doughty because there is never justification for a cheap shot. They happen and many players can't control their emotions and actions in a highly charged situation, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be held accountable for their actions and shouldn't try to never let it happen again. To excuse such actions is wrong. But ... I guess that's just my opinion.
- EbonyRaptor

I guess you are just a morally superior person

I wasn't excusing just explaining, I guess we can't see another's point of view

You say Tkachuk had no reason for the cheap shot I guess you could add mind reader to your resume

It's hockey and last I checked players are passionate competitive human beings

Plus he was a black belt judo champion in his native country. Wow, suddenly we have a fast, tough, edgy power forward, with skill and finish! Stan the Sorcerer created this from Jeremy Morin!
- BMWChiFan

Your description sounds like Bowman is Saruman and Panik is the Uruk Hai.

We see it differently
Pittsburgh won with speed , youth and energy

Don't see that in TooToo and Desi and don't see experience as more valuable than speed
It's why Hino was called up and
It's why Hayden starts game
- Colbyboy

I see your point. Doesn't matter to me who starts 4th line which is a good thing because that points to depth, IMHO. As opposed to a year ago, we have more bottom-6 options going into the post season, especially now with Hinostroza recalled. My guess is Q will assemble the 4th line based on the opponent and their style as well as who may have the hot hand.

I guess you are just a morally superior person

I wasn't excusing just explaining, I guess we can't see another's point of view

You say Tkachuk had no reason for the cheap shot I guess you could add mind reader to your resume

It's hockey and last I checked players are passionate competitive human beings
- BetweenTheDots

I don't claim to be morally superior to anyone, but I believe cheap shots are dirty play and dirty play should not be condoned or excused regardless if something precipitated t or not. If you think Tkachuk was justified in any way for elbowing Doughty in the head then there is no common ground between us on this subject for further discussion.

As far as your snide remark about mind reading - you must have missed the meaning in my previous post when I stated there is no valid reason for delivering a cheap shot - in other words I didn't need to read his mind because it didn't matter what he was thinking or not thinking - he was wrong for delivering a cheacp shot regardless.

Look, my reason for posting on this was not to get preachy - it was to say that Tkachuk is a nice player who is showing a trend of playing dirty and I hope someone can help him understand that he needs to stop it. Play tough - not dirty.