>Indeed
>Would add that the D "standing still" with the puck and the D partner also standing still -- not creating a moving outlet -- has been an issue for at least two years
>Hawks offense runs through their defense -- and their ability to make an excellent first pass
>D have been slow to the puck, slow to make decisions, and have not forced Nashville into coverages that are tough to read
>Agree on TVR -- just awful puck management, #4 too, -- both just giving the puck to either no one or right back to Nashville
>Would also add -- second playoff year in a row the coaching staff does not have a set four line rotation (or close to it) ready to go into battle
>Nashville is allowing their Dmen without the puck to become forwards when they see an opportunity to beat their check
>It certainly appears that the Hawks are doing the same schemes, with a lot of the same players they've always done
>The difference in on-ice intensity between the Preds and Hawks was shocking to see
- SnapitUpstairs

On the feed I had one of the announcers mentioned early on that it sure seemed like the Preds had taken their nasty pills before the game.

Meanwhile the Hawks came out as if it was Game 35 of the season and the result really wasn't going to matter that much. They weren't and aren't ready to play intense, physical hockey against an opponent who really intends to win.

That's a goofey comment. #itsnotthegoalie
- walleyeb1

I agree with you, Crawford was not the reason we lost these two games, although those last two goals last night looked stoppable, maybe its better to say the hawks are not making it easy to trade Crawford this summer.

Good post, agree with all of it, but wanted to note part of it. This is a HUGE problem for the Hawks in getting their transition going. Keep in mind 5 of these players on D THRIVED in this very system for a number of years. Did they suddenly forget how to play? ALL 5 of these guys are playing at far below the level we are accustomed to. Is it complacency? Age? Poor preparation?
- kwolf68

>Those are really good questions
>Those Dmen in 2015 won the Cup with their incredible performance
>Don't want to blame any one or any one thing directly, but you have to wonder why the D core (and Toews) has not been challenged and taught new things to put into their tools boxes
>Example: Why doesn't Keith have a quick release snapshot? Hammer carry the puck more often? Etc. etc.
>Though it is a wonderful sport, hockey is also a job for these great players
>Job burn out happens when you stop learning -- what new things are these guys learning to make themselves better individually?
>Not over yet, but if things don't work out this year, I'd mark it down as a fail for the entire organization from top to bottom

At the start of the playoffs I mentioned to some of friends who are big blackhawk fans 3 things had to happen in my opinion for the hawks win: win enough faceoffs at key times during the game FAILED so far bottom 6 needs to create a forecheck and score FAILED so far and the young players like Hartman Smaltz Kero Hayden etc. needed to make an impact FAILED so far. The last 2 games have been pathetic and middle finger to all hawks fans. This team is not constructed to just flip the switch it doesn t have the scoring depth to do so. The team is lacking a top 6 lw size to win board battles and willingness to go to the net and be physical. Didn t need cambell signing (A pr stunt by management) should of used that money more wisely. To many rookies to start with plus a coach that doesn t like playing rookies give Q credit he made it work. Bowman failed at the tdl not getting a centerman who win draws consistenly a 3rd round would got you one instead another cast away. So it will be a interesting offseason for the hawks even if they do turn it around major changes are needed what they are I do not know.
- Scott1977

those are all the direct result of 3 cups + paying the core = salary cap woes...

you can't pay 6 guys 65% of cap $$ and avoid 6-7 rookies, 3 dmen that are done and holes in the top 6

On the feed I had one of the announcers mentioned early on that it sure seemed like the Preds had taken their nasty pills before the game.

Meanwhile the Hawks came out as if it was Game 35 of the season and the result really wasn't going to matter that much. They weren't and aren't ready to play intense, physical hockey against an opponent who really intends to win.
- RickJ

>Not sure I can recall such disparity in effort between two playoff teams
>#1 seeds have lost before to #8s, but usually it was a combination of a goalie standing on his head, some lucky goals, and bad calls all snowballing to give the #8 the series win
>And, what's up with Toews?
>Getting thoroughly outplayed by Johansen

Easy to be ticked off at this point, but I look at the NHL playoffs and there are some really good teams down 2-0 to good teams around the league.

CBJ down 2-0
Minny down 2-0
Chicago down 2-0

Who is gonna go down easy? Who is gonna go down swinging and who is going to come back?
- breadbag

none of them are coming back...each had a huge over acheiving run during the season and have lost what it takes....

Here's how i see the last two games...

IMO,

The Blackhawks don't have the intensity of the Preds. Nashville came to play, Hawks didn't.
At times it looks like the Preds have 6...or 7 skaters out there. They're winning most board battles and battles for loose pucks.

Nashville has written a blueprint on how to beat the Blackhawks...play five guys in the neutral zone...bottle up the stretch pass...and make the Hawks dump and chase.

The Preds hit everything in a red sweater. They force the Hawks to dump the puck...but the Hawks don't have big wingers (other than Hossa and Panik) who can win board battles for loose pucks.

The Blackhawk centermen--I'm looking at you too, #19--SUCK at winning face offs. On the PP and PK, esp, winning face offs is crucial.

As for the power play--in a word...YECH. It's sucked all season. The Blackhawk PP has two "plays"...Making perimeter passes, looking for a Panarin one-timer....and a Seabrook slapshot from the point.
Whoever is control of the Hawk PP needs to be fired at season's end.
- tompo1015

Onboard with all this...

The hawks have faced trapping defenses before and beat it...this is not a new innovation...been around for decades

what's different about this pred trap is the intensity, agressiveness and a complete team buy in for 60 minutes. They are challenging every entry from the red line on in. They are taking the body and team mates come to support the puck.

They prepared a plan and are now executing with precision. The hawks mental preparation and tactical execution has been woeful. They have no answer. They went on vacation congratulating themselves after clinching the WC #1 seed and have now lost 6 straight and looked awful doing it.

I noticed in the 1st period they started taking panic shooting from the blueline and it stuffed right back in their face.

>Not sure I can recall such disparity in effort between two playoff teams
>#1 seeds have lost before to #8s, but usually it was a combination of a goalie standing on his head, some lucky goals, and bad calls all snowballing to give the #8 the series win
>And, what's up with Toews?
>Getting thoroughly outplayed by Johansen
- SnapitUpstairs

When was the last time you saw a Hawks' forward belt a defenceman cleanly like Campbell was hit in the first period last night? If Panik doesn't do it, no other forward can or will and Hartman sure doesn't scare anybody on the Preds.

A team can spend way too much effort and time doing that like the Blue Jackets are doing, but a timely, clean hard bodycheck definitely has its place in playoff hockey.

I don't see any lack of effort from the Bruins who are down to the 9th Dman on their depth chart, or the Maple Leafs who are playing miles over their heads or the Pens, Sens and Sharks who all have banged up players. Compared to those teams, the Hawks just don't seem committed, prepared or into it. Not easy to just turn the tap on after 2 games.

When was the last time you saw a Hawks' forward belt a defenceman cleanly like Campbell was hit in the first period last night? If Panik doesn't do it, no other forward can or will and Hartman sure doesn't scare anybody on the Preds.

A team can spend way too much effort and time doing that like the Blue Jackets are doing, but a timely, clean hard bodycheck definitely has its place in playoff hockey.

I don't see any lack of effort from the Bruins who are down to the 9th Dman on their depth chart, or the Maple Leafs who are playing miles over their heads or the Pens, Sens and Sharks who all have banged up players. Compared to those teams, the Hawks just don't seem committed, prepared or into it. Not easy to just turn the tap on after 2 games.
- RickJ

>Spot on
>Jackets over-doing the hitting -- a team needs to find the right balance
>Hawks are just way too soft -- saw several opportunities for a Hawks' player to cleanly "blow-up" a Pred and EVERY time the Hawk player passed on the hit
>I recall the 2010 Finals tilting to the Hawks when Buff cleanly destroyed Pronger in Game 5
>Hawks just Charmin-soft easy to play against
>As both you and Bogie also mentioned: what is this team's mental preparation?
>Looks like none so far

What gives you the idea the Hawks are "fast"? Those days are over. This is not a fast team at all. It's a team now that has to do it with guile, experience, superb positional execution and elite goal tending. They don't skate past anyone anymore.
- kwolf68

Panik, Hino, Kero, Hossa, tremendous straight line skaters and AA is quite fast though with his long strides doesnt make it look like it.

Kane and Panarin are two of the best skaters in the league.

And its not necessarily about speed its about playing quickly and transitioning from defense to offence with quickness and purpose.

The Penguins have little speed on their blue line but are able to flip the ice quickly and create problems while the jackets try to set up their trap. Ottawa in the third period let Karlsson off the leash and when they dictated the game by pushing the puck quickly up the ice with their feet or a deep pass to a cheating forward and they opened up the game so Boston couldnt get set up to pack it in.

The hawks need Keith disrupting plays before they develop and a forward cheating high and flying the zone to get behind the line of 4. Waiting for Nashville to get set up will not win games.

Simply trying harder will not win games and effort isnt the issue. They need to dictate the game or bust out the golf clubs.

Ok because I'm buzzed, I figured I'd post here what I just posted on Facebook:

So the Blackhawks got routed 5-0 by Nashville tonight. The last thing I'm going to do is bash my team, call them names, boo them, trash them, call them washed up, the era is over bla bla bla. And I won't blame the refs or rag Nashville at all, they have played brilliantly and my hat goes off to them. I am not upset oh no....I've been a Hawks fan my entire life and I LOVE my late 80s-90s Hawks..a rough n' tumble bunch who went to one Cup, 2 Western Finals and a Presidents Trophy. But...they never won it all. Good as that team was (and they were DAMN GOOD) they just couldn't lift the Cup. That's a hard ass trophy to win....and In the HISTORY of the Blackhawks no period has been as good as THIS ONE and there is NOT ONE SINGLE team or group of fans who would NOT trade their team's success for the Hawks. The ONLY team in the post-lockout era to have more than 2 Stanley Cups. I am NOT gonna bash "overpaid" players on the Hawks and I sure as hell won't get on my boys like Brent Seabrook for maybe not being the best anymore. Because at one time you were the best and thank you to all the Hawks players who made being a Hawks fan fun again. From "did he score" Kane....to 17 seconds....to Duncan Keith is bionic...its been a hell of a ride. Yes, other, younger teams are on the rise, a rebuild of some type is soon coming, but I'll be damned if I become a horses ass about my team because the clock has now struck midnight. WON'T DO IT. Love my boy Seabs, Duncs, Kaner, Tazer, Hammer, HOSS and all the rest....

That all said, LETS WIN game 3 boys!!! Monday Night. Canucks had em down 3-0 in 2011, it went 7, Wings had the Hawks down 3-1 in 2013, Hawks won, Kings had em down 3-1 in 2014, it went 7...Predators TWICE had em down 2-1 and the Hawks won. If the Hawks win Monday Night...the series is 2-1. I believe baby! Go Hawks!!!
- kwolf68

Well said sir Well said ... I believe also ,but if not .It is the Best time ever to be a HAWKS fan GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I should also mention the debate about if Crosby or Toews is the better player is clearly being answered.

Ok because I'm buzzed, I figured I'd post here what I just posted on Facebook:

So the Blackhawks got routed 5-0 by Nashville tonight. The last thing I'm going to do is bash my team, call them names, boo them, trash them, call them washed up, the era is over bla bla bla. And I won't blame the refs or rag Nashville at all, they have played brilliantly and my hat goes off to them. I am not upset oh no....I've been a Hawks fan my entire life and I LOVE my late 80s-90s Hawks..a rough n' tumble bunch who went to one Cup, 2 Western Finals and a Presidents Trophy. But...they never won it all. Good as that team was (and they were DAMN GOOD) they just couldn't lift the Cup. That's a hard ass trophy to win....and In the HISTORY of the Blackhawks no period has been as good as THIS ONE and there is NOT ONE SINGLE team or group of fans who would NOT trade their team's success for the Hawks. The ONLY team in the post-lockout era to have more than 2 Stanley Cups. I am NOT gonna bash "overpaid" players on the Hawks and I sure as hell won't get on my boys like Brent Seabrook for maybe not being the best anymore. Because at one time you were the best and thank you to all the Hawks players who made being a Hawks fan fun again. From "did he score" Kane....to 17 seconds....to Duncan Keith is bionic...its been a hell of a ride. Yes, other, younger teams are on the rise, a rebuild of some type is soon coming, but I'll be damned if I become a horses ass about my team because the clock has now struck midnight. WON'T DO IT. Love my boy Seabs, Duncs, Kaner, Tazer, Hammer, HOSS and all the rest....

That all said, LETS WIN game 3 boys!!! Monday Night. Canucks had em down 3-0 in 2011, it went 7, Wings had the Hawks down 3-1 in 2013, Hawks won, Kings had em down 3-1 in 2014, it went 7...Predators TWICE had em down 2-1 and the Hawks won. If the Hawks win Monday Night...the series is 2-1. I believe baby! Go Hawks!!!
- kwolf68

Hear, hear!

On the feed I had one of the announcers mentioned early on that it sure seemed like the Preds had taken their nasty pills before the game.

Meanwhile the Hawks came out as if it was Game 35 of the season and the result really wasn't going to matter that much. They weren't and aren't ready to play intense, physical hockey against an opponent who really intends to win.
- RickJ

It could very much be that the Hawks don't have the combination of motivation, experiences and exuberance needed this time around. Some guys might not be hungry enough, some guys are rookies and some guys are long in the tooth. The series isn't over, but time is running out to put it together. Hawks are likely to come back strong in game 3, but the Preds have sucked the life out of the series. It's really too bad this one hasn't been as exciting as some of the others. Sharks/Oilers has been a great series so far. I wish this series had half the excitement and energy.

>Those are really good questions
>Those Dmen in 2015 won the Cup with their incredible performance
>Don't want to blame any one or any one thing directly, but you have to wonder why the D core (and Toews) has not been challenged and taught new things to put into their tools boxes
>Example: Why doesn't Keith have a quick release snapshot? Hammer carry the puck more often? Etc. etc.
>Though it is a wonderful sport, hockey is also a job for these great players
>Job burn out happens when you stop learning -- what new things are these guys learning to make themselves better individually?
>Not over yet, but if things don't work out this year, I'd mark it down as a fail for the entire organization from top to bottom
- SnapitUpstairs

Good point. Hammer is still a D-man's Dman and plays very safe. Not sure it's in his DNA to carry the puck that much, but you make a good point, why not develop it at least on SOME level. The rest I agree with, a first round exit would be a colossal failure as the window is heading on its way down to the closed position especially with the deep young teams on the rise

>Those are really good questions
>Those Dmen in 2015 won the Cup with their incredible performance
>Don't want to blame any one or any one thing directly, but you have to wonder why the D core (and Toews) has not been challenged and taught new things to put into their tools boxes
>Example: Why doesn't Keith have a quick release snapshot? Hammer carry the puck more often? Etc. etc.
>Though it is a wonderful sport, hockey is also a job for these great players
>Job burn out happens when you stop learning -- what new things are these guys learning to make themselves better individually?
>Not over yet, but if things don't work out this year, I'd mark it down as a fail for the entire organization from top to bottom
- SnapitUpstairs

There are three guys we know are definitely working on their skills every offseason - Kane, Panarin, and Darling. I don't know if the others do, but if not, it goes to possible overconfidence after so much winning, burnout, or need for relax/rehab. But, after seeing that 1) other teams have figured out how to stop them, and 2) the changes in playing style in the league, you'd think more guys (including the coaches) would see a need to change it up.

Regardless of what you think of Q as a coach, sometimes you do need a new leader to spark those who are going through the motions to want to impress/do better. To give them, like you said, something new to learn to reignite their passion for the game. Look what bringing in Sullivan did for the Pens and what Trotz did in Washington.

And, if it's arrogance that is the issue, if they didn't get shaken out of the, "we're the Hawks, we can always come back" confidence after the Blues series last year, I'm not sure they ever will.

I should also mention the debate about if Crosby or Toews is the better player is clearly being answered.
- fattybeef

ummm...yes 87 coming from those concussion issues and reclaiming the the top player in the league...

sorry mcdavid fans...he aint there yet

i am perplexed with #2...Q gave him consectutive games off the final week...

i think his knee is still a huge problem...those cartiledge tears...can be very painful even after surgery and rehab...also mentally he just seems not to be into it...

these first 2 games have been awful for him worst than most of his meh season

>fumbling the puck
>poor ice awareness
>80% of his shots are missing the net or blocked
>passes are slow and off the mark

he had a chance to rip it from the left side in the 2nd period with guys crashing the net and he pulled up and circled to the half board...

i am perplexed with #2...Q gave him consectutive games off the final week...

i think his knee is still a huge problem...those cartiledge tears...can be very painful even after surgery and rehab...also mentally he just seems not to be into it...

these first 2 games have been awful for him worst than most of his meh season

>fumbling the puck
>poor ice awareness
>80% of his shots are missing the net or blocked
>passes are slow and off the mark

he had a chance to rip it from the left side in the 2nd period with guys crashing the net and he pulled up and circled to the half board...
- bogiedoc

How many of those issues you mention could really be attributable to a lingering knee injury? (Have not had one, so asking those who have). Seem more like brain/vision/coordination issues.

Pretty teams win pretty, but they lose ugly. Gut check time no doubt.
It's much easier to play poker if you know what's in the other guys hand.
Preds have been well prepared and know what the hawks are going to do. You'd think a "hall of fame coach" would realize that and change something up. The core doesn't have the wheels anymore to piss into the wind.
- 6628

Agreed.....I'm remember a recent game when the "pretty" boys lost 7 - 0 to the hapless Florida Panthers. And don't forget the first couple of months into the season when all we were hearing was about the Goalie wins. Without Crawford standing on his head early, this team could have ended up around 85 points. VERY strange year with terrible special teams and faceoff issues.

What gives you the idea the Hawks are "fast"? Those days are over. This is not a fast team at all. It's a team now that has to do it with guile, experience, superb positional execution and elite goal tending. They don't skate past anyone anymore.
- kwolf68

Ding ding. Spot on. Clog the middle like the Preds and the stretch pass isn't available either. Don't see any Hawks beating the Preds to the dump and chase. Who on the Hawks besides maybe Panik who are the Preds worried about getting behind them on the dump in?

The key to the Hawks success over the last few years has been their speed and puck possession. Clearly they aren't as fast anymore and their puck possession isn't where it was either. I think in the past they were able to beat the neutral zone trap because they were just too quick. If they had to play dump and chase they were able to get to the puck more because of their speed than because of playing physical. Now they don't have the speed and they are not built to play the physical grinding style either. Maybe with the pedigree of this team they come back to make this a series but they need score first and play with the lead so they can dictate the style of play and not the Preds.

The key to the Hawks success over the last few years has been their speed and puck possession. Clearly they aren't as fast anymore and their puck possession isn't where it was either. I think in the past they were able to beat the neutral zone trap because they were just too quick. If they had to play dump and chase they were able to get to the puck more because of their speed than because of playing physical. Now they don't have the speed and they are not built to play the physical grinding style either. Maybe with the pedigree of this team they come back to make this a series but they need score first and play with the lead so they can dictate the style of play and not the Preds.
- jhawk159

Hockey News on the common ingredients to Cup-winning teams of the past 8 years (all but 1 going to the big 3):
http://www.thehockeynews....he-stanley-cup-here-s-how

Most important - core, 5x5 possession, deadline changes, speed
Least important - special teams, player size (sorry, wonthecup)

Toronto's success during the regular season, their excellent power play, and now their victory in Washington to even the series is a good illustration of the skills gap between the league's best rookies and the simply good ones, such as Schmaltz, Hartman, and Kero.

Toronto's success during the regular season, their excellent power play, and now their victory in Washington to even the series is a good illustration of the skills gap between the league's best rookies and the simply good ones, such as Schmaltz, Hartman, and Kero.
- etchtech

This.

The rookies haven't been the reason for the unfolding disaster at the UC, but they haven't shown that they will be catalysts in a revival starting tomorrow night. The comeback against Nashville - if it comes - will have to be led by the core

At some point this summer - win or lose next week - I hope we see a good evaluation of Chicago's rookie crop and whether or not they (including Motte, Kempny, Forsling) can be an important part of keeping the Cup window open.