They are not unstoppable but they are everything the hawks are not: more balanced, very good special teams, and stand on head goaltending...to mention a few.

C2 best playoff game last year was game 7 and they lost...in goalie duels the Hawks have lost most them this year! He is not a game stealer. And a team that wants to win 16 playoff games are going to need a couple of those!
- bogiedoc

I'm not as sold on them as most, they still lack elite offensive talent. Actually I think they don't get past the Hawks/Wings in rd 1.

Ya, the bad special teams has killed them to the tune of 99 points. With their captain out for 25% of the games.

You really need medical treatment for that severe form of negativity you suffer from.

Why do you watch the games - it's clear the Hawks really can't beat anybody other than dregs of the league. No sense showing up for the playoffs, it's all over with these 2 shootout losses; Nashville is invincible, Quick will shut them out every game, the Sharks are too rough and tough to handle. WTF man.
- RickJ

Let me rant for a moment...

I watch because I luv the game. I watch because I've been a Hawks fan since 1970. I watch because it's a compulsion. I watch because I hope for the best and luv to be surprised.

And I get pissed when my expectations do not match results, and knowing the Hawks post season chances will almost assuredly depend on quality D and goaltending, combined with good special teams play...I am skeptical of advancing past the first round.

...and the last time I checked there is no rule at HockeyBuzz that I must be a meatball fan full of optimism when a quick look at the stats tells me otherwise.

I'll be the first to admit I'm an idiot if the Hawks pull it all together and make a deep run...I just don't expect it this year, despite 99 points and the 6th seed.

Heck, I'm thrilled I was completely wrong about the Hawks following their horrid streak. I thought they were toast, they proved me wrong. Players I didn't expect much from showed me they have skill and onions.

I also tend to post more entries when I'm pissed and disappointed...like after tonight.

That is all...

What else could it be? Their special teams can't be this bad for real...can they?
- Ogilthorpe2

I was listening to the post game on the radio. Judd Sirott swears up and down that it's not the coaching, it's the players. It's been this way since last season. There is different personel this season. How the hell can it still be the players at fault? Where do Q and Kitchen take responsibility in this?

Woof everytime i see those islanders jerseys i think to myself how f*ckin drunk was the person that put that ensemble together

What else could it be? Their special teams can't be this bad for real...can they?
- Ogilthorpe2

good point....

Ya, the bad special teams has killed them to the tune of 99 points. With their captain out for 25% of the games.

You really need medical treatment for that severe form of negativity you suffer from.

Why do you watch the games - it's clear the Hawks really can't beat anybody other than dregs of the league. No sense showing up for the playoffs, it's all over with these 2 shootout losses; Nashville is invincible, Quick will shut them out every game, the Sharks are too rough and tough to handle. WTF man.
- RickJ

Reality check!!

The fewer penalties called on both teams...the better for the Hawks!!

Seriously another 0 for 4 with 11 minutes and they were all weak with the same damn issues: playing with the puck around the perimeter, nobody hitting the net, no point set-ups, entries were awful with more offsides than shots. The 6-5 delayed call on the first wild penalty was outstanding and it took Harding flying across the crease intersect Sharps one timer.

A game situation worth tracking: 3rd period special teams play tied or down a goal vs Kings, Nucks, Preds, Blues or Yotes...all of whom are top 10 PK's!

On PP...Kings, Yotes and Blues no so good either.

You have to luv the NHL game cuz it is impossible to to predict or handicap...although we all try.

Sharks vs Kings. Sharks were fighting from behind all nite went up 5-4 late in the 3rd and then Kings have a 5-3...score to tie it and into OT.

Oh...and be sure to check out Clowe's obvious interfering from the bench to play the puck on King transition and those crack NHL refs with a no call.

5 on Quick (say it ain't so) with the Sharks getting 3 pp goals...and 5 goals with 3 of them on the pp from the offensively challenged Kings. Gotta luv this game!!

Reality check!!

The fewer penalties called on both teams...the better for the Hawks!!

Seriously another 0 for 4 with 11 minutes and they were all weak with the same damn issues: playing with the puck around the perimeter, nobody hitting the net, no point set-ups, entries were awful with more offsides than shots. The 6-5 delayed call on the first wild penalty was outstanding and it took Harding flying across the crease intersect Sharps one timer.

A game situation worth tracking: 3rd period special teams play tied or down a goal vs Kings, Nucks, Preds, Blues or Yotes...all of whom are top 10 PK's!

On PP...Kings, Yotes and Blues no so good either.
- bogiedoc

Nice run down Bogie...

You have to luv the NHL game cuz it is impossible to to predict or handicap...although we all try.

Sharks vs Kings. Sharks were fighting from behind all nite went up 5-4 late in the 3rd and then Kings have a 5-3...score to tie it and into OT.

Oh...and be sure to check out Clowe's obvious interfering from the bench to play the puck on King transition and those crack NHL refs with a no call.

5 on Quick (say it ain't so) with the Sharks getting 3 pp goals...and 5 goals with 3 of them on the pp from the offensively challenged Kings. Gotta luv this game!!
- bogiedoc

I'm at work following game at NHL.com....missing alot of action

So I guess LA survived the SJ PP?

I'm pulling for LA by the way...not sure why but I am...

Just caught the game on tape. Sh!tty buzz on the ending. Sharpie and Stalberg's tries were HORRI-AWFUL. Setoguchi's snipe was brilliant.

In regulation, can't believe the Bickell goal didn't stand. Crawford played a very good game and doesn't deserve any flack tonight. Bickell and every other MF on this team has to be responsible with their stick. Kane with another typical lazy hooking penalty. And 88 scares the sh!t out of me every time he pursues someone around the net because he looks like he'll take a hooking call 9 times out of 10. BE RESPONSIBLE WITH YOUR STICKS !!!

And can someone explain to Stalberg and Keith that the net is that 4 x 6 thing at the end the ice. Duncs looked good but rarely hits the net. Ditto Viktor...he had two prime shooting chances in o/t and missed the net completely.

On to Hockeytown for the finale. Hope to see 19 at least once before the playoffs.

So I guess LA survived the SJ PP?

I'm pulling for LA by the way...not sure why but I am...
- ArlingtonRob

Pull harder! Sharks win in shootout...gawd I hate these 3pt games and shoot outs. They have to find a better way and get rid it.

So Kings and Sharks tied @ 94. Yotes can win the pacific by winning their last 2 games. A reg loss keeps them in 7th or 8th.

Blues vs Phx....who knows probably 12 plus combined goals by these teams!!

Just caught the game on tape. Sh!tty buzz on the ending. Sharpie and Stalberg's tries were HORRI-AWFUL. Setoguchi's snipe was brilliant.

In regulation, can't believe the Bickell goal didn't stand. Crawford played a very good game and doesn't deserve any flack tonight. Bickell and every other MF on this team has to be responsible with their stick. Kane with another typical lazy hooking penalty. And 88 scares the sh!t out of me every time he pursues someone around the net because he looks like he'll take a hooking call 9 times out of 10. BE RESPONSIBLE WITH YOUR STICKS !!!

And can someone explain to Stalberg and Keith that the net is that 4 x 6 thing at the end the ice. Duncs looked good but rarely hits the net. Ditto Viktor...he had two prime shooting chances in o/t and missed the net completely.

On to Hockeytown for the finale. Hope to see 19 at least once before the playoffs.
- philco28

Sharp (aka shooter) can't do it in shoot outs (7-39?!?!). Stalberg has really improved and matured his game but he either hits the post or misses the net.

BTW his 40 plus points without any from the PP....that is an amazing oddity. This guy ever gets the finishing touch....look out. I see Q has him doing some PP recently and he was on the PK tonight (hope this is shortlived).

HS call on or non call on Bickels deflect. That's a good goal...the angles we saw were not convincing.

I think Toews will see time on Saturday!

Sharp (aka shooter) can't do it in shoot outs (7-39?!?!). Stalberg has really improved and matured his game but he either hits the post or misses the net.

BTW his 40 plus points without any from the PP....that is an amazing oddity. This guy ever gets the finishing touch....look out. I see Q has him doing some PP recently and he was on the PK tonight (hope this is shortlived).

HS call on or non call on Bickels deflect. That's a good goal...the angles we saw were not convincing.

I think Toews will see time on Saturday!
- bogiedoc

Sharp should just shoot the puck in the s/o or not take part altogether. He's a terrible deker as is Stalberg. The incompetence of those two in the s/o is matched only by Kitchen's as a player and surpassed by Kitchen as a coach.

Hats off to Vik for that incredible even strength stat. And totally agree on the Bickell goal. Thought we were home free after that went in. The zebras saw to it that we were not.

You have to luv the NHL game cuz it is impossible to to predict or handicap...although we all try.

Sharks vs Kings. Sharks were fighting from behind all nite went up 5-4 late in the 3rd and then Kings have a 5-3...score to tie it and into OT.

Oh...and be sure to check out Clowe's obvious interfering from the bench to play the puck on King transition and those crack NHL refs with a no call.
5 on Quick (say it ain't so) with the Sharks getting 3 pp goals...and 5 goals with 3 of them on the pp from the offensively challenged Kings. Gotta luv this game!!
- bogiedoc

Here it is.....I was watching the game live...and it was obvious; but somehow 8 eyes from the stripped shirts missed it!!

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...ks-shootout-win-vs-kings/

Yeah he should be suspended for unsportsman like conduct for a cheap stunt like that....but they would not dare do that given what's on the line with the next game.