John Jaeckel: Hawks Earn Two

Kane shoot out goals is like watching an All-Star game.

Nice Summary JJ. Thought Dubinsky looked pretty solid for the Jackets. Any chance the Hawks make a pitch for him?

I too thought Bollig played a decent game however one thing Quenneville has to do is get Bollig to go to the net. A few times the puck was out near the point and Bollig was standing still in the middle high in the slot banging his stick for a pass. He'd be far more effective if he could figure out how to be a Cicerrelli, Holmstrom, Byfuglien type and create a ruckus in front of the net and let the other guys worry about getting the puck there.

I thought at times Hayes looked like a baby deer trying to find a way to keep his legs undermeath him. That said he also drove hard to the net, fought for the puck and hit some of the Bluejacket players.

Dubrovsky is the kind of goaltender that will steal a series in the playoffs. Not for the Jackets, obviously, but he's that type of guy. Seemed like a brick wall in there.

Kane shoot out goals is like watching an All-Star game.
- fourfeathers

And as long as the NHL desires to keep that gimmick for the bandwagoners (like there's neeeeeevvvvvver any of them at the UC ), Kane can do that sh!t all he wants.

Last night's was great, so was the one in the MotorCity a couple Sunday's ago. Now I wanna see him top the one he had in Minny last season.

When you leave the goalie half outside the opposite post - a really good goalie like Backstrom - you know that's a sick, sick, sick move.

I thought Crawford was very steady. It is hard to play goal against a very hot goaltender who is making spectacular saves before a home crowd. The fact that Crawford could hang in and do his job and then come up big in the shoot out is very good.

Bollig had a very good night...but the save of the game was probably on Keith...that was outstanding. And Saad was a factor on the top line as he made a beautiful backhand, diagonal pass to a cutting Seabs in the first and was very visible as the top line had 2 excellent back to back shifts in the 3rd.

but the save of the game was probably on Keith...
- philco28

???????

Phil, this is KEITH you are talking about.

The man with a 1.8% shooting percentage.

How 'bout we agree to disagree and simply say it was good position on Bobo's part but great save and that play had nothing in common.

I don't think it registers in Keith's head . . . whether it is a defender's shinpads, stick, thigh guard, glove or the goalie's blocker . . . if it is THERE for Keith to shoot into, HE WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And please don't get me going on Bollus. I'll bet SteveRain was cussing up a storm last night (I'm getting ready to attend the first-ever Bollus party SteveRain is hosting).

Fuggin NHL caliber players shoot easily be able to shoot into a YAWNING chasm that Keith and Bollus had last night.

???????

Phil, this is KEITH you are talking about.

The man with a 1.8% shooting percentage.

How 'bout we agree to disagree and simply say it was good position on Bobo's part but great save and that play had nothing in common.

I don't think it registers in Keith's head . . . whether it is a defender's shinpads, stick, thigh guard, glove or the goalie's blocker . . . if it is THERE for Keith to shoot into, HE WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And please don't get me going on Bollus. I'll bet SteveRain was cussing up a storm last night (I'm getting ready to attend the first-ever Bollus party SteveRain is hosting).

Fuggin NHL caliber players shoot easily be able to shoot into a YAWNING chasm that Keith and Bollus had last night.
- savvyone-1

You're right on Keith Savvy...but that was a HELLUVA save. As for Bolland...it's too early for him to do anything significant. That was brutal. Head buried, no awareness of where the goalie is...i know he's just trying to get one on net in that situation, but a quick glance and lift and no s/o required.

Thought Oduya looked a bit tentative at times probably because the Jackets were really going after him throughout the game hitting him whenever they good. Nice to see him get a goal.

Agree w/ JJ on Bollig. Hoping Hayes is just getting adjusted. He did go to the net on the goal. And as mentioned made some hits.

Jackets looked solid have to give them some credit. Especially Bob. Getting Johnson back helps them as well. Glad we're done with them for the season.

Good to pick up the two points thanks to Kaner in the SO.

On to Dallas.

John Jaeckel: Hawks Earn Two
- John Jaeckel

Great summary

Not a criticism but I thought Leddy was a star in the four on four and deserved the ice time 4 on 4

Goalies were both amazing

Columbus is starting to look like a really good team beyond the hard work

Not sure what it would take to obtain Derek Brossard but he was terrific

I think Jack Johnson is a franchise player for them and compared to what Carter brought them it was a great trade for the Jackets
Add 3 First runs picks and they are a playoff team
They may even make it this year



How much would Philly like to have Debrowksi in nets right now

You're right on Keith Savvy...but that was a HELLUVA save. As for Bolland...it's too early for him to do anything significant. That was brutal. Head buried, no awareness of where the goalie is...i know he's just trying to get one on net in that situation, but a quick glance and lift and no s/o required.
- philco28

Phil, think of the Keith play this way: Bobo is down and towards the left side of his cage. He realizes he's left the entire right side open and that Keith has the puck and about 70% of the cage to shoot at/in.

So Bobo figures "I've got to do something" and sticks out his blocker about midway up, as far as he can reach effectively.

Keith sees that blocker and thinks, "Aha, great, I now have a target to shoot at."

And good ol' Dunc hits the blocker and wins the qeupee doll for this great effort.

I was in the car and heard the WGN radio feed for Bolland's phuck-up. Then I caught the replay later. Good god, man, with about 90% of the open net to shoot at and no Bluejacket player around you and you can't get the puck off the ice?

John Jaeckel: Hawks Earn Two
- John Jaeckel

It's too bad , Bob played one helluva good game and the cbj blew it.

I think Bollig has the skills to really help this team. I still don't understand why he was sent down initially. I dont care if he fights or not, a big body hitting the other team throughout the course of a game/series is going to make a difference. I see Bickell so many times let up instead of finishing the check. Bollig doesnt let up...

Phil, think of the Keith play this way: Bobo is down and towards the left side of his cage. He realizes he's left the entire right side open and that Keith has the puck and about 70% of the cage to shoot at/in.

So Bobo figures "I've got to do something" and sticks out his blocker about midway up, as far as he can reach effectively.

Keith sees that blocker and thinks, "Aha, great, I now have a target to shoot at."

And good ol' Dunc hits the blocker and wins the qeupee doll for this great effort.

I was in the car and heard the WGN radio feed for Bolland's phuck-up. Then I caught the replay later. Good god, man, with about 90% of the open net to shoot at and no Bluejacket player around you and you can't get the puck off the ice?
- savvyone-1

If he can hit that target sign em up for next years all-star game target contest...

Kane shoot out goals is like watching an All-Star game.
- fourfeathers

Yes, it can be fun - like a skills competition - but I don't think it's hockey - once in a while, like a penalty shot, OK - but not every 6 or 7 games, which I think is the about NHL average.

I too thought Bollig played a decent game however one thing Quenneville has to do is get Bollig to go to the net. A few times the puck was out near the point and Bollig was standing still in the middle high in the slot banging his stick for a pass. He'd be far more effective if he could figure out how to be a Cicerrelli, Holmstrom, Byfuglien type and create a ruckus in front of the net and let the other guys worry about getting the puck there.

I thought at times Hayes looked like a baby deer trying to find a way to keep his legs undermeath him. That said he also drove hard to the net, fought for the puck and hit some of the Bluejacket players.
- paulr

Great observation on B52. He's looking to let that wrister go all the time but you're right, a) this ain't Rockford where he's actually an option for a passer and b) his shooting percentage is going to be better in GreaseLand.

When the description of "tough to play against" is used, Columbus has earned the title. They stick to a grinding, physical, finish your check in all zones and keep along the wall playoff style and really play hard. They look like a Darryl Sutter/Barry Trotz team.... As a first game callup AHL plugin, Hayes was perfectly respectable. As a 12th forward, what we saw in Bollig last night was a guy that demonstrated he could play some and given the chance and a little clarity of mission (he's not allowed to fight the other teams tough guy as a non-spontaneous center ice challenge) and please give me a third line that anyone would prefer to ours. Aaaaaaand.......please stop with the what Keith isn't. If they picked the Olympic team tomorrow, he's of course in the top 4 and Seabrook has a sweater, too.
We got 2 on the road and the sky stopped falling.

I thought Crawford was very steady. It is hard to play goal against a very hot goaltender who is making spectacular saves before a home crowd. The fact that Crawford could hang in and do his job and then come up big in the shoot out is very good.
- spatso

That was one of C2's top 2-3 games this year, IMO.

I think Bollig has the skills to really help this team. I still don't understand why he was sent down initially. I dont care if he fights or not, a big body hitting the other team throughout the course of a game/series is going to make a difference. I see Bickell so many times let up instead of finishing the check. Bollig doesnt let up...
- Iknockuout

He needs to focus and play like he did last night. Sometimes his conformity to his role and the game he needs to play tends to drift. Can't. He has to be positionally responsible, not take dumb penalties.

But if he can play like he did last night and in the playoffs last year, then he can be a limited minute but effective option for this team in the playoffs this year.

Fun time at the Nationwide last night. Sat behind Crawford for the first period. One thing stood out- Niklas Hjalmarsson is the Hawks best defender right now and it's not really close. Positionally great and what's really improved is his patience with the puck and his willingness to use the entire ice to clear the zone. The quick throw it along the boards is gone and it's made all the difference. No wonder he was out there during crunch time.

I tweeted out that we need to suggest some books Kaner can download on his Kindle while waiting for Jimmy Hayes to catch up to him. In all fairness to Hayes he wasn't the only one hitting the ice for no reason last night. Hayes has some good hands and has an idea of what he wants to do out there. But the skating, while better than last year, still needs to grow.

Speaking of Kaner, while the pass to Oduya was world class and the shootout was nasty, the numbers back up the eye test. (timeonice.com is back up and running...Yay!) Kaner was a -10. I don't think Bolland is the right center for him. Toews line with the fabulous Brandon Saad was +15.

Faceoffs continue to be a problem. That has to be high up on Stan's priority list.

Bob was unreal last night. And the Blue jacket fans seemed to be a little P.Oed at all the red sweaters and were quite boisterous. All in all a good time.

Is anyone else happy Toews went back to going 5-hole on the shootout? Every other time during the shootout this year it looked like he had just picked up a hockey stick and a puck for the first time in his life.

That was one of C2's top 2-3 games this year, IMO.
- John Jaeckel

It was nice for both him and the defense to play a solid game.

Great observation on B52. He's looking to let that wrister go all the time but you're right, a) this ain't Rockford where he's actually an option for a passer and b) his shooting percentage is going to be better in GreaseLand.
- John Jaeckel

Haha, you mean Plan A of Bollig burning that lethal wrister right through bobs catcher didnt work?

He might have taken an inch of ice off the rink torquing that thing up