John Jaeckel: Wild-Blackhawks Preview (And Prediction)

Fist.

Nice write up JJ. This one is indeed too close to call. The psychology of losing the past 2 to the Hawks could provide some unwanted extra initiative vs the Hawks this time.

2nd yes!

Experience of the Hawks wins out in this series. The Hawks superstars play like superstars when the games get bigger

Can't watch, but I think the Hawks will win this series in 6 games.

Eric Lear ‏@BHTVeric 5m5 minutes ago
Practice is just underway. Versteeg, Nordstrom and Carcillo are wearing white jerseys. Duncan Keith is not here. #Blackhawks

Keith just resting hopefully?

Nice write-up JJ..... Good luck in round 2 guys!!!

Game 7 war, could be. I hope so. Most people would think so. That's exactly why I wonder if one team puts it all together and wins in 5 in anti-climactic fashion. I don't have a clue which team that could be.

Part of me still thinks/hopes that at some point Dubnyk wakes up and realizes he is Devin Dubnyk and reverts to his normal mediocrity.

For as good as Rinne is, the Hawks handled him pretty well. A few bad periods made the scores/games look worse than they were. Close games until a few minutes of wobbling wheels made the final scores look bad.

Agreed, I'm feeling Hawks in 7.

I'd like to see Kimmo get a few more o-zone starts and a couple shifts on the 2nd PP unit. I mean, I love Steeger and Richards out there together and all, but I think if you put Kimmo in more situations he's excelling in right now, it could rub off on the rest of his game. I still can't fathom there were only 12 minutes for him in a game that went over 100.

Would love to see more secondary scoring in general but, for my money, I'm liking this year's playoff Bickell as much or more than the last two. Hopefully Shaw keeps his head this series, PK isn't what is was 2 months ago. Not. Even. Close.

And both the Patricks are rounding into shape.

The Wild could be the hardest series for the Hawks. They are red hot and are now validated by a series win over a contender.

Good for Minnesota too. That city deserves some hockey success.
- Tangled

I think the winner of the West still has the slight edge in the finals.

The Wild could be the hardest series for the Hawks. They are red hot and are now validated by a series win over a contender.

Good for Minnesota too. That city deserves some hockey success.
- Tangled

As much validation you can take away from beating the Blues, that is.

Eric Lear ‏@BHTVeric 5m5 minutes ago
Practice is just underway. Versteeg, Nordstrom and Carcillo are wearing white jerseys. Duncan Keith is not here. #Blackhawks

Keith just resting hopefully?
- BURDA13

Thank god no VERSTINK he is a turn over machine that trips over the blue line.

Eric Lear ‏@BHTVeric 5m5 minutes ago
Practice is just underway. Versteeg, Nordstrom and Carcillo are wearing white jerseys. Duncan Keith is not here. #Blackhawks

Keith just resting hopefully?
- BURDA13

LINES ARE:
Saad-Toews-Hossa
Bickell-Richards-Kane
Sharp-Vermette-Teravainen (me like mucho)
Desjardin-Kruger-Shaw

Can't watch, but I think the Hawks will win this series in 6 games.
- carcus

Agreed. Dubby sooner or late is gonna come back to reality.

I'm not sure it matters Ducks are gonna be pretty tough.

I think the winner of the West still has the slight edge in the finals.
- grinder10

By a big margin I believe. Esp if its the ducks.

Eric Lear ‏@BHTVeric 5m5 minutes ago
Practice is just underway. Versteeg, Nordstrom and Carcillo are wearing white jerseys. Duncan Keith is not here. #Blackhawks

Keith just resting hopefully?

Keith played a poopload of mins this past series as he always does. Likely has time off to put his feet up. Will need him even more this series.

Thank god no VERSTINK he is a turn over machine that trips over the blue line.
- BGKarras

TT for Steeger then?

Bracket challenge now shows me ranked 6 (was 102) - WOOT!!! Going to enjoy it while it lasts (it won't for long I'm sure). Mr Paul did you also come up some (we were tied)?

Probably. If Detroit somehow gets through they'll probably be tough though.
I can't really make myself like the Rangers even though they've show themselves to be pretty good.
- Tangled

Oh sweet Jebus, if it ends up being the Hawks/Wings for the Cup (insert your thoughts here) ________

In recent years, the 'hawks have been able to get in goaltender's heads...especially ones that are hot. See: Smith, Mike. Luongo, Roberto. Quick, Jonathan.

Not all the time, and the good 'tenders bounce back (Quick), but one game where Dubnyk gets peppered and I think it's all gonna roll the 'hawks way.

Richards, Teravainen, Vermette, and Bickell. And Kane maybe. These are the guys who if they add a little more this series will create a critical contribution on the margins. The Blackhawks will need it against this tough MN team. I only added Kane because he's still returning to form, and if he pulls out a big game at the right time like he does, it's huge.

Bracket challenge now shows me ranked 6 (was 102) - WOOT!!! Going to enjoy it while it lasts. Mr Paul did you also come up some (we were tied)?
- Marlowe

Tied with me.

Eric Lear ‏@BHTVeric 5m5 minutes ago
Practice is just underway. Versteeg, Nordstrom and Carcillo are wearing white jerseys. Duncan Keith is not here. #Blackhawks

Keith just resting hopefully?
- BURDA13

Who is skating on the second line with Kane and Richards. Would really like a more physical forward on that line to go retrieve pucks in the corners and create space for Kane. I just don't want to change the other three lines

In recent years, the 'hawks have been able to get in goaltender's heads...especially ones that are hot. See: Smith, Mike. Luongo, Roberto. Quick, Jonathan.

Not all the time, and the good 'tenders bounce back (Quick), but one game where Dubnyk gets peppered and I think it's all gonna roll the 'hawks way.
- CanOCorn

Quick backstopped the Kings to their first cup, and while not great last season he did what he had to do, this past year he was Average for a lot of it. Carey Price is consistently outstanding, Lundquvist the same. Guys like Rask, Luongo, Rinne, and the flavors of the day have nice runs, but can't necessarily maintain once the playoffs start.

I picked Montreal over OTT because I just didn't believe that Hammond could continue on his streak.

Dubnyk's record is as much a result of the quality of play in front of him than his actual individual play (don't get me wrong, he has been playing well). My personal thought is that if the Hawks get the same chances they did against Rinne they will score more.