Ed Stein: WCF Preview: Lite?

I kinda like the first 2 pairs of D - will be fun to see - Just no injuries tonight - nice and easy - should have a mtg between Q & RC - lets just scrimmage -

Keslers still a douche canoe!

WCF

Things are winding down before the big push. If Fowler was out for the season with a torn ligament or severe sprain I think we'd of heard of it by now. At least Anaheim has put themselves in a position to rest their guys. I don't know what Chicago's injury situation is, but given where they are in the standings along with the games remaining one would think that some of their players will be resting. Nevertheless, there is still home ice advantage through the first two rounds on the line, and like I've mentioned before; I think Carlyle can get more out of match-ups than Boudreau.

I referred to Carlyle as "The Architect" on more than one occasion, as he's been building for this time of year since September. I've seen a lot of growth throughout the lineup, which can generally be attributed to Carlyle. Under Boudreau it was just an emotional roller coaster, and this team's bad habits were the culprit of their early exits. When players like Garbutt are coming up short on the stat sheet it's a lot to overcome over a 7 game series.

Hockey is a team game, and I think this group is more prepared for the playoffs for 3 reasons. First off, the depth players aren't minor penalty liabilities. With the margin of error so tight, it can't be afforded. Secondly, I expect this young defensive group to show their maturity and be the guiding force that this team has lacked when things have gotten heated in the past. Lastly, I think John Gibson knows what's expected of him, and understands that.

Carlyle believes in 80/20, and playing your own game starts with strong breakouts and superb dump-ins. Joel Quenneville likes to pressure the defensive group, so the wingers need to be extra accommodating. Besides that this group still needs more power play opportunities, and that is simply a combination of cleverness and out working the opposition.

Everyone just keep your head down tonight. Let them win 10-0 if they want. I don't care. I'd rather play San Jose in the first round if possible anyway to reduce travel. If we can't beat them, we don't deserve to advance anyway.

Everyone just keep your head down tonight. Let them win 10-0 if they want. I don't care. I'd rather play San Jose in the first round if possible anyway to reduce travel. If we can't beat them, we don't deserve to advance anyway.
- yzermaneely

Yeah, just like that. Try not to think about the big pink elephant in the room and everything wlll be okay.

Chicago resting a few of their regulars tonight (Keith, Saybrook, Toews, Hossa). I don't expect a chippy game, but I could be wrong.

Everyone just keep your head down tonight. Let them win 10-0 if they want. I don't care. I'd rather play San Jose in the first round if possible anyway to reduce travel. If we can't beat them, we don't deserve to advance anyway.
- yzermaneely

Interesting way to look at it.

Interesting way to look at it.
- Ed Stein

I think you misspelled stupid.

I think you misspelled stupid.
- verwustung

I think when you graduated jr high school they said your grades were gooder

Everyone just keep your head down tonight. Let them win 10-0 if they want. I don't care. I'd rather play San Jose in the first round if possible anyway to reduce travel. If we can't beat them, we don't deserve to advance anyway.
- yzermaneely

FTN...Lets win 10-0

Your team plays dirty. I'll never respect a team like that. Kesler and Perry out there taking swings at will with their sticks, just hacking away, and one of our players gets injured. That's cheap, wussy, goon BS. What a bunch of scum.

Your team plays dirty. I'll never respect a team like that. Kesler and Perry out there taking swings at will with their sticks, just hacking away, and one of our players gets injured. That's cheap, wussy, goon BS. What a bunch of scum.
- SimpleJack

fake blackhawks fan

Your team plays dirty. I'll never respect a team like that. Kesler and Perry out there taking swings at will with their sticks, just hacking away, and one of our players gets injured. That's cheap, wussy, goon BS. What a bunch of scum.
- SimpleJack

Your team plays dirty. I'll never respect a team like that. Kesler and Perry out there taking swings at will with their sticks, just hacking away, and one of our players gets injured. That's cheap, wussy, goon BS. What a bunch of scum.
- SimpleJack

Grab some Kleenex.

- KINGS67

Sent by "knee on knee hit Brown."

Sent by "knee on knee hit Brown."
- quackup

And your evidence is...the big hit on Rosival in the 2012 WCF where he led and hit first with the shoulder and their knees happened to connect afterwards? Is that your evidence?

And your evidence is...the big hit on Rosival in the 2012 WCF where he led and hit first with the shoulder and their knees happened to connect afterwards? Is that your evidence?
- verwustung

I hope you are kidding... correct ?? Brownie is the King of the semi dirty what, who me , what did I do, really.. no not me -

And your evidence is...the big hit on Rosival in the 2012 WCF where he led and hit first with the shoulder and their knees happened to connect afterwards? Is that your evidence?
- verwustung

Fake hockey news. You can start with the hit on Hertl if you want. Now that I've given you a start, let's see if you can continue.

When did a punch once guys are squared up and looking right at each other, pushing back and forth, become a sucker punch?

That was a great game yesterday! Seemed like every line was finding a way to be effective. Moreover, I think it’s safe to say that Gibson will be the starter for the playoffs. Bernier has proved himself to be an option, but Gibson’s been great.

The fourth line has been effective throughout this point streak. Thompson wasn’t in the lineup yesterday, but Shaw and Wagner on the wings have been good, and I’ve been impressed with what Wagner has brought to the lineup since his last recall. What does Wagner bring to the table that Cramarossa doesn’t? I think that Cramarossa has a future in this league, but for a playoff series I wouldn’t be surprised if management saw Wagner as the safer bet because he is less penalty prone and has more experience. I like how Carlyle has used the fourth line throughout the past few weeks, and basically I think he’s done a good job of preparing that group for the playoffs. It’s clear that they know what they're supposed to do.

Some system notes are it looks like this group has rededicated themselves to strong team breakouts. Players are taking initiative and they’ve won all three of their last games because of their strong neutral zone play. It’s not always going to be easy, and towards the end of the first yesterday Chicago was getting good reads on the defensemen, but I thought Anaheim responded well.

The power play opportunities have been happening more frequently. I thought this group’s biggest fault in prior years’ postseasons was this sense of entitlement for calls, which didn’t happen. Play hard and stay focused and the calls will happen. Otherwise, both PP units have looked better. I think the entries and zone time will make or break any PP, and those areas have been better.

Lots of positives heading into next week. Their opponent will either be Nashville, St. Louis or Calgary. All of which are reasonable first round opponents. We’ll see.

When did a punch once guys are squared up and looking right at each other, pushing back and forth, become a sucker punch?
- yzermaneely

Issue was only one player dropped their gloves, so I don't think they were actually "squared up." Ritchie jumped the gun, if you will. imo

When did a punch once guys are squared up and looking right at each other, pushing back and forth, become a sucker punch?
- yzermaneely

Yeah it's BS. Ritchie wanted to fight him but rozsivial just looked him off. If your gonna do cheap shots to some in the back but aren't man enough to fight someone right in front of you that means your a cheap shot artist. The league would be in the wrong here if it protects rozsivial. If players can't protect there teamates it leads to futher escalation. Fights help releave some of that pent up anger that happens on the ice so that guys don't start swinging sticks at each other. I mean at least Giordano had the guts to fight.

Yeah it's BS. Ritchie wanted to fight him but rozsivial just looked him off. If your gonna do cheap shots to some in the back but aren't man enough to fight someone right in front of you that means your a cheap shot artist. The league would be in the wrong here if it protects rozsivial. If players can't protect there teamates it leads to futher escalation. Fights help releave some of that pent up anger that happens on the ice so that guys don't start swinging sticks at each other. I mean at least Giordano had the guts to fight.
- Eman87654

Exactly! I hate the hit Gio put on Cam. But I respect him because he answered for it. This isn't pickup hockey. You can't just say, "Oh, sorry dude. I didn't mean to do that." You have to answer. I have no respect for Claude LeRoszival.