Justin Lowe: You Still Watching Hockey? The playoffs are 2-3 games per series in so far and there have been some exciting storylines so far. Have you been watching? Or just casually checking out the headlines now that the Hawks are done for the year?

first

And no. Not watching. Simply no interest.

And no. Not watching. Simply no interest.
- Cmonalready

Really? There’s some great series going on and some interesting storylines. Vegas in particular. Philly vs Pitts is always a rout for one side of the other. Pasternak is demolishing the Leafs. CBJ might win a series for the first time ever as well as Winnipeg. These are some great playoffs.

Not watching.

But, after seeing some of the stupidity of the league on hits during the PO's (Daughty, Kadri) i still cannot believe that guys like Marchant and Malkin get away with all the crap they do. On the Kadri hit, why is no one talking about the elbow Wingles gave right before he was hit? Chara already had him pinned to the boards from his check.
On Drew's hit, what is he supposed to do when the player changes his position at the last second?

I am watching as often as I can, especially the Bruins vs Maple Leafs and Jets vs Wild series. The thing that really sticks out for me is just how physical the playoffs are year in and year out and just how entertaining the games are for the most part. That being the case, I truly believe if the Hawks were in the playoffs they would 1) be completely overwhelmed by the physical play and 2) half the team would be on injured reserve after a 4 game sweep. And yes, Justin, I totally agree with you that the Hawks need more defensive-minded defensemen like a Hillman and a Gilbert in their system if they want a balanced team capable of playing shutdown hockey when needed.

Totally watching as much as possible.

Love the Hawks and hate they aren't in there, but playoff hockey is so damn fun to watch no matter who's playing.

VGK and LA has been so physical.

Vegas has probably the best puck control in general. Not just possession cause i don't actually know the stats on that, but actual passing and puck handling. Like the puck is magnetized to their sticks, its really fun to watch.

Yes, watching as much as I can and lamenting not seeing the IndianHead in it.

Vegas is relentless. They don't take a second off when they are on the ice. IMHO though what they are doing is remarkable but not "special". They aren't your typical expansion team because in the salary cap era, good players with bloated contracts are put on the lists. In the old days, you had aging veterans and 7 year AHL guys make the list. Now guys like Flower and Neal are out there because teams can't fit them under the cap.

Colorado is good, Nashville is just really good. The Capitals are, well, the Capitals. I was all for the Panarin-Saad swap but Panarin is playing well and it looks like a bad deal (that had to be done). Boston is dominating and is deep. Penguins look dominate at times but got blown out in Game 2 at home (?). Anaheim looks like garbage even though it's only one game. Haven't watched too much of the Lightning-Devils or Jets-Wild.

Hawks are too many pieces away from competing at a high level with some of these teams on a consistent basis. But that isn't a secret. Stan has some work to do.

Still watching. nothing beats playoff hockey. Also, watching all of these teams play shows how far away the hawks are.

Can't get enough this time of year. Late overtime games no matter. Next two months is what the north american hockkey world waits all year for. The hawks just didn't deserve to be there.

Still watching. nothing beats playoff hockey. Also, watching all of these teams play shows how far away the hawks are.
- jv526

Yup

Binge watching on a nightly basis.

Watching the early games.

Teams have scored 117 goals in 19 games - 6.15 per game.

That after averaging almost 6 per game during the regular season - an increase of almost 1/2 goal per game over the previous season.

Seems to be what Bettman and Company have been looking for.

But: the cost of that os fewer close games - fewer games when the last couple of minutes are tense, tied or one-goal games - especially in the tournament.

Nine of the nineteen games have been decided by three ore more goals - several by four or five - only three have gone into OT.

Used to be about 25% of the games went into OT - maybe more in the defense-oriented playoffs - and another 25% were one goal games (but I don’t have stats to back that up). Add in some two goal spreads because of ENGs....

Maybe this is just a first-round anomaly - some not-very-good goalies on some of the teams.

But I really liked to old close pitchers’ duels better.

Not watching.

But, after seeing some of the stupidity of the league on hits during the PO's (Daughty, Kadri) i still cannot believe that guys like Marchant and Malkin get away with all the crap they do. On the Kadri hit, why is no one talking about the elbow Wingles gave right before he was hit? Chara already had him pinned to the boards from his check.
On Drew's hit, what is he supposed to do when the player changes his position at the last second?
- powerenforcer

Watching most of the games.

If Shaw as an example laid a guys head into the boards as Malkin did last night he would be sitting 10 games. Goal scores get 10 times the breaks that grinders do ~ see Sid Crosby best of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdfsSqqxcf8

Watching most of the games.

If Shaw as an example laid a guys head into the boards as Malkin did last night he would be sitting 10 games. Goal scores get 10 times the breaks that grinders do ~ see Sid Crosby best of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdfsSqqxcf8
- riozzo

Mario has pictures of Sid and Gary in his basement. I am sure of it.

Mario has pictures of Sid and Gary in his basement. I am sure of it.
- powerenforcer

Doing nasty things to a washing machine?

Watching Panarin tied for 5th in playoff scoring with 5 points in only two games putting to rest the company line propaganda and lies that Panarin doesn't show up in the playoffs. Fake posters who posted all the lies against Panarin can crawl back under a rock with chimp Bowman. Second worst trade in team history.

yes I've been watching. I'm a pro hockey fan 1st and the Hawks have always been my favorite team. Playoff hockey is simply the best.

OH ya been watching it all .Watching PP that work and noticed they work as hard then as 5 on 5 ,not like the HAWKS who look like they think they are entitled to a goal . Love Vegas showing what a inspired team can do (coaching) . Like Winnipeg team somewhat ,but not a fan of their fans ,little over the top Me thinks ,chanting the opposing goalies name in the 1st minute of a game bush !! . And for those out there all ready anointing Panarina the 2nd coming ,remember he is playing the perennial 1st round chokers ..

On the draft front still hope the HAWKS win the dam lottery ,hell hope I do every week ,but alas .If the Ping Pong ball Gods don't see fit for that ,then I hope we hang on to both are picks in the 1st .You know all your eggs one basket type thing . Bouchard would be a great pick at 7 ,I can't say enough how much playing under the Hunters in London makes a player Pro ready ,and being named Captain big boost ..

Watching Panarin tied for 5th in playoff scoring with 5 points in only two games putting to rest the company line propaganda and lies that Panarin doesn't show up in the playoffs. Fake posters who posted all the lies against Panarin can crawl back under a rock with chimp Bowman. Second worst trade in team history.
- Savoy

Get over it, he did not show up last year. This year is a different story. As for the trade, who knows after one season.

Absolutely I'm watching die hard hockey guy. I agree the hawks would be run out of the building with all the physical play. Going forward Bowman and company need to in some way try build the team like the 2010 team big physical fast skilled size strong done the middle. So in the offseason bowman needs to add players that are smart physical skilled and have size not every player will have all these attributes but a combination of skills in each player. I propose this question in the last blog but no response so to the panel would trade for Matt Martin from Toronto say jurco for martin. 4th liner big physical some skill will go to the front of the net
and gives the hawks someone with a reputation which would help free up some space for the skilled guys. Resign Martinsin bring in a wingle or rousell and tough as nails d man example manning and the hawks are harder to play against and have they physical element for the playoffs add hayden in there also.

Martin Martinsin hayden 4th line
Ducliar ? rousell/wingles 3rdline
saad AA kane 2nd line
Smalltz Toews dcat

Keith Seabrook
Murphy ?
Manning Gus
Rutta

Absolutely I'm watching die hard hockey guy. I agree the hawks would be run out of the building with all the physical play. Going forward Bowman and company need to in some way try build the team like the 2010 team big physical fast skilled size strong done the middle. So in the offseason bowman needs to add players that are smart physical skilled and have size not every player will have all these attributes but a combination of skills in each player. I propose this question in the last blog but no response so to the panel would trade for Matt Martin from Toronto say jurco for martin. 4th liner big physical some skill will go to the front of the net
and gives the hawks someone with a reputation which would help free up some space for the skilled guys. Resign Martinsin bring in a wingle or rousell and tough as nails d man example manning and the hawks are harder to play against and have they physical element for the playoffs add hayden in there also.

Martin Martinsin hayden 4th line
Ducliar ? rousell/wingles 3rdline
saad AA kane 2nd line
Smalltz Toews dcat

Keith Seabrook
Murphy ?
Manning Gus
Rutta
- Scott1977

Trade to Martinook - Foley and Eddie would have a field day with that line.

Not watching.

But, after seeing some of the stupidity of the league on hits during the PO's (Daughty, Kadri) i still cannot believe that guys like Marchant and Malkin get away with all the crap they do. On the Kadri hit, why is no one talking about the elbow Wingles gave right before he was hit? Chara already had him pinned to the boards from his check.
On Drew's hit, what is he supposed to do when the player changes his position at the last second?
- powerenforcer

Kadri suspension absolutely justified. Doughty did not deserve a suspension on his.

Officiating has once again been consistently horrible, not sure why anyone would expect something else. The Flyers/Pens game yesterday was a joke.

I'm watching successful powerplay teams...that play below the goal line and have guys go to the front of the net.

Two things the current Hawk team doesn't do. There's too much passing around the perimeter, looking for that "pretty pass" by this team, and not enough Hawks want to pay the price by going in front of the net.

I'm watching successful powerplay teams...that play below the goal line and have guys go to the front of the net.

Two things the current Hawk team doesn't do. There's too much passing around the perimeter, looking for that "pretty pass" by this team, and not enough Hawks want to pay the price by going in front of the net.
- tompo1015

Your criticisms also apply to general 5x5 play.

Only need to add “lots of perimeter shots with not one at / going to the net with no chance of becoming a goal - helps the CF% - does nothing for winning the game”.

I’ve always thought Olczyk’s view that “no shot on net is a bad shot” to be incorrect - or at least incomplete.