To all the Hawk NehSayers on this board all year and you know who you are
Welcome back!!!

Fire Q fire Bowman Trade Crawford Blah blah blah

Q and Baby Bowman looking like management gurus

Q should be paid what Babcock makes ....if they win the cup

Bolts are a special group
This won't be easy but Hawks win in 6

Chris Boden retweeted
Matt Sammon ‏@SammonSez 14h14 hours ago
In case you were wondering, and I know you were, since 2010-11 the @TBLightning are 6-0-1 against the Blackhawks. Mostly high-scoring games.



yikes!!
- captainserious

yeah and in most they played their starting goaltender the night before in Sunrise Florida against the Panthers, and their back up againt the rested Bolts, who never played the day before.

One was a game "won" with the stupid shoot-out...on a Martin St. Louis goal where the puck completely stopped dead on his spin around and still counted.

But I will agree this is a very very balanced Lightning club that hasn't felt the pressure only the fun of their playoff run.
It's going to a great series and Hawk fans will learn to appreciate several young bolts players.

Bolts are a special group
This won't be easy but Hawks win in 6
- Colbyboy

I'm thinking the same thing. Hawks in 6.

TB 3rd and 4th liners...:
Morrow 18 GP.....0 points
Boyle 19 GP......2 pts
JT Brown 18 GP.....1 pt
Paquette 18 GP.....1 pt
Callahan 19 GP.....4 pt (and some of that time with Stamkoes)

ALL their damage from the TOP 6 of Johnson, Kucherov and Palat (55 points)
and Stamkos, Killhorn, Fillipa ( 44 points)

The rest of their forwards have FOUR points or less....ouch!
- hawk35

Wasn't this said about the Ducks' bottom 6 coming into the series? That group gave the Hawks some problems early in the series.

The Hawks bottom guys' stats don't look overwhelming either with Kruger 3 points, Desardins 3, Bicks 5, Vermette 5 (in 14 games though), Versteeg 1 in 7 games. But that doesn't mean they haven't had stretches where they weren't dangerous and add much more than scoring.

Same with the Bolts' bottom guys. These guys aren't counted on to score, same as the Hawks, but the ability to do so is where the danger is.

Hey, all the junior GMs

Do you think you can table all the adds and drops to the 2015-16 Blackhawks roster long enough to let us all enjoy our CURRENT team in their Stanley Cup appearance?

You have ample time to agree and disagree by the middle of June.

Is this the time the Hawks actually win the cup IN Chicago?

Before the season started, I had the Lightning coming out of the East.

The Lightning will present the Hawks with some real challenges here folks. They are a VERY fast, VERY athletic team with scoring across all four lines (significantly more so than the Ducks). Many people were saying that this Ducks/Hawks series was for the Cup. I actually disagree - I think the Lightning will be the Hawks hardest challenge so far this postseason.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Agreed and i also had the Lightning in the finals before the season began and stuck with it for the postseason.

Some details on the 2 regular season games between TB and the Blackhawks:

November 11. @ CHI . 3rd game of a Blackhawk home stand, CHI wins in a 3-2 shootout. Blackhawks outshoot TB 39-27, but give up a SHG in the 1st period.

Feb 27 in TB . 2nd game of a road back to back, after beating FLA 3-0 the night before. SOG were 29-28 TB. Darling played and gave up 2 at even strength in the 2nd period after a scoreless 1st. TB scored 2 PPG in the 3rd.
- scottak

The second game was also the Hawks second game without Kane.

Is this the time the Hawks actually win the cup IN Chicago?
- ikeane

Game 4 or 6?

To all the Hawk NehSayers on this board all year and you know who you are
Welcome back!!!

Fire Q fire Bowman Trade Crawford Blah blah blah

Q and Baby Bowman looking like management gurus

Q should be paid what Babcock makes ....if they win the cup

Bolts are a special group
This won't be easy but Hawks win in 6
- Colbyboy

I'm here to rearrange the deck chairs.

The second game was also the Hawks second game without Kane.
- golfbard

So Hawks undeafeated vs TB this year with Kane in the lineup. I'm sold, Hawks in 6!

Wasn't this said about the Ducks' bottom 6 coming into the series? That group gave the Hawks some problems early in the series.

The Hawks bottom guys' stats don't look overwhelming either with Kruger 3 points, Desardins 3, Bicks 5, Vermette 5 (in 14 games though), Versteeg 1 in 7 games. But that doesn't mean they haven't had stretches where they weren't dangerous and add much more than scoring.

Same with the Bolts' bottom guys. These guys aren't counted on to score, same as the Hawks, but the ability to do so is where the danger is.
- Mr Ricochet

U forgot to mention TT,Sharp and Shaw

The second game was also the Hawks second game without Kane.
- golfbard

Was it without Oduya too?

I guaranteed a Hawk win yesterday because Coach Q and the Hawks FINALLY chose to play their style in game 6. So I wouldn't label Q as "infallible" just yet. He is a winner, and a sure-fire HOF coach, but not without his prejudices and his faults. Game three, in hindsight, was a "giveaway" to the Ducks by removing Vermette and Teravanien from the lineup; both players have been key parts of the Hawk's success. Versteeg hasn't been the same player since injuring his hand, and Nordstrom has NEVER showed that he belongs in a playoff game.

For the first five games of the series, Q and the rest of the Hawk coaches spent too much of their time fussing over what the Ducks did so well, and not enough on what the Hawks needed to do. With game 6 a must-win situation, Q had his team simply play their game and take it to the Ducks for as long as they could, he repeated the plan last night and the rest is history. Joel Queneville and the Chicago Blackhawks became a match made in heaven because Q applied his no nonsense, defence first attitude to a team of young, talented players. At the same time, Q allowed these young players to maintain their identities and their own unique gifts, but in a way that put team defence first. Thus, Q is largely responsible for the Hawks being in 3 Cup Finals in 6 years, a truly remarkable feat considering the ridiculous salary cap system imposed upon this league! However, he could not have done it without the Hawk's team core.

Further, Q and the Hawk's core have achieved all of this without truly exceptional goaltending. I like Niemi, but he was just coming into his own during the 2009/10 season, and was the only reason many of those playoff games were even close (think Philly in particular). Niemi had to take over the net because Cristobal Huet and Khabibulin both forgot how to play goal. Corey Crawford has been a work in process, and as a credit to Corey, he has become a good NHL goaltender. BUT, last night's game was the POSTER CHILD of Q's success in Chicago. If there was ever a game that proved that a Q-led Blackhawks team can win with most any goalie, last night was it! While Crawford faced a lot of shots, most were from the outside and most of the rebounds that he gave up were controlled by Hawk skaters, the trademark of Q's team defence when it is working. With a minute left in the 2nd period, and the Hawks leading 4-0, Crawford GAVE ANA hope and a chance by giving up a brutal goal by once again playing off of his knees instead of up on his skates. There is no way that goal from the corner could have gone in if Corey simply stood up and hugged his post, as he is taught to do. This is exactly why Crawford has his detractors, he competes well, can make the big save, but continues to allow SOFT goals, often at the most unfortunate times (first/last minute of periods). He is what he is, which is a good goalie and a competitor, but not the focus of our team, let alone our team defence.

The centre of this team, its heart and soul, is the core of Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Hammer and Seabrook who possess not only elite talent, but elite HEARTS that want to win and know how to! Players who spend their careers with these guys, take on their qualities, just look at Brandon Saad, Andrew Shaw, Marcus Kruger, Patrick Sharp (who would probably be a high scoring prima donna on other teams), Johnny Oduya and Bryan Bickell. Bowman did a wonderful job of going out and getting this core players like Scott Darling, Teuvo Teravanien, Brad Richards, Antoine Vermette, and Andrew Desjardins to fill in the gaps and bring a combination of talent and CHARACTER! Brad Richards is now 8-0 in game 7's in his career. He had two key assists last night...do you think that is a coincidence? Desjardins skated 19 minutes last night making smart play after another, and how good will Teuvo be next year with this experience under his belt? Sure Bowman missed on Timmonen badly, but he shouldn't have been put into this brutal situation by a league that only cares about preserving the number of teams (or adding more) and profits!

Rocky Wirtz is a great owner, perhaps the best in all of professional sports. John McDonough and team run the business of Blackhawk hockey very well. Stan and Scotty Bowman lead a top notch front office, and Coach Q leads an excellent coaching staff, operating in a dream location. But its the combination of Q as coach and Toews as Captain that make this ship sail so well. Q has taught the Hawk's core how to win, the Hawk's core do everything to win hockey games, which every other player on the team picks up on. It's a symbiotic relationship that features strength from the top right down to the best 4th line in hockey, perhaps in hockey history!?!

If Bowman had enough money to add two more average Defensemen to this team, they might not have lost a single playoff game this season, and certainly would have won another Cup last year! So, as it always is, it's a team effort from the best "team" in all of professional sports! So off to the Cup finals against a VERY GOOD and very young/fast Tampa team put together by Steve Yzerman, so you know that they possess character as well. Its going to be another tough, great series of hockey where the Hawks are going to have to rely heavily on their core and a certain 4 defensemen to win.

One last thought, how about Andrew Shaw last night. His "box score" doesn't show much, but what an important game he played. He's become such an integral part of the Hawk's overall success! Here's to a young man who no one wanted for the longest time and now the Hawks simply can't let him get away...CHARACTER!

- MexicoHawk

It's not just Q when it comes to goalies. Scotty Bowman also had some good but not great goalies in Detroit. Osgood was ok. Vernon was ok. They weren't generational goalies. But what they had was strength down the middle and damn good d-men. All this talk of the Bowman's and Q not getting along is kinda funny. I mean, maybe they have some issues surrounding some players, but I'm sure most teams do. But this team is built similarly to the Red Wings teams in the 90's and early 00's.

Shaw and Desi are those types of players that everyone hates to play against, but you love having them on your team. I hope they re-sign Desi.

I'm looking forward to this upcoming series, I hope we can recover because I see this series to be more like the Wild series...not a lot of checking, but a poop-ton of nifty skating.

Also, curious to see what Ben Bishop has in him for this series.

Hawks in 5.

Tampa plays tough, but damn, I cant remember the last time CHI played a team in the playoffs where physicality really wasnt a big part of their game

it will be interesting to see how this series unfolds

NSH, BOS, ANA, MIN, LAK, STL all tried to take the body on us

DET in 2013 probably the last non physical team, but they still played that way against us. Aggressively checked, tons of clutch, grab, intereference, etc

The game set a local record with a 3.9 overnight rating in L.A., the second-highest ever for a Ducks game on the NBC networks.

In Chicago, the win drew a 26.6 overnight rating, representing the highest ever for a non-Cup Final Blackhawks game on NBC and the third-highest overall.

I'm here to rearrange the deck chairs.
- Beaver-Warrior

I don't need a deck chair but a sump pump could come in handy

Tampa plays tough, but damn, I cant remember the last time CHI played a team in the playoffs where physicality really wasnt a big part of their game

it will be interesting to see how this series unfolds

NSH, BOS, ANA, MIN, LAK, STL all tried to take the body on us

DET in 2013 probably the last non physical team, but they still played that way against us. Aggressively checked, tons of clutch, grab, intereference, etc
- FourFeathers773

Detroit was a brutal series and one of the finest jobs I've ever seen by an opposing team (Detroit), player (Henrik Zetterberg) and coach (Babcock). It's the ONE time #19 lost his focus.

Chicago was the much better team, but Detroit played their gameplan brilliantly and maintained focus and poise throughout nearly pulling off what would have been a huge upset in my mind. The Hawks just "overcame" that one. I'd still love to be a fly on the wall when Seabrook went into the box to talk to Toews.

Anyway...ONE MO TO GO...your dynasty awaits boys!!!

TB 3rd and 4th liners...:
Morrow 18 GP.....0 points
Boyle 19 GP......2 pts
JT Brown 18 GP.....1 pt
Paquette 18 GP.....1 pt
Callahan 19 GP.....4 pt (and some of that time with Stamkoes)

ALL their damage from the TOP 6 of Johnson, Kucherov and Palat (55 points)
and Stamkos, Killhorn, Fillipa ( 44 points)

The rest of their forwards have FOUR points or less....ouch!
- hawk35

Just found this on the NHL site.

In each round, a different Lightning player stepped up. In the first round, Johnson had six goals. In the second round, Kucherov had six goals, and in the conference final, Stamkos and Alex Killorn each had four. Five players have at least six goals and 15 players have scored.

The Hawks have 4 players with 5 or more goals. The Hawks also have 15 players who have scored........ Looks close to even.

The series odds are out. Hawks a -145 favorite, Bolts a +125 dog.

John Jaeckel: Can't Stop Da 'Stache
- John Jaeckel

Truly, one of the most dominant staches of all time. A Hall of Fame Stache, if you will. Bold look for a bold man. Go Hawks.

34 seconds of fun

https://www.facebook.com/...n/videos/967968023224643/

Truly, one of the most dominant staches of all time. A Hall of Fame Stache, if you will. Bold look for a bold man. Go Hawks.
- Woodysdemise

He is pretty much 2nd to only George S. Halas as a coaching icon in Chicago.

No other coach is close. And as much as I liked Ditka, it's a JOKE to put him in class with Q. Ditka was a clown, a commercial commodity...Q coaches hockey and wins championships. Had Ditka been less a fool and more the coach he was in the early days WHO KNOWS...2 or 3 more Super Bowls. Instead he blew it.

Papa Bear will forever be #1, but Stasche has cemented his legacy. A third Cup closes the deal.

He is pretty much 2nd to only George S. Halas as a coaching icon in Chicago.

No other coach is close. And as much as I liked Ditka, it's a JOKE to put him in class with Q. Ditka was a clown, a commercial commodity...Q coaches hockey and wins championships. Had Ditka been less a fool and more the coach he was in the early days WHO KNOWS...2 or 3 more Super Bowls. Instead he blew it.

Papa Bear will forever be #1, but Stasche has cemented his legacy. A third Cup closes the deal.
- kwolf68

Quennville is easily one of the best coaches in the game today. Potentially the best. He's like a mad scientist back there behind the bench...mixing and matching until the Rubik's cube has aligned perfectly. Was a huge part of the reason I was scared about facing the Hawks last year in the conference finals. Guy is a mastermind. And that Stache just adds to the mystique.

He is pretty much 2nd to only George S. Halas as a coaching icon in Chicago.

No other coach is close. And as much as I liked Ditka, it's a JOKE to put him in class with Q. Ditka was a clown, a commercial commodity...Q coaches hockey and wins championships. Had Ditka been less a fool and more the coach he was in the early days WHO KNOWS...2 or 3 more Super Bowls. Instead he blew it.

Papa Bear will forever be #1, but Stasche has cemented his legacy. A third Cup closes the deal.
- kwolf68

Phil Jackson would like a word.

Tampa plays tough, but damn, I cant remember the last time CHI played a team in the playoffs where physicality really wasnt a big part of their game

it will be interesting to see how this series unfolds

NSH, BOS, ANA, MIN, LAK, STL all tried to take the body on us

DET in 2013 probably the last non physical team, but they still played that way against us. Aggressively checked, tons of clutch, grab, intereference, etc
- FourFeathers773

Minny was not a very physical series. Eddie O., was on the radio after that series and rated it a 2 out of 10 in that area.