So..is anyone nervous as hell about tonight or what?

Should we expect Tampa to come out like game 1 and try to blast the Hawks quickly with a few goals and then go into a shell? Or will they try and get a few goals and try and keep the pressure on? A few people seem to think that the Hawks started to figure out Tampa as the game went on...and that is why Tampa couldn't keep coming on that strong...Someone mentioned that the Bolts took away the boards, and later through the game the Hawks were taking the puck up the middle out of their zone, and that it was a Q period 2 adjustment

I know this is dumb and so captain hindsight, but if the Hawks come out lethargic like they did against Anaheim in game 5, they can kiss game 2 goodbye..Really hoping Crow puts together another great game and obviously I want the Hawks to win, but I wouldn't mind seeing Steeg continue his great play from game 1, and would like to see Toews line do some damage as well
- captainserious

Me, I'm always nervous. Can't convince myself its just a game, has nothing to do with me, it shouldn't get to me like this. But it does.

Me, I'm always nervous. Can't convince myself its just a game, has nothing to do with me, it shouldn't get to me like this. But it does.


- vabeachbear

While it was fun and freeing watching some of the other series without a dog in the fight, down to last man/dog/standing and thankfully ours is still upright.

It's good nervous energy though...at least that's what I tell myself.

Read that. Also wondering just what experience Officer Small speaks from with regard to "playing for the Stanley Cup" at Amalie?
- John Jaeckel

Not sure we've heard the whole story on that one.

Me, I'm always nervous. Can't convince myself its just a game, has nothing to do with me, it shouldn't get to me like this. But it does.


- vabeachbear

Yeah same thing with me...

Maybe not run out of the building but it was reported somewhere that Toews and a few other players wanted a Jammer type on the roster before the season. Q must have agreed. Thus the serious look at Mashinter/Labrie/Bass in the preseason that ended up with Carcillo being brought back.

Desi is perfect for that IMO. It is needed in the regular season against goon squads like the Blues. Next year's roster may have a few tougher rookies like Johns. Good to have someone like Desi who knows how and when to step up without being stupid for them to learn from.
- tredbrta

I will just say, from talking to players and scouts, they don't want goons on the roster. But a guy who can skate a regular shift , or preferably join the play, who can also take care of monkey business, is a guy they want around. Like it or not. Fact.

I'm not trying to be a homer or anything...but everywhere I read something about the Bolts, I keep seeing that they will make the necessary adjustments bla bla bla and do what they need to win game 2....But doesn't anyone think Q watched what the Hawks and Bolts did, and will make adjustments too? I'm sure he is watching the Det Tampa series, and seeing how the Bolts won game 2 after losing game 1...I'm hoping Q isn't going with the same game plan from game 1 and just hoping everything works out

I will just say, from talking to players and scouts, they don't want goons on the roster. But a guy who can skate a regular shift , or preferably join the play, who can also take care of monkey business, is a guy they want around. Like it or not. Fact.
- John Jaeckel

ABSOLUTELY. There are still guys in the league that will take a piece of your skilled players just because they are dbags. You need someone on the ice that can police that type of behavior. Until the NHL takes checking out of the game, you need those types of guys.

FYI...

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 3h3 hours ago

The guy in charge of maintaining the Amalie Arena ice in this ridiculous heat is named Miracle. That's fantastic. http://www.tampabay.com/n...s-a-balancing-act/2232361
- ArlingtonRob

Nice link Rob but the puck was still bouncing around like a superball the other night due to the heat in Tampa. Should be another warm evening there.

Me, I'm always nervous. Can't convince myself its just a game, has nothing to do with me, it shouldn't get to me like this. But it does.


- vabeachbear

Yeah, me too.

I think they lose tonight. However, if it's any consolation, here's been my predictions during this Stanley Cup Playoffs:

Hawks lose Game 1 to Nashville
Hawks lose Game 3 to Wild (I actually said bet the house)
Hawks lose series to Ducks (after I saw #5 was back in the line up)
Hawks lose Game 1 to Bolts
NYI over Washington in 6
Habs in 5 over Bolts
Jets in 6 over Ducks

So, the Great Carnac The Magnificent I have not been this year.

True. He may likely never be a 30 goal scorer again but the only guy rumored to potentially be on his way out with a bad contract is Bick...in my eyes anyway.

Hopefully the Hawks can make that happen too at the draft.
- HawkintheD

Mornin' D well another big one tonight...as far as Bicks...have to see where he's at...having him sit out the Finals with a concussion will make hit a bit harder to move him one would think.

As far as tonight...hoping we see the Hawks start on time this evening and not halfway through the game. I'm sure Tampa will come out with the same force as they did the other night and the Hawks will have to once again weather the storm.
I can't see them playing that way for an entire 60 though.

Wouldn't hurt to start picking it up at the Dot...Filppula killed us the other night. Figures being an Ex-Wing.

I think TVR is in on Monday when Q has the matchups so he can spot him in more where he wants...

So Q say just playing with all 'a you'll and the press about TvR...
I knew it!

Mornin' D well another big one tonight...as far as Bicks...have to see where he's at...having him sit out the Finals with a concussion will make hit a bit harder to move him one would think.

As far as tonight...hoping we see the Hawks start on time this evening and not halfway through the game. I'm sure Tampa will come out with the same force as they did the other night and the Hawks will have to once again weather the storm.
I can't see them playing that way for an entire 60 though.

Wouldn't hurt to start picking it up at the Dot...Filppula killed us the other night. Figures being an Ex-Wing.

I think TVR is in on Monday when Q has the matchups so he can spot him in more where he wants...
- DK002

I think Fillipula's numbers fell off over the corse of the game a bit

Mornin' D well another big one tonight...as far as Bicks...have to see where he's at...having him sit out the Finals with a concussion will make hit a bit harder to move him one would think.

As far as tonight...hoping we see the Hawks start on time this evening and not halfway through the game. I'm sure Tampa will come out with the same force as they did the other night and the Hawks will have to once again weather the storm.
I can't see them playing that way for an entire 60 though.

Wouldn't hurt to start picking it up at the Dot...Filppula killed us the other night. Figures being an Ex-Wing.

I think TVR is in on Monday when Q has the matchups so he can spot him in more where he wants...
- DK002

Morning DK,

Had the same thoughts about Val and remembered he was a royal pain as. a Wing. Thought he would have made a decent 2C here when all of us were pining for various guys over the last few years.

Maybe Teuvo can grow into a more skilled version with some seasoning.

The Hawks managed to tilt the numbers by the end so the FO discrepancy wasn't so lopsided so hopefully they can start and end strong this evening.

Sure he did....


- Ogilthorpe2

A sigma attached to him from signing an offer sheet is what I meant.

You're funny though. Kind of.

A sigma attached to him from signing an offer sheet is what I meant.

You're funny though. Kind of.
- carcus

You know we love you Carcus

I'm not trying to be a homer or anything...but everywhere I read something about the Bolts, I keep seeing that they will make the necessary adjustments bla bla bla and do what they need to win game 2....But doesn't anyone think Q watched what the Hawks and Bolts did, and will make adjustments too? I'm sure he is watching the Det Tampa series, and seeing how the Bolts won game 2 after losing game 1...I'm hoping Q isn't going with the same game plan from game 1 and just hoping everything works out
- captainserious

I'm assuming there were some adjustments made in the first game by the coaches after the first period and since that time the Hawks have scored 2 goals the Bolts 0.

I will just say, from talking to players and scouts, they don't want goons on the roster. But a guy who can skate a regular shift , or preferably join the play, who can also take care of monkey business, is a guy they want around. Like it or not. Fact.
- John Jaeckel

Yeah, last year we saw Claude Lemieux's son, Brendon, drop out of the first and he lasted until the early second (now as the Jets' prospect) and he had 27 goals/ 53 points and improved to 41goals / 60 points this season.
This season there is clamor about Louis Debrusk's son going in the first, Jake going earlier than the bottom third of the first.

...and I have mentioned over and over that I am convinced the hawks WOULD have taken the big physical Thomas Wilson over Teuvo Teräväinen.

Just looking a one of my earlier sleeper picks in 2009: Kyle Clifford - I thought he showed enough borderline skill to mix with the grit for him to get taken first pick in the third round, 62nd overall, but LA Kings saw enough to pick him 35th overall.

So there becomes a premium on these type guys if their feet & hands can improve to the same upper limits their physicality has.

If you look overall at these three mentioned, you see that they aren't looked at, from draft day on, to be big attack player in terms of numbers.

So John's right on here.