I'd assume you have NHL.TV too? Have you or anyone else streaming NHL.TV had nightly issues with stream quality? I'll get maybe 5 minutes of HD then it goes to non-HD for the majority of my streams. I have 100mb internet speed and hard wire connection from modem to my PS4. I'm seriously considering calling NHL.TV and demanding a rebate bc the quality has been awful for much of the year.
- EnzoD

Enzo, I've noticed that recently as well. I also run NHL through my PS4. It was excellent and lag free earlier in the year, but seems to have gotten progressively worse, especially on multi-game nights like Tues/Thurs. Has to be an issue on their end - maybe they've gone cheap on us with bandwidth!

Me guesses #13 is close to sitting because there has been littkle results and plenty of nice substitutes to plug into the line-up...

After the obtained Panik, I wasn't shy about finding fault in parts of his game, one being how many of his ideas when in possession were easily defended broken up, etc.
I just thought last night if you watch the game again, Panik's warts were ever so present.
Don't get me wrong, I want him pounding, agitating and trying to create, I just think in many situations if another Hawk had the puck a different assessment and action would have been in play. He ends many possessions with wimps.

I am tired of the idea the Ducks forced the hawks out of their game...the Ducks didn't have the puck enough to dicate any terms except top have good sticks in their end over Hawk sticks.
THEY ARE a good team, so let the diagnosis, gloom and doom, stop.

You can never make one area of concern whether it be face-off bad PK, or lack of PP and decide that is what buries any team.

One on one battle, back side pressure, good saves have to continue to be one and waged agressively whether you are playing a heavy OR "dirty" team.

Anybody REALLY think the Ducks got on the plane thinking "we got the if we play them in the playoffs...?"

I don't.
- wiz1901

My guess is that Jurco sits after playing 5 more games.

My guess is that Jurco sits after playing 5 more games.
- DarthKane

Ding! Ding! Ding! Show him what he's won!

Is there a Mercy Rule in effect for tonight?

This isn't the 1980's and the game is different. Don't need the Hawks to fight or goon it up. Just play physical when necessary and throw clean, hard checks. The whole policing idea is bs now too. There is no need for players like that anymore.
- Dannyboy

If the referees actually called the game by the rules this wouldn't even be a discussion.

Is there a Mercy Rule in effect for tonight?
- gergeswillems

Yes, if we put 40+ shots on goal and we still have 0 of the scoreboard - you mercifully pull your goalie and allow us to attempt to put the puck into an unguarded net.

If the crying and whining lasts long enough, the league will do what they always do - allow 2 free of charge buyouts for each team.

It will be that or Bettman will instruct 29 teams to trade 2 of their players with onerous contracts to the Coyotes so they can reach the cap floor and then he will use that to demonstrate to the Arizona Legislature that the Coyotes have invested heavily in players but can't make it financially in Glendale, please build them a rink.
- RickJ

So between a cap that is 3 million higher or 2 compliance buyouts, any idea on what the Hawks management would prefer? (Not that it's going to happen but it's an interesting point to discuss)

I think the Hawks would prefer a rise in the cap number by 3 million. I don't know if there is anybody on the Hawks that they would want to buy out.

If the referees actually called the game by the rules this wouldn't even be a discussion.
- eagle50

Eh - every fan base thinks the refs screw their team. I'd be surprised if Ducks fans weren't complaining about the refs too.

Eh - every fan base thinks the refs screw their team. I'd be surprised if Ducks fans weren't complaining about the refs too.
- EbonyRaptor

Not saying that at all......too much cross checking and other blatant cheap stuff like late hits going on everywhere at some point the refs need to get consistent or someone will get killed.

Is there a Mercy Rule in effect for tonight?
- gergeswillems

You think the Wings will beat the Hawks that bad? You're probably right.

Really tough chance for CC. Scumbag was skating to the right through the slot and shot back to the left. Probably no goalie alive makes that stop. Only chance would be go back to an earlier era and be outside the crease to cut the angle, and hope it hits you.
- scottak

Why are you being so nice describing the insidious nefarious omnipotent Mr Perry?

Not saying that at all......too much cross checking and other blatant cheap stuff like late hits going on everywhere at some point the refs need to get consistent or someone will get killed.
- eagle50

I'm not making an excuse for NHL officiating because more times than not it is at best inconsistent and often times awful. But it's not just the Hawks affected, the refs give fans from every team cause to complain - they are equal opportunity screwups.

A few observations
- It does not look like Panik or Hartmann will shrink during the playoffs. Like Shaw they might even play larger.
- The D 1 through 9 (including Forsling) is as good as I ever remember it (following the Hawks since early 60's).
- The Hawks had a 4 or 5 solid scoring chances last night and normally at least 1 or 2 would end up in the back of the opponents net. It wasn't Bernier's goaltending as much as it was the Hawks missing the net, not elevating the puck, or getting in their own way.

- The Ducks strategy is:
A - have the keeper hold the puck at every opportunity and win the ensuing faceoff.
B - see how many cheap shots they can get away with. Behind the play, after the whistle, holding and interfering with wingers during faceoffs.
C - use their size and be physical, because they have very little offensive skills individually or as a team.
D - Get a goal or two and hope your goalie is hot.

Oh ya I'm not a big fan of Olcyk whether its the nonsense babbling between him and Foley for Home Hawks' broadcasts or the National games where he tries SO hard to not come off as a Chicago Homer that he actually leans the other way and is almost anti-Hawks. Also, you'll maybe hear Olcyk question a NHL Referee 5 times in an entire season. Even a blatant check/cross-check from behind like Perry on Oduya he is extremely hesitant to question anyting the NHL does because they sign his paychecks and I'm sure they are LARGE checks every Friday.

I'd assume you have NHL.TV too? Have you or anyone else streaming NHL.TV had nightly issues with stream quality? I'll get maybe 5 minutes of HD then it goes to non-HD for the majority of my streams. I have 100mb internet speed and hard wire connection from modem to my PS4. I'm seriously considering calling NHL.TV and demanding a rebate bc the quality has been awful for much of the year.
- EnzoD

The national broadcast has become real bad. Doc provides a long winded colorful way to describe mundane things like a poke check... He is not jousting the puck!

You have Eddie O described to a "T"

Pierre reminds me of a little brother who wants to be part of the big kids club often interjecting useless info at the expense of Eddie O's commentary

You think the Wings will beat the Hawks that bad? You're probably right.
- DarthKane

You think the Wings will beat the Hawks that bad? You're probably right.
- DarthKane

No. I'm expecting the opposite. Even Jurco will score a goal.

I don't care what the numbers say, IMO, face off wins DO matter.
- tompo1015

100% correct.

Yes, if we put 40+ shots on goal and we still have 0 of the scoreboard - you mercifully pull your goalie and allow us to attempt to put the puck into an unguarded net.
- EbonyRaptor

I'm thinking the Wings should start the game with an unguarded net and get Sheahan to take shots against his own team. This way the Wings will get a shutout.

Jurco has played 5 games ... and that after barely playing earlier in the season. I hope Q doesn't pull the plug on Jurco yet - he's barely had enough time to get his bearing in his new environment yet. Let's have some patience and maybe it will click in for him and we'll be rewarded for sticking with him a little longer. I don't see the need to rush him out of the starting lineup yet.

So between a cap that is 3 million higher or 2 compliance buyouts, any idea on what the Hawks management would prefer? (Not that it's going to happen but it's an interesting point to discuss)

I think the Hawks would prefer a rise in the cap number by 3 million. I don't know if there is anybody on the Hawks that they would want to buy out.
- Lido_Shuffle

If the Hawks were allowed to buyout Hossa without penalty, then they could resign him for shorter term (maybe year to year) at a lower cap hit. That would be huge in the long run. It also would be great for Hossa because even though his current contract carries a cap hit of $5.275 mil for the next 4 years, starting next year his salary is just $1 mil per year. If he is bought out he could then re-sign for $2 mil per year and it would be like he would be getting a 100% increase in salary and the Hawks would get $3.275 mil in extra cap space.

I'm thinking the Wings should start the game with an unguarded net and get Sheahan to take shots against his own team. This way the Wings will get a shutout.
- gergeswillems

Yeah - that poor guy. Hope he finds the back of the net soon - just not tonight.

I'm thinking the Wings should start the game with an unguarded net and get Sheahan to take shots against his own team. This way the Wings will get a shutout.
- gergeswillems

Not trying to be a smart ass at all...how does Jurco go from a healthy scratch on a non-playoff team to a staple on line 3 with the 2nd best team in the Western Conference? Was he that bad in Detroit? I just don't understand how that happens....

Oh ya I'm not a big fan of Olcyk whether its the nonsense babbling between him and Foley for Home Hawks' broadcasts or the National games where he tries SO hard to not come off as a Chicago Homer that he actually leans the other way and is almost anti-Hawks. Also, you'll maybe hear Olcyk question a NHL Referee 5 times in an entire season. Even a blatant check/cross-check from behind like Perry on Oduya he is extremely hesitant to question anyting the NHL does because they sign his paychecks and I'm sure they are LARGE checks every Friday.

I'd assume you have NHL.TV too? Have you or anyone else streaming NHL.TV had nightly issues with stream quality? I'll get maybe 5 minutes of HD then it goes to non-HD for the majority of my streams. I have 100mb internet speed and hard wire connection from modem to my PS4. I'm seriously considering calling NHL.TV and demanding a rebate bc the quality has been awful for much of the year.
- EnzoD

nhl tv really blows...I am in virginia...ethernet hard wire usually ok...wifi stream is a problem...same issues you have...freeze up and lags...

The national broadcast has become real bad. Doc provides a long winded colorful way to describe mundane things like a poke check... He is not jousting the puck!

You have Eddie O described to a "T"

Pierre reminds me of a little brother who wants to be part of the big kids club often interjecting useless info at the expense of Eddie O's commentary
- riozzo

I like Doc. Shrug.

McGuire is a yappy feller for sure.

nhl tv really blows...I am in virginia...ethernet hard wire usually ok...wifi stream is a problem...same issues you have...freeze up and lags...
- bogiedoc

Before they re-branded to NHL.TV last season, I NEVER had issues with NHL GameCenter Live. Its a bunch of BS, man. I have to constantly flip between home/away feed to get the 5 minutes of HD before it reverts back to 1980s TV Quality...