John Jaeckel: Of Matchups And Men

First

Listening to interviews after and between games and I honestly don't like the "feel" of Cooper's comments.

A lot of explaining how Hawks were given game 1, explaining how they've already beaten the big bad Babcock, Canadians and the Rangers. How is it Killorn "worked for his break" and TT or Vermette didn't? They came here to win (which I agree with that I suppose) bla bla bla. From what I remember Q has NOT said the word "win" one time. That's an old John Wooden school of thought...clear your minds of "winning" and losing and focus on the process. The wins will just happen.

Q just making very basic general statements. Things like 'we played better as game went on", work to do, etc.

It looks like to me at least Cooper is trying to convince himself that they belong here. Of course TB deserves to be in the finals they are a fantastic team, but his comments wreak of inferiority complex.

And WHAT in the hell do Cups Montreal won 30 years ago have anything to do with today? Cooper's comment that "we beat Montreal and that doesn't need to be explained" meant what exactly? I think Cooper is a much better coach than Budreau, but he's one smug, arrogant guy.

I think Q is getting ready to out coach someone else. This time maybe not with line matchups or on ice adjustments, but maybe in the mental preparation.
- kwolf68

Was thinking similar in that Cooper's comments reminded me of Boudreau's.

Though the content was different it was kind of like, if you say something often enough, somehow it becomes true...in their minds anyway.

First
- gnosox1986

Yeah cool buddy!!!

Excellent breakdown JJ, a great way to start the morning.

The Hawks were physically and emotionally "tired" in game one, and still found a way to win. Come Saturday, we will see the Hawks rolling on all four cylinders, relentlessly coming at Tampa in endless waves. With a healthy Versteeg coming off of a strong effort, Q will go back to trusting in his 4 lines, which will make the Toews line all that more dangerous with less ice time.

The fact is, every single Hawk can now taste the Cup, and they know the quickest way between two points is a straight line. In this case, a straight line is 3 consecutive wins to close things out! After a 3 day layoff, the Hawks top 4 DMen are all going to see a lot of ice time which will allow TVR to gradually find his game, no pressure.

I don't know if I care or if it really matters (about Cooper, that is).

IMO, if Q doesn't "outsmart" himself in this series, we will be one happy group of Blackhawk fans. And I highly doubt, getting this close, that Q is going to mess things up -- the players know what is at stake, they know what happened last year and I just continue to get the sense that they don't want that ending.

If we continue to get the Crawford we saw in G1 for the next 3 to 6 games, I like our chances.

Watching that TT goal was like watching Greg Maddux final pitch. Slow but perfect.

I think the Hawks will come back to Chicago with a 2-0 lead in the series.
I also think it will be another low-scoring game. And when you don't score many goals you need a excellent Goalie. The better Goalie stands in the Net of the Hawks!
LET'S GO HAWKS!!

Yeah cool buddy!!!
- biegs

You know it!

If Q doesn't "outsmart" himself in this series, we will be one happy group of Blackhawk fans.
- savvyone-1

This is the part I always worry about... lol

Was thinking similar in that Cooper's comments reminded me of Boudreau's.

Though the content was different it was kind of like, if you say something often enough, somehow it becomes true...in their minds anyway.
- HawkintheD

Let him continue to think and talk that way. In two weeks, he can turn on the evening news and see a couple snippets of the 'Hawks parade.

Will Allstate now use Shaw in their commercials, JJ? Are you Shaw's agent for advertising?

Watching that TT goal was like watching Greg Maddux final pitch. Slow but perfect.
- sgt1480

All of them actually...

An ESPN Article that cracked me up!

Teravainen spotlight: Blackhawks rookie forward Teuvo Teravainen received the biggest laugh of Thursday’s media session after being asked about all of his family members who play hockey back home in Finland.

“My mom plays floor ball; it's popular in Finland,” Teravainen said. “My dad also. My sister is pretty good, too. My brother is pretty good. He's a D man. But I think right now I'm the best. We'll see how it's going.”


Bottom of the article.

http://espn.go.com/blog/c...eg-could-remain-in-lineup

Excellent breakdown JJ, a great way to start the morning.

The Hawks were physically and emotionally "tired" in game one, and still found a way to win. Come Saturday, we will see the Hawks rolling on all four cylinders, relentlessly coming at Tampa in endless waves. With a healthy Versteeg coming off of a strong effort, Q will go back to trusting in his 4 lines, which will make the Toews line all that more dangerous with less ice time.

The fact is, every single Hawk can now taste the Cup, and they know the quickest way between two points is a straight line. In this case, a straight line is 3 consecutive wins to close things out! After a 3 day layoff, the Hawks top 4 DMen are all going to see a lot of ice time which will allow TVR to gradually find his game, no pressure.
- MexicoHawk

I agree, great write up, but JJ saying that TB has a chance will surely go against the narrative being pitched here by a bunch of the JJ haters

Mexico, I think you make a great point. The Hawks played no where near their best game, yet still pulled out a victory. I have not seen TB play enough to know where that game ranks in terms of what their ceiling may be, but they pressed hard early and could not put the Hawks away, and then couldn't hang on. Could they have been a little drained by the Rangers series? Most definitely, but they also had home ice and last change and didn't use it to their full advantage. Not sure how different game 2 will be and what adjustments will be made by both clubs, but it will sure be fun to watch

>>>>But Joel Quenneville, as we know, has a lot of cards up his sleeve. And the one he’s most likely to play next is a reunion of the Hawks’ second line for much of the season: Kris Versteeg, Brad Richards and Kane. Marian Hossa rejoins Toews and Brandon Saad.<<<<

yeah...i agree this forces cooper into some match ups that have some serious downside....

expect the quickness and pace to be ratcheted up in this one....

John great read as always

Versteeg really came to play the other night. Haven't seen that Versteeg since before the Classic or dare I say 2010.

That line of Versteeg/Kane/Richards was really lighting it up earlier in the year...particularly when the Hawks went on that run in Nov/Decem....

Hopeful that TVR plays tomorrow night and Runblad is thankfully in the pressbox.

Mexico and Trob make some good points...I think the Hawks smell blood already.
No question the Hawks had another one of their 'slow starts' but weathered the storm and took advantage when the time came.

Tampa isn't calling game 2 a must win well I think it is for them. No question TB has played great hockey on the road so far in the playoffs, but going to Chicago down 2-0 I think it would be very hard for them.

I don't know if I care or if it really matters (about Cooper, that is).

IMO, if Q doesn't "outsmart" himself in this series, we will be one happy group of Blackhawk fans. And I highly doubt, getting this close, that Q is going to mess things up -- the players know what is at stake, they know what happened last year and I just continue to get the sense that they don't want that ending.

If we continue to get the Crawford we saw in G1 for the next 3 to 6 games, I like our chances.
- savvyone-1

which begs the question why TVR at this point? 26 and 5 have been more than adequate....not a lot of minutes...and the hawks are 3-0 with them....why change?

John great read as always

Versteeg really came to play the other night. Haven't seen that Versteeg since before the Classic or dare I say 2010.

That line of Versteeg/Kane/Richards was really lighting it up earlier in the year...particularly when the Hawks went on that run in Nov/Decem....

Hopeful that TVR plays tomorrow night and Runblad is thankfully in the pressbox.

Mexico and Trob make some good points...I think the Hawks smell blood already.
No question the Hawks had another one of their 'slow starts' but weathered the storm and took advantage when the time came.

Tampa isn't calling game 2 a must win well I think it is for them. No question TB has played great hockey on the road so far in the playoffs, but going to Chicago down 2-0 I think it would be very hard for them.
- DK002

Same here. I don't care how good their road record is. If the Hawks can go up 2-0 and come home where Q can ice whatever match ups he likes, could be a very quick series.

which begs the question why TVR at this point? 26 and 5 have been more than adequate....not a lot of minutes...and the hawks are 3-0 with them....why change?
- bogiedoc

Not sure I would either...for Rundblad maybe, but Trevor hasn't played an NHL game since what...November?

which begs the question why TVR at this point? 26 and 5 have been more than adequate....not a lot of minutes...and the hawks are 3-0 with them....why change?
- bogiedoc

I can see the argument for TVR if he is ready to handle the pace. He's just a lot steadier than Rundblad, IMO.

I'll probably get chastised for this, but am I the only one who wants to see Kimmo play? Yes, he is a gigantic defensive liability, but I do not think there is anyone out there who wants to see him end his career in a suit and tie in the locker room. Do we know if Q is dressing him at least? How much damage can the guy really do at 37 seconds of ice time a game?

which begs the question why TVR at this point? 26 and 5 have been more than adequate....not a lot of minutes...and the hawks are 3-0 with them....why change?
- bogiedoc

Yeah, the Hawks are 3-0 with them, but realistically Q probably wants someone he can trust for 10-12 minutes of ice time as opposed to 5-7. While those numbers will change a little on home ice when they can be more protected minutes, the reality is Q really doesn't have much trust in #5 or #26 for various reasons.

In effect what the Hawks are playing now is a 5 man rotation with #5/#26 being the 5th D man. You never see those two together on the ice, and if you watch the rotation you rarely, if ever see them on back to back shifts, i.e. you won't see #27/#26 and then #2/#5, never/rarely back to back. You also see a 3 man rotation if one of the top 4 d-men is in the box.

That's alright D. TVR is so poised and mature that he will not lose a beat being tossed into a SCF game against a pretty fast team. Also not impact whatsoever with the injuries he suffered this year.

Thought I heard he was not spectauclar after one of his injuries when he came back for Rockford.

If the Hawks think he is a better option at this point he will be in but my gut thinks that to be a toss up.

I'll probably get chastised for this, but am I the only one who wants to see Kimmo play? Yes, he is a gigantic defensive liability, but I do not think there is anyone out there who wants to see him end his career in a suit and tie in the locker room. Do we know if Q is dressing him at least? How much damage can the guy really do at 37 seconds of ice time a game?
- BURDA13

If the Hawks get up in the Series 3-0 or 3-1, Q probably throws Timo a game with very limited minutes. TB is just way to fast for him to compete, there are few battles he can win against that team.