Hell of a period but a couple huge saves by Crawford, as well. Love Hayden's strength on the puck. He doesn't give it up easily once he has possession in the O-Zone. Paging Richard Panik.......

Hell of a period but a couple huge saves by Crawford, as well. Love Hayden's strength on the puck. He doesn't give it up easily once he has possession in the O-Zone. Paging Richard Panik.......
- EnzoD

Would like to swap Panik and Hayden for the rest of the game and see how Hayden makes out. Kids got a lot of jump in him tonight.

Great period against a depleted Ducks team.

They are firing on all cylinders right now and need to play a full 60.

Quick thoughts:

* Debrincat has an elite knack to find those soft areas. You saw it in juniors but wasn't sure how it would translate to the NHL. So far, so good.

* Hayden will find himself higher in the lineup come spring time if he keeps up the possession amd power forward moves like he was showing in the 1st.

* I was surprised to see Rutta back on the ice so quick after the Saad goal. From what I saw (from my comfy couch) he was a little woozy after that Richie hit.

ADB needs to get away from 10 and 38 @ center....

when he plays with top 6 talent he will play like top 6 talent

Great period against a depleted Ducks team.

They are firing on all cylinders right now and need to play a full 60.

Quick thoughts:

* Debrincat has an elite knack to find those soft areas. You saw it in juniors but wasn't sure how it would translate to the NHL. So far, so good.

* Hayden will find himself higher in the lineup come spring time if he keeps up the possession amd power forward moves like he was showing in the 1st.

* I was surprised to see Rutta back on the ice so quick after the Saad goal. From what I saw (from my comfy couch) he was a little woozy after that Richie hit.
- Justin Lowe

With a primary assist from a top-6er.

ADB needs to get away from 10 and 38 @ center....

when he plays with top 6 talent he will play like top 6 talent
- bogiedoc

The NHL gives you so little time to shoot the puck, great pass by Schmaltz, puck slightly changes course and he still buries it with authority

I know alot of us fans including the current Hawks players wish that Hossa was still playing. Hossa not playing is having more of negative impact on Panik and his game. Huge void not filled with big Hoss not around

The team has been winning so the urgency to fill at center isn't acute - just yet. And the other issue is the waiver wire - sending Kero down means subject to waiver claim and they probably don't want to lose him.

But I fully expect to see one or more of Vinnie, Kampf, Dauphin or Highmore sooner than later. The schedule has been very relaxed lately, now they are headed into a very busy stretch and injuries can happen.

(Or if you like Brooks Laich, he's available for free. I didn't see him play for LAK this year but clearly they think he's all done. In another era those are the type of players Scotty Bowman used to love to pick up for depth, minor role playing 6-10 minutes a night).
- RickJ

With them winning and playing well, there's no urgency for any trades/call-ups, but we still talk about the problem areas of the team, one of which is center. I fill like 4D and high scoring winger is kind of more dreaming than checking center though lol. Jmo.

As for Kero, I personally don't think he'd get claimed but I also wouldn't care that much if he did. He's serviceable but he's also a basic 4th liner. I'd have preferred the Hawks had done more to keep Rasmussen over him tbh - he wasn't anyone great either but he was someone Q would at least would match against mid-tier comp / play in a checking role, something he just didn't do with Kero on the regular. And yeah, Laich is done.

All that said, I'm quite enjoying the way the Hawks are playing currently, even if I do think a checking line center would make the lines more versatile overall. They don't need to do anything right now imo - their team play has been impressive. And I think now that a few of the guys that were snake bitten have broken the seal in recent games, there will be more to come from them as well. Next up, Panik needs a goal.

I'd be happy with them playing defensively responsible but not necessarily all out hockey for the rest of the game. And no injuries from asshats on the Ducks.

And of course the Ducks score. Defensively responsible, I said.

Kero hasn't seen much playing time but I doubt they waive him just yet, I would expect that there's a good chance he get claimed. Tootoo already cleared waivers before he went on the IR, I would expect he gets sent to Rockford.
- DarthKane

I forgot Kero has to clear now, just kind of too bad he is sitting in the press box and not getting minutes. I personally thought Tootoo shouldn't play last year and should not have been resigned, but the Hawks seem to like him, so I wouldn't be surprised if he somehow becomes forward #13, (or 14 if they stop carrying an extra dman).

I forgot Kero has to clear now, just kind of too bad he is sitting in the press box and not getting minutes. I personally thought Tootoo shouldn't play last year and should not have been resigned, but the Hawks seem to like him, so I wouldn't be surprised if he somehow becomes forward #13, (or 14 if they stop carrying an extra dman).
- breadbag

Tootoo was resigned at least partially to fulfill an expansion draft requirement.

Tootoo was resigned at least partially to fulfill an expansion draft requirement.
- L_B_R

Oh, I know that, but they could has signed someone more useful I'm sure. He isn't an NHL caliber player IMO.

Stay aggressive, do not take your foot of their throat

Hawks continuing to play at a high level, but a little annoying that the Ducks are hanging around in this game with a couple 2nd period goals....

Hawks continuing to play at a high level, but a little annoying that the Ducks are hanging around in this game with a couple 2nd period goals....
- SimpleJack

If the Hawks keep playing this way, they can win. Gibson looks rattled and he is biting when the Hawks make a move.

Hawks continuing to play at a high level, but a little annoying that the Ducks are hanging around in this game with a couple 2nd period goals....
- SimpleJack

It's not like it because the Hawks are playing poorly, though. The Ducks 1st goal was kind of fluky and the 2nd was a softie by Crawford. Hawks controlling play and dominating to an extreme degree here. Yeah, the Ducks are injured but then it's good they're not playing down to their opponent like they have a tendency to do.

It's not like it because the Hawks are playing poorly, though. The Ducks 1st goal was kind of fluky and the 2nd was a softie by Crawford. Hawks controlling play and dominating to an extreme degree here. Yeah, the Ducks are injured but then it's good they're not playing down to their opponent like they have a tendency to do.
- L_B_R

Excellent screen by Keith, Franson and Keith playing piss poor tonight

IMO, a priority in the off season would be signing Rutta and finding a taker for Seabrook's contract. I think in the 20some games he's played, Rutta is legit.

Excellent screen by Keith, Franson and Keith playing piss poor tonight
- BetweenTheDots

Franson almost always plays poorly. Keith has been fine imo.

Wow what a great play by Keith and the rookie with the hatty, very nice, Panarin who

wow

IMO, a priority in the off season would be signing Rutta and finding a taker for Seabrook's contract. I think in the 20some games he's played, Rutta is legit.
- tompo1015

If the cap legit goes up a good amount this summer, Seabrook's contract is not that much an issue atm. Plus, Seabrook's been playing really well - less special teams time has made his 5v5 time be solid. Murphy-Seabrook has been the most defensively responsible pairing for a while, though Forsling-Rutta has been more exciting / engaging.

And right on cue when talking bad about a player, Keith with a great play to breakup a odd man rush and then breakout Kane and a goal.

DeBrincat is playing his way to Rockford. Tootoo will be a much more effective option.

Hope it don't get chippy now.

I know the Hawks should be winning cause they're playing a depleted team, but they're just taking it to the Ducks. And I look at these goals as being good for their confidence and team development.