grab, trip, int...the refs will not call a penalty in OT
- bogiedoc

Unless it’s against Dallas.

Dallas win 2-1 in OT and knocks out Nashville 4-2.

How long before the little D ick from Nashville appears? Just tell him still an empty rafter in the Bridgestone.

Look on the bright side Nashville you at least get to rise another meaningless banner.

Was wondering whatever happened to Stephen Johns. Apparently he's been on injured reserve retroactive to early October due to "post traumatic headaches." For his long term health, hope he is doing better.

Murphy is a year younger and instead of unfairly having to fill the skates left by Hjalmarsson, another angle is seeing him replace what the Hawks could have had in Johns if they hadn't included him in the Sharp trade.

Dallas win 2-1 in OT and knocks out Nashville 4-2.
- DarthKane

Feel bad for the Preds.... wait nope.

another top seed = cya...

3 WC series winners...

c'mon over pred trolls...

Look on the bright side Nashville you at least get to rise another meaningless banner.
- ShamRockShark

Stan needs to find a way to get Grimaldi out of Nashville.

Lol predators

Feel bad for Lavi,He’ll probably hit the unemployment line in the next couple of days, same with Paul Maurice probably, the Sabres will have a couple of more candidates to interview then.

I celebrated that OT winner for Dallas so emphatically it almost felt like I was watching and rooting for the Hawks for a second there...

Never realized just how much I hate the Preds.

Was wondering whatever happened to Stephen Johns. Apparently he's been on injured reserve retroactive to early October due to "post traumatic headaches." For his long term health, hope he is doing better.

Murphy is a year younger and instead of unfairly having to fill the skates left by Hjalmarsson, another angle is seeing him replace what the Hawks could have had in Johns if they hadn't included him in the Sharp trade.
- AEL_Fox

Murphy has been a solid addition, but you’re right about the comparison to Hjalmarsson. Murphy was one of their better d-men once he returned. Another improved season from Murphy and the addition of Jokiharju will help the defense greatly. More change is still needed but that’s a good start.

Stan needs to find a way to get Grimaldi out of Nashville.
- DarthKane

He sure did look good tonight. I looked up his career stats after the game. Grimaldi has not done much in the way of scoring anywhere and has kicked around a lot considering he was a fairly heralded draft pick.

Stan needs to find a way to get Grimaldi out of Nashville.
- DarthKane

Being 5'6" is a good first step in that direction.

I celebrated that OT winner for Dallas so emphatically it almost felt like I was watching and rooting for the Hawks for a second there...

Never realized just how much I hate the Preds.
- SimpleJack

Yeh
That OT goal felt pretty good.

Feel bad for the Preds.... wait nope.
- bhawks2241

any team whose fans are encouraged after a goal is scored on the opposition goalie, Craw-ford craaaw-ford, you suck

should never win a Cup

Feel bad for Lavi,He’ll probably hit the unemployment line in the next couple of days, same with Paul Maurice probably, the Sabres will have a couple of more candidates to interview then.
- wonthecup10

Sabres are rumored to be looking at Swedish national team coach Rickard Gronborg as a head coach candidate. That could be a diamond in the rough situation or an Alpo Suhonen scenario written all over it.

any team whose fans are encouraged after a goal is scored on the opposition goalie, Craw-ford craaaw-ford, you suck

should never win a Cup
- wiz1901

Well most of them don’t understand the hockey basics so they need to have easy cheers to follow.

Plus PK Subban... one of the most overrated players in the game. Can’t tell you how many times I saw him skate way out of position to try and land a big hit. He doesn’t really do much for me offensively either. Above avg puck carrier at best.

It's amazing all the success Chicago has had (while in cap hell). 3 cups. 8 years of entertaining hockey and I have a feeling that we will be back in the mix next year.

Look at all of these pretenders. Winnipeg? Nashville? Lightning? Calgary? I bet I'll add Toronto to this list. Teams that haven't won jack, yet they are entering cap hell.

I think these teams are lacking a true leader. Kings (Kopi), Chi (Toews), Pit (Crosby), Caps (Ovi).

I have a feeling that Mackinnon may be the next one to add to this list...

Murphy has been a solid addition, but you’re right about the comparison to Hjalmarsson. Murphy was one of their better d-men once he returned. Another improved season from Murphy and the addition of Jokiharju will help the defense greatly. More change is still needed but that’s a good start.
- DarthKane

Good post. Couldn't agree more on Murphy and Jokiharju. They're not top flight (Murphy may never be while Jokiharju has a ways to go) but they have high compete levels and put in an honest defensive effort.

I celebrated that OT winner for Dallas so emphatically it almost felt like I was watching and rooting for the Hawks for a second there...

Never realized just how much I hate the Preds.
- SimpleJack

The upsets and sweeps have made for an exciting 1st round, but Nashville losing brings me the greatest joy.

Well most of them don’t understand the hockey basics so they need to have easy cheers to follow.

Plus PK Subban... one of the most overrated players in the game. Can’t tell you how many times I saw him skate way out of position to try and land a big hit. He doesn’t really do much for me offensively either. Above avg puck carrier at best.
- bhawks2241

Josi is really their only solid defender across all 200 feet and who plays a respectable game.

Subban and Ekholm are overrrated, IMO, with their style of defense that includes clutching, grabbing, and punching. If they could defend without those extra curriculars, then they would be held in higher regard for playing the position fundamentally.

Ellis isn't too far off from those two either. He's pretty skilled but his persona degrades when he stoops to the way Subban and Ekholm play. And I like Ellis. Just wish he played on another team. Or on the Hawks.

Good post. Couldn't agree more on Murphy and Jokiharju. They're not top flight (Murphy may never be while Jokiharju has a ways to go) but they have high compete levels and put in an honest defensive effort.
- AEL_Fox

I’m looking forward to a bit more offense out of Joki next year. He was able to get a decent percentage of his shots through. It will be interesting to see if he elects to shoot more next year.

The thing that I really like about him is that even with starting the year in the NHL as a 19year old, he was legitimately PO’d about being sent to the tourney and then down to Rockford. He has a lot of determination to be one of the best on the ice every night. Also, in reading some coaches/scouts comments about him while in Rockford, they all said he dealt with the forecheck much better and was even more engaged with forwards entering the zone.

Feel bad for Lavi,He’ll probably hit the unemployment line in the next couple of days, same with Paul Maurice probably, the Sabres will have a couple of more candidates to interview then.
- wonthecup10

Not sure if he would be interested, but if both Maurice and Lavi are let go, I could see Lavi picked up in WIN. Obviously the team will change some, but could you imagine Lavi’s structured system with those players?

I’m looking forward to a bit more offense out of Joki next year. He was able to get a decent percentage of his shots through. It will be interesting to see if he elects to shoot more next year.

The thing that I really like about him is that even with starting the year in the NHL as a 19year old, he was legitimately PO’d about being sent to the tourney and then down to Rockford. He has a lot of determination to be one of the best on the ice every night. Also, in reading some coaches/scouts comments about him while in Rockford, they all said he dealt with the forecheck much better and was even more engaged with forwards entering the zone.
- Chunk

Nice observations and perspectives on Jokiharju. Pretty on point with his play in Rockford save for a brief spell of 2-3 games where he was going through the motions.

He was a solid defender who is at his best when he engages the puck carrier early. Not one to make huge monumental defensive plays, he just makes simple, smart plays to neutralize offensive plays from developing and help tilt the ice.

Quite similar to Keith, actually. Both are ultra competitive and can play a balanced game across the entire ice sheet.