Antoine Vermette, Blackhawks Stay Alive In Double OT
Once again, it took a marathon effort for the Blackhawks to beat the Ducks. This time, at the United Center, Chicago had to overcome a 37-second disaster in the third period to win in a second overtime.
The hero was Antoine Vermette, who returned to the lineup after he was a healthy scratch for Game Three. With “fresh legs,” Vermette returned to win 14 of 20 faceoffs in 17:56 and scored the game-winning goal at 5:37 into the fifth period.
The other healthy scratch in Game Three was Teuvo Teravainen, who almost ended the game in the first overtime. He won the puck and found Patrick Sharp streaking up the ice for a breakaway that Frederik Andersen was able to stop and control in front of the net. Chicago’s reunited third line of Vermette, Sharp and Teravainen was once again a difference maker, this time contributing the ultimate tally.
While the finish was exhilarating, the third period left Hawks fans gasping for air.
Chicago dominated the first period, arguably their best 20 minutes of the series. They out-shot the Ducks 14-6 and were able to successfully kill two minor penalties, the second of which brought the United Center to its feet when Brandon Saad opened the scoring with a short-handed goal.
Saad was shot out of a cannon the play, exploding past Ryan Kesler and his shot was true. He got an assist from an official, who bumped into a would-be defender on the play and opened the door for Saad to take off up the ice.
In the second period, tired legs cost the Blackhawks the lead. Niklas Hjalmarsson failed to clear the zone and a Kyle Palmieri shot was tipped past Crawford by Emerson Etem. It was Etem’s third goal of the playoffs, and took the wind out of the United Center.
The shots were 20-17 in favor of the Blackhawks through 40 minutes, and the goaltenders were playing well in a defensive battle.
Then the third period happened.
Jonathan Toews was able to break away from Kesler’s harassment and patiently waited for Andersen to leave the top of the net open for a go-ahead goal. Toews made his shot count to give Chicago a 2-1 lead.
Exactly five minutes later, Brent Seabrook joined the rush at and culminated a dominating shift by Toews, Saad and Marian Hossa with his fourth of the postseason. The 3-1 lead had the building on its feet and the momentum was squarely behind the Blackhawks.
Kesler came back and scored 1:04 later to cut the lead in half, and the Ducks added two more goals in the 36 seconds that followed to grab a 4-3 lead and crush the crowd. Matt Beleskey scored 22 seconds after Kesler, using Kimmo Timonen as a screen to get a shot past Crawford.
Coach Joel Quenneville used his timeout with the score tied in an effort to get some composure on his bench, but the Ducks were having nothing of it. Corey Perry was able to get a rebound just past Crawford’s leg to give Anaheim the lead only 14 seconds after the timeout ended.
The three goals in 37 seconds was the second-fastest three-goal outburst in postseason history. And the Blackhawks desperately needed anything to work.
Thankfully, Jakob Silfverberg obliged with a holding penalty that gave the Hawks a chance. And they made it matter.
Patrick Kane banked a shot off the inside of Andersen’s leg and into the net to tie the game, and there was hope.
Crawford nearly cost the Hawks the game at the end of regulation, opting to whack Beleskey as he skated by and a high, hard shot almost beat him. With five goals scored in 5:01, cardiac wards all over Chicago were getting prepped for the first overtime.
In the first overtime, Crawford made 17 saves to keep his teammates in the game and we once again went to a second overtime in the series. And for the fourth time in these playoffs, the Hawks were able to score the game’s final goal in extra time.
Duncan Keith led the Hawks with seven shots on net and was incredibly active. He also led the team in ice time again, skating 40:39 in the victory. He also blocked one shot and was credited with two hits and three takeaways in a magnificent game.
Hjalmarsson struggled throughout the game, appearing to be exhausted and was caught on the ice for too many long shifts as the Hawks again struggled to clear the zone. He and Keith were on the ice for three of Anaheim’s four goals, and Hjalmarsson had his issues getting rid of the puck. Hjalmarsson skated 39:13 and blocked a team-leading seven shots in the game.
Sharp and Andrew Shaw led a more physical Blackhawks effort with nine hits each, and Shaw nearly ended the game in the first overtime when a shot hit the crossbar.
Saad led Chicago with three points, adding two assists to his short-handed goal. Toews, who won 20 of 31 faceoffs, was the only other Blackhawks player with a multi-point evening (one goal, one assist).
Crawford finished the night with 47 saves against 51 shots, and while his play in the late stages of the third period wasn’t ideal he earned his money in the first overtime period.
The two teams will face another short turnaround, going back to work on Monday night in Anaheim with the series tied.
That was a good 4-2 win in regulation, until the fluke happened. Even with that fluke (if that’s what you call it) we still did what we did. Score a goal to tie, so we could win in OT.
This reminds me of game 4 BOS. Saader makes a beauty play for a SH to score first goal. They score, then were up by 2 goals (deservingly so), then crazy pucks off back wall/glass over net and game is tied, PP goal, then we have to win in OT after deservingly to win 4-2 or 5-3 in regulation. And we still did what we did.
Perry is my hero.
3 things:
1. Corey Perry, still a dick.
2. Can 80 and 86 play next game? Please? GWG aside, both played very well.
3. Can 29 go away. The only player on the roster less noticeable this series than the third pair defensemen.
Brilliant coaching by Q inserting Vermette & Teavo back in the lineup.
…Q must have gone to Arlington yesterday and cleared his head ….
Things got stupid thats for sure. Me brain ‘urts. Glad it was Vermette, ..heck glad it was the Blackhawks! It must have been really something to be in person at that game. Can someone tell me what the hell is going on? Ducks are good…when they are good they are very good and unstoppable, but we are the Blackhawks and have some kind of magic, always! ..has there ever been a better tie ’em up and OT team than us. It is what we do. Thanks Antoine.
Smoke that in your pipe, Q.
Best game by the Hawks this series. Vermette was great on the dot at 70 per cent – awesome. Oh yeah, the game winning goal wasn’t bad either. Timonen, however, should take an early retirement. It’s sad that the farm can’t provide a 6th string NHL defenseman. The rest of the d corps can’t be expected to play all those minutes especially if the overtimes pile up. It will hurt them in the end.
If the hawks keep winning games in this fashion we’re all (males and females) going to go full Getzlaf…
Sharp has caught some grief from some folks, but I thought he was really solid tonight. Battled hard, kept some possessions alive, really engaged with his linemates. I was at game 3 and I thought he played well in that one too as well as overall effort and battling. He’s not been the offensive force in this particular series, but he’s been valuable out there.
I guess Bickell is hitting some folks and hopefully that will pay off in the series (like all of the announcers keep saying it will). However, the net seems to be his kryptonite. I’m no hockey genius, so I might be missing something they (Anaheim) are doing regarding him, but other than the shot off the crossbar in tonight’s game, he’s not been much involved in the offense and he just doesn’t seem to be in front of the net, ever.
There is still no viable explanation for Q scratching 80 & 86 in game 3. Line 3 and 4 both played well tonight. What was he thinking?
What has to happen for him to replace 44 in the line up? With him having the last personnel change at home the last two games, he could have inserted somebody else. Now, I think he is stuck for game 5 with 44.
Great win!!! Best of three now…
And that’s the way we get by.
The way get by.
Oh that’s the way we get by,
The way we get by.
…..yup Quenville pulled a rabbit out of his hat with Vermette scoring the winner and playing hot but he should have pulled Crawford in this game…he was not playing his best although he redeemed himself in overtime….am I the only one of this opinion?…..I say start Sott Darling in the next game and give Corey a well deserved rest…..it just goes with Quenville’s fresh legs theory….I’m hoping that strategy might work as it did against Nashville….
I want moar. I want moar.
Take your skirt off Sally.
So good of hand again shall ne’er be kenned.
The utter crushing collapse that wasn’t. I’m waiting to collect my fee for calling 3 sharp goals last series and begging for 19 to score and the Hawks to score more than 2 goals this game, pay up, Fates. That was easily the least satisfying win I’ve ever seen, at least in the last 24 hours. One more loss of a game we shoulda won would have been the end of this series.
10 and 27 had excellent efforts, 7 is good at hockey. 4 had a sluggish spot early in the playoffs too, I think he plays through some nasty injuries and perhaps illness as well. 26 has won a spot, look for TVR to take over for him and 26 to move to 6th D man game 5. While some on a previous post felt that adding TVR to the roster was a paper move, I fail to see the logic in doing so, and think he was put on the roster to play. Tab, is there a business reason he would be put on the roster? I would assume you would let a rookie with two major injuries rest up the rest of the short season if he wasn’t brought on to play.
Before the series, I strongly felt that it would take an Anaheim choke to get through, and we kinda saw one tonight. Does it count if it was our choke first? Anyway, if we see less flappy, numb Crow I almost like our chances, a 5 spot on Andersen was just what was needed. There is no doubt pure ability favors the Ducks at this time, their size and speed is handling the Hawks’ skill with relative ease, but 19 and the Blackhawks still lead the league in moxy.
Riemsdyk is a good guy.
ANA have gotten more bounces/breaks, just like NAS.
Holiday road. Friend.
Then my money is on moxy.
Could not be happier for Vermette. If this team goes the distance, 80 did enough for me to say it was a great trade.
Easy wins are not going to happen at this point. This team knows, more than any other, what it takes/how to win.
Put aside all the numbers, analysis and opinions… The only team that can keep them from a third Cup is themselves
* under Q, when the Blackhawks are tied in a series 2-2 they have gone 15-0 in the 5th game. Get your wagers in
Crazy win. The hawks certainly got some fortunate luck/goals on the first and third goals, but that is what you need sometimes. It would be nice if the hawks could beat Anaheim not in ot, but we ll take it!
Does TVR get his name on the Cup if he is on the roster, or does he actually have to play?
A desperately needed win. Impressive on so many fronts. Troubling on others. 3 things.
1. How can the Hawks really win with only 4 defensemen? If somehow this team can get to the Finals that will be what the NHL history books talk about. Either that or how Blackhawks fans owe Rosival the apology of a lifetime for discounting his role and value to this club. Sadly, snytime Kimmo, Cumiesky (or Runblad) hit the ice the Hawks are in extreme jeopardy in the defensive zone. So we had better all pray like hell that 2,,4,7 and 27 can continue their superhuman feats on the ice.
2. The lack of net presence outside of Shaw on a consistent basis is sickening. The Ducks are too damned focused on defensive zone collapse and Andersen has had inexcusable line of sight to shots on goal. I am incensed with Bickell most of all. God how I hope Bowman can clear his ass out of here this summer.
3. The play of Shaw and Kruger has been joyful to watch. Those two have played a supreme role on the ice, and all I know is that Bowman better find the damned money to bring back Kruger.
Anthony Justin- I thought the last goal on Crow was soft…
and thought he might be pulled… BUT- the slash on the Wrong Duck (dick Perry was the guilty party) almost/and could have easily cost Hawks the game… really dumb!!!
What in the World was Kimmo- thinking when he removed his stick from the Shooting lane on Duck’s 3rd goal… Really BAD!!!!!!!!!
26 was very serviceable
10 has to give a better shot on TT pass in OT
Best of three now
Crawford prove again is not a Elite Goalie, he can’t keep his team in the game… Loke at the second goal he allowed! That goal break Hawks leg and boomm 2 more goals ! I know, we will die with him for this series but at the end of the year please Stan trade him right away! Its Been 4 years he was ours goalie and makeme nerveuse all shot he received! We will save 6M $
Kudos to Duncan Keith for another incredible game. The best D man in the NHL. Crawford was terrible in the third period but redeemed himself mightily in the first OT. We know 4 will not have another bad game like that the rest of the playoffs. Vermette came to play. Terrific job at the dot. The announcing was atrocious. Pierre has a man crush on Perry. Edzo and Doc are in love with the Duckies. Perry this and Perry that, blah, blah blah. Great effort again by the fourth line. Hopefully we have seen the end of 44. We may not win the Cup but nobody can question the heart of this team.
Hey Steven, how’s your uncle Alain from Trois Rivieres doing? Merci beaucoup …
That third Anaheim goal was on Vermette, who turned the puck over near the blueline.
Great team effort to pull it off and tie up the series.
First Great for Vermette! It takes a weight off him that he did not deserve. Coming from playing with Shane Doan to TVR and Sharp is not a good fit for him, Vermette has size but is not physical, when he is going good, he is usually right where he was last night at the corners floating waiting for the puck, not flying into the corners and riding the wall, so now maybe he gets it going. Doan was /is the best corner guy in the NHL and goes in digs, hard and gets the puck to his center men, Doan does the dirty work. Vermette not used to grime and gravel.
I personally have officially retired the words resilient, poised and or composure. I think they are easy words that add no insight into the game. The Playoffs has about 8 really good teams that are pretty deep and on any given night can come back in a series or game or in 3 minutes flat. These TEAMS are just even . . . period even Bolts and Rangers. No team is more resilient than the next, it’s the unexpected that is hockey.
The Hawks d continues to turn the puck over with “blind passes” that really have lead to some prime time opps for the ducks. Niklas Hjalmarsson as we know is playing on the wrong side, his weak hand, and continues to have the weakest backhand exit passes in the nhl. We got to get him on his natural and strong side anyone will tell ya playing on his off hand is lame and very lame for the hawks management to continue to put him in that position! Hammer is also very slow on his turns after getting the puck, in fact KYLE CUMISKEY really has quick turns in the d end and played a lot better and even turned it up on the offensive end. But watch Kyles feet on his turns from receiving the pass to controlling the puck to his getting square looking up ice, Hammer takes like 7 minutes but only because hawks continue to play him out of position.
The Ducks Physical play is taking a toll, I would not believe it but it is, Marcus and Shaw and Dezi are running out of gas it seems just a step slower. TVR is still playing great for a 20 year old, his passing is extreme always. Amazing. Not sure Hawks have any gas left, they all seemed shocked after the game, The ducks got stronger and are built for physical play, there D continues to rub Hawks out on the wall.
Kane really makes such a difference and his ability to put in a lot of minutes on ALL LINES while a good strategy might BURN HIM OUT, other must step up. OUR Core Four defense men continue to play at a high level on both sides of the ice. Johnny O played great!
Last observation Hawks are really built on a lot of ROLE PLAYERS whose prime role is to play defense, and back check. They all need to skate hard, quick and have good sticks, but really KANE seems our only role player that we can lean on to score? Yes we got lots of guys who can score at times but not their role? Sharp comes to mind! Hossa holds the puck too much but being best in the NHL at holding it, playing keep away is a habit but if he took quicker shots we’d see more goals from him. Shaw and Bicks role is to HIT and really be the Net Front Presence? We need more of that from others. So that means Hawks WIN AS A TEAM, no one player will ever carry them so that leads to a lot of close games, a lot.
Crow was good last night he kept the Hawks in it for long time and then the Ducks exploded, Hawks where tired again sadly they are being beaten physically, no team no team bring that much physical punch on all 4 lines, not vicious but steady.
Not sure how much they have left . . . But Ducks are exerting lots of energy too.
Go Hawks . . . Bolts and Ranger are built on speed a much easier match up for Hawks, this is a dog fight. pit bulls!
So I don’t think Crawford was bad. The ducks went into a gear that I looked like no one was ready for. Their d men got aggressive and it was an onslaught. Great OT performance and they won so whatever.
A lot of credit to crow for not losing his mind and locking it down and to the team for bouncing back right away.
Incredible game from Saad and Keith. Those two were men possessed and in my opinion made the biggest difference in the outcome.
Apparently cohesive third and fourth lines make a difference… Nice to see Vermette end it.
Lol. Hammer has played on his offside since Soupy left. He also has one of the best backhands in the league and is typically tremendous at clearing the zone. Have another bloody Mary. Yikes.
Since 2013, the Hawks are now 5-0 at home when trailing in a series and Crawford has a .936 Sv% in those 5 games, BALLS!
To all those ragging on Crawford and the one who is calling for a Darling appearance, just STOP. The Crawford love was too much at the end of the Nashville series and beginning of the Minny series, but this is just as ridiculous (only for the exact opposite reasons). Since getting benched, Crawford has a .942 Sv%!
With all the fear of being stoned to death on this thread today, but how about Runblad over Timonen in Game 5? It cannot be much worse.
Well, it’s that fried in the morning feeling again that is becoming familiar after yet another gut wrenching affair at the UC last night. Emotions up and down in the stands, but somehow the Hawks can find a way to keep those emotions in check and do a reset to get back to the task. Third period was a classic. Of course we all felt with a 3-1 lead about half way through the final stanza they could lock it down, and then it caved in FAST. I saw more people around with this WTF look during and after the three goal Ducks blitz, and following the end of the 3rd at the intermission, people walking around on the concourse in a daze. Some wild stuff that was. Crowd was much louder and into it compared with Thursday imo. Every seat top to bottom was full.
Corey Perry for as good a hockey player as he is, has to be one of the most villainous characters to lace em up I have ever seen, and that goes back to the early 60’s. His devious actions are well calculated. Of course Corey Crawford could have been whistled for whacking Beleskey late in the 3rd after Perry popped Hawks d man(4?) into Corey. That was as combative as I have ever seen CC. Refs probably figured we won’t call goalie interference on Perry so why call Crawford for slashing/highsticking? I don’t know how many of you saw it at the game or watching on TV but Perry following a Ducks icing call was over by the puck. Linesman comes in to pick it up and Perry shoots it about 20-30 feet away just as the guy was going to pick it up. Who thinks this shit up? What advantage is to be gained for him or his team? Perry is a selfish weasel, who is likely to suffer a nasty career ending injury as payment for his entire history of deplorable on ice behavior.
What a surprise to see 80 and 86 back in action and helping their team? Guess they got their legs back…..Same with Kruger back at the dot last night. If Kruger was hurt Thursday to the point where he could not take faceoffs why did he keep playing? How did he get better in 48 hours? Kruger by the way is so impressive in his desire to do what it takes to win puck battle, take a hit to make pass. he takes a beating but gets right back up and jumps into plays. I am curious as to what went down with Kruger and Kesler last night that resulted in Kesler head locking Kruger and wrestling him to the ice. Kruger not intimidated at all. He should be re-signed for what he brings to this team.
Pity Sharp could not bury that beautiful pass from Teravainen to win the game. Looks like Sharp got the puck back on the heel of his stick and couldn’t elevate. My God the top third of the net was gaping with Andersen in deep. I thought that was the game right there. Sonofa….
Don’t know what the stats are but when Toews and Kane score I bet the Hawks almost always win. Same with special teams scoring and potting a shorty to boot.
This team keeps driving us crazy, but they just find a way. Ducks are a most worthy opponent leaving this a true heavyweight bout. I still think the Hawks get through, but the emotional roller coaster ride is on big time. Get used to it. How can one not love this stuff? Time to fire up the smoker for some ribs and get into a little fruhschoppen before they start the engines.
Lets Go Hawks!!
Game 3 loss is on Quenneville for incredulous, poorly conceived lineup changes. That said, both teams are skilled, tough and resilient. Up 3-1 in period 3 with 10 minutes to go? Hey 44, if you’re not sure- the play is to air out a floater to center ice, clear the zone and live for another day. Brutal flurry but amazingly survived to live on…
Really counting on the Hawks great winning stats coming into game-5’s tied 2-2.. Have to win on the Pond at some point, this is IT!
To date on this board I have never questioned the coaching decisions made by coach Quenneville, I have a great deal of respect for his accomplishments both on and off the ice, but after the game 3 personnel decison, like most of the other posters on this site I have a problem letting go of the asinine call to replace two very good performers with two very suspect performers, who had not skated in eons – what a head scratcher!
So I will list just a few of the coaching decisions that have ‘back-fired’ in this series so far.
1. Stubborn use of an ineffective D-man(no need to mention who), that is jeopardizing the effectiveness of all other D-men(except 2 who inexplicably seems to be playing better).
2. Personnel change to replace 80(dominant at the dot) and 86(playmaking at both ends of ice) with 23(can’t find his game since injury in January) and 42(has yet to find his NHL game).
3. Timeout in game 4 that immediately lead to the third goal in 37 seconds. Not questioning use of the timeout only what he directed the players to do.
The Hawks find themselves tied with an exceptionally good opponent, lets face it Ahanaheim has everything it takes to win a championship, so they are a formidable opponent. But if anyone can beat them, I believe the Hawks are that team. I had the same feelings in 2013 when facing the Bruins, my god Chara, Rask, Lucic, Bergeron, they all put the fear of God into me. Luckily Toews , Keith, Krueger, Seebs, Kane et al were not daunted and they are not daunted in this series, so I have hope that the Ducks can be beaten twice more in the next three games.
However, I say adamantly that the team that was put on the ice last night, with the exception of one 40 year old defensemen, should not be f**ked with. If Q wants to healthy scratch anyone other than 44, then the only obvious choice is to ‘healthy scratch’ himself.
Drop the Puck – I believe the rules for getting your name on the Stanley Cup are
#1-You have to play at least 40 games or #2- You have to play in a playoff series game. TVR does not qualify unless he plays in a playoff game.
The leadership on this team is as good as I have ever seen on a professional sports team. Incredible!!! Now we have to go and steal a game in Anaheim.
Hof- I have to disagree with you on 3rd goal… while 80 should take some blame there…
44 passed into a cluster of players (10 could have easily taken it/run off 80)
44 had time and space to make better pass
44 could have easily thrown that to open ice along boards (where there was no one)
44 had his stick in shooting lane – instead was nervous about getting beat to outside, 44 put took stick out of shooting lane!!!
44 is supposed to be smart… Don’t you want to force shooter outside and to his backhand nonetheless???
looked like Preds series… where skaters were getting in between circles all day long!!! and picking corners
Corey Crawford is the Eli Manning of the NHL. I have a very difficult time assessing where he stands in relation the great ‘tenders’ in the game.
1. He is a champion and no one can take that away from him.
2. He owns the Minnesota Wild. Ask Mike Yeo how good he is, I believe Yeo compared Crow to great Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur.
3. He has moments that make you scream, like some moments from last night. But when you need a huge stop in the most pressure filled situations, he is exceptional. Think the Corey Perry save in triple overtime as an example, there are others.
4. On puck handling. Well he is getting better. I have definitely noticed that lately, really helping his Dmen.
4. He is an emotional player. When things are going bad he gets a little emotional, I am thinking right now about the LA series last year where he came a little ‘unhinged’ at times in the series. I think you want your goalie to be on even keel, like Carey Price or Henrik Lundquist.
5. He is not selfish. Look how he supported Scott Darling in the Nashville series .
6. He has steely determination. After being pulled in the Nashville series he had the balls to bounce back and shut the door to lead the way for a five game winning streak.
I could go on with this list but if we are going to be honest, then I see much more positive than negative. Corey is not as natural looking in the net as some other goalies, but he gets the job done. May criticize the salary given to him, but goalies are get paid, plain and simple. I like Crawford on the ice and definitely off the ice, he is good for this team and his teammates love him.
I’m in the moderation sin bin.
Cheers mates!
Lets Go Hawks!!
Agree with Wall on accountability for the third goal. 44 should have kept it simple by making the safe clear to open ice along boards. Otherwise no complaints. Back to Anaheim means final line change goes to Boudreau. Hopefully Q does not overthink himself in response.
Does anyone think the TVR call up is really to put him on the ice in this series? I suspect it is an insurance policy if any D-man goes down to injury. I think we have seen the last of 5 this season.
Does anyone remember the Toews line matchups in the two regular season wins against the Ducks? I was and am surprised that Q is going with the same match-up that Boudreau felt benefited the Ducks by pitting Kesler against Toews. I am more surprised that Q has not played (I believe…unless I missed it) with that match up putting Toews line against Getzlaf/Perry and playing our fourth line against Kesler’s line. Sure would be nice to see #11 put some hits on Kessler and alleviate the beating that Toews is taking.
…beating from Kesler.
Thank goodness Q to0k his Vermattication and regained his senses for this game.
Would the Ducks still send the Kessler line out to match up if you put Toews, Kane and Bickell together and wouldn’t the Hawks match up better with the Getzlaf line with Hossa and Saad with Richards. BUT PLEASE leave the 3rd and 4th lines alone.
Hof – I disagree that the 3rd goal was Vermette’s fault. If anyone deserves blame on that play – it’s Timonen, who chipped the puck up into the skates of Vermette at exactly the same time as another Hawk player was getting in the way of Vermette. Vermette tried to gather in the puck while avoiding his team mate and never got possession with which to “lose it” . More than anything it was bad luck but Timonen hurried to get rid of the puck because he knows he’s in trouble if a forechecker gets close to him.
But the Hawks won – so the ply is of no consequence in the grand scheme.
Now to comment on a great play that also resulted in no consequence but it is still worth mentioning – the backcheck and pass from TT to Sharp. WOW – that’s the kind of play we are starting to see more of and it’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what this 20 year old will do over the next few years. Too bad Sharp didn’t bury it or it would it would have made the highlights.
Wall
Totally agreed on your third goal analysis. Timonen was the prime fault for throwing hot into double/triple coverage up the middle. Vermette had very little time to react. He blew the pass and then the subsequent shooting lane coverage. He is a zero value asset / huge liability at this point. I haven’t seen one positive from him the entire playoffs and his ice time capabilities only compound the problem.
Theres been comments about the $$ issues surrounding his acquistion vs “others” but they aren’t true. “Others” were a lower cap hit in comparison. This shows that Bowman was fixated on one player. He gambled. He lost. End of story.
TT seems to be gaining confidence with every game. Kid definitely sees the ice well. Nice that Vermette got involved on the score sheet as well. His faceoff stats are huge even if he isn’t putting up big points.
I’ve been surprised at how well Richards has played but disappointed with Kane and Sharp being more peripheral. Love how Kane contributes on the PP but outside of that he’s been pretty much a non factor. His size has a lot to do with it against a team like the Ducks.
Not seeing Bickell as bad as some are here. I don’t think the Hawks expect a lot of scoring from him so he’s basically doing his job by throwing consistent hits and he’s certainly not a liability. Without his hit threat Hawks would damn near be in the minus category.
Positives for me looking forward are that I think there is lots of room for some key guys to step up their games. Don’t think we’ve seen the best Hawks team so far this series. Hopefully it happens.
Methinks Moar-isson is in total ecstasy, wandering around quoting poetry and the like. Watch out for telephone poles! The Blackhawks do tend to put us all in this state. Ana Braga pretty darn happy as well.
Vermette took a stride because he thought he had the puck, he didn’t, it got stripped and next thing it was in the net. Wall, sometimes, often actually, I think you see things and then comment on them to suit your narrative. Which in this case is blame everything possible on Timonen, if it isn’t blaming shit on Crawford because he’s not worth the money.
Watch the replay of the goal from the Anaheim official site. It’ll show you Timonen’s options from an end zone camera, he sees two teammates directly ahead of him, every NHL defenseman is going to make that play (that pass).
If Vermette was the class whipping boy, he’d be getting taken to task for turning the puck over at the blueline. As Ebony said, thank goodness he’s not and that in the big picture they won so the play didn’t matter.
If Timonen keeps his stick in the shooting lane (on his backhand by the way) and it deflects in he’d get skewered here.
Timonen deserves a lot of the grief he’s been getting because the game has passed him by, but that goal is not one of them.
Krugs is staying. He is a Tatanka.
BarryB, I wonder if you can share with us what Quenneville told his players to do after the Anaheim goal to cause the puck to enter the Blackhawk net again shortly thereafter (referencing your #3 in your first post). You say you have a problem with what he instructed them to do … I’m wondering what exactly that was?
Please don’t say “I don;t know but whatever it was, it was wrong and I blame him”
Alberta, so we’re back to this again:
“Theres been comments about the $$ issues surrounding his acquistion vs “others” but they aren’t true. “Others” were a lower cap hit in comparison. This shows that Bowman was fixated on one player. He gambled. He lost. End of story.”
Really? Others were a lower cap hit in comparison? Please explain re: Petry as you were bringing him up as your example.
Here comes the Hof-Wall battle…always so much fun.
MM,
No Wall battle. If we disagree on how each of us saw the play, not a big deal.
However, I do think he gets fixated on the blame game for certain things and certain players and has a blind spot when it comes to his narrative.
Putting a dent in Andresen’s confidence with a 5-spot is huge. Hopefully we can continue the trend in Anaheim on Monday.
Vermette coming back like a true pro is also huge. Great to see him score, but his real value, to me, is on the dot. He has been exactly what we needed him to be winning faceoffs, which is why I was so pissed with his benching last game. Blood under the bridge now. His chemistry with Sharp and TT is also a joy to witness.
Hof…FWIW I’m pretty much squarely on your side…common sense and careful explanations go a long way in this game…plus I simply cannot get my head around Wall’s dissing Crawford for $ issues and someone up front. I’m glad we don’t have Kesler on this team but do have CC in net. Kesler dishonest about leaving Vancouver and willed, whined, himself to what he saw as a better path to the Cup. Not a Blackhawk trait. Luv the both of you though, excellent discourse and opinions.
Although Timmonen’s game is slow and he is an older player, it’s very difficult to get ANY kind of rhythm for the game when you are playing 6-10 minutes a game.
I’m gonna be Captain Obvious on this one, but if it’s the first goal or the game winner, regardless….that whole play with TT, Vermette and Sharp was a thing of beauty.
TT tries to get it down low but it’s blocked, and Vermette gets it down to Sharp behind the net. Sharp works hard and puts an absolutely BEAUTIFUL backhand pass out to Vermette who had drifted over and in to empty space 15 or so feet in front of the net. The great pass gets collected and fired in by Vermette and blocked, but Vermette does his best Toews impersonation and gets the rebound, stays patient with it, and fires it into the net from the side.
That’s just great teamwork, skill, awareness and a game winner to boot!
Thank you for indulging me……GO BLACKHAWKS!!!
With Vermette back in the lineup Shaw goes back to wing on the 4th line and both the 3rd and 4th lines are stronger. Shaw is great but he’s not a center. Great to see the Hawks come back from the Ducks scoring 3 in 37. Go Hawks get the next one.
I was mortified after the tird goal in tirty seven seconds in the tird period. So mortified that when the Hawks tied it I hadn’t recovered and couldn’t cheer. That Kane goal to tie it… was that the same angle as 2010 vs. PHI ? I’d have to see it again. Anyway, the post game analysis can be fun and all that but I just want to move on see a nice lopsided Hawks victory. Perhaps this is the time Fred the Red comes back to earth and the Hawks take advantage….. and bring me the head of that weasel, Corey Perry.
Booman
Heres Toews 5 v 5 TOI vs the Ducks top three C’s in all three games this year
Oct 28: at Chicago – Hawks 1-0 Loss (Toews total 5 v 5 TOI = 13.05)
vs Getzlaf 8:15;
vs Thompson 3:41;
vs Kesler 1:19
Nov. 28 at Anaheim – Hawks 4-1 Win (Toews total 5 v 5 TOI = 12.38)
vs Kesler 4:20
vs Thompson 4:01
vs Getzlaf 2:36
Jan. 30, at Anaheim – Hawks Win 4-1 (Toews total 5 v 5 TOI = 11:23)
vs Kesler 5:42
vs Getzlaf 2:08
vs Thompson 1:35
HOF asked :
Really? Others were a lower cap hit in comparison? Please explain re: Petry as you were bringing him up as your example.
I’m pretty sure Timonen was entitled a $ 1.5M bonus on top of his $ 2M salary so even though Petry’s salary was higher at $ 3.075 his cap hit for the Habs was $ 678,000 vs Timonen at $ 828,000 for the Hawks.
Hawks gave a second rounder in this years draft to get him + a conditional in 2016 that just gets worse as the Hawks progress. Started as a 4th, became a third once the Hawks beat Minny, and if they manage to get by the Ducks it becomes a second. All of this pending Timonen playing in 50% of the third round games which he already has.
Two second rounders is a massive overpay so maybe Bowman wasn’t figuring on getting that deep? I dunno, but if you tell me of one attribute the guy has brought to the table I’ll let it go. Speaking Finnish with TT isn’t an acceptable answer either ok? :)
If I’m incorrect then straighten me out and all apologies from this side. I’m not here to battle with you at all because it all comes down to Timonen being the shits even if the Hawks are paying him $ 5.00 per game. There were and Are more viable options for Bowman to pursue but from everything I’ve read the convo’s between he and Hextall went on for some time. That points to 44 being a hard target and a horrible overestimation.
REG DUNLOP
May 24, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Although Timmonen’s game is slow and he is an older player, it’s very difficult to get ANY kind of rhythm for the game when you are playing 6-10 minutes a game.
Thank you Kimmo’s mom.
Skating speed that can be timed with a sundial doesn’t qualify for just “slow” either.
Additional info…Hockey Night in Canada 3 stars were #1 Brandon Saad #2 Antoine Vermette # 3 some Duck ..can’t recall ’cause really didn’t care..probably that knob Perry.
Alberta,
Thanks for the info. Interesting. Based on that info, I am surprised Boudreau stuck with Kesler vs. Toews.
Worst part of this part of the season is waiting for the next game.
Go Hawks!!!
Hof- I did catch that behind the net replay… and left boards- there was, nobody there…Hawks/Ducks… 3-4 players in center of ice where he passed it to… when in doubt- throw it to the boards… less bad things can happen!!! pretty simple stuff…
And just like Q is playing 44… let’s minimize the bad (for 5 minutes a game)
as far as “stick in the lane”… I would never give blame- cuz it was deflected by D guy -trying to block shot… Unlucky – yes… but blame no!!!
Stan got fleeced on the Timonen trade. No excuse for that trade. I wonder if anybody from the Hawks even bothered to watch him skate before they signed him. Q is compounding the problem by playing him every night. I would take any D man from Rockford over him. The Duck goal involving 44 was clearly his fault.
Alberta,
I won’t pretend to know all the cap gymnastics of Timonen’s cap hit regarding his bonus, first I’ve heard of that, plus none of us have any idea if that bonus is in play and who’s responsible for paying for it. On the surface, Petry’s cap hit was higher and Bowman talked at length about the cap being a consideration given the Vermette acquisition and also moving Smith for Desjardins being a cap move. So clearly they didn’t have much room and saying they could’ve gotten this guy or that guy is speculation at best.
There is no doubt, however, that Bowman and staff targeted Timonen. That was the guy they wanted, I don’t have much of a quarrel with the price because the 2016 2nd rounder if it becomes that is a a win-win for both teams.
I do think if they honed in on Timonen they’ve got to be disappointed he hasn’t given them more and from that standpoint it was a gamble.
As for what he contributes behind the scenes, yeah the TT stuff is fine and all, but none of us really know what he might or might not contribute or be a positive influence, etc. etc. I wouldn’t pretend to know so I’ll leave it at that.
As for taking any Rockford defenseman before him, that’s just laughable … but not a surprising comment.
Yeah let’s throw Zach Miscovic in there. The grass is always greener.
If life was fair TT would be on the power play. perfect situation for a guy who is creative . skilled
B
I would like one of the reporters to ask Q why TT is not on the PP.
Hodmeister, guess I have a thing for lists and needed a third point to make a list. Shameful I know. However I did start the post by saying this is a list of things that have backfired and you have to admit that the timeout, which is typically called to stop a runaway train, did seem to backfire.
Remember when most were complaining that anyone would be better than Roszival? How is that working out for the Hawks? And now some are saying that anyone would be better than Timonen. Could it be possible that the coaching staff have had ample looks at the other defensemen and deemed Timo the best of a bad/not ready/not healthy set of defensemen?
MAYBE one could argue that Cumiskey/Rundblad would be just as capable of handling 8-10 minutes a game, but beyond that we’re simply hoping someone else would be better (John’s is out, TVR hasn’t played in the NHL in 6 months and didn’t have a big sample size at that, Paliota must be deemed not ready in his short time at the end of the season and as a black ace, and everyone else has only played in the AHL)
For those interested in prospects and free agents, the Insider Podcast on Blackhawks.com is good listening with Bowman and Adam Kempenaar.
On the topic of Panarin, he equates him to a 1st round talent and gives a lot of credit to scouts Ryan Stewart and Mats Hallin for honing in on him and Barry Smith for leaning on his Russian connections to strengthen the relationship.
He also pretty much said they will not be in the upcoming UFA market which on the surface is not surprising.
Hawks58, great points in your post …
Suggesting that a random Rockford d-man can step in and play in the WCF is insanity. The speed difference between the AHL and the NHL is massive. Most d-men take years to develop the skills to play in the NHL. You can’t realistically expect to throw Pokka or Paliotta in there and expect them to play 12 minutes a game. If either were ready to play they absolutely would.
Unfortunately we are now basically relying on 4 blue liners to carry us through the second best team in the west. Fortunately we have three of the best defensemen in the league. What they are pulling off is remarkable.
The other thing to consider with Timonen – when they acquired him all we needed was one more serviceable dman who could give us 10 minutes per game. Was it unrealistic to expect he could do that? At the time you had to say yes. The top 4 plus Roszival gives you most of what you need. Losing Roszival suddenly puts us in a massive bind.
This series is basically a coin flip. It’s going to come down to a crazy bounce or an inspired play that decides this thing. I’ve thought on several occasions over the past years that this team was done (down 3-1 to Detroit, when they got completely stuffed by Boston) and last night that fear started to creep in. But once again they pull it out. Great teams need a little extra something when the going gets tough. These guys have it in spades.
Timonen has been pitiful in the playoffs. The guy just can’t skate. Runblad, as inconsistent as he has been , is an improvement over Timonen. Runblad can actually skate, is a good passer and has far more offensive upside potential than 44. Cumiskey has been improving so give him 10-15 minutes and Runblad 10. A few extra minutes of relief for our core 4 would really help. Hopefully we have seen the last of 44.
Hall of Fame post by Chevrier. Required reading for everyone, perfectly said!
The Q aplogists are out in force tonight.
Hof; Here you go. I assume the Hawks are on the hook for the $ 750,000 Timonen was scheduled to receive after playing 10 games. He had other bonuses built in that would pay him up an additional $ 750,000 based on games played so I “think” the full amount has to show against the Hawks cap hit. This explains why ballpark 44 days of Timonen was a higher cost that the same number of days for Petry.
Bowman kicked tires on Petry but decided to go with Timonen thinking he was getting a better player. Ouch. I don’t think theres much doubt the Oilers would have moved him to the Hawks for the Timonen return.
All I’d like to know is how long Hextall’s nose grew during these quotes and how hard he laughed after hanging up the phone.
It is an unbelievable return for the Flyers, considering the Blackhawks traded valuable assets for a 39-year-old defenseman who hasn’t played since April 30, 2014 and did it sight unseen. They had no game this season to judge his conditioning and health.
“I understand he hasn’t played, but on the flip side, he’s a rested hockey player who is probably in the best shape of his life,” Flyers GM Ron Hextall said. “You’re talking about a special player here, don’t forget. Players like this don’t fall off trees. I think it’s fair for Chicago. I think it’s fair for us. There’s a lot of upside in this deal for them. In the end, they may have underpaid by a longshot for this deal.
“If Kimmo had played all year and we moved him now, this wouldn’t have been the return. It would’ve been far greater than this.”
Then again, 43-year-old legend Jaromir Jagr nabbed a second round and conditional third round pick in a deal from New Jersey to Florida on Thursday.
Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said Timonen was “the defenseman we really wanted.” The deal had been in the works for weeks, culminating Thursday night before medical forms were disclosed.
Hextall said Timonen did not have a no-trade clause, and his $750,000 bonus due after 10 games played was only “a small piece of it.” Interestingly, his deal could put Chicago – a team already in salary cap jail – in an even rougher predicament next season. That was apparently worth the risk. /
Unless somebody gets hurt, Rundblad is riding the press box express. Potential has zero to do with things now, it’s about as much mistake free hockey as possible.
Someone said in a post a couple of days ago that Keith is a generational hockey player. I agree wholeheartedly. Seabrook belongs in that conversation as well.
Off topic – the first string NBC team is doing the NY v Tampa game. I hope that doesn’t mean we get Albert et al again tomorrow. I don’t recall NBC shuffling the announcers like this in the past. Is Q moonlighting as an NBC consultant?
Blame the Coach 61 Dolt is out in force tonight.
Let’s plug in any Rockford defesneman, they’ll be better. Bwaaaa-haaaaa-haaaaa.
One would think someone pushing 60 would have a rudimentary understanding.
Alberta, good find but it still doesn’t shed complete light on who pays what or whether Petry has some performance bonuses too. Too many variables to say definitively one way or the other.
The other factor is Montreal wants to try to re-sign Petry and it’s possible (another guess on this whole thing) his agent worked to get him moved to a team that would try to do that.
There’s no question the Blackhawks focused in Timonen though, and as you know the rest of the story hasn’t been told. I personally don’t think Hextall would BS about Timonen, a Flyers legend, but I do agree there’s always the possibility of “GM speak”.
I forgot Hoff- Q is infallible. My bad.
I also note the thoughts above about why Teivo doesn’t get a look on the PP…his skill set clearly is a perfect fit. No doubt that next years Hawks will see him join at least the 2nd unit. The kid is only getting better and will be a force within a couple seasons.
Junior has to find the $$ to keep Kruger; pound for pound tough as nails and unafraid to go into any corner at any time against anyone. He’s the ultimate role player that is invaluable and difficult to find.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The very best commenter ever on this blog was Sr. Brad. The guy totally knew his stuff and had great passion for the Hawks.
He was also able to debate and discuss without being arrogant, condescending, obnoxious, thin-skinned, petty, and, in general, an asshole.
Take a read, Hofmeister.
Bottom line-watching Timmo play at 40 for a really good team this late in the playoffs is painful-my stress level elevates for those 6 or 7 minutes
Cuminsky is getting better-44 not so much-He’s like a tire with a slow leak-you either put more air in but have the same tire, same leak–or you replace it but we can’t-no new tires available!
This has nothing to do or say about what he was or how nice a guy he is
Er, Flatliner-Sr. Brad knew his stuff but he could go into the condescending Hall of Fame-
how soon they forget
Try surviving 13.5 years of Billy Reay….or those Keenan years, ( he was good but nutty as a fruitbat) ..we won guys, try to enjoy the day. Sure we are short on D and the Ducks are bashing us to hell and back. Thats all part of the road to the big prize. You really think Q and Bowman are easily fooled folks.
I respect your opinion, Noonan, but will disagree. He lost it sometimes with Rufus, but overall could argue with fact and evidence and didn’t resort to the obnoxious barbs that Hofmeister tosses out.
When you sit in a bar and have a drink and talk sports, you have give and take–and plenty of disagreement. But if you responded like Hofmeister, I think someone would knock your block off–and rightly so. There’s just no need for that bullshit. Argue hockey, drop the middle school crap.
10-19 games was .750 and the additional .750 was for 20 or more. There was 18 or something left when we got him. The Dijon trade might have cleared enough to not only cover 86 caphit so he could stay up but also cover this bonus on this yrs cap so it wont count against that yrs cap.
Flat, I loved reading Sr. Brad’s comments but arrogant, condescending, obnoxious, thin-skinned, petty, and, in general, an asshole is just what he could be at times (4 lines!). I’m sure he would be calling for Paliotta right now.
Hof: Alberta, good find but it still doesn’t shed complete light on who pays what or whether Petry has some performance bonuses too. Too many variables to say definitively one way or the other.
The other factor is Montreal wants to try to re-sign Petry and it’s possible (another guess on this whole thing) his agent worked to get him moved to a team that would try to do that.
There’s no question the Blackhawks focused in Timonen though, and as you know the rest of the story hasn’t been told. I personally don’t think Hextall would BS about Timonen, a Flyers legend, but I do agree there’s always the possibility of “GM speak”.
Petry had no bonuses. Please trust me on that. Timonen is as I previously mentioned $ 868,000 cap hit against the Hawks, roughly $ 150k more than Petry. Bowman looked at Petry but was locked in on Timonen. End of story reads he got it wrong. Petry was playing #2 – #3 mins behind only Subban and some nights Markov. He would have been a tremendous asset for the Hawks to have right now playing big minutes.
Montreal would be wise to sign him but his agent wasn’t looking for that at the deadline. As a pending UFA he knew what Petry would get playing the market. R shooting d are in short supply, especially 27 year olds who can play the tough minutes. He’s a nice asset that will cost in the range of 5yrs @ 4.5 – $5.5M per and he’d play top 3 there. Hawks couldn’t afford to resign him but that’s not what Bowman was looking for anyways.
As for the possibility of GM speak, ya think? We’ve seen him play man. He’s got nothin left in the tank. Kaput. Finito. Hot garbage.
Got a question for you though – If the Hawks lose one of Crawford or Seabrook, which would you prefer stayed with the team. I don’t see Crawford being moved, think it will be Sharp, Bickell, 50/50 Seabrook, ++, but I’m interested in what you think.
Also do you think the $ 10, 500, ooo per is a good deal for K & T?
Hof: Alberta, good find but it still doesn’t shed complete light on who pays what or whether Petry has some performance bonuses too. Too many variables to say definitively one way or the other.
The other factor is Montreal wants to try to re-sign Petry and it’s possible (another guess on this whole thing) his agent worked to get him moved to a team that would try to do that.
There’s no question the Blackhawks focused in Timonen though, and as you know the rest of the story hasn’t been told. I personally don’t think Hextall would BS about Timonen, a Flyers legend, but I do agree there’s always the possibility of “GM speak”.
Petry had no bonuses. Please trust me on that. Timonen is as I previously mentioned $ 868,000 cap hit against the Hawks, roughly $ 150k more than Petry. Bowman looked at Petry but was locked in on Timonen. End of story reads he got it wrong. Petry was playing #2 – #3 mins behind only Subban and some nights Markov. He would have been a tremendous asset for the Hawks to have right now playing big minutes.
Montreal would be wise to sign him but his agent wasn’t looking for that at the deadline. As a pending UFA he knew what Petry would get playing the market. R shooting d are in short supply, especially 27 year olds who can play the tough minutes. He’s a nice asset that will cost in the range of 5yrs @ 4.5 – $5.5M per and he’d play top 3 there. Hawks couldn’t afford to resign him but that’s not what Bowman was looking for anyways.
As for the possibility of GM speak, ya think? We’ve seen him play man. He’s got nothin left in the tank. Kaput. Finito. Hot garbage.
Got a question for you though – If the Hawks lose one of Crawford or Seabrook, which would you prefer stayed with the team. I don’t see Crawford being moved, think it will be Sharp, Bickell, 50/50 Seabrook, ++, but I’m interested in what you think.
Also do you think the $ 10, 500, ooo per is a good deal for K & T?
Sorry for the double post. Age/Mind/Fingers thing
Just a fun thot: in OT in the cup game in 2010 Kane’s junked timonen and scored on leighton. Now both of the those ex-flyers are in the Hawks program.
And I still believe that timonen was brought aboard to mentor the kid (tt) off-ice. Maybe “mentor” isn’t the exact word but I think a fellow countryman who has had a long nhl career and is probably someone that tt looked up to as he was growing up in Finland can be a huge benefit to tt. They room together on the road and even tho timonen can’t do some things anymore he can still explain the thought process of the finer points of the game. tt is smart but very one can benefit from learning from another’s experience. I am convinced this is why timonen was the target all along. The Hawks are a class organization and they know the benefit of “the room” and the leadership voices in it. The little something that the Hawks have in spades is their professionalism. The Hawks not only developed their players physical skills but they also are training the mental skills that make them winners. Pairing a young phenom with a vet countryman is exactly the kind of thing that does that.
Yes, timonen isn’t strong right now. Yes it was a gamble. It is what it is now. But I can understand why he was the target and why the gamble was made.
The double whammy of rosy breaking his ankle no then johns breaking his wrist are real killers. I think johns would’ve been given a look based on how he has been playing in the all, his size/style of game and his right-handed shot.
Again, it is what it is. The Hawks will have to ride their top 4 d-men. Luckily those guys are all Olympians for their countries. If you only had 4 guys to ride, these are the 4.
Damn the autocorrect is a killer. It keeps changing some of my words.
Kaner juked.
Every one can benefit.
….breaking his ankle and then johns breaking his wrist.
Thanks computer.
Ditto “playing in the ahl”.
Flatliner,
Sorry you’re still pining for your bestest buddy Sr. Brad, Maybe post a Craigslist and and the two of you can go out for dinner and you can tell him how much he means to you and how much you miss him. Sorry if that was an obnoxious barb and now you want to knock my block off, as if you could do it.
In the meantime, 61, no one said Quenneville is infallible. I’ve explained that point to you many many times now, yet somehow you can’t seem to grasp it.
You label people as apologists, you might get labeled right back. Sorry you get so easily butthurt.
There flatliner, I apologized three times in one post, do you feel all better now, I hope so. Now let’s all sit in a circle and sing Kumbaya.
Alberta, good points all although we will never know the full details of the cap situation or even who might be paying what, but the other factor in all this at the time was right vs. left handed shot. They had Roszival at the time and Rundblad was still a viable option.
As to your questions about creating cap room, they’re interesting but at Game 5 of the WCF it is too soon, at least for me. Too many things can happen still which can affect personnel decisions.
I will say this, they’ll have to move at least one big name, and said big name will have to have value to another team. That said, all it takes is one team with a need for that player(s) and enough cap room. As mentioned, I think many of this summer’s trades around the league will be money trades as much as personnel driven trades. It won’t be as easy as mgmt. saying “we want to move this guy and we want X in return”. In the cap world sometimes you have to move assets you might not want to move for many reasons.
While Petry would have certainly been better than Timonen (honestly, what viable top 6 defenseman wouldn’t be better after what we’ve seen), but don’t toss around his usage in Montreal like it means something either, talking about Petry’s ability to drive play and generate offense (something that it was thought Timonen would bring but hasn’t).
If you are going to talk about other team’s usage, the Flyers were playing Timonen top 3 minutes just a year ago, and before you slam the Flyers blueline, what exactly do the Canadians have back there outside of Subban? Does anyone actually think Markov would be skating more than 6th D-man minutes here? And that is the #2 in Montreal.
Not trying to say Timonen is better than Petry, he clearly isn’t; however, there are much more relevant stats/reasons that Petry should/could have been a better option at the deadline.
re: 44
he is shifting TOO LONG !!
only Dunc was avg more last game.
Stop!
Does anyone actually think Markov would be skating more than 6th D-man minutes here?
Uhhhhh…..Yes
Thanks hof. Perspective is not exactly the strong suit of many on this board. I love how if you point out a fact like Q having won two cups (which he has) you are a Q apologist. Go Hawks tonight.
Our genious coach Q actually sat tt now hes not on the power play what does it take an act of God