I’m really liking our chances at this point. Blues have serious confidence problems and something bigger than that has gone awry. Mojo missing, Miller spooked. Minny is tireing team to play against…Parise and company will give the Avs fits. We will have our playoff moxie in good swing by the time we get the Avs. West coast teams …we own them, no probs. I’m going waaay out on a limb here but I like the Rangers in the East…come together at right time and Boston is vulnerable….Rangers/Blackhawk final would be deadly good series with old Canucklhead Vignault out for revenge on us and the Bruins. Liking it just fine.
I’m really liking our chances at this point. Blues have serious confidence problems and something bigger than that has gone awry. Mojo missing. Miller a shambles. Minny is tiring team to play against, put you to sleep,…Parise and company will give the Avs fits. We will have our playoff moxie in good swing by the time we get the Avs. West coast teams…we own them, no probs. I’m going waaaay out on a limb here but I like the Rangers in the East. …they have come together at the right time and Boston is vulnerable. Rangers/Blackhawks would be fabulously good series with old Canuck head Vigneault out for some revenge on Boston and us! Liking it just fine.
mo, right on. remember that bs last year with detroit? seems this yr that the daunting 90mi from NYC to Philly, calls for affording an extra day off 2x prior to starting g4!!. Pitts/CBJ not much better. Only 2 series are set to go off every other day thru a g7. Bos/Det and us
Its not rocket science. Every game starts at same time (that areas timezone)(no breakfast games in playoffs) and every team has to play the same exact sch. That way its the same for all teams. If theres a 3 day break then have it after game 4 of all series (and maybe game 6 too) and the same days break between each round (you should not get rewarded for having to play more games in previous round/when the other teams won in 5games, they shouldn’t have to wait the extra days. Like redwings were given from league last yr). Half of series start day 1, other half day 2… These playoff sch. really should be made before the reg. season starts (in terms of layout).
I understand the reg. season theres lots of extra things going on in a lot of the arenas. During the playoffs, the teams should have to follow the ‘rocket science’ sch. of league & extra shows/concerts are second in line… or your team forfeits, etc. Priorities.
I love how the wnnnnnnnnbc announcers during the nashville game said that Chicago has a ‘full day of rest’ while COL has to play on SN. Fucking chumps, I didn’t hear them say Chicago played 6 games in the last 10 days of reg. season. (makes me wonder how many COL did in those 10 days…) Doesn’t matter, just that those announcers need some electric shock treatment. To help them tell it how it is.
TV probably makes the schedule…the days and times are probably pretty much set early on. Then matchups determine the “funny” schedule (2 days rest). I will not complain about the afternoon games…Let’s talk an 8:30 PM puck drop at the UC. That crap is ridiculous, not only for fans. 2 teams playing in the central time zone shouldn’t have to condition their bodies to treat the game like a west coast game.
A Wednesday night start at 8:30 is just plain wrong for a Central matchup. This game should it go to overtime is WAAAY late on a work night. Didn’t we have one of these last year too?
Just a problem with Central time zone teams playing in a Western Conference. They want to maximize tv coverage so that involves starting the central games late to try to avoid overlapping with the Eastern games. It’ll really be closer to an 8:45 puck drop because of the pregame stuff.
Hey now, tons of fans, like myself. from IN have been dealing with 8:30 starts for yrs on end. Suck it up for a game lol. 1800 W Madison is 150 miles NNW from my driveway. Many nights late arriving home from the Stadium on a school night! Had season tickets for 93-94 so I could take in all I could of the Stadiums swan song. I think I made around 25 games that year. Long commute but memories galore
Scottie- I havent seen any official release on their status yet. Im guessing we wont know anything until Wednesday at the earliest… maybe not even until Thursday…
Not to sway the topic, but who else saw John Scott get lit up? He picked a fight with some < 6' guy on the islanders, and the guy put a left hook right on Scott's chin and dropped him. Definitely a fun watch if you make your way over to hockey fights.
As far as the schedule goes, I dont mind it. The hawks are a veteran team and they wont need to tweak things too much between games. in fact, it might work against them if they get too much time off. I think we will be fine and take it in 6 (maybe even 5), but ill go on the record for 6.
Scottie- the Status on Oshie/Backes- they are D-bags!!!
Tarasenko- is one of the only true finishers/offensive difference makers they have… Hope he is out!!!
Should be a very interesting series. St. Louis might be wounded, BUT they are under big time pressure to get over the hump. That team is too deep, too defensively strong, too well coached for me to be dismissive. The key for the Hawks is very simple….they need to leave St. Louis on Saturday night with one win in the two games. If they can do that then we shall see what happens from there.
My sense is Colorado will slice thru Minnesota like a vegi-matic. Can’t worry about that series, or the other two series in the Western Conference. Hawks have a formidable job in front of them.
Ryan Miller- Difference maker. Best deadline acquisition. He has something to prove now and he isn’t playing behind that bad Buffalo defense! I fully expect me making fun of him to come back and bite me in the ass and he gets 3 shut outs in the first round.
I’d say the first round depends on the health of Toews and Kane. I think if they are good to go, the series is over in 5 or 6 regardless of the health of St. Louis. A strong game 1 by the Hawks and St. Louis is done.
I think the best 4 teams in the West are facing off in the first round. I would love to see the Avalanche struggle with Minnesota and I fully expect Dallas to beat Anaheim.
I look for St. Louis to play a very physical body-on-body style of hockey. Going back to their modus operandi of pre-Hitchcock in fact. Also, the one undeniable fact from last year’s playoff runs is that if you can constantly shadow Toews and make him drag a player up and down the ice, then he can worn down. I suspect St. Louis will make that job 1 versus the Hawks. None of us knows how healthy Toews and especially Kane is.
My two keys to the series? Crawford and Shaw. Yep, a goalie and a role player. Shaw is going to take a physical beating, but he’s got to worm his way in front of the net, do the constant dirty work he is good at doing and keep out of the penalty box. Crawford is going to have to be stout. Goals will be at a premium in this series and I don’t expect any wild scoring affairs.
One last comment…I’m a fan of Steve Konroyd. Liked him a lot as a player, and I like him a lot as a studio host and in the booth. He might not be the flashiest guy or the best TV trained voice, but the guy is good. Which leads me to take a swipe at Pat Foley, the sanctimomous one of late. Pat is great, but his subliminal rips of Konroyd’s performance in the booth are a joke. Shut up Pat, check your ego at the door, and do your job. Konroyd is just fine. So what if he isn’t Eddie O for you to slobber all over for 60 minutes.
Rufus! We agree on something! I can’t stand Foley as of late. I feel like the guy used to be the best in the business, now he’s just a joke. He can barely do his job anymore. He rarely calls the action, uses the same verbs to describe everything (partially blocked partially blocked partially blocked), talks about hits like they are worth a damn, takes every chance he can to rip some former players- like Viktor Stalberg. Get over yourself Foley!
Good comments Ruf. I too like Konroyd’s commentary. He brings it from a hockey player perspective. Foley sometimes morphs into this Harry Carey person that he gets sidetracked with the game. Close, intense games Pat is quite good, but in the clunkers he tends to drift, especially with Eddie. Sometimes you just want those guys to shut up and save the BS for the bar. I remain a Foley fan and feel we have done well as fans with Pat’s broadcasts.
Blues series will be good theater I think. Key is always to take 1 out of 2 to start a 7 game series, especially if starting on the road. I don’t know how healthy the Blues will be later this week, but they appear to be pretty beat up. I have always said that their style of play leaves them physically diminished by playoffs. It appears that this is true again this year. I think the Hawks are deep enough where they eventually break through and score enough goals to beat the Blues. Blues cannot win via a game of intimidation. However their system if played properly can make it tough on opposing teams to score. They can really pack it around their own net. They rely on lots of deflections and rebounds to score. If the Hawks play strong team defense, which I believe they will, then the Indian head will prevail. I think the Hawks win in 6, but hopefully sooner. Let’s hope CC brings it like he did last year when the big games were on the line.
Everyone rest up the next few days. The show start Wednesday around the league and we lift off Thursday. NHL playoffs are the best and TV coverage this year will be excellent. I am tempted to drive down to St Louis for one of these games. Tickets are never tough to get.
(West)
Avs,…I have NO idea how this team w perform in the playoffs, but I don’t think Minny wins
Hawks
Ducks
Kings,…poor Sharks
(East)
Wings,…Boston is losing in the 1st round watch!
MTL coming out the East thanks to Price and a strong defense. Canada needs someone to cheer on!
Pitt
Rangers,…I liked the Philly but they are slipping at the wrong time
One more comment expect lots of Zus vs this matchup, STL isn’t a quick team and Q will ride him in this round unless his STL exposes him. Although I would rather see Ben Smith in the center ice role. I also hope Morin plays somewhere on the team. The Hawks can use his style of play against these guys. I’m just not sure where he fits because this matchup suits Bollig’s game.
When Foley was radio only, he was outta sight. And I bet he could still give a great radio call. Even at current levels of slippage I will miss him when he’s done calling our games. I can tune out the nonsense easily I guess, just like with the long term mrs. RD!
Always thought it better to be healthy than hot come post season. Are we healthy? We will all find out together I suppose. Having Q say that he ”expects ….blah blah” don’t mean jack! Of course what else can he say? If assuming 19/88 can drop in at 85% and hit max by the 2nd round, who could justify not making us the West favorite?
Along the lines of entering playoffs ‘hot’, again hard to convince me the need but see the desire for, but I do think there is something favorably at work for teams who have to grab their playoff gear during the season just to get in. If you’re essentially playing post season type games the last month of a season, you’re stride will be pretty well honed. That can easily be seen as beneficial I feel. And it wouldn’t have to compute to getting ‘hot’. Just good enuff to pass whomever in the chase for 16 seeds, eh wth do i know? Thurs! Bring it!!
The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Boston Bruins are also the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, according to online bookmaker Bovada.
Following is the full list of Cup odds:
Boston Bruins 7/2
St. Louis Blues 6/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 7/1
Chicago Blackhawks 8/1
Anaheim Ducks 9/1
San Jose Sharks 9/1
Los Angeles Kings 10/1
Colorado Avalanche 14/1
Detroit Red Wings 20/1
Montreal Canadiens 20/1
New York Rangers 20/1
Philadelphia Flyers 20/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 25/1
Minnesota Wild 40/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 50/1
Dallas Stars 50/1
Wow I think both favorites are going out in the 1st round should be interesting!
RD- comment about your wife made me chuckle too loud for me to be comfortable with.
Not that I want to stir this pot again, but anyone hear Toews comments today regarding the Orpik hit?
“Our team was having a tough week there and we were trying to win that game. That was the most important thing. So to get into stupidity, I don’t think was going to help us at all as a team. The boys did the right thing. I don’t expect anything after something like that, that was a clean hit.”
I’m kind of surprised St. Louis is that high on the odds. Especially with how they have been playing lately and injuries. You have to think the Hawks are low because of Toews and Kane.
Would love to see us line up like this to open the series
20 19 88….88 thrives w/19
10 65 81….65 will to take a beating and let 10 and 81 do their thing
29 12 11….Line is clicking but gotta be responsible on D
23 16 28….Seems like best fit for 23
52 42 extras
Nice lines Mike. I would only start with Rozy and not BB with Leddy. Good combos though! I would be happy with that, although Zus I am pretty sure will make the cut.
Those are good lines Mike but Q will mostly put Handzus in Shaw’s spot and put Shaw in place of Regin. I agree Brookbank is doing well while Rosy’s play has slipped a bit with all the turnovers.
No doubt. 26 and52 will be in the line up so you can scratch 11 and 12.
I am not even sure 11 and/or 12 will even make the playoff roster
Phil, I have no problem with 32 instead of 17…..both will be on the roster
JS, tell me you ain’t single son! No man among us should deny himself the bliss that is holy matrimony my friend.
SouthSide- thanks for the odds, just throwin these out for reference from early this season
mid-OCTOBER ’13
Pittsburgh Penguins 6/1
Chicago Blackhawks 15/2
San Jose Sharks 17/2
St. Louis Blues 17/2
Boston Bruins 10/1
Los Angeles Kings 14/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 14/1
Detroit Red Wings 16/1
Anaheim Ducks 20/1
Colorado Avalanche 20/1
Vancouver Canucks 20/1
Minnesota Wild 25/1
Montreal Canadiens 25/1
New York Islanders 28/1
New York Rangers 28/1
Ottawa Senators 28/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 33/1
Washington Capitals 33/1
Carolina Hurricanes 40/1
Edmonton Oilers 40/1
Philadelphia Flyers 40/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 50/1
Dallas Stars 50/1
Handzus will most definitely play in game 1 for precisely the reasons mentioned by the other poster. I think the guy on the bubble for suiting up should be Versteeg. Will that happen? Doubt it.
So, my guess is Q goes with the following…
Sharp – Toews – Hossa (the familarity will be key for Toews return)
Saad – Handzus – Kane
Bickell – Shaw – Versteeg
Bollig – Kruger -Smith
I would love Nordstrom to be out there, but he probably doesn’t make the post-season roster. Rather the bench of forwards will be Regin and Morin.
Rosival will start over Brookbank, especially given the pairing with Leddy.
I would really like to see Bickell skate on the top line w Toews & Hoss, that way Sharp and Kane can balance out Zus lack of speed. Saad, Shaw and Steeger on the 3rd line and Bollig Kruger and Smith as the 4th. It absolutely sucks that Morin can’t crack the lineup, I think that if Bollig or Steeg aren’t playing well Morin should slide into those rolls.
Brookbank has played well but lets hope he doesn’t see a lot of playoff minutes over Rosy. Rosy brings skill and a lot of experience and nasty to the team
RTF, I think you are right and those will be the lines.
One can only hope that the 2cd line isn’t hindered too much by 26 and that 23 can find the open man instead of skating into the zone, stopping and delaying while a opponent gets to him. Lines 1 and 4 look great.
Mike, Your lines are gold. Doubt we will see it though.
South side, I picked Detroit as my first round upset special. They have da coach to pull it off.
Reddsteel in 6.
I liked the old days when the first four games were back to back with a travel day in between and then every other. It was about da playoffs, not a TV schedule. The days of iron men and wooden ships.
Don’t know if the Red Wings can get by Boston, but they will give them a run for their money. The Wings are full of players who were not expected to play and don’t want to go back. Many of us have been humping this song all season. Let players like Morin, Nordstrom, Clendening and Ross have at it. Think about it, these kids are better for our system than 26, 52, 17, 32 and 12 (although 12 is fitting in well). Not only do we win as many or more games but we basically take care of our Cap Space issues.
My biggest fear however, is goaltending. If CC goes down, Raanta is not prepared to take the heat at this stage in his career.
So I was disappointed when I realized 5 minutes ago that it is in fact Tuesday not Wednesday. Waiting for playoff hockey to start is taking foreverrrrrrr.
Anyway, I would put a bill on the Hawks at 8-1. Also, I don’t think that they have the horses to make it but if Zberg comes back and is all Zbergy then 20-1 for Detroit depending on who comes out of the West is interesting. I suck at betting at sports so whatever.
Re Foley: The guy is the voice of the Hawks and has been for forever. My brother refers to him as the other Hawk Harrelson and that it is only a matter of time before he starts telling golf stories. Sox fan by the way but Hawk really irritates me. But that being said Foley still calls a pretty good game but someone needs to get him a thesaurus. A road can be partially blocked, an artery can be partially blocked, an intestine can be partially blocked, pretty sure a projectile can not be partially blocked. It can be blocked, parried, deflected, repelled – glance off | fend off | sidetrack | ricochet off shin pads or a stick. That phrase makes me seriously irate. And hearing it every single time. Ugh.
AJ, i had the same thought about today… i woke up to a crying baby at 4am and was like make it through today and hockey tomorrow… wait… dang!
As far as Odds go, i did get a few bucks on the hawks back in January to win the West 3/1 odd and then to win the whole thing at 15/2. I feel pretty good about it. Im actually think playing St. Louis first is a better fit for a long run. But as far as underdogs i actually like Montreal more at 20/1 than Detroit. Montreal and out score Tampa, and Price can steal a series vs Boston. And i like most everyone from the altantic side of the playoffs over the Metropolitian side. actually i think i just talked myself into hedging 2 bets… Boston at 13/10 to take the east and habs at 9/1 to take the east… if the habs win, the boston bet is only a small hit from those winning and if boston wins, then i make a very marginal profit after losing the habs bet, but a profit never the less.
The Boston hype machine has everyone going goofy over the B’s, listen they had a good season but I just don’t see it happening. I heard Lucic on NHL network has night and I had to laugh when he was talking about Detroit. To paraphrase, he said he usually don’t face teams as good as the Wings in the East. We had a hard time with them this year because of their skill because he are better then most teams they faced. He was surprised they were an 8th seed and knows they are going to have their hands full.
Yeah, I like Detroit just because the conference is meh and after Boston I don’t think there is much there. Babcock finds ways to make things interesting if not win and I think they can steal a game in Boston and win out at home. Should be a fun series to watch. The Habs are an interesting team but I don’t think they have enough horses aside from Price and Pacioretty. They will need to do some heavy lifting. But then its the playoffs and the margin for error shrinks and crazy things can happen.
SSH — the STL hype machine still has a huge hard on too. I think ESPN took the Blues over the Hawks for whatever goofy reason. I am kind of bias and there may be a close game or two but I really don’t see STL being that threatening. Take a game? Maybe. Win the series? Nah.
Boston is an easy pick just because the east is Boston …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2-7 in no particular order. Maybe put Pitt up there a pinch away from the pack but other than Crosby there isn’t much separating them from everyone else. A Boston meltdown would be more satisfying than Detroit getting swept in my eyes.
Anaheim is right up there with Colorado for “lucky ass teams”. They shoot way too high of a percentage Will it drops? I think so. Good luck stopping Jamie and Tyler. Dallas in 7.
2. Colorado
WC1. Minnesota
This is the only matchup I think Colorado had a chance of winning. I predicted a while ago that they wouldn’t make the playoffs… and then that they would be a first round out. So that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Minnesota in 5.
3. SJS
6. LAK
This will probably be the best series of the first round. Sadly, the two teams are going to kill each other and more than likely their chances of advancing in the playoffs. The good news is whichever team gets out of this alive will get to face a pretty soft Dallas team. Can Quick or Niemi remember how to play goalie? SJS in 7.
4. St. Louis
5. Chicago
Well we all thought this would be the second round matchup for most of the season. Boy are we a bunch of idiots! Is Ryan Miller going to remember how to play goalie or is he going to continue sliding all over the place and freezing every time a shot comes towards him? Is Oshie still seeing double? Does Backes still have sex with dogs? I don’t think it matters, the Hawks are in a different league than the Blues. Hawks in 5.
I agree with Mike, it would nice to have more young kids integrated into the Hawks system like Detroit (they kind of had to with all the injuries). A kid like Jurco is younger than some in Rockford and he is doing well (youtube some of the stick skills this kid has). Morin, Nordstrom,Regin would be nicer than Handzus,Bollig and even Versteeg.
Oh as far as predictions
Bruins 4-2 over Wings
Canadiens 4-3 over Bolts
Penguins 4-2 over Blue Jackets
Flyers 4-3 over Rangers
Avs 4-2 over Wild
Hawks 4-2 over Blues
Stars 4-3 over Ducks
Sharks 4-3 over Kings
AJ I was looking at ESPN hockey(don’t ask me why). EVERY EXPERT had Boston also the Hawks and Blues were split. Although all the expects that picked STL had them in 7 games where most had Chicago in 6. My personal pet pev is expects always saying 7 games,…very few series actually go 7 games…pick a lane sally! Just my opinion.
During the last game I was waiting for Foley to work “Tree-turdie-tree” in for the “turd” time. He’s become a turd, in my opinion – he and Eddie-OH (- at times, that’s ZERO) try to be the Two Stooges too often. Foley used to be very good at calling a game. Now, too many shout-outs, pontificating, and drawing attention to unsung members of the staff, etc. I don’t especially like Konroyd either, but at least he doesn’t try to clown it up.
Besides all that, I think the Hawks will win the series (but, we’ll see).
SSH – Don’t disagree. I legitimately think sweep (Hawks v STL), though 5 is more reasonable. Bucci is usually not an idiot so I’d like to see his justification for that. The Burnside article lacked a lot of substance aside from picking a team absent any kind of discernable rationale. Irritating. I think the LAK – SJS series is the one that is legitimately 7 games either way again.
DD – Yea its been down hill. Not to where I despise him but man some games are rough. Agree about Konroyd, he at least tries to keep things professional until Foley starts berating him on the air.
Over all Id take the:
Wings in 6, Tampa in 5, Penguins in 4, Rangers in 6, AVS in 5 Bryzgalov sucks in the post season, Hawks in 4, Stars in 6 Lehtonen plays out of his mind, SJS in 7 because So Cal don’t care about holding everyone else up and Havlat lights it up until injuring himself stepping off team bus.
positives- w 29 finally skating w speed again- the 3rd line is as good as any
balance is good, And 81/10 are the only two wings that can make 26 look ok!!!
negatives- prefer Saad on LW (and Morin on RW) – 20/19 can cover up for any “rookie” mistakes… I will miss the chemistry that 16/12 had- (I know we need someone to take punches in the one or two fights that could happen (52))
so ..Versteeg centered by Toews with Saad on the other side…bet no one saw that coming…for all the Versteeg haters out there I still contend that he is a perfect fit for this team. Going to be a heck of a darn good series. We really need Crow to show us the good stuff and I’m sure he will. Kane on third line…wow…bet no one saw that coming either.
Trying to take advantage of the, maybe not lack but unsubstantial depth on STL and hopefully get one of Hossa, Toews or Kane against their meh third pairing. JBow and Pietrangelo are going to have to carry a heavy load so trying to make Hitch make a decision regarding who to shut down.
Honestly he played this mind game shit against Babcock and almost paid for it. They beat the Bruins by attacking their best players not playing cutesy games. That is how they had most of their success through the playoffs. Q finna Q.
What can be the most perplexing thing about playoff hockey is what a hot goalie can do to a series. Hawks fans know this re the PHX series from a few years ago. I still don’t like diving champion Mike Smith by the way. So I am always interested in watching the first 2 games in all of the match-ups to see if any goalies are completely stoning an opposing team. Which goalie or goalies will it be this year? This tends to be where the upsets take place, and there will 1-2 good teams that lose in the first round. I think it hilarious that basically all pundits are already giving the Cup to the B’s! Of course the Bruins are good, but there are plenty of teams out West that can best those guys. Remember the Hawks last year starting out against the big, bad Bruins? No chance for those soft Blackhawks….. It’s like listening to the East coast media play up the Yanks and Red Sox in baseball as though no other teams play MLB. What BS hype.
Good call Mining Man, I caught Steeger on NHLN, he said he feels healthy and confident. Add in the fact he has very solid playoff numbers 37 points in 57 games, and it shows that he can put up points when it matters most. I am looking at him and Bickell to have a good series!
SSHM- totally agree… Tarasenko- is a BIG asset for the Blues… Blues have a much better chance w/ him… without him- not as much scoring/skating/Offensive IQ.
I do NOT like having 2 aft starts in 6g, that’s bullshit. Leave the matinees in the East where teams do it often.
I’m really liking our chances at this point. Blues have serious confidence problems and something bigger than that has gone awry. Mojo missing, Miller spooked. Minny is tireing team to play against…Parise and company will give the Avs fits. We will have our playoff moxie in good swing by the time we get the Avs. West coast teams …we own them, no probs. I’m going waaay out on a limb here but I like the Rangers in the East…come together at right time and Boston is vulnerable….Rangers/Blackhawk final would be deadly good series with old Canucklhead Vignault out for revenge on us and the Bruins. Liking it just fine.
I’m really liking our chances at this point. Blues have serious confidence problems and something bigger than that has gone awry. Mojo missing. Miller a shambles. Minny is tiring team to play against, put you to sleep,…Parise and company will give the Avs fits. We will have our playoff moxie in good swing by the time we get the Avs. West coast teams…we own them, no probs. I’m going waaaay out on a limb here but I like the Rangers in the East. …they have come together at the right time and Boston is vulnerable. Rangers/Blackhawks would be fabulously good series with old Canuck head Vigneault out for some revenge on Boston and us! Liking it just fine.
It won’t go 6. Hawks in 5.
What’s the status of oshie backes tarasenko
The breakfast/brunch times are for European teams. Two days between games bitchs.
mo, right on. remember that bs last year with detroit? seems this yr that the daunting 90mi from NYC to Philly, calls for affording an extra day off 2x prior to starting g4!!. Pitts/CBJ not much better. Only 2 series are set to go off every other day thru a g7. Bos/Det and us
Its not rocket science. Every game starts at same time (that areas timezone)(no breakfast games in playoffs) and every team has to play the same exact sch. That way its the same for all teams. If theres a 3 day break then have it after game 4 of all series (and maybe game 6 too) and the same days break between each round (you should not get rewarded for having to play more games in previous round/when the other teams won in 5games, they shouldn’t have to wait the extra days. Like redwings were given from league last yr). Half of series start day 1, other half day 2… These playoff sch. really should be made before the reg. season starts (in terms of layout).
I understand the reg. season theres lots of extra things going on in a lot of the arenas. During the playoffs, the teams should have to follow the ‘rocket science’ sch. of league & extra shows/concerts are second in line… or your team forfeits, etc. Priorities.
I love how the wnnnnnnnnbc announcers during the nashville game said that Chicago has a ‘full day of rest’ while COL has to play on SN. Fucking chumps, I didn’t hear them say Chicago played 6 games in the last 10 days of reg. season. (makes me wonder how many COL did in those 10 days…) Doesn’t matter, just that those announcers need some electric shock treatment. To help them tell it how it is.
TV probably makes the schedule…the days and times are probably pretty much set early on. Then matchups determine the “funny” schedule (2 days rest). I will not complain about the afternoon games…Let’s talk an 8:30 PM puck drop at the UC. That crap is ridiculous, not only for fans. 2 teams playing in the central time zone shouldn’t have to condition their bodies to treat the game like a west coast game.
A Wednesday night start at 8:30 is just plain wrong for a Central matchup. This game should it go to overtime is WAAAY late on a work night. Didn’t we have one of these last year too?
Bring it on.
Lets Go Hawks!
Just a problem with Central time zone teams playing in a Western Conference. They want to maximize tv coverage so that involves starting the central games late to try to avoid overlapping with the Eastern games. It’ll really be closer to an 8:45 puck drop because of the pregame stuff.
Hey now, tons of fans, like myself. from IN have been dealing with 8:30 starts for yrs on end. Suck it up for a game lol. 1800 W Madison is 150 miles NNW from my driveway. Many nights late arriving home from the Stadium on a school night! Had season tickets for 93-94 so I could take in all I could of the Stadiums swan song. I think I made around 25 games that year. Long commute but memories galore
Scottie- I havent seen any official release on their status yet. Im guessing we wont know anything until Wednesday at the earliest… maybe not even until Thursday…
Not to sway the topic, but who else saw John Scott get lit up? He picked a fight with some < 6' guy on the islanders, and the guy put a left hook right on Scott's chin and dropped him. Definitely a fun watch if you make your way over to hockey fights.
As far as the schedule goes, I dont mind it. The hawks are a veteran team and they wont need to tweak things too much between games. in fact, it might work against them if they get too much time off. I think we will be fine and take it in 6 (maybe even 5), but ill go on the record for 6.
Scottie- the Status on Oshie/Backes- they are D-bags!!!
Tarasenko- is one of the only true finishers/offensive difference makers they have… Hope he is out!!!
Should be a very interesting series. St. Louis might be wounded, BUT they are under big time pressure to get over the hump. That team is too deep, too defensively strong, too well coached for me to be dismissive. The key for the Hawks is very simple….they need to leave St. Louis on Saturday night with one win in the two games. If they can do that then we shall see what happens from there.
My sense is Colorado will slice thru Minnesota like a vegi-matic. Can’t worry about that series, or the other two series in the Western Conference. Hawks have a formidable job in front of them.
Ryan Miller- Difference maker. Best deadline acquisition. He has something to prove now and he isn’t playing behind that bad Buffalo defense! I fully expect me making fun of him to come back and bite me in the ass and he gets 3 shut outs in the first round.
I’d say the first round depends on the health of Toews and Kane. I think if they are good to go, the series is over in 5 or 6 regardless of the health of St. Louis. A strong game 1 by the Hawks and St. Louis is done.
I think the best 4 teams in the West are facing off in the first round. I would love to see the Avalanche struggle with Minnesota and I fully expect Dallas to beat Anaheim.
I think that the Russian (or Soviet as Foley would say) will not be available.
I look for St. Louis to play a very physical body-on-body style of hockey. Going back to their modus operandi of pre-Hitchcock in fact. Also, the one undeniable fact from last year’s playoff runs is that if you can constantly shadow Toews and make him drag a player up and down the ice, then he can worn down. I suspect St. Louis will make that job 1 versus the Hawks. None of us knows how healthy Toews and especially Kane is.
My two keys to the series? Crawford and Shaw. Yep, a goalie and a role player. Shaw is going to take a physical beating, but he’s got to worm his way in front of the net, do the constant dirty work he is good at doing and keep out of the penalty box. Crawford is going to have to be stout. Goals will be at a premium in this series and I don’t expect any wild scoring affairs.
One last comment…I’m a fan of Steve Konroyd. Liked him a lot as a player, and I like him a lot as a studio host and in the booth. He might not be the flashiest guy or the best TV trained voice, but the guy is good. Which leads me to take a swipe at Pat Foley, the sanctimomous one of late. Pat is great, but his subliminal rips of Konroyd’s performance in the booth are a joke. Shut up Pat, check your ego at the door, and do your job. Konroyd is just fine. So what if he isn’t Eddie O for you to slobber all over for 60 minutes.
Rufus! We agree on something! I can’t stand Foley as of late. I feel like the guy used to be the best in the business, now he’s just a joke. He can barely do his job anymore. He rarely calls the action, uses the same verbs to describe everything (partially blocked partially blocked partially blocked), talks about hits like they are worth a damn, takes every chance he can to rip some former players- like Viktor Stalberg. Get over yourself Foley!
Good comments Ruf. I too like Konroyd’s commentary. He brings it from a hockey player perspective. Foley sometimes morphs into this Harry Carey person that he gets sidetracked with the game. Close, intense games Pat is quite good, but in the clunkers he tends to drift, especially with Eddie. Sometimes you just want those guys to shut up and save the BS for the bar. I remain a Foley fan and feel we have done well as fans with Pat’s broadcasts.
Blues series will be good theater I think. Key is always to take 1 out of 2 to start a 7 game series, especially if starting on the road. I don’t know how healthy the Blues will be later this week, but they appear to be pretty beat up. I have always said that their style of play leaves them physically diminished by playoffs. It appears that this is true again this year. I think the Hawks are deep enough where they eventually break through and score enough goals to beat the Blues. Blues cannot win via a game of intimidation. However their system if played properly can make it tough on opposing teams to score. They can really pack it around their own net. They rely on lots of deflections and rebounds to score. If the Hawks play strong team defense, which I believe they will, then the Indian head will prevail. I think the Hawks win in 6, but hopefully sooner. Let’s hope CC brings it like he did last year when the big games were on the line.
Everyone rest up the next few days. The show start Wednesday around the league and we lift off Thursday. NHL playoffs are the best and TV coverage this year will be excellent. I am tempted to drive down to St Louis for one of these games. Tickets are never tough to get.
Lets Go Hawks!
HAWKS in 6
I’ll go on record now with the 1st round
(West)
Avs,…I have NO idea how this team w perform in the playoffs, but I don’t think Minny wins
Hawks
Ducks
Kings,…poor Sharks
(East)
Wings,…Boston is losing in the 1st round watch!
MTL coming out the East thanks to Price and a strong defense. Canada needs someone to cheer on!
Pitt
Rangers,…I liked the Philly but they are slipping at the wrong time
One more comment expect lots of Zus vs this matchup, STL isn’t a quick team and Q will ride him in this round unless his STL exposes him. Although I would rather see Ben Smith in the center ice role. I also hope Morin plays somewhere on the team. The Hawks can use his style of play against these guys. I’m just not sure where he fits because this matchup suits Bollig’s game.
When Foley was radio only, he was outta sight. And I bet he could still give a great radio call. Even at current levels of slippage I will miss him when he’s done calling our games. I can tune out the nonsense easily I guess, just like with the long term mrs. RD!
Always thought it better to be healthy than hot come post season. Are we healthy? We will all find out together I suppose. Having Q say that he ”expects ….blah blah” don’t mean jack! Of course what else can he say? If assuming 19/88 can drop in at 85% and hit max by the 2nd round, who could justify not making us the West favorite?
Along the lines of entering playoffs ‘hot’, again hard to convince me the need but see the desire for, but I do think there is something favorably at work for teams who have to grab their playoff gear during the season just to get in. If you’re essentially playing post season type games the last month of a season, you’re stride will be pretty well honed. That can easily be seen as beneficial I feel. And it wouldn’t have to compute to getting ‘hot’. Just good enuff to pass whomever in the chase for 16 seeds, eh wth do i know? Thurs! Bring it!!
The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Boston Bruins are also the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, according to online bookmaker Bovada.
Following is the full list of Cup odds:
Boston Bruins 7/2
St. Louis Blues 6/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 7/1
Chicago Blackhawks 8/1
Anaheim Ducks 9/1
San Jose Sharks 9/1
Los Angeles Kings 10/1
Colorado Avalanche 14/1
Detroit Red Wings 20/1
Montreal Canadiens 20/1
New York Rangers 20/1
Philadelphia Flyers 20/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 25/1
Minnesota Wild 40/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 50/1
Dallas Stars 50/1
Wow I think both favorites are going out in the 1st round should be interesting!
anyone taking StL at 6 today is a couple of Zamboni’s short of resurfacing
RD- comment about your wife made me chuckle too loud for me to be comfortable with.
Not that I want to stir this pot again, but anyone hear Toews comments today regarding the Orpik hit?
“Our team was having a tough week there and we were trying to win that game. That was the most important thing. So to get into stupidity, I don’t think was going to help us at all as a team. The boys did the right thing. I don’t expect anything after something like that, that was a clean hit.”
I’m kind of surprised St. Louis is that high on the odds. Especially with how they have been playing lately and injuries. You have to think the Hawks are low because of Toews and Kane.
Would love to see us line up like this to open the series
20 19 88….88 thrives w/19
10 65 81….65 will to take a beating and let 10 and 81 do their thing
29 12 11….Line is clicking but gotta be responsible on D
23 16 28….Seems like best fit for 23
52 42 extras
2 7
4 27
8 17….17 has earned the time
32 extra
Nice lines Mike. I would only start with Rozy and not BB with Leddy. Good combos though! I would be happy with that, although Zus I am pretty sure will make the cut.
Those are good lines Mike but Q will mostly put Handzus in Shaw’s spot and put Shaw in place of Regin. I agree Brookbank is doing well while Rosy’s play has slipped a bit with all the turnovers.
No doubt. 26 and52 will be in the line up so you can scratch 11 and 12.
I am not even sure 11 and/or 12 will even make the playoff roster
Phil, I have no problem with 32 instead of 17…..both will be on the roster
JS, tell me you ain’t single son! No man among us should deny himself the bliss that is holy matrimony my friend.
SouthSide- thanks for the odds, just throwin these out for reference from early this season
mid-OCTOBER ’13
Pittsburgh Penguins 6/1
Chicago Blackhawks 15/2
San Jose Sharks 17/2
St. Louis Blues 17/2
Boston Bruins 10/1
Los Angeles Kings 14/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 14/1
Detroit Red Wings 16/1
Anaheim Ducks 20/1
Colorado Avalanche 20/1
Vancouver Canucks 20/1
Minnesota Wild 25/1
Montreal Canadiens 25/1
New York Islanders 28/1
New York Rangers 28/1
Ottawa Senators 28/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 33/1
Washington Capitals 33/1
Carolina Hurricanes 40/1
Edmonton Oilers 40/1
Philadelphia Flyers 40/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 50/1
Dallas Stars 50/1
Handzus will most definitely play in game 1 for precisely the reasons mentioned by the other poster. I think the guy on the bubble for suiting up should be Versteeg. Will that happen? Doubt it.
So, my guess is Q goes with the following…
Sharp – Toews – Hossa (the familarity will be key for Toews return)
Saad – Handzus – Kane
Bickell – Shaw – Versteeg
Bollig – Kruger -Smith
I would love Nordstrom to be out there, but he probably doesn’t make the post-season roster. Rather the bench of forwards will be Regin and Morin.
Rosival will start over Brookbank, especially given the pairing with Leddy.
I would really like to see Bickell skate on the top line w Toews & Hoss, that way Sharp and Kane can balance out Zus lack of speed. Saad, Shaw and Steeger on the 3rd line and Bollig Kruger and Smith as the 4th. It absolutely sucks that Morin can’t crack the lineup, I think that if Bollig or Steeg aren’t playing well Morin should slide into those rolls.
Brookbank has played well but lets hope he doesn’t see a lot of playoff minutes over Rosy. Rosy brings skill and a lot of experience and nasty to the team
RTF, I think you are right and those will be the lines.
One can only hope that the 2cd line isn’t hindered too much by 26 and that 23 can find the open man instead of skating into the zone, stopping and delaying while a opponent gets to him. Lines 1 and 4 look great.
Mike, Your lines are gold. Doubt we will see it though.
South side, I picked Detroit as my first round upset special. They have da coach to pull it off.
Reddsteel in 6.
I liked the old days when the first four games were back to back with a travel day in between and then every other. It was about da playoffs, not a TV schedule. The days of iron men and wooden ships.
Don’t know if the Red Wings can get by Boston, but they will give them a run for their money. The Wings are full of players who were not expected to play and don’t want to go back. Many of us have been humping this song all season. Let players like Morin, Nordstrom, Clendening and Ross have at it. Think about it, these kids are better for our system than 26, 52, 17, 32 and 12 (although 12 is fitting in well). Not only do we win as many or more games but we basically take care of our Cap Space issues.
My biggest fear however, is goaltending. If CC goes down, Raanta is not prepared to take the heat at this stage in his career.
So I was disappointed when I realized 5 minutes ago that it is in fact Tuesday not Wednesday. Waiting for playoff hockey to start is taking foreverrrrrrr.
Anyway, I would put a bill on the Hawks at 8-1. Also, I don’t think that they have the horses to make it but if Zberg comes back and is all Zbergy then 20-1 for Detroit depending on who comes out of the West is interesting. I suck at betting at sports so whatever.
Re Foley: The guy is the voice of the Hawks and has been for forever. My brother refers to him as the other Hawk Harrelson and that it is only a matter of time before he starts telling golf stories. Sox fan by the way but Hawk really irritates me. But that being said Foley still calls a pretty good game but someone needs to get him a thesaurus. A road can be partially blocked, an artery can be partially blocked, an intestine can be partially blocked, pretty sure a projectile can not be partially blocked. It can be blocked, parried, deflected, repelled – glance off | fend off | sidetrack | ricochet off shin pads or a stick. That phrase makes me seriously irate. And hearing it every single time. Ugh.
AJ, i had the same thought about today… i woke up to a crying baby at 4am and was like make it through today and hockey tomorrow… wait… dang!
As far as Odds go, i did get a few bucks on the hawks back in January to win the West 3/1 odd and then to win the whole thing at 15/2. I feel pretty good about it. Im actually think playing St. Louis first is a better fit for a long run. But as far as underdogs i actually like Montreal more at 20/1 than Detroit. Montreal and out score Tampa, and Price can steal a series vs Boston. And i like most everyone from the altantic side of the playoffs over the Metropolitian side. actually i think i just talked myself into hedging 2 bets… Boston at 13/10 to take the east and habs at 9/1 to take the east… if the habs win, the boston bet is only a small hit from those winning and if boston wins, then i make a very marginal profit after losing the habs bet, but a profit never the less.
The Boston hype machine has everyone going goofy over the B’s, listen they had a good season but I just don’t see it happening. I heard Lucic on NHL network has night and I had to laugh when he was talking about Detroit. To paraphrase, he said he usually don’t face teams as good as the Wings in the East. We had a hard time with them this year because of their skill because he are better then most teams they faced. He was surprised they were an 8th seed and knows they are going to have their hands full.
If Det steals that 1st game watch out
Sounds like Regin/Morin/Nordstrom in white jerseys today…
Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for, my playoff predictions!
East
1. Boston
WC2. Detroit
Boston in 6. I think Babcock is good enough for 2 wins himself, but Detroit doesn’t have nearly enough talent, especially with Z out.
2. Pitt
WC7. CBJ
Pens in 7. The Penguins have a tendency to start slow and CBJ is a big enough pain in the ass to push them to the limit.
3. TB
6. Montreal
Series rides on the health of Bishop. If he’s 100%, I’ll give TB in 6. If he isn’t? Montreal in 5. I don’t think he is.
4. NYR
5. Philly
Philly has awful goaltending and allow way too many shots a game. Seems like NYR should have a cakewalk, but Philly is always annoying. NYR in 6.
Yeah, I like Detroit just because the conference is meh and after Boston I don’t think there is much there. Babcock finds ways to make things interesting if not win and I think they can steal a game in Boston and win out at home. Should be a fun series to watch. The Habs are an interesting team but I don’t think they have enough horses aside from Price and Pacioretty. They will need to do some heavy lifting. But then its the playoffs and the margin for error shrinks and crazy things can happen.
SSH — the STL hype machine still has a huge hard on too. I think ESPN took the Blues over the Hawks for whatever goofy reason. I am kind of bias and there may be a close game or two but I really don’t see STL being that threatening. Take a game? Maybe. Win the series? Nah.
Boston is an easy pick just because the east is Boston …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2-7 in no particular order. Maybe put Pitt up there a pinch away from the pack but other than Crosby there isn’t much separating them from everyone else. A Boston meltdown would be more satisfying than Detroit getting swept in my eyes.
West!
1. Anaheim
WC2. Dallas
Anaheim is right up there with Colorado for “lucky ass teams”. They shoot way too high of a percentage Will it drops? I think so. Good luck stopping Jamie and Tyler. Dallas in 7.
2. Colorado
WC1. Minnesota
This is the only matchup I think Colorado had a chance of winning. I predicted a while ago that they wouldn’t make the playoffs… and then that they would be a first round out. So that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Minnesota in 5.
3. SJS
6. LAK
This will probably be the best series of the first round. Sadly, the two teams are going to kill each other and more than likely their chances of advancing in the playoffs. The good news is whichever team gets out of this alive will get to face a pretty soft Dallas team. Can Quick or Niemi remember how to play goalie? SJS in 7.
4. St. Louis
5. Chicago
Well we all thought this would be the second round matchup for most of the season. Boy are we a bunch of idiots! Is Ryan Miller going to remember how to play goalie or is he going to continue sliding all over the place and freezing every time a shot comes towards him? Is Oshie still seeing double? Does Backes still have sex with dogs? I don’t think it matters, the Hawks are in a different league than the Blues. Hawks in 5.
Without explaining… this is what i got…
Bos-5
Mon-6
Pit-5
NYR-7
ANA-6
SJ-6
COL-7
HAWKS-6
I agree with Mike, it would nice to have more young kids integrated into the Hawks system like Detroit (they kind of had to with all the injuries). A kid like Jurco is younger than some in Rockford and he is doing well (youtube some of the stick skills this kid has). Morin, Nordstrom,Regin would be nicer than Handzus,Bollig and even Versteeg.
Oh as far as predictions
Bruins 4-2 over Wings
Canadiens 4-3 over Bolts
Penguins 4-2 over Blue Jackets
Flyers 4-3 over Rangers
Avs 4-2 over Wild
Hawks 4-2 over Blues
Stars 4-3 over Ducks
Sharks 4-3 over Kings
AJ I was looking at ESPN hockey(don’t ask me why). EVERY EXPERT had Boston also the Hawks and Blues were split. Although all the expects that picked STL had them in 7 games where most had Chicago in 6. My personal pet pev is expects always saying 7 games,…very few series actually go 7 games…pick a lane sally! Just my opinion.
During the last game I was waiting for Foley to work “Tree-turdie-tree” in for the “turd” time. He’s become a turd, in my opinion – he and Eddie-OH (- at times, that’s ZERO) try to be the Two Stooges too often. Foley used to be very good at calling a game. Now, too many shout-outs, pontificating, and drawing attention to unsung members of the staff, etc. I don’t especially like Konroyd either, but at least he doesn’t try to clown it up.
Besides all that, I think the Hawks will win the series (but, we’ll see).
SSH – Don’t disagree. I legitimately think sweep (Hawks v STL), though 5 is more reasonable. Bucci is usually not an idiot so I’d like to see his justification for that. The Burnside article lacked a lot of substance aside from picking a team absent any kind of discernable rationale. Irritating. I think the LAK – SJS series is the one that is legitimately 7 games either way again.
DD – Yea its been down hill. Not to where I despise him but man some games are rough. Agree about Konroyd, he at least tries to keep things professional until Foley starts berating him on the air.
Over all Id take the:
Wings in 6, Tampa in 5, Penguins in 4, Rangers in 6, AVS in 5 Bryzgalov sucks in the post season, Hawks in 4, Stars in 6 Lehtonen plays out of his mind, SJS in 7 because So Cal don’t care about holding everyone else up and Havlat lights it up until injuring himself stepping off team bus.
Interesting-
23/19/20
10/26/81
29/65/88
52/16/28
positives- w 29 finally skating w speed again- the 3rd line is as good as any
balance is good, And 81/10 are the only two wings that can make 26 look ok!!!
negatives- prefer Saad on LW (and Morin on RW) – 20/19 can cover up for any “rookie” mistakes… I will miss the chemistry that 16/12 had- (I know we need someone to take punches in the one or two fights that could happen (52))
so ..Versteeg centered by Toews with Saad on the other side…bet no one saw that coming…for all the Versteeg haters out there I still contend that he is a perfect fit for this team. Going to be a heck of a darn good series. We really need Crow to show us the good stuff and I’m sure he will. Kane on third line…wow…bet no one saw that coming either.
Trying to take advantage of the, maybe not lack but unsubstantial depth on STL and hopefully get one of Hossa, Toews or Kane against their meh third pairing. JBow and Pietrangelo are going to have to carry a heavy load so trying to make Hitch make a decision regarding who to shut down.
Honestly he played this mind game shit against Babcock and almost paid for it. They beat the Bruins by attacking their best players not playing cutesy games. That is how they had most of their success through the playoffs. Q finna Q.
What can be the most perplexing thing about playoff hockey is what a hot goalie can do to a series. Hawks fans know this re the PHX series from a few years ago. I still don’t like diving champion Mike Smith by the way. So I am always interested in watching the first 2 games in all of the match-ups to see if any goalies are completely stoning an opposing team. Which goalie or goalies will it be this year? This tends to be where the upsets take place, and there will 1-2 good teams that lose in the first round. I think it hilarious that basically all pundits are already giving the Cup to the B’s! Of course the Bruins are good, but there are plenty of teams out West that can best those guys. Remember the Hawks last year starting out against the big, bad Bruins? No chance for those soft Blackhawks….. It’s like listening to the East coast media play up the Yanks and Red Sox in baseball as though no other teams play MLB. What BS hype.
Let the games begin, and
Lets Go Hawks!
Blues are sending out emails to try and get their fans to buy playoff tickets. Kind of pathetic and sad one day before the series begins.
Lets Go Hawks!
I will be in STL next Friday for game 5 and tickets are a 115 for 100 level! What a steal!
Good call Mining Man, I caught Steeger on NHLN, he said he feels healthy and confident. Add in the fact he has very solid playoff numbers 37 points in 57 games, and it shows that he can put up points when it matters most. I am looking at him and Bickell to have a good series!
Here is the latest from Rotoworld:
Vladimir Sobotka is slated to be available for Game 1 of the Blues’ first-round series versus Chicago.
T.J. Oshie (upper body) hasn’t been cleared for contact yet.
Patrik Berglund (upper body) isn’t expected to play in Game 1 against Chicago on Thursday night.
David Backes (foot) didn’t skate Tuesday.
The St. Louis Blues think Vladimir Tarasenko (hand) will be available before the end of the first round.
Thanks for the update SSHM. I think the Hawks better kick em while they are down.
Here’s the latest from practices:
STL lines today:
29-20-42
9-17-91
10-12-75
32-40-79
D
19-27
5-22
33-46
Tarasenko skated today, looked fine, skated on the first PP unit. Backes and Sobotka skated today. Oshie & Berglund did not.
STL PP units (w/out Oshie):
9-17-42-20-22
12-10-91-19-27
Sounds like Tarasenko is going to play,…he is one of the few gamebreakers STL has.
Doesn’t matter. Reddsteel is da better team, period.
SSHM- totally agree… Tarasenko- is a BIG asset for the Blues… Blues have a much better chance w/ him… without him- not as much scoring/skating/Offensive IQ.
Tarasenko gets the green light for tonight,…too bad he’s a guy the Hawks actually have to worry about!