Blackhawks Fall 4-1, Series Tied
A Saturday matinee once again treated the Blackhawks poorly, and the Red Wings handed the Hawks a loss equal to the defeat Chicago had given Detroit earlier in the week.
The Hawks got on the board first, as a pretty passing sequence started by Patrick Sharp ended with Patrick Kane’s first postseason goal since Game 5 of the 2011 playoffs. But that was all Jimmy Howard would allow on Saturday.
And the Hawks didn’t make him work very hard the rest of the way. Detroit limited the Hawks to only 20 shots, 19 of which were stopped by Howard.
Howard wasn’t the only star to step up for the Red Wings. Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk both played at the world-class level fans have become accustomed to seeing from the Red Wings two best forwards, and the Blackhawks had no answer for either.
Zetterberg had two assists in the game, while Datsyuk won 11 of 17 faceoffs. Zetterberg was charged with frustrating Jonathan Toews all day, and was effective doing just that; Chicago’s captain won only nine of 22 faceoffs and had zero points in the game.
The Wings’ captain made a series of moves on his assist to Brendan Smith (video), which ultimately was the game-winner. Zetterberg kept his stick between the puck and a lunging Niklas Hjalmarsson, controlled the puck and put it between Duncan Keith’s legs to the streaking Smith for an easy goal.
Just as he did to one Jack Adams finalist – Bruce Boudreau – in the final game of the first round, Mike Babcock forced another – Joel Quenneville – to mix his lines in an effort to match the visiting Babcock.
Michal Handzus once again looked slow between Sharp and Kane, and was ultimately replaced there by Dave Bolland for a number of shifts. Daniel Carcillo, who led the Hawks with seven hits, didn’t see much ice time after taking a dumb penalty in the second period; Carcillo was limited to only 7:40 in Game Two. There’s a chance Viktor Stalberg could replace either of those forwards for Game Three in Detroit.
Another disturbing trend is the regularity of Bolland’s visits to the penalty box. He’s already been called for five minor penalties in only two postseason games against Detroit. While the Hawks’ penalty kill continues to be perfect in the postseason, the frequency of Bolland’s penalties hasn’t been a positive.
Corey Crawford struggled to control the puck in the first period, but came back with better rebound control in the second. Unfortunately, he didn’t get as much help from the skaters in front of him in this game as he did in Game One; after facing only 21 shots in the first game of the series, the Wings put 20 on net in the first 40 minutes on Saturday. When the game ended, Crawford had allowed four goals against 30 shots, but none of them were “soft.”
The series is now tied, and the Red Wings have taken away the Hawks’ home ice advantage. After Babcock adjusted from a stunning defeat after Game One, the ball is now in Quenneville’s court to match Detroit’s coach at his building in Game Three.
Like I said before- 26 can’t skate w/ these guys-
Q- for the Patch Adams- why for benching one of the fastest skaters in NHL???
Gotta get Toews going-
10-19-88
Smith/20-36-81
29-65-25
67-16-Smith/Morin
Cmon- Patch Quenville
Yeah, I lay this one on Q’s lap…yes, the players didn’t respond well, but Q’s lineup was purposefully short handed for no particular reason. Babock owned Q today, and the game was in Chicago…and the Hawks have a day to re group and then they had better be at full strength come Monday because these Wings came to play and just smacked the Hawks square on the jaw.
My favourite NHL player is Tazer, so dumping on him is difficult to do when I see all the little things he does game in and game out…but facts are facts, the captain just hasn’t got it going yet in the playoffs…the 1st line against Minny was a wash in the series, and still is against Detroit. That can’t happen…Toews and Hossa are 2 of the best players in the world, and they have got to start playing like it. It’s time for the line to stand up and lead this team, or the Hawks could be in trouble.
Detroit has world class coaching and goaltending, and that is always tough to beat in the playoffs. We had better see both Stahlberg and Ben Smith come Tuesday to spark this team, because they had NO ANSWERS at all today…and Q looked in shock.
Crawford was not the reason the Hawks lost this game, but he didn’t stand on his head like opposition goaltenders always seem to do either…and the 4th goal was very soft, not that it mattered much. But during the playoffs we are going to need our goalie to steal at least one game and CC has not shown all year that he can do this. Emery has a couple of times but not CC…and again, that’s not bashing Crawford, but he has to be as good as the goalies we are facing.
Come on Tazer, get hungry!
Q’s decision to “take apart” the 3rd line after all they had accomplished this season in favour of chronically under achieving Dave Bolland, was stupid to say the least. Let’s just hope 29-65-25 can put the magic back for game 3.
So we’re blaming Quenneville for the lineup that owned the Red Wings in Game One failing in Game Two? That makes sense… smh
re: the lineup – If Bolland could stay out of the box, he might be able to step into a 2C role against one of Zetterberg/Datsyuk for Handzus. Unfortunately, he’s struggled to stay on the ice for his 11-13 minutes per game in this series. He has to stay out of the box to make an impact.
And Brad getting in the obligatory shots at Crawford after a loss just makes me chuckle… because the 4 goals scored by Detroit were soft/on him… smh again.
I say time to switch things up. Put smith and stalberg in for carcillo and handzus. I still think the Hawks win this in 5 or 6 games.
I absolutely love the Q bashing that goes on when we lose a game. No different than last year when everyone wanted him and Bowman fired. We played bad and lost a game. THAT IS ALL IT IS….
Yes Q will tinker with lines to get things going, that’s what he does. Did anyone notice Babcock changed things up today. We are 5-2 in the playoffs so far and have had the best record in the NHL this season. So far not to bad. All you armchair coaches need to shut the fuck up and be happy. Lets see how this plays out in game 3.
Tab try reading the comments first before you retaliate, like a child…Q’s lineup in game one was good enough because the Wings were clearly still tired after their first series…after 3 days of rest, today was the day to judge the lineups…Q lost…but I was really describing the in game matchups between coaches. How did Babock own Q in our arena??? But that’s what happened…from the midpoint of the 2nd period Q spent the rest of the game responding to what Babock was doing instead of making things difficult on the Wings…his players followed suit.
Describe that game in one word? Difficulty…the Wings made it difficult for the Hawks to play (by taking penalty after penalty mind you that weren’t called) and the Hawks did NOTHING to make things hard on the Wings…that coaching, plain and simple…and Q is not the first coach to be schooled by Babock…he’s the master.
As to Crawford, I wrote that it was NOT his fault, but he has to get better, at least as good as the opposing goalies. In this series he hasn’t been…and today we needed him to stand on his head, and he didn’t…again, not CC’s fault, but he’s not an elite goaltender either…but look around the playoffs Tab and what do you see???
DET – elite
LA – elite
SJ – elite
BOS – elite
NYR – elite
OTT – elite
And now that Pittsburgh has gone to Vokuhn he’s played elite. Crawford isn’t a bum, or a weak link at this point, but he isn’t winning us any games either…all those other teams have had games won already in these playoffs by their goalies…and in game 1 versus the Wings, Howard was All Galaxy…
So before you blow your loud horn, read the post first…smh…
Saad/Toews/Kane
Sharp/Smith/Hossa
Bickill/Shaw/Stalberg
Frolik/Kruger/Bolland
-Puts the third line back together
-Putting Toews and Kane together could spark both of them to play better (and Saad will go as Toews goes)
-Smith would provide a spark, and playing with the vets Hossa and Sharp would ease him into the lineup
-Bolland should be great playing as a fourth liner and PK specialist
And also Wall and Brad are always like that, so I wouldn’t let it bother you.
Al, STFU, and read the comments…Q is a finalist for the Jack Adams Award…he’s a HOF coach, but he was wrong about the Stahlberg situation and wrong to go with Carcillo…and yes, it is just one game, and all of the Hawks will rebound, including Q…but remember this…Detroit now has home ice advantage, and in our own building today, Babock had Q running around like a chicken with his head cut of…that could be trouble…that’s it…not the end of the world.
“look around the playoffs tab and what do you see???”
Crawford, CHI – .937 sv pct, 1.64 GAA
Quick, LA – .947 sv pct, 1.56 GAA
Howard, DET – .916 sv pct, 2.58 GAA
Niemi, SJ – .921 sv pct, .2.24 GAA
Rask, BOS – .926 sv pct, 2.36 GAA
Lundqvist, NYR – .945 sv pct, 1.76 GAA
Anderson, OTT – .931 sv pct, 2.52 GAA
Those number are thru the Game 2 in CHI (before LA-SJ on Sat night).
What do I see? Crawford’s numbers stacking up with all of the “elite” guys you listed, Brad.
Brad, I got an idea, lets bring back Savard as coach and Pully as GM…
Brad’s argument is based on the idea that those other goalies can “steal” a game while Crawford can’t. I say that’s pretty subjective and that the final numbers are all that matters.
Today ‘s result was nothing more than a flat, stinker of a game; no one on skates distinguished himself. At best, 50 seemed to be fighting the puck and didn’t look comfortable or confident to me today. Even though 26 had a nice dish to 88 on the goal, he’s clearly seen his better days. I’ve said it before, he’s so damn slow that he reminds me of Bruno. Besides his dot work, I’ve seen enough of him.
36 & 65 have to have some poise and control; enough time in the box
19 has to get going
PP is 2 minutes of wasted time; prefer 5-5 as they’re just better w/o the advantage
PK…this can’t last forever
Although I’m not one of those ranting about 25 being scratched, I do think G3 Monday is the time to put him back on the ice. I really think he will come out with something to prove. I also think the Hawks will be on point Monday as well.
Also, before anyone jumps off the ledge, let’s not forget that in 2010 the Hawks lost G1 at the UC to the Preds and lost twice at home to the f’ing Nucks…all 3 games by 4-1 & 5-1 scores; then went on to take both series in 6.
GO HAWKS…Monday will be much better!
My intention is not to stir the pot or take sides but my opinion of Crawford is the same after the game today as it was before the game – that he’s an average NHL goalie who has played well with a very good defensive team in front of him. Please note that the word “average” is not a knock on Crawford – it simply means he is not among the very top goalies in the best league in the world. I put Jimmy Howard into the same category – average NHL goalie. Strictly based on their play (discounting salary), there are at least 10 goalies I think would have better stats playing behind the Hawks’ defense than Crawford does. Lundquist, Quick, Niemi, Rinne, Anderson, Rask, Bobrovsky, Schneider, Lehtonen, Smith – there’s 10 goalies I would trade straight up for Crawford (again – salary not considered).
Crawford – along with everyone else on the Hawks bench including the coaching staff, did not play a good game today. Crawford on a better day probably stops at least 2 of those 4 goals today. Elite goalies probably stop 2 of those 4 goals every day and maybe stop 1 or both of the other goals on their better days.
One more thing about 36; he’s supposed to be getting under someone else’s skin and drawing a dumb penalty, not the other way around. WTF…stay out of the box Bolly!
Tails- “Wall and Brad are always like that”- what is that supposed to mean???
By the way- everything I said regarding the line-up… YOU seem to agree with!
Only real problem with Coach Q and his brilliant ability to mix and match lines is-
Hawks were soooooo dominant this year- we really never had to do it! Now when we actually need to do it– because complete lack of production from Saad and Toews- I hope he can flip that switch- I hope it is that easy.
Tab- Crow did not lose game- but those stats are meaningless- especially behind that incredible deep DEFENSE (please see your past article)…
But like Hawks58 implies with his stats… Stalberg has been on the ice for very few goals 5 on 5— yet He sits in the Doghouse!!!
And our PP sucks– and We could easily be down 2-0… couple of posts on PK and quick stick by Seabs- ( and that was in a game we dominated!!!)
Tails- you also agree that Toews needs to get going- if he doesn’t we are not making SC!!!
Just the facts!!!
Humbling game for the Hawks. Need to use it as motivation for Game 3. Stew on it tonight. Forget about it tomorrow. Use the day off to make adjustments.
Two things on Q:
1) He’s not getting out coached when the entire Hawks team is getting out skated and losing every 50/50 battle. That’s on the players, not the coach.
2) In regards to personel, we don’t know what goes on in the locker room or training room. It’s easy to say “put in Smith for a spark” or “put Stalberg back in the line-up” but in reality we have no idea. It’s just speculation.
Hawks barely tested Howard today.
Totally agree on Bolland – we need him on the ice (and ideally with 10 & 88). Unless he’s dragging Datsyuk into the box with him, he should not be in there.
Bad games Boys,nothing to get worried about.I can’t bash this team and neither one of you can truly.Bad game thats all.I think they’re allowed that after the season they’ve had.Sharpen the blades,change things up and work harder.They looked slow,made mistakes.Not worried.Crawford has won a couple games for us.Bolland had a bad game.And Zetter erg did his job as an elite two way forward on Toews.Were gonna get it back no question.
As a professional sportswriter you know full well that Emery and CC’s stats are bouyed by the Hawk’s puck possession style of play, the elite level of talent on this team, their PK and the whole team commitment to defence. This is why not one of them was listed for the Vezina. Because the rest of the league knows this as well.
And again, that doesn’t mean CC is a bad goalie, he’s not…but in these tough playoffs, we are going to need our goalie to win us a couple of games, likely on the road, if we are going to win the Cup…every other goalie on that list has done that already. Today was a game where we needed our goalie to stand on his head…he didn’t and that’s just the way it is…not Crawford’s fault.
But please stop trying to sell CC as an elite goalie, its not very funny.
Saad is unfortunately an anchor this postseason. Great regular season, perhaps rookie of the year, but he simply can’t score this postseason. Like Leddy last year, who couldn’t clear someone out of the crease to save his life, we are seeing a learning curve with the rookies. The first line is suffering as a result.
Hawks lacked drive and timing. Breakouts were sloppy and no one was streaking trying to create an odd man rush. At least that was my take watching second half of period 2 and the third. The offense didn’t generate even a hard shot on net that whole time. The UC was a morgue. What a dismal afternoon.
Hawks weren’t going to sweep so adjust and play harder Monday. It’s for the Cup guys. Where is the passion to be the best!? They’re going through the motions waiting for someone else to do something. Initiate. Attack. The O has to do a better job. Crank the puck. Two games in 10 days is not helping, either.
Stalberg and either Smith or Morin should be in the lineup for Carcillo and Handzus. This series is about speed and skill. Watering down our lines with Carcillo and Handzus is a huge mistake. The only positive about this game is that Q should realize this and play the right people. If we have our best 12 out there and lose fine, but to water down the lines and then lose in a game that wasn’t competitive at the end is tough. And this game was not competitive at the end.
Jeff- I agree 100%- I have been calling for Saad to play down on the 2nd/4th line all year- not because he isn’t very good – but because of learning curve… it took him about 18 games to adjust to pro game… (and I don’t think Hoss and Saad ever really got on same page) – and now there is another huge learning curve in Playoff hockey against
veteran Wings studs- Is Toews really getting that outplayed???
Smith has shown an ability to get to the net in past Playoff games… I think we need both Smith and 25… then Q will have a lot more options for line juggling.
But w/ 13, 26 and no 25- his lines are limited!!!
Zebra Greg mentioned it in 2010 this team just has a tendency to lay an egg and suck collectively. That team bounced back. We will see what this team is made of in game 3.
I do have to compliment one helluva a performance by #40 in the white sweater. As a hockey fan you have to appreciate a world class performance for his squad. He owned Tazer today.
He did this throughout the Anaheim series. Detroit came together in that series. That being said, there is a lot of good hockey left in this series. I firmly believe this will be Reddsteels wakeup call.
I think the Wings are having a good laugh and a sigh of relief with our regular 3rd line being split up.
We can and will win in Detroit, how many games is the key
Zetterberg had his way all day, neutralize him, reinsert some speed in our lineup, stay out of the Box.
This was just a poor showing all around for the Hawks yesterday. They had no jump at all. I attribute that to the fact that we looked much quicker in the first game and it might have got into their heads making them over confident. I have been watching these last 2 games from out of the country, but at least with modern technology and a good laptop this is possible which is cool. Apart from that nice passing play that resulted in the first goal, there was basically nothing for the UC crowd to get behind yesterday. I give the Wings credit top to bottom. They came to play and never let up. Their best players were better than ours, period. So well done Babcock and company.
I would like to know what the hell happened with Stahlberg? What did he say to draw the wrath of Q? While Stahlberg sometimes makes some bad decisions on the ice with neutral zone turnovers, I think we need his speed and size in the lineup. Wings d men are not that fast and 25 can create some trouble with his end to end speed. So I think we should see 25 back in the lineup tomorrow in the motor city.
Carcillo can sit, no loss there. Zues can get a day off as well. I would be happy to see Smith play as he is a proven playoff gamer. Bolly better get his act together. He has taken needless penalties too frequently. I like his grit, but just play tough and stay out of the box. Ditto for Shaw, although I think the refs are looking for the kid more these days. Winning a few face offs wouldn’t hurt either, but our center ice men all sucked yesterday at the dot.
So the Capt. really needs to pick up his game. He let Zetterberg hold, interfere with no push back. The Wings game is to play the interference game to the edge, and then its on the zebras to draw the line. JT is a very competitive guy so I believe we will see the tables turned the rest of the series. Some line juggling will help. I like the previously stated idea to get the third line back together. Those guys helped the engine run at high revs all year. When the Hawks(any team) can roll 4 lines it’s tough to compete against.
So now it’s a best of 5 series. Let’s see what we have. I believe we take at least one game in Detroit and maybe 2 in this series. Games are decided by a small margin, and that shrinks more in the playoffs. Lucky bounce here or there and that’s where games are won. Pucks need to get to the net! When in doubt SHOOT. Reluctance to this on Hawks PP is ridiculous given our fire power. Detroit plays extremely aggressive pk. so the puck needs to move quickly to moving players into open space or guys mobile around the cage. Easier said than done, but just get off some shots for Pete’s sake. You can’t score if you don’t shoot.
Monday should be a great game and I will be back in town to enjoy watching it.
Lets Go Hawks!
Sr Brad…
“he’s not an elite goaltender either…but look around the playoffs Tab and what do you see???
G W L T AV GA SA SV SV% SO
DET – elite 42 21 13 7 2.13 87 1129 1042 .923 5
LA – elite 37 18 13 4 2.45 87 889 802 .902 1
SJ – elite 43 24 12 6 2.16 93 1220 1127 .924 4
BOS – elite 36 19 10 5 2.00 70 980 910 .929 5
NYR – elite 43 24 16 3 2.05 88 1190 1102 .926 2
OTT – elite 24 12 9 2 1.69 40 677 637 .941 3
Crawford 30 19 5 5 1.94 57 769 712 .926 3
It’s a *TEAM* game, and it’s a TEAM game for DET, SJ, LA, BOS, OTT, and NYR – it looks to me like Crawford rates “elite”. See also Tab’s post – I took the larger, regular season sample.
Al,
“Brad, I got an idea, lets bring back Savard as coach and Pully as GM…” – ONLY if Bill Wirtz can return!!
ZebraGreg…26 old & slow, 36 & 65 – poise and control, Toews = WAKE UP!, PP is 2 minutes of wasted time, PK can’t last forever, and especially GO HAWKS…Monday will be much better! – Good points!!
I don’t know why we think Smith will come in and play better against Detroit than anyone else did today. He has a sample size of 3 games two years ago?
In my opinion if you suit up Handzus and Carcillo it puts more pressure on the Hawks stars to win the game. And yesterday for whatever reason they didn’t get it done. Shouldn’t Q put the best 12 skaters out there and roll 4 lines. Tab you really haven’t taken a position on whether stahlberg and Smith/Morin should be playing instead of Carcillo and Handzus.
After a stinker like that, the Hawks need a boost…Stahlberg and Ben Smith will provide that. Toews has to be physical with Zetterberg and play a much simpler, stronger, dominating game.
And let’s be honest, most of Babock’s brilliance lies in designing a game stratedgy that is kosher with the refs. This is playoff hockey, and yesterday the Wings interfered, clutched, grabbed and held at every turn, when the Hawks used their sticks, like slashing, it got called. Now, like Toews, you could call this biased officiating, but it’s not really, its just how they are calling the games.
Take Detroit’s 3rd goal…the Detroit winger runs right at Leddy while he’s trying to defend Zetterberg, runs him right out of the play, and the DET centre walks in on CC all alone as a result…NO CALL…cheating, biased officiating? Or just how they are calling, or not calling things?
One final note…yesterday, 3 of Detroit’s goal were due directly to Hawk forwards not racing to back check…this is what Stahlberg excels at…that’s why he was +16 on the season…look back yesterday…that’s why Bolland, Kane and others were -2…they didn’t back check. I have said it ALL SEASON LONG, for whatever reason, Dave Bolland has lost his drive and edge to his game…he was a wasted roster space during the season, and he has been during these playoffs. He should be demoted to the 4th line as a role player, and an extra option for Q with matchups…any talk about PROmoting Bolland to the 2nd line is crazy…when you put Kane and Bolland on the ice together, you are asking for goals against.
Bolly has been a good Hawk, and hasn’t been a defensive liability before, but he is now.
67/smith-19-88 or even 10-19-88
smith/67-10-81
25-65-29
16-36-20
more balance
more speed
better D balance from forwards
NEED to get TOEWS going!!!
I hate to be tough on a guy who, for the last 4 years, has brought “it” every game. But something is wrong with David Bolland. His roughing penalty, yesterday, was “ridiculous”. He has no stick, so he puts both of his hands in the face of a Detroit player. Dave, that’s roughing and that’s a STUPID penalty. I can live with tripping calls, hooking calls and the “part of the game” penaltes, but roughing is a stupid penalty when you’re not protecting a teammate.
On three of the face offs that he lost, he let the center go and didn’t play good defense. Dave, if you lose the face off you stay with the center……hockey 101!!
Where is the David Bolland that shut down the Sedin sisters in 2011 and almost led the Hawks to a 4-3 series win against Vancouver? WHERE IS HE?????
Again, I hate to bash these guys because they are great players and really good guys in the hockey community, but Toews is letting a (34?) year old man beat him up. Zetterberg is a great player, but world class??? NO!! Toews is a world class player who is ten years his junior. It’s time to stop worrying about individual accolades and start getting our hands dirty.
I didn’t want to post right after the game so I’d have time to think about the game.
It’s one game so I’m not overly worried, but a few things need to change.
Carcillo brings nothing to the team for this series. This one is all about speed and he brings none of that to the series. Stalberg needs to be playing.
Bolland for whatever reason is not the same player, he can’t play on the 2nd line and he brings very little to the third line.He also needs to stop taking stupid penalties. Same with Shaw.
Saad is struggling during the playoffs, it was there against the Wild and it’s the same with the Wings. Put him on the 2nd line and move Kane up to the 1st.
Put the 3rd line back together.
The Hawks had a great shot to put the Wings behind the eight ball on Saturday but they didn’t come out with the same intensity they showed in the 2nd and 3rd periods of game 1. They need to take it to the Wings from the get go Monday or they will be in trouble.
Stalberg back in a black jersey at practice, on 3rd line with Shaw & Bickell on Sunday.
Thats great news. Any word on Handzus. I think the Hawks have more depth in terms of speed and skill than the Wings 1-12 at forward, but the Hawks best 12 have to play. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are extremely good players, so the bottom 6 forwards is an area where the Hawks should have the advantage and that is why I’m whining about Carcillo and Handzus. They are watering down the Hawks depth advantage. Even if Q feels he has to play one, that is a lot better than both of them. Also the Hawks outhit Detroit yesterday in a game where they were not competitive in the third period. I’m not sure that stat matters in this series IMO. GO HAWKS.
Grat to hear that Stalberg is potentially back. I think some are jumping the gun on Handzus. His play has been poor in this series but he also hasn’t been practicing. Zeus looks off out there. If he can’t go in practice I think it is unfair to him and the team to throw him out there on the 2nd line. Maybe move him to center the 4th line and help Krugs out.
Put Stalberg back on the 3rd line, Bolland on the 2nd line, but let Sharp take the draws.
Thought Zus was a key component to Kanes goal,grant it started with Sharps hardwork.So #25 on the 3 line and where does that leave Bolland? Kane and Hossa should maybe reunite for some old chemistry if Toews line will continue to face opposing top lines.Agree Saad is too young for top line duty in the playoffs.Though trial by fire forges Steel.Sharp Toews and Smith would work out Id like to think.Saad on the 4th could work
That’s good news, thanks for the update Tab…
Tom, I agree with your post…good insights.
Well lets hope Vik is back in for G3. 36 should not even sniff anything more than 4th line duty. Sorry, I have seen enough of his game this year. He hasn’t earned the playing time to date. I expect CC to be on his game in Detroit. Matching 88 with 19 is a good idea. Still impatiently waiting for a Smith sighting. We gave Detroit a lot of momentum heading to the Joe…. We have to come out hard to show we are not the team from G2. We play very well on the road , I see no reason for that to stop now. I like our chances Monday
I am not sure what all the commotion is about. Who thought the Red Wings would roll over and play dead. As stated before, the Wings are a veteran group who know how to win and they have a great coach who responded brilliantly to the situation. In some ways I am happy the loss was 4-1 instead of 2-1. A good ass whoopin can wake up a club. I stand by the Hawks in 6.
Now it is Qs turn to respond. The feeling out period is over for this series. Skill and patience will dictate the winner. The Hawks have the advantage. Let’s hope they use it effectively.
Glad I waited a few days to read this.
Q got pantsed- very similar to what happened in the Wild game. Detroit didn’t change up their forecheck much, but they had no issues with moving the puck out of their zone and they definitely found the weakness in attacking the Hawks blue line. They were completely untouched on almost every zone entry.
On defense they were just staying tight and forcing the Hawks wide. Since the Hawks are incapable of dump and chase (which I blame on the forwards standing at the blue line instead of moving up with the play), it made it almost impossible to sustain pressure- especailly when Detroit was having such an easy time moving the puck out.
It is now Q’s time to adjust. Stalberg back in the lineup will make a difference because he’s a fast enough skater to beat a defensemen wide. He’s also capable of winning a board battle on a dump and chase.
I said it last round and I’ll say it again, Toews needs to be better. The whole “he’s going against the other teams top pairing!” means nothing to me when you see how good the other stars are doing… I don’t know if he’s hurt or what, but I never feel like other teams are threatened when he has the puck. He really needs to get going or this is going to be a longer summer than we all wanted.
Crawford is good. He made a couple spectacular saves. Hawks aren’t going to win many games when they only score one goal with 20 SOG. Anyone see how bad Anderson was on Friday night? King Henry gave up a 5 spot to the Bruins yesterday. Sometimes good goalies have bad games. Crawford is more than capable of stealing a game, he just hasn’t had to do it this post season.
Anyway, it’s one loss. Execute tonight and we’ll all be happy again.
Mike, good thoughts. As fans, we sometimes over analyze the entire game and every little thing that happens within that game. The truth is, however, the Hawks played a bad game. Period. The Red Wings played a perfect game.
So now it’s best 3 out of 5. Unless the Hawks completely fold up, they’ll win it in 6.
Thanks for waking me up, Mike.
Well another shitty effort by the Hawks. Looks like this series is over.
What a waste