NHL W. Conference Finals: Red Wings defeat Blackhawks 4-1

[Soul]

I'll give him one more home game, but if we're down 3-2, then I go to Huet.

 

At that point though, you're just giving Huet a chance to have his only playoff appearance being the elimination game.

 

And? Khabibulin is the better goalie, and he gets more than two bad road games before you yank him for a completely cold goalie.

 

Khabi has had years to perform up to his contract as a Blackhawk. So far he's only done so for part of half a season. He's had his own cold stretches this year, and he's not coming back next year. So what's the point in sticking with him? He doesn't have a track record with the team worthy of sticking with him through thick and thin. It probably doesn't matter. But with Khabi doing nothing so far this postseason and it making no sense to bring him back next year, I'd go with Huet now.

 

I really don't like Huet. I kinda wish the Hawks hadn't even signed him. The man is prone to cold streaks that make Khabi look like a world beater.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Khabi has had years to perform up to his contract as a Blackhawk. So far he's only done so for part of half a season. He's had his own cold stretches this year, and he's not coming back next year. So what's the point in sticking with him? He doesn't have a track record with the team worthy of sticking with him through thick and thin. It probably doesn't matter. But with Khabi doing nothing so far this postseason and it making no sense to bring him back next year, I'd go with Huet now.

 

What's the point of sticking with him? He's the better of the two goalies and you are in a 2-2 playoff series. That trumps everything about potential and contracts and whatnot.

 

And he hasn't done "nothing" in the postseason. Stole game 1, solid in game 2.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I really don't like Huet. I kinda wish the Hawks hadn't even signed him. The man is prone to cold streaks that make Khabi look like a world beater.

 

When we look back on why the promising young crop of Hawks never quite made it to Cup-winning level, never caught up with Detroit, I'm going to point to two bad signings:

 

Campbell and Huet.

 

Good players, but bad fits for this team and way too much money.

[jersey cubs fan]

I really don't like Huet. I kinda wish the Hawks hadn't even signed him. The man is prone to cold streaks that make Khabi look like a world beater.

 

You may be right, but the point is he's here, now and for the foreseeable future. And Khabi is as good as gone. It was possible to have both this past year because their best players were underpaid and you could make it fit. But with the cap likely going down and many players in line for a raise, they can't afford to resign Khabi, at his age, with his uneven track record of service to the team.

[jersey cubs fan]

Khabi has had years to perform up to his contract as a Blackhawk. So far he's only done so for part of half a season. He's had his own cold stretches this year, and he's not coming back next year. So what's the point in sticking with him? He doesn't have a track record with the team worthy of sticking with him through thick and thin. It probably doesn't matter. But with Khabi doing nothing so far this postseason and it making no sense to bring him back next year, I'd go with Huet now.

 

What's the point of sticking with him? He's the better of the two goalies and you are in a 2-2 playoff series. That trumps everything about potential and contracts and whatnot.

 

And he hasn't done "nothing" in the postseason. Stole game 1, solid in game 2.

 

Stole is just subjective rhetoric. Solid is nothing special, and 2 bad games is disappointing. Khabi was better at times this year. But he wasn't a superstar. And when he came back from injury, he wasn't the same goalie he was over the early winter.

 

I was all for Khabi if he was looking like the guy who could carry this team deep. He's shown no signs of that, at all. Like it or not, the contract situations matter, and Khabi isn't that much better that you just ignore disappointing play in back to back games.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

 

Stole is just subjective rhetoric. Solid is nothing special, and 2 bad games is disappointing. Khabi was better at times this year. But he wasn't a superstar. And when he came back from injury, he wasn't the same goalie he was over the early winter.

 

I was all for Khabi if he was looking like the guy who could carry this team deep. He's shown no signs of that, at all. Like it or not, the contract situations matter, and Khabi isn't that much better that you just ignore disappointing play in back to back games.

 

Yes, he is that much better. And two bad games aren't enough to put in a guy who hasn't played in two weeks, either. You don't just switch goalies on a whim in the playoffs.

 

And no, in the middle of the playoffs, especially in the middle of a closely contested series, you do not seriously consider changing goalies just to give the guy with a longer contract more experience.

[jersey cubs fan]

I really don't like Huet. I kinda wish the Hawks hadn't even signed him. The man is prone to cold streaks that make Khabi look like a world beater.

 

When we look back on why the promising young crop of Hawks never quite made it to Cup-winning level, never caught up with Detroit, I'm going to point to two bad signings:

 

Campbell and Huet.

 

Good players, but bad fits for this team and way too much money.

 

I think that could very easily be true with Campbell. But Huet didn't get that much money, or that long of a contract. By the time the young guys are at their best, they should have a younger goalie pushing him out the door.

 

But the Campbell contract is probably going to hurt, a lot, barring multiple solid defensemen coming up through the system.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

Stole is just subjective rhetoric. Solid is nothing special, and 2 bad games is disappointing. Khabi was better at times this year. But he wasn't a superstar. And when he came back from injury, he wasn't the same goalie he was over the early winter.

 

I was all for Khabi if he was looking like the guy who could carry this team deep. He's shown no signs of that, at all. Like it or not, the contract situations matter, and Khabi isn't that much better that you just ignore disappointing play in back to back games.

 

Yes, he is that much better. And two bad games aren't enough to put in a guy who hasn't played in two weeks, either. You don't just switch goalies on a whim in the playoffs.

 

And no, in the middle of the playoffs, especially in the middle of a closely contested series, you do not seriously consider changing goalies just to give the guy with a longer contract more experience.

 

Khabi has been good for the Blackhawks for about 2 months of his entire contract. He's had some very weak stretches of play. I don't see the point in staying loyal to him at this point. And yes, teams have made early switches at goalie and enjoyed the results.

[bcl412]

Am I alone in thinking game 6 is a must win?

[jersey cubs fan]

Am I alone in thinking game 6 is a must win?

 

Meaning you assume they will lose game 5, or that they have no chance of winning a game 7?

[bcl412]

Am I alone in thinking game 6 is a must win?

 

Meaning you assume they will lose game 5, or that they have no chance of winning a game 7?

 

I meant game 5. I'm stupid.

[YearofDaCubs]

Let's face it both of our goalies are overpaid and really not that good, maybe average? What bothers me is Khabi allowing soft goals to go in. This is the playoffs man I expect my goalie to do better than allow softies to go in so easy.

[Flames24Rulz]

yeah, maybe the hawks just aren't good enough.

 

This is SO reminding me of the year when the "baby Bulls" played the Wizards in the first round in their first playoff appearance in forever. They won the first 2 at home (game 1 was the Nocioni game), lost 2 on the road and then were down 15 in the 4th in game 5, then Jannero Pargo scored like 15 in a row to tie it but Gilbert Arenas hit the buzzer beater to win game 5 for the Wiz. Bulls then lost game 6 on the road and the series 4-2.

 

Unfortunately, this could be the fate of the Hawks as well.

 

Yeah, I thought of the same thing earlier today. We'll see how this team responds on Saturday..

[NewUserName]

Am I alone in thinking game 6 is a must win?

 

Meaning you assume they will lose game 5, or that they have no chance of winning a game 7?

 

I meant game 5. I'm stupid.

 

 

I think the only must win happens when you are down 3 games...that being said, the team that wins game 5 in a 2-2 series wins like 80% of the time. I just made that stat up, but I do know its a huge advantage.

[kujay]

Huet doesn't start a game in the playoffs, no matter what happens. Q made his choice, it was the right one, and you have to ride it out now. If Khabi fails, perhaps if gives Huet a sliver of legitimacy going into next year.

[jersey cubs fan]

TORONTO -- Calgary Flames forward Andre Roy has been suspended one game by the NHL after initiating contact with Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Aaron Johnson during pregame warmups Wednesday night.

 

The league issued the suspension Thursday and Roy will miss Game 5 on Saturday. He will also be fined $2,500, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.

[NewUserName]

Huet doesn't start a game in the playoffs, no matter what happens. Q made his choice, it was the right one, and you have to ride it out now. If Khabi fails, perhaps if gives Huet a sliver of legitimacy going into next year.

 

I think it is pretty obvious after Khabi didnt get pulled last night that Q plans on riding him no matter what. I thought for sure he was going to get pulled after the 4th goal

[Cynosure]

Hawks will be fine. I bet the dominate the Flames tomorrow after a day off and an ass kicking from Q. Going to be an extra gear here for the rest of the series.

 

I hope getting their ass handed to them twice in a row will maybe drop some of the cocky levels and make them be a bit more focused. Hopefully carrying that mentality into round 2 against the Canucks. Looks like Anaheim will be playing Detroit.

[Soul]

We better get that momentum back in game 5, because I don't see the Hawks winning 2 in a row after losing 3 in a row.

[Cynosure]

Have to watch this game in Naperville with hockey novices unfortunately... so lucky you guys.

[NewUserName]

cyno around hockey novices....the police may be called!!

[kujay]

^Haha, likely.

 

I'm watching with in-laws. Looking forward to a great one.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

lol, newbs learning hockey from Cyno.

 

They'll get a good view of the passion and excitement, at least :)

[gflore34]

Perhaps, I'm reading it wrong but, why in the world, to the Michigan market, would VS show one hour of the Blackhawks/Flames prior to covering the Sharks/Ducks in its entirety?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

About to get underway. This game is kinda important.