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

[kujay]

Cyno, did you see somewhere that the WCF wouldn't start until Sunday? That would be great for me, since I have family in town all weekend and wouldn't be able to get away from them to watch the game.

 

I hope it starts Saturday and the ECF starts Sunday (the two game 7s getting the extra days rest). That would be logical but I heard this morning that it looks like they'll go Sunday.

 

We'll know after tomorrow night!

 

Gotcha, thanks.

 

And perhaps this belongs in the other thread, but it is absolutely disgraceful that the NHL can't find a way to air both Game 7s tomorrow night in their entirety. Versus will be joining the second game in progress. What a terrible situation.

[Cynosure]

Cyno, did you see somewhere that the WCF wouldn't start until Sunday? That would be great for me, since I have family in town all weekend and wouldn't be able to get away from them to watch the game.

 

I hope it starts Saturday and the ECF starts Sunday (the two game 7s getting the extra days rest). That would be logical but I heard this morning that it looks like they'll go Sunday.

 

We'll know after tomorrow night!

 

Gotcha, thanks.

 

And perhaps this belongs in the other thread, but it is absolutely disgraceful that the NHL can't find a way to air both Game 7s tomorrow night in their entirety. Versus will be joining the second game in progress. What a terrible situation.

 

Yep... have the BOS/CAR game on @ 6:30 EST and ANA/DET on @ 9:00 EST... we started that late at home when we played the Flames.

[Cynosure]

According to HFBoards regarding the conference finals:

 

However, my TV Guide is showing this:

 

Saturday - 7:00 - Versus

Sunday - 3:00 - NBC

Sunday - 7:00 - Versus

 

I will check my TiVo in a bit, anyone with DirecTV please check yours... I am going to be pissed if the Hawks have to play a back to back...

 

However... If the Bruins win tomorrow, the Garden is booked for Sunday for the Celtics... which would obviously mean the Hawks/Ducks/Wings series would have to start Sunday.

[bcl412]

Cyno, did you see somewhere that the WCF wouldn't start until Sunday? That would be great for me, since I have family in town all weekend and wouldn't be able to get away from them to watch the game.

 

I hope it starts Saturday and the ECF starts Sunday (the two game 7s getting the extra days rest). That would be logical but I heard this morning that it looks like they'll go Sunday.

 

We'll know after tomorrow night!

 

Gotcha, thanks.

 

And perhaps this belongs in the other thread, but it is absolutely disgraceful that the NHL can't find a way to air both Game 7s tomorrow night in their entirety. Versus will be joining the second game in progress. What a terrible situation.

 

It seems hockey is picking up in popularity again. Hopefully it gets to where it was in the mid-90's again and they get a deal with a channel that is more popular than VS (aka ESPN)

[cubswin2009]

Yeah my TV guide (Comcast) has a game on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. Hopefully this isn't true. That would suck to have a back to back.

[cubswin2009]

A few people at the Blackhawks board said they heard that we would be starting on Sunday and a time would be announced soon.

[gflore34]

What are the Hawks' lines? Though at times Quenneville appears to be mixing and matching his lines.

[kujay]

Canada figured out how to handle tonight. TSN gave up a game to CBC in the next round so that CBC could carry one of the games tonight.

 

But here in the country where all the remaining teams play?

 

Crickets.

[kujay]

What are the Hawks' lines? Though at times Quenneville appears to be mixing and matching his lines.

 

Honestly, I can hardly tell anymore.

 

Toews-Kane-Brouwer

Sharp-Havlat-Pahlsson

Byfuglien-Bolland-Versteeg

Eager-Burish-Ladd

 

It's too early, my brain isn't working. But that's my best stab at what I've seen out there, at least in the Vancouver series. But I've seen Eager out there with 19-88, and various other combinations.

[Cynosure]

What are the Hawks' lines? Though at times Quenneville appears to be mixing and matching his lines.

 

Honestly, I can hardly tell anymore.

 

Toews-Kane-Brouwer

Sharp-Havlat-Pahlsson

Byfuglien-Bolland-Versteeg

Eager-Burish-Ladd

 

It's too early, my brain isn't working. But that's my best stab at what I've seen out there, at least in the Vancouver series. But I've seen Eager out there with 19-88, and various other combinations.

 

You think they'd split up Ladd-Bolland-Havlat? Been a damn good line... who knows with Q, though.

[gflore34]

What are the Hawks' lines? Though at times Quenneville appears to be mixing and matching his lines.

 

Honestly, I can hardly tell anymore.

 

Toews-Kane-Brouwer

Sharp-Havlat-Pahlsson

Byfuglien-Bolland-Versteeg

Eager-Burish-Ladd

 

It's too early, my brain isn't working. But that's my best stab at what I've seen out there, at least in the Vancouver series. But I've seen Eager out there with 19-88, and various other combinations.

 

You think they'd split up Ladd-Bolland-Havlat? Been a damn good line... who knows with Q, though.

 

I like that line quite a bit, especially Bolland, he plays under the radar but, here's a player, 22, who has scored 79 and 57 goals in the GTHL and OHL. Along with scoring 146 and 130 points - he's no slouch for a third line center.

[WrigleyField 22]

Okay I feel kind of stupid doing this, but I'm gonna anyways.

 

I watched the last period of that game 6, and I'm totally ready to jump on the Blackhawk's bandwagon, and hockey in general.

 

I know I could read this thread an learn a lot, but in the interest of my time, I kind of just want a run down on the Blackhawks and NHL in general.

 

A run down on some of the key players and aspects of the NHL would be very appreciated. I know there's Toews (pronounced Taves, right?) and Kane. What's their background and stuff. Who are some other key players.

 

Thanks for any information on this. If you're a hockey fan, this is your big sales pitch.

 

Edit- Also an explanation on the minor league system would be cool. Its different than baseball's right? Also any type of salary structure and related info would be cool.

[Cynosure]

Okay I feel kind of stupid doing this, but I'm gonna anyways.

 

I watched the last period of that game 6, and I'm totally ready to jump on the Blackhawk's bandwagon, and hockey in general.

 

I know I could read this thread an learn a lot, but in the interest of my time, I kind of just want a run down on the Blackhawks and NHL in general.

 

A run down on some of the key players and aspects of the NHL would be very appreciated. I know there's Toews (pronounced Taves, right?) and Kane. What's their background and stuff. Who are some other key players.

 

Thanks for any information on this. If you're a hockey fan, this is your big sales pitch.

 

Edit- Also an explanation on the minor league system would be cool. Its different than baseball's right? Also any type of salary structure and related info would be cool.

 

The names you are going to hear that are left:

 

Hawks: Kane/Toews/Havlat (mainly)... on defense... Seabrook/Keith. Really, there isn't a weak player on the Hawks except for Matt Walker, just hate him now and be like the rest of us.

 

Penguins: Crosby/Malkin... on defense... Gonchar.

 

These are the only two I can say for now because we have two game 7s going on right now... I'll update the winner's big players once these games go final.

 

Other then that... the NHL has a W-L-OTL (Win-Loss-Overtime Loss) setup for the regular season. 2 points for a win, 0 points for a loss, 1 point for a loss in overtime/shootout. There are 6 divisions (3 in each conference west/east). The playoff seeding works like this:

 

3 division winners automatically are 1-2-3 based on point totals (W-L-OTL)... the next 5 highest point totals also advance. Hawks had 104 points and Canucks had 100 points yet the Canucks were a higher seed because they won their division.

 

Seeding is like NBA 1-8 2-7 3-6 4-5 and they reseed after every round.

 

In the regular season OVERTIME is 4 v 4, sudden death and 5:00 long, if no one scores... it goes to a shootout (best of 3).

 

In the playoffs, it is 5 v 5 and 20:00 long like a regular period. There IS NO SHOOTOUT, and OTs will go until it is finished.

 

Kinda bland to explain the basics, if you ask more questions I can answer them... too much info to describe it all, haha.

[WrigleyField 22]

Cool. I trusted your advice and updated my sig for Walker.

 

I've also been proudly supporting a blackhawks desktop since Tuesday.

[Cynosure]

Cool. I trusted your advice and updated my sig for Walker.

 

I've also been proudly supporting a blackhawks desktop since Tuesday.

 

Feel free to ask direct questions... we have a lot of hockey nuts here that will answer any question. The more people who wrap their arms around the Blackhawks, the better. Hockey is a beautiful sport... just not understood by many.

 

EDIT:

 

Love the sig ;)

[Cynosure]

Since the Wings are now playing the Blackhawks in the Conference Finals... here's who to look for on Detroit:

 

8 Justin Abdelkader 6' 1" 215 Feb 25, 1987 22 Muskegon, MI, USA

11 Dan Cleary 6' 0" 210 Dec 18, 1978 30 Carbonear, NL, CAN

13 Pavel Datsyuk "A" 5' 11" 194 Jul 20, 1978 30 Sverdlovsk, RUS

44 Aaron Downey 6' 1" 215 Aug 27, 1974 34 Shelburne, ON, CAN

33 Kris Draper "A" 5' 10" 188 May 24, 1971 37 Toronto, ON, CAN

51 Valtteri Filppula 6' 0" 193 Mar 20, 1984 25 Vantaa, FIN

93 Johan Franzen 6' 3" 220 Dec 23, 1979 29 Vetlanda, SWE

43 Darren Helm 5' 11" 172 Jan 21, 1987 22 Winnipeg, MB, CAN

96 Tomas Holmstrom 6' 0" 203 Jan 23, 1973 36 Pitea, SWE

81 Marian Hossa 6' 1" 210 Jan 12, 1979 30 Stara Lubovna, SVK

26 Jiri Hudler 5' 10" 182 Jan 4, 1984 25 Olomouc, CZE

82 Tomas Kopecky 6' 3" 200 Feb 5, 1982 27 Ilava, SVK

21 Ville Leino 6' 0" 182 Oct 6, 1983 25 Savonlinna, FIN

18 Kirk Maltby 6' 0" 193 Dec 22, 1972 36 Guelph, ON, CAN

25 Darren McCarty 6' 1" 210 Apr 1, 1972 37 Burnaby, BC, CAN

37 Mikael Samuelsson 6' 2" 213 Dec 23, 1976 32 Mariefred, SWE

40 Henrik Zetterberg "A" 5' 11" 195 Oct 9, 1980 28 Njurunda, SWE

 

 

24 Chris Chelios 6' 0" 191 Jan 25, 1962 47 Chicago, IL, USA

 

52 Jonathan Ericsson 6' 4" 206 Mar 2, 1984 25 Karlskrona, SWE

46 Jakub Kindl 6' 3" 199 Feb 10, 1987 22 Sumperk, CZE

68 Siarhei Kolasau 6' 4" 187 May 22, 1986 22 Novopolotsk, BLR

55 Niklas Kronwall 6' 0" 189 Jan 12, 1981 28 Stockholm, SWE

22 Brett Lebda 5' 9" 195 Jan 15, 1982 27 Buffalo Grove, IL, USA

5 Nicklas Lidstrom "C" 6' 1" 189 Apr 28, 1970 39 Vasteras, SWE

3 Andreas Lilja ** 6' 3" 220 Jul 13, 1975 33 Helsingborg, SWE

14 Derek Meech 5' 11" 197 Apr 21, 1984 25 Winnipeg, MB, CAN

28 Brian Rafalski 5' 10" 191 Sep 28, 1973 35 Dearborn, MI, USA

23 Brad Stuart 6' 2" 213 Nov 6, 1979 29 Rocky Mountain House, AB, CAN

 

29 Ty Conklin 6' 0" 184 Mar 30, 1976 33 Anchorage, AK, USA

30 Chris Osgood 5' 10" 178 Nov 26, 1972 36 Peace River, AB, CAN

[WrigleyField 22]

Cool. I trusted your advice and updated my sig for Walker.

 

I've also been proudly supporting a blackhawks desktop since Tuesday.

 

Feel free to ask direct questions... we have a lot of hockey nuts here that will answer any question. The more people who wrap their arms around the Blackhawks, the better. Hockey is a beautiful sport... just not understood by many.

 

EDIT:

 

Love the sig ;)

Thats kind of my feeling. Its always been somewhat interesting to me because of the big hits and stuff. But watching the game closely and seeing Kane's third goal, and its also obviously a very skill oriented sport, but I have no idea about those skills really. I'm not so sure I can handle being a die hard for four sports, but I'm gonna try to ease in on hockey and follow the threads now.

 

Also I remember growing up, hockey was too hard to watch because I couldn't see the puck. Now with better T.V.s that isn't too much of an issue. Woo HDTV.

[bcl412]

That sig is funny after reading your post.

[bcl412]

We got our showdown now let's try not to get swept.

[bukie]

I've said all along I think the Blackhawks could beat anyone but Detroit in a playoff series, and I still think so. Detroit is an awful matchup for the Hawks, to the point where if they can push it to 6 games I'd be surprised.

[NewUserName]

Since the Wings are now playing the Blackhawks in the Conference Finals... here's who to look for on Detroit:

 

8 Justin Abdelkader 6' 1" 215 Feb 25, 1987 22 Muskegon, MI, USA

11 Dan Cleary 6' 0" 210 Dec 18, 1978 30 Carbonear, NL, CAN

13 Pavel Datsyuk "A" 5' 11" 194 Jul 20, 1978 30 Sverdlovsk, RUS

44 Aaron Downey 6' 1" 215 Aug 27, 1974 34 Shelburne, ON, CAN

33 Kris Draper "A" 5' 10" 188 May 24, 1971 37 Toronto, ON, CAN

51 Valtteri Filppula 6' 0" 193 Mar 20, 1984 25 Vantaa, FIN

93 Johan Franzen 6' 3" 220 Dec 23, 1979 29 Vetlanda, SWE

43 Darren Helm 5' 11" 172 Jan 21, 1987 22 Winnipeg, MB, CAN

96 Tomas Holmstrom 6' 0" 203 Jan 23, 1973 36 Pitea, SWE

81 Marian Hossa 6' 1" 210 Jan 12, 1979 30 Stara Lubovna, SVK

26 Jiri Hudler 5' 10" 182 Jan 4, 1984 25 Olomouc, CZE

82 Tomas Kopecky 6' 3" 200 Feb 5, 1982 27 Ilava, SVK

21 Ville Leino 6' 0" 182 Oct 6, 1983 25 Savonlinna, FIN

18 Kirk Maltby 6' 0" 193 Dec 22, 1972 36 Guelph, ON, CAN

25 Darren McCarty 6' 1" 210 Apr 1, 1972 37 Burnaby, BC, CAN

37 Mikael Samuelsson 6' 2" 213 Dec 23, 1976 32 Mariefred, SWE

40 Henrik Zetterberg "A" 5' 11" 195 Oct 9, 1980 28 Njurunda, SWE

 

 

24 Chris Chelios 6' 0" 191 Jan 25, 1962 47 Chicago, IL, USA

 

52 Jonathan Ericsson 6' 4" 206 Mar 2, 1984 25 Karlskrona, SWE

46 Jakub Kindl 6' 3" 199 Feb 10, 1987 22 Sumperk, CZE

68 Siarhei Kolasau 6' 4" 187 May 22, 1986 22 Novopolotsk, BLR

55 Niklas Kronwall 6' 0" 189 Jan 12, 1981 28 Stockholm, SWE

22 Brett Lebda 5' 9" 195 Jan 15, 1982 27 Buffalo Grove, IL, USA

5 Nicklas Lidstrom "C" 6' 1" 189 Apr 28, 1970 39 Vasteras, SWE

3 Andreas Lilja ** 6' 3" 220 Jul 13, 1975 33 Helsingborg, SWE

14 Derek Meech 5' 11" 197 Apr 21, 1984 25 Winnipeg, MB, CAN

28 Brian Rafalski 5' 10" 191 Sep 28, 1973 35 Dearborn, MI, USA

23 Brad Stuart 6' 2" 213 Nov 6, 1979 29 Rocky Mountain House, AB, CAN

 

29 Ty Conklin 6' 0" 184 Mar 30, 1976 33 Anchorage, AK, USA

30 Chris Osgood 5' 10" 178 Nov 26, 1972 36 Peace River, AB, CAN

 

I think the only place you will be seeing Chelios is under your spoiler tag, unless at least 2 dmen get hurt. Plus there are whispers that Lilja may be back for the end of the series, more likely the finals.

 

Draper was back tonight and Maltby sat, interesting. Adelkader sure is making an impression.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Blackhawks primer:

 

After years of being bad, they are literally the youngest team in the league and have numerous high draft picks on their roster. They are fast and exciting. In the regular season, they had the third-best record in the conference, sixth overall in the league. They were tied for fourth in goals scored and fifth in goals allowed, so they are legitimately one of the top five or six teams in the league. They are known for all-around team speed, especially the defensemen, and lots of depth.

 

In hockey, teams have four "lines," which are sets of three forwards that play together, and six defensemen who will more or less play together in three pairs. Most teams will have two "top" lines with their best six players, a "checking" line of defensive specialists who can shut down the other team's top lines, and a fourth line of whatever's left, usually guys who can go out there and throw a big hit to get the team fired up, but they won't play many minutes.

 

The second thing the Hawks are known for is that all four lines on their team are a threat to score. They mix them up a lot, but even their fourth liners are capable offensively.

 

Players of note:

Jonathan Toews, 21-years old (just turned it), center, 3rd overall pick in 2006. He's the captain (which means a lot in hockey), and is one of the youngest captains in history. He's big, skates well, has a ton of offensive talent, is smart defensively, and does the little things right. He's Canadian, and they love him on their national teams. He was the first Canadian to win both the World Jr. Championships and the World Championships the same year. You have to watch this goal to understand his talent:

 

Patrick Kane, 20, right winger, 1st overall pick in 2007. Was the first overall pick in a slightly weak draft, but he's been phenomenal for the Hawks. He's tiny for a hockey player, but he's an incredible offensive talent. He has an accurate wrist shot, quick hands, and passes extremely well with amazing vision on the ice. He's a defensive liability at this point in his career, and he'll frequently have games where he scores a goal, sets up two, and gives up one or two on defense, but as long as it's a net gain, who cares? A lot of people thought his game wouldn't translate to the playoffs, but it has and he's been amazing, culminating with his first career hat trick (three-goal game) in the last game against Vancouver.

 

Kane and Toews were 1-2 in Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) honors last year.

 

Brent Seabrook, 24, defenseman. Seabrook is what you call a "shut-down defenseman." He is always on the ice against the other team's top players, and shuts them down. Definitely one of the top 10 D-men in the league, some would say top-5. Decent passer for a defenseman as well. Defensemen tend to develop later than forwards, so it's amazing that he's so good this young.

 

Duncan Keith, 25, defenseman. Keith is Seabrook's partner. He's not quite as strong defensively, but still above-average. He's known for his offensive contributions, especially that he is the fastest-skating defenseman in the league. The last two years he's led the Hawks in +/-, which is essentially a measure of how many goals were scored when you were on the ice vs. how many were allowed.

 

Martin Havlat, 28, right wing. Think Milton Bradley of hockey. Great offensive talent, rarely stayed healthy until this year, his contract year. Has been with several teams, one of the few key players not developed on the team.

 

Kris Versteeg, 23, left wing. One of three finalists for this year's rookie of the year. Good skater, good shooter, all-around player.

 

Brian Campbell, 29, defenseman. The Hawks' huge free agent signing last year. One of the league's best offensive defensemen. Not always great defensively, but he figures if he gets the puck on defense and skates around three guys to the other end of the ice, you're not on defense anymore so who cares?

 

Dave Bolland, 22, center. Had an excellent season as the Hawks' third center. Great offensively in the minors and responsible defensively. Would be most team's best young player, but on the Hawks he can get lost in the shuffle.

 

Andrew Ladd, 23, left wing. Won a Cup with Carolina his rookie year and then the Hawks traded for him. Excellent two-way hockey player, solid on offense and defense.

 

Patrick Sharp, 28, center/wing. I shouldn't have gone this long without mentioning him, he's basically on the same level as Havlat. Great skater and goal scorer, a major offensive threat for the Hawks. Led the team in goals last year and might have this year if he hadn't missed some of the season with an injury.

 

Dustin Byfuglien, 24, right wing. This guy is HUGE for a hockey player, especially a forward. He used to be a defenseman, but they converted him when they saw how well he could skate for a guy his size. In the playoffs, he's made other teams and their fans furious by standing right in front of their goalie blocking his view (called "screening,") and he's been incredible at it.

 

Cam Barker, 23, defenseman, 3rd overall pick in 2004. Like I said earlier, defensemen take a long time to develop, so a lot of fans became impatient with him in the last few years after being such a high pick. But he's gotten steadily better and this season was a great defenseman for us. Should be on Seabrook/Keith's level in another year or so, already a great No. 4 defenseman.

 

Ben Eager, 25, right winger. He's part of the fourth line. He's an agitator, his job is to go out there and hit people and make them mad. He's good at it. But unlike most player's like this in the NHL, he's also reasonably talented as a player and can score some goals.

 

Then there's our goalie situation. The Blackhawks have two legit starting goalies in the NHL.

 

The first is Nikolai Khabibulin. He's in the last year of a four-year, $28 million contract that was the biggest signing of that offseason. He's a veteran, Cup-winning goalie. Some say he was a disappointment for most of his contract, but I'd say he didn't have a great defense in front of him, and this year he's been one of the top 10 goalies in the league, easily.

 

The second is Cristobal Huet. He was signed to a 4/$16 deal this offseason with the idea that they'd trade Khabibulin, but with his contract there were no takers so they ended up with both. He's starter quality and had similar numbers to Khabibulin in the regular season. Lots of heated fan debates about which of the two is better.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The other thing you need to know is that Detroit Sucks.

 

Imagine if Cubs fans hated the Cardinals so much that they just started chanting "Cardinals suck" at random times in games against the Brewers or Dodgers or Nationals.

[Cynosure]

The other thing you need to know is that Detroit Sucks.

 

Imagine if Cubs fans hated the Cardinals so much that they just started chanting "Cardinals suck" at random times in games against the Brewers or Dodgers or Nationals.

 

In the final two minutes of them clinching a berth in the National League Championship.

[cubswin2009]

Sunday, May 17 at Detroit, 3:00 p.m. NBC, TSN, RDS

Tuesday, May 19 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN, RDS

Friday, May 22 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS

Sunday, May 24 at Chicago, 3:00 p.m. NBC, CBC, RDS

* Wednesday, May 27 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS

* Saturday, May 30 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS

* Monday, June 1 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS

- * denotes if necessary

- All Times are Eastern Standard Time