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

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Anyone else wish that Anaheim had won Game 7? This series was doomed from the start.

 

I'm still astounded that any Hawks fans actually wanted to face Detroit.

 

Even ignoring the difference in quality between the the Ducks and the Red Wings, the Ducks' style of play is exactly what the Hawks are built to beat. We could have skated around their D and their offense isn't good enough to take advantage of our turnovers defensively.

[UMFan83]

Anyone else wish that Anaheim had won Game 7? This series was doomed from the start.

 

I'm still astounded that any Hawks fans actually wanted to face Detroit.

 

Even ignoring the difference in quality between the the Ducks and the Red Wings, the Ducks' style of play is exactly what the Hawks are built to beat. We could have skated around their D and their offense isn't good enough to take advantage of our turnovers defensively.

 

Exactly...who knows how the 08-09 Blackhawks season would have ended had Anaheim somehow pulled out that series. Would have probably been a Finals appearance and when you get that far against Pittsburgh or Carolina, who knows what would have happened.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

 

Exactly...who knows how the 08-09 Blackhawks season would have ended had Anaheim somehow pulled out that series. Would have probably been a Finals appearance and when you get that far against Pittsburgh or Carolina, who knows what would have happened.

 

To be honest, though, we got some very favorable matchups to get to this point, especially in the first round. Calgary without Regehr isn't playoff quality, and Vancouver turned out to be nowhere near as good as I thought. Without Luongo, they'd be looking at a top-3 draft pick.

[Magnetic Curses]

when is detroit going to not be good? it would seem that their farm system sucks and their good players are all old. what is the city of detroit going to do when the wings suck?

[Derwood]

Just saw the game winner on ESPN. Oof

[Hairyducked Idiot]

when is detroit going to not be good? it would seem that their farm system sucks and their good players are all old. what is the city of detroit going to do when the wings suck?

 

Their farm system is still top-half.

 

Zetterberg is 29, Franzen is 29, Draper is 28.

 

I'd love for them to be bad, but unfortunately, it's going to be awhile. And they still manage to get free agents to take cheap deals to play with them and try to win a Cup.

[Soul]

Freaking suck damn no ugh!

[Drew Doughty]

when is detroit going to not be good? it would seem that their farm system sucks and their good players are all old. what is the city of detroit going to do when the wings suck?

 

Their farm system is still top-half.

 

Zetterberg is 29, Franzen is 29, Draper is 28.

 

I'd love for them to be bad, but unfortunately, it's going to be awhile. And they still manage to get free agents to take cheap deals to play with them and try to win a Cup.

 

I'm going to assume you mean Datsyuk...

 

And the Wings are still going to be very good for a very long time unless something very strange happens. They don't even need the free agents to sign with them, either. They are so good at drafting, it's unreal. I don't think any of their higher quality players were picked in the first two rounds. Kronwall is the only one I can come up with off the top of my head. Then they sign someone like Ville Leino, who has top 6 forward potential, and was relatively unheralded when they plucked him from Finland about a year ago.

[UMFan83]

They are going to resign Hossa right?

[NewUserName]

I really think it is possible the Hawks win the next 2 at home.

 

another thing that the wings do when building their roster is they are real good at finding players that fit into their roles and play them well. They picked up Draper, Maltby, Cleary, Lilja, and Samuelson for nothing.

[Cynosure]

I really think it is possible the Hawks win the next 2 at home.

 

another thing that the wings do when building their roster is they are real good at finding players that fit into their roles and play them well. They picked up Draper, Maltby, Cleary, Lilja, and Samuelson for nothing.

 

I love you you for being too kind ;)

[TruffleShuffle]

I'm going to assume you mean Datsyuk...

 

And the Wings are still going to be very good for a very long time unless something very strange happens. They don't even need the free agents to sign with them, either. They are so good at drafting, it's unreal. I don't think any of their higher quality players were picked in the first two rounds. Kronwall is the only one I can come up with off the top of my head. Then they sign someone like Ville Leino, who has top 6 forward potential, and was relatively unheralded when they plucked him from Finland about a year ago.

 

yeah when they draft a scandinavian player in the late rounds, look out, because that guy is probably going to be really good.

 

from what i recall, they place a much higher value on work ethic and willingness to learn than most organizations.

[UMFan83]

Team that scores first, Result:

 

R1G1: Flames, L

R1G2: Flames, L

R1G3: Hawks, L

R1G4: Hawks, L

R1G5: Hawks, W

R1G6: Hawks, W

2-4

 

R2G1: Canucks, W

R2G2: Canucks, L

R2G3: Canucks, W

R2G4: Canucks, L

R2G5: Hawks, W

R2G6: Canucks, L

3-3

 

R3G1: Hawks, L

R3G2: Hawks, L

0-2

 

5-9 Record for the team that scores first in a playoff game with the Hawks involved. It's probably a coincidence, but its a bizarre one.

[17 Seconds]

Without Luongo, they'd be looking at a top-3 draft pick.

 

yeah, that's completely ridiculous

[gflore34]

I know Campbell screwed up but, when will Khabibulin make that big save? Cleary twice? Come on. He's been ordinary from the very second the Hawks gave him that big money, regardless of how this season ends I won't shed a tear when he's shown the door.

 

These are some of the names the Cubs and Hawks lost to last night - Pineiro, Molina, Rasmus and Cleary - yeah there's a collection of HOF'ers.

[NewUserName]

I know Campbell screwed up but, when will Khabibulin make that big save? Cleary twice? Come on. He's been ordinary from the very second the Hawks gave him that big money, regardless of how this season ends I won't shed a tear when he's shown the door.

 

These are some of the names the Cubs and Hawks lost to last night - Pineiro, Molina, Rasmus and Cleary - yeah there's a collection of HOF'ers.

 

He isnt going to be a HOFer, but Cleary has been a 40 point a season scorer for the Wings. He has also been very good as a playoff performer. He is a top 6 forward on the defending Stanley Cup champions. Not exactly a bad player.

[gflore34]

I know Campbell screwed up but, when will Khabibulin make that big save? Cleary twice? Come on. He's been ordinary from the very second the Hawks gave him that big money, regardless of how this season ends I won't shed a tear when he's shown the door.

 

These are some of the names the Cubs and Hawks lost to last night - Pineiro, Molina, Rasmus and Cleary - yeah there's a collection of HOF'ers.

 

He isnt going to be a HOFer, but Cleary has been a 40 point a season scorer for the Wings. He has also been very good as a playoff performer. He is a top 6 forward on the defending Stanley Cup champions. Not exactly a bad player.

 

I know but, you think once Khabibulin wouldn't look like such fool against him, it's not like it's Ovechkin, Crosby or Datsuk he's facing.

[gflore34]

when is detroit going to not be good? it would seem that their farm system sucks and their good players are all old. what is the city of detroit going to do when the wings suck?

 

Their farm system is still top-half.

 

Zetterberg is 29, Franzen is 29, Draper is 28.

 

I'd love for them to be bad, but unfortunately, it's going to be awhile. And they still manage to get free agents to take cheap deals to play with them and try to win a Cup.

 

Isn't the Hawks system in the top ten? What offers me encouragement is the Wings don't have a Toews, Kane, Seabrook or Versteeg someone that young and that good, if they can keep their them together I believe they've got a good chance to surpass the Wings.

[Soul]

I know Campbell screwed up but, when will Khabibulin make that big save? Cleary twice? Come on. He's been ordinary from the very second the Hawks gave him that big money, regardless of how this season ends I won't shed a tear when he's shown the door.

 

These are some of the names the Cubs and Hawks lost to last night - Pineiro, Molina, Rasmus and Cleary - yeah there's a collection of HOF'ers.

 

He isnt going to be a HOFer, but Cleary has been a 40 point a season scorer for the Wings. He has also been very good as a playoff performer. He is a top 6 forward on the defending Stanley Cup champions. Not exactly a bad player.

 

I know but, you think once Khabibulin wouldn't look like such fool against him, it's not like it's Ovechkin, Crosby or Datsuk he's facing.

 

That first Cleary goal against Khabi was a softie, no question. I'm expecting my goaltender to make the save on that shot.

[Cynosure]

Thank God it's going to be gorgeous outside today for my softball games... otherwise this day sucks soooo bad.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Isn't the Hawks system in the top ten? What offers me encouragement is the Wings don't have a Toews, Kane, Seabrook or Versteeg someone that young and that good, if they can keep their them together I believe they've got a good chance to surpass the Wings.

 

Top 5, generally, and that's with already having promoted so many awesome young players. They are pretty much out of elite prospects, I don't think there's another Toews, Kane or Seabrook down there, but they've got more potential NHLers than any team in the league. Depth should never be a problem.

 

We definitely have a chance to pass them. We're just still two steps away (maybe closer to 1.5) on the Awful>young and talented>elite contender>Cup-winner continuum, and every step is a chance for a team to fall off the wagon. Nothing's guaranteed.

[Old Style]

Very disappointing loss last night.

[NewUserName]

I have to say that after watching comcast last night, reading some message boards this morning and also articles in Chicago Newspapers...Blackhawk's players, coaches, media, and fans are much more classier and knowledgeable about hockey than Duck's players, coaches, media and fans.

[UMFan83]

I have to say that after watching comcast last night, reading some message boards this morning and also articles in Chicago Newspapers...Blackhawk's players, coaches, media, and fans are much more classier and knowledgeable about hockey than Duck's players, coaches, media and fans.

 

Well despite the ~12 years of apathy here, we've been following this sport in Chicago for quite awhile. That knowledge doesn't just go away over the course of a decade.

[Drew Doughty]

when is detroit going to not be good? it would seem that their farm system sucks and their good players are all old. what is the city of detroit going to do when the wings suck?

 

Their farm system is still top-half.

 

Zetterberg is 29, Franzen is 29, Draper is 28.

 

I'd love for them to be bad, but unfortunately, it's going to be awhile. And they still manage to get free agents to take cheap deals to play with them and try to win a Cup.

 

Isn't the Hawks system in the top ten? What offers me encouragement is the Wings don't have a Toews, Kane, Seabrook or Versteeg someone that young and that good, if they can keep their them together I believe they've got a good chance to surpass the Wings.

 

The Hawks don't currently have a Lidstrom or Rafalski (Keith is close) or Datsyuk, Hossa, or Zetterberg (Havlat and the two kids are close, but Havlat is possibly gone after the season and the other two aren't there yet) either. The Wings do have some strong young talent, though. As I've mentioned, I'm a big fan of Ville Leino. They also have guys like Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm already contributing in the NHL. Then on defense they have Jakub Kindl and Jonathan Ericsson close to making an impact (or, in Ericsson's case, already in the NHL). The Wings aren't going away from the top of the West any time soon and the Hawks have a long way to go to catch up. As has been mentioned since the start of the season, the Hawks are going to run into contract issues sooner rather than later. It's going to be very interesting to see just how their finances play out over the next 3 or 4 seasons.

 

That doesn't mean anything for the rest of the series though. The Hawks have played two very close games on the road. They can definitely come back and win the next two at home and I would not be surprised to see them do so.