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

[Cynosure]

I admit, I'm not the biggest hockey fan on Earth, but I do follow. Do the Hawks have any chance? They are running into a red-hot team with a red-hot goaltender, a week off after a sweep, and home ice advantage.

 

Hawks have a great chance. These teams are incredibly even matched other than goal tending, but Khabi has been playing out of his mind recently.

[jersey cubs fan]

I admit, I'm not the biggest hockey fan on Earth, but I do follow. Do the Hawks have any chance? They are running into a red-hot team with a red-hot goaltender, a week off after a sweep, and home ice advantage.

 

I'm not the biggest hockey guy either, but I think they definitely have a chance in this series. I'd bet against them though.

[jaydee]

From what I've read, Versus will have games 1 and 4 exclusive. So no CSN for those two games. CSN for every other game however. Versus gets the rights to two exclusive games in the 2nd round.

 

If the hawks make it to the next round, no CSN at all.

[NewUserName]

I admit, I'm not the biggest hockey fan on Earth, but I do follow. Do the Hawks have any chance? They are running into a red-hot team with a red-hot goaltender, a week off after a sweep, and home ice advantage.

 

Yes they do. no offense to Blues fans but they are not as good as the Hawks. Also, even though it was a sweep, 3 or those games were pretty close. I am leaning towards the Canucks winning this series, but it is not a slam dunk.

[rawaction]

I admit, I'm not the biggest hockey fan on Earth, but I do follow. Do the Hawks have any chance? They are running into a red-hot team with a red-hot goaltender, a week off after a sweep, and home ice advantage.

 

Yes they do. no offense to Blues fans but they are not as good as the Hawks. Also, even though it was a sweep, 3 or those games were pretty close. I am leaning towards the Canucks winning this series, but it is not a slam dunk.

 

I can see the Canucks almost dominating and winning it in 5. If the series goes deep, I like the Hawks chances.

[kujay]

I admit, I'm not the biggest hockey fan on Earth, but I do follow. Do the Hawks have any chance? They are running into a red-hot team with a red-hot goaltender, a week off after a sweep, and home ice advantage.

 

Yes they do. no offense to Blues fans but they are not as good as the Hawks. Also, even though it was a sweep, 3 or those games were pretty close. I am leaning towards the Canucks winning this series, but it is not a slam dunk.

 

I can see the Canucks almost dominating and winning it in 5. If the series goes deep, I like the Hawks chances.

 

I'm worried about that too, but it's just my general paranoia. And the fact that the last two times these two teams played each other Vancouver kicked the living crap out of the Hawks.

[NewUserName]

I admit, I'm not the biggest hockey fan on Earth, but I do follow. Do the Hawks have any chance? They are running into a red-hot team with a red-hot goaltender, a week off after a sweep, and home ice advantage.

 

Yes they do. no offense to Blues fans but they are not as good as the Hawks. Also, even though it was a sweep, 3 or those games were pretty close. I am leaning towards the Canucks winning this series, but it is not a slam dunk.

 

I can see the Canucks almost dominating and winning it in 5. If the series goes deep, I like the Hawks chances.

 

I'm worried about that too, but it's just my general paranoia. And the fact that the last two times these two teams played each other Vancouver kicked the living crap out of the Hawks.

 

I think the only way that happens is if Khabi comes off his mountain and just lays an egg. Which could happen, but I think he is going to be fine and this is going to be a 6/7 game series

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Despite the fact that they swept, the series with St. Louis involved close games all around.

[bukie]

I admit, I'm not the biggest hockey fan on Earth, but I do follow. Do the Hawks have any chance? They are running into a red-hot team with a red-hot goaltender, a week off after a sweep, and home ice advantage.

 

Yes they do. no offense to Blues fans but they are not as good as the Hawks. Also, even though it was a sweep, 3 or those games were pretty close. I am leaning towards the Canucks winning this series, but it is not a slam dunk.

 

I can see the Canucks almost dominating and winning it in 5. If the series goes deep, I like the Hawks chances.

 

I'm worried about that too, but it's just my general paranoia. And the fact that the last two times these two teams played each other Vancouver kicked the living crap out of the Hawks.

 

I think the only way that happens is if Khabi comes off his mountain and just lays an egg. Which could happen, but I think he is going to be fine and this is going to be a 6/7 game series

Hawks in 4.

[NewUserName]

Hawks in 4.

 

if luongo comes off his mountain and lays an egg this could happen, dont see it happening though

[bukie]

Hawks in 4.

 

if luongo comes off his mountain and lays an egg this could happen, dont see it happening though

Me neither, but I want to be optimistic as long as possible. :)

[Flames24Rulz]

Hawks in 6.

[mjohnson71]

Hawks in 4.

 

if luongo comes off his mountain and lays an egg this could happen, dont see it happening though

 

The 'Hawks need to rattle Luongo. From my understanding the Canucks were freaking out any time the Blues got even close to the goal or looked at Luongo funny. I'm not saying the 'Hawks should play dirty; just let him know we're there and block his views.

[Cynosure]

Hawks in 4.

 

if luongo comes off his mountain and lays an egg this could happen, dont see it happening though

 

The 'Hawks need to rattle Luongo. From my understanding the Canucks were freaking out any time the Blues got even close to the goal or looked at Luongo funny. I'm not saying the 'Hawks should play dirty; just let him know we're there and block his views.

 

I disagree...

 

The Canucks (and Hawks) are probably still pissed about the line brawl... and just remember what started it.

 

If I was Q I'd send Buff crashing into the net early in the series to:

 

A) Rattle Luongo and get him pissed off about that, and also keep him on his toes.

B) Piss of the Canucks and make them want revenge.

 

Don't try to injure, but definitely cheap shot Luongo early.

[NewUserName]

 

I disagree...

 

The Canucks (and Hawks) are probably still pissed about the line brawl... and just remember what started it.

 

If I was Q I'd send Buff crashing into the net early in the series to:

 

A) Rattle Luongo and get him pissed off about that, and also keep him on his toes.

B) Piss of the Canucks and make them want revenge.

 

Don't try to injure, but definitely cheap shot Luongo early.

 

this could also sharpen Luongo into being completely unbeatable....Also I am concerned about your heart condition when Khabibulin gets cheap shotted in retaliation

 

I think consistent traffic in front of the net, bumping him periodically on shots would have better long term effects.

[Cynosure]

 

I disagree...

 

The Canucks (and Hawks) are probably still pissed about the line brawl... and just remember what started it.

 

If I was Q I'd send Buff crashing into the net early in the series to:

 

A) Rattle Luongo and get him pissed off about that, and also keep him on his toes.

B) Piss of the Canucks and make them want revenge.

 

Don't try to injure, but definitely cheap shot Luongo early.

 

this could also sharpen Luongo into being completely unbeatable....Also I am concerned about your heart condition when Khabibulin gets cheap shotted in retaliation

 

I think consistent traffic in front of the net, bumping him periodically on shots would have better long term effects.

 

It could go either way, Luongo is a REALLY good goalie. However, I think because it already happened to spark the line brawl that it would infuriate him more and maybe not throw HIM, but maybe his teammates off their game as they try to retaliate.

 

As far as retaliation goes, if Khabibulin is knocked down hard... it's part of the game as long as penalties are the same as they were for a run on Luongo.

[Cynosure]

Getting too excited for this one as I'm trying to study...

 

If we can steal one in VAN I will be ecstatic... I think the Hawks can do this in 6 but it isn't going to be easy... here are my 3 keys:

 

1) Aggravate Luongo... in fact, send Buff hard to the net again... keep it in the back of Luongo's mind and try to piss off his teammates the same way he did when the line brawl happened. That being said, don't piss him off so bad that he goes into invincible mode... just knock him off his game early in the series.

 

2) Kaner - If Kane plays like he did in game 6 against the Flames and gets support from his linemates he is going to be huge in this series. I honestly see Kane as the catalyst this series... if he turns it around and plays well, so is everyone else.

 

3) Mr. Bulin - Keep up the good work and don't go down so early when the Sedins are coming!

[manbearcub]

I have Vancouver in seven, but I think the winner of game 1 wins the series.

[Cynosure]

This will be the best birthday ever if the Hawks can win tonight!

[Outshined_One]

I admit, I'm not the biggest hockey fan on Earth, but I do follow. Do the Hawks have any chance? They are running into a red-hot team with a red-hot goaltender, a week off after a sweep, and home ice advantage.

 

Hawks have a great chance. These teams are incredibly even matched other than goal tending, but Khabi has been playing out of his mind recently.

 

The old cliche about riding your goalie in the playoffs will ring true here, too. If Khabi can keep this up, well, the sky's the limit for the Hawks, imo. Still, the Canucks are a damn good team and this series will see some great physical hockey.

 

We won't see more of

, but it should be intense as hell.

[kujay]

We won't see more of

, but it should be intense as hell.

 

Damn that was a mean left by Eager. I expect we'll see a fight or two tonight to get the pleasantries out of the way.

 

It's gameday and I can't wait for 8:00pm. They need to win one of the first two, or it's going to be a long wait until Tuesday night.

[bcl412]

I'm excited. Here's to hoping that bars in Iowa City show hockey.

[kujay]

I'm excited. Here's to hoping that bars in Iowa City show hockey.

 

I'd imagine there's enough Chicago kids going to school up there that you'll find a place with the game on.

[mjohnson71]

I'm excited. Here's to hoping that bars in Iowa City show hockey.

 

I'd imagine there's enough Chicago kids going to school up there that you'll find a place with the game on.

 

More than enough. I'd swear there were more students from Chicago than Iowa.

 

Is the Sports Column still there? If so they should have it. Plus there's also the Buffalo Wild Wings.

[kujay]

I'm excited. Here's to hoping that bars in Iowa City show hockey.

 

I'd imagine there's enough Chicago kids going to school up there that you'll find a place with the game on.

 

More than enough. I'd swear there were more students from Chicago than Iowa.

 

Is the Sports Column still there? If so they should have it. Plus there's also the Buffalo Wild Wings.

 

It was the same way in Lawrence. They had a whole building that was known as being the home of all the north suburban kids.