Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks Thread!!!!!!

[UMFan83]

Watching some of the previous playoff highlights again. How different might we be feeling about this team if Seabrook's dump-in doesn't hit Kane in the skate and go straight into the net in Game 6 against Nashville.

 

Right now the line is Blackhawks 2:7. That feels a little too pro-Chicago. Something like 2:3 would be about where I'd put it.

 

There are a ton of moments, as I'm sure you'd agree, on both sides that turned the course of the playoffs for the Hawks. The biggest one, as I'm sure most would identify and agree with was Erat's turnover in the Hawks zone with under 30 seconds left in Game 5, with Nashville up 4-3 and the series tied 2-2. The Preds had a man advantage and they were just passing the puck around in a circle, when Erat made a semi-blind pass, turned it over and the Hawks managed to get one in the net (on another play that if Erat's stick was slightly quicker, he might have gotten it on the puck first and cleared it away for the W). That went from a 3-2 series in favor of Preds looking to close out the Hawks at home in Game 6, to still a 2-2 series and an OT where the best team (provided they kill a 4 minute PP) won.

 

A few other moment's I'd identify as big series shifters:

 

-Niemi giving up that halfassed dump in/shot attempt in Game 1 vs. Nashville after the Hawks were dominating and leading 1-0. That put us in a much harder series against Nashville.

-The dump in off Kanes skate for a goal as you pointed out.

-In that Game 2 flurry by Vancouver to start the game, they scored 2 goals, but clanged 2 just barely off the goal posts/crossbar and could have easily led 3-0 and 4-0, making a Hawks comeback much more unlikely

-Seabrook's goal in that game that cut the deficit to 2-1 and really killed the momentum Vancouver had to start the game. Vancouver very rarely looked that good again in the series.

-Patrick Sharp getting that shortie breakaway goal to tie the game up in the 3rd after the Hawks had been getting shut down by Luongo despite firing quite a few shots at him. (note: Game 2 of the Vancouver series in my opinion was the biggest game in the playoffs for the Hawks so far in terms of momentum changing)

-Some really idiotic unnecessary penalties by Vancouver in Game 3 and 4 that led to Hawks goals and wins

-Niemi basically turning into a shutdown goalie in the middle of the Canucks series and never looking back

-Niemi in Games 1 and 3 of the Sharks series; Niemi's save in game 1 that saved a huge goal (I realize I'm moving away from breaks and flukes and am just recognizing things that had a huge impact on getting to the Cup finals)

-Versteeg going in the box instead of Bolland at end of game 1

-A shot off Niemi's facemask in Game 3's OT that it didn't look like he saw until it hit him on the facemask

-Somehow 3 Sharks missing Buff coming down the center of the ice. Somehow Nabakov not following the puck from behind the net until it was just about in the net

-Getting the review and overturning a goal to start game 3. This was underrated...could have changed the series if they got a goal 2 minutes into game 3 and silenced the UC. It was obviously a no goal but since they called goal on the ice, theres always a worry that something crazy would happen.

-Getting the review and calling a goal in Game 4 when down 2-0. Same idea as before, except less impact since the series was 3-0. They called no goal on ice, so there's always a worry they would say that they blew the whistle or something and continue play without reviewing.

 

Tons of great great season changing moments in this playoffs for the Chicago Blackhawks.

[bcl412]

I'd venture to guess that every team that wins the cup has a list just like that one.

[UMFan83]

I'd venture to guess that every team that wins the cup has a list just like that one.

 

Without a doubt. But this is our list, and it was fun to go back on all those moments. Because unless you are just a die hard fan of the sport in general, it's hard to really understand what a team has gone through when it's not your team.

[Derwood]

a few NSFW words on these pics:

 

 

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/sokuraama/Hockey/SJCC.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/sokuraama/Hockey/nabby-18.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a247/chimairainc/chokingshark.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/4635458265_259d96be3a_o.jpg

 

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The series was over anyway, but yesterday's game turned on Nabokov sliding that puck into his own net on Seabrook's goal.

[TruffleShuffle]

Facing and dominated such "juggernauts" like the Bruins and Canadians is not the same as dominated teams like Vancouver and San Jose.

 

neither niemi nor the blackhawks dominated vancouver.

[bukie]

Facing and dominated such "juggernauts" like the Bruins and Canadians is not the same as dominated teams like Vancouver and San Jose.

 

neither niemi nor the blackhawks dominated vancouver.

In Vancouver I'd say they did. But then again, they didn't dominate San Jose either.

 

But Philly is one of those teams that should have been better throughout the season and only "woke up" for the playoffs. I'm not sure whether that means they're lucky or finally good, but odds are good the Blackhawks would be the best team the Flyers have played through the whole playoffs.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

They dominated San Jose more than they are getting credit for.

 

Excluding empty-netters, they scored 1.7 goals for every goal they allowed.

 

In 250+ minutes of hockey, they allowed two even-strength goals (and a shortie).

 

That's domination. Yes, it seemed like it was close if San Jose could have gotten some key goals. But goals were really, really hard to come by for one of the most talented teams in the league.

[UMFan83]

You're not going to post here during the Finals games assuming Philly makes it are you Truffle?

[RedFlash]

Facing and dominated such "juggernauts" like the Bruins and Canadians is not the same as dominated teams like Vancouver and San Jose.

 

neither niemi nor the blackhawks dominated vancouver.

 

But Philly isnt Vancouver. I'm just saying whoever the Hawks face in face in the Finals, could easily be the weakest opponent Chicago will face in these playoffs.

[gflore34]

Facing and dominated such "juggernauts" like the Bruins and Canadians is not the same as dominated teams like Vancouver and San Jose.

 

neither niemi nor the blackhawks dominated vancouver.

 

But Philly isnt Vancouver. I'm just saying whoever the Hawks face in face in the Finals, could easily be the weakest opponent Chicago will face in these playoffs.

 

 

One could make the argument the Flyers are better than appear, et al but, think about this:

-Injury excuse? Sorry, Blackhawks actually lost more games to injuries than the Flyers - 73 to 54.

-Flyers put up 88 points in the Eastern Conference, they would have finished 12th in the Western Conference also, consider, those 88 points came against predominately weaker opponents as well.

-The Hawks other the hand, put up 112 points against a stronger schedule and faced far better teams in the playoffs than the Flyers.

 

Make no mistake our Blackhawks are far better than the Flyers or Canadiens.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Philly's top scorer had 62 points. Blackhawks had four players higher than that.

 

Maybe I'm just seeing monsters under the bed with them.

[gflore34]

Facing and dominated such "juggernauts" like the Bruins and Canadians is not the same as dominated teams like Vancouver and San Jose.

 

neither niemi nor the blackhawks dominated vancouver.

 

But Philly isnt Vancouver. I'm just saying whoever the Hawks face in face in the Finals, could easily be the weakest opponent Chicago will face in these playoffs.

 

When all is said and done I believe the Predators will end up being the toughest opponent.

[hawkeyecub]

They dominated San Jose more than they are getting credit for.

 

Excluding empty-netters, they scored 1.7 goals for every goal they allowed.

 

In 250+ minutes of hockey, they allowed two even-strength goals (and a shortie).

 

That's domination. Yes, it seemed like it was close if San Jose could have gotten some key goals. But goals were really, really hard to come by for one of the most talented teams in the league.

 

True. A lot of that disparity belongs to the play in net. Nabokov wasn't bad but Niemi stole one and you could make an argument for two games. I could never get a feel for what San Jose was trying to do defensively. They never really forechecked and only went to a semi-trap for brief periods.

Especially when the Hawks had their 4th line out there with Sopel/Hendry, the Sharks should have had that second line fore checking like mad. Or at least that's what I felt with my elementary understanding of hockey strategy .

[gflore34]

Holy [expletive] Habs SHOOT THE [expletive] PUCK!!!!!!!!!

[17 Seconds]

nah, the hawks didn't dominate san jose. the only gamethe hawks significantly outplayed them was game 2. the other 3 games could have easily gone either way.

 

really, with a few more saves from nabakov and a few fewer from niemi, the sharks could realistically be up 3-1 in the series right now

[FergieJ31]

a few NSFW words on these pics:

 

 

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/sokuraama/Hockey/SJCC.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j242/sokuraama/Hockey/nabby-18.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a247/chimairainc/chokingshark.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/4635458265_259d96be3a_o.jpg

 

 

The five-hole pic is just awesome.

[17 Seconds]

can you guys tell whos this is without cheating? lollll

 

http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/BOLLAND-DAVE.GIF

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/110073/50918893.jpg

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Young Pronger?

[17 Seconds]

nope. he is one of our own

[Magnetic Curses]

is that niemi?

 

no bolland.

[Hall7810]

The rat

[Magnetic Curses]

i know that i'm going to regret saying that it would be awesome to see philly make a run in the playoffs after they went down 0-2 to boston.

[17 Seconds]

yes it is greyhound

[RedFlash]

i know that i'm going to regret saying that it would be awesome to see philly make a run in the playoffs after they went down 0-2 to boston.

 

It was actually 0-3, but who's counting?