Chicago Blackhawks 2012 Playoffs

[UMFan83]

I gotta say despite the rather unusual streaky season by the Hawks, there have been a few really positive developments this year. The emergence of Shaw, the improvement from Leddy, Kruger looking like a legitimate top 3 line NHL player, Stalberg kicking it up to a level that many people didn't think he could get to. And there is still a crapload in the pipeline.

 

Unfortunately other than Leddy, there hasn't been much to be proud of in terms of blue liners, as well as goalies. I was hoping by now we would have an idea of who our long term goalie is going to be. But if anything we are further away from knowing that then we were the day Niemi signed with SJ.

[Prizefight]

Stalberg has been in beast mode for 20+ games now. Maybe the best game of his NHL career last night. He's earned himself new paper.

 

The 10-16-25 line has been phenomenal. Kruger does all of the little things very well. If he can add a bit more goal scoring flare to his game, he can be a very solid player for the long time.

 

I drool at the thought of 19 returning and our top 6 being 88-19-81 and 10-16-25. Watch out West.

 

I think they'll pair Toews with Sharp and Stalberg and keep the Kane-Hossa-Brunette line together.

 

Good problems to have either way. We'll probably see both the same game knowing Q

[bukie]

So...how about that.

[UMFan83]

4-0 lead, I thought it was about over so I concentrated more on the basketball game. Flipped back over a few minutes later and saw the lead cut in half. Ugh. Nashville will never die.

[UMFan83]

Ugh...4-3. Sweet goal though.

 

If we blow a 4-0 lead and lose....

[UMFan83]

And the collapse is complete....4-4

 

 

Nashville completely owns us. Completely. If we lose this one the Predators will be 5-0-1 against the Hawks this year.

[UMFan83]

SHAW!!! Sweet pass! Nice bounce back. Nashville was dominating us but all you need is one good chance.

[Smack]

If the Hawks can't beat Nashville on a night Rinne gives up 5 goals, yikes.

[UMFan83]

My friend is at the game and he said this is one of the loudest arenas he's ever been to. It does seem really loud on TV.

[UMFan83]

Alright I'll take it! Blowing a 4-0 lead sucks but the Preds are just annoying and will do that.

 

Hawks clinch a playoff spot and tie the number of points they scored last year with 3 games left. They are now tied with Detroit for the 5 seed (but Detroit has the extra game) and 1 point behind Nashville for the 4 seed (even in games played).

 

I think the 6 seed is still the most desirable. I want nothing to do with a Hawks/Predators matchup, and while a Hawks/Wings matchup might be beneficial if Jimmy Howard is hurt, I feel like there is still a bit of a mental block with Detroit. Plus, despite good results this year, the Wings still matchup pretty well against the Hawks and play a similar style of hockey.

 

NAS 98 3 games left

DET 97 4 games left

CHI 97 4 games left

 

Remaining:

Chicago: vs. Minnesota (tomorrow), @ Minnesota (Thursday), @ Detroit (Saturday)

Nashville: vs. Minnesota (Tuesday), vs. Dallas (Thursday), @ Colorado (Saturday)

Detroit: vs. Florida (tomorrow), @ St. Louis (Wednesday), vs. New Jersey (Thursday), vs. Chicago (Saturday)

[Captain Serious]

This team is one & done. Sorry, goaltending & defense is horse [expletive].

[UMFan83]

This team is one & done. Sorry, goaltending & defense is horse [expletive].

 

Thanks for the positivity. I don't particularly think the Hawks are going to make a run, but I don't think there is a favorite at this point in the West. Detroit is struggling big time, St. Louis has started to struggle and just lost by 3 goals to Columbus tonight, Vancouver is rounding into form but we all know of the mental problems they tend to have. I definitely think the Hawks can get by Dallas but will have trouble with SJ or LA. I still think the Hawks have a better shot against those 2 than Detroit and Nashville.

 

The defense and goaltending are below average but have been better lately. As much as we rag on Keith (and rightfully so) he does bring some value to the defense, just not 1st defensive pairing value. Getting him back and getting Toews' 2 way game back (hopefully) should help with that. Crawford has either been pretty good or terrible this year, with the later being more common. But if he comes in hot like he did in the playoffs last year, anything can happen.

[Captain Serious]

They have two goaltenders with a save % barely touching 90.

 

Sorry, they're done quick.

[seanimal]

well there you have it

[Soul]

Well, I'm not going to just declare they're done. But it wouldn't surprise me if they couldn't hold up defensively, resulting in an early exit.

 

Hopefully they tighten it up and get (stay) hot. We do have a nice core of experienced playoff players.

[bukie]

They're probably a top line center and top line defenseman away from being a Stanley Cup contender. Oh, wait...

[UMFan83]

They're probably a top line center and top line defenseman away from being a Stanley Cup contender. Oh, wait...

 

crap, where we gonna get the top line defenseman this late in the season....

[UMFan83]

Hawks not doing a great job of proving that they don't have a terrible defense and goaltending.

[UMFan83]

Well at least we got a point out of our last home game. I hate shootouts though. 98 points with 2 to play and the good news is that only getting 1 point hurts our odds of finishing 5th or 4th.

[Captain Serious]

hopefully that is the last start here for Emery.

 

my stance hasn't changed. they're going nowhere with this defense & goaltending.

[Flames24Rulz]

I'm inclined to agree with cyno considering how bad both goalies are. At their best, they remind me of the Capitals teams the last few years that had a really good offense but a shaky defense and horrid goaltending.

 

Even with Toews and Keith coming back, it's going to be hard to cover up that mess in the net. I think they can win a series, but anything past that would be gravy.

[RynoRules]

Need a second line center, two defenseman and a goalie. Not going to be easy.

[17 Seconds]

my realistic goal for the postseason is to just win a series. gowing out in the first round twice in a row after the cup would be tough. at least win a series, make some noise, and let us know you're still relevant

 

go HARD after a goalie in the offseason. they should have enough financial flexibility and tradeable assets to get somebody. we can even afford to overpay a little. 2 seasons have kind of been punted already, we can't wait a third year in a row.

[squally1313]

The silver lining to come out of Toews' concussion is the fact that Sharp/Kruger/Stalberg has been playing like a legitimate second line for the past 6 weeks or so. If they can keep that up, that means we can throw Hossa/Toews/Kane on the top line, which I think has to be one of, if not the single best line in the NHL. It's hard to count out a team that can have those three on the ice at the same time for 18 minutes a game.

 

I also am excited about seeing what Keith looks like after 10 days off.

[biittner77]

I think the 6 seed is still the most desirable. I want nothing to do with a Hawks/Predators matchup, and while a Hawks/Wings matchup might be beneficial if Jimmy Howard is hurt, I feel like there is still a bit of a mental block with Detroit. Plus, despite good results this year, the Wings still matchup pretty well against the Hawks and play a similar style of hockey.

 

The 6th seed was only desirable if the #3 seed was the Stars. Now that it looks like LA, I'm not so sure 6th is better given that, as 6th seed, there is virtually no chance of having home ice at all.

 

What exactly is the mental block w/ Detroit? Last time I checked the scum hadn't beaten the Hawks in regulation at all this year.