Chicago Blackhawks 2013 Season

[kujay]

Kruger has looked a bit out of place the last few games in my opinion. He had that brief spurt of offensive success early in the year but really not much lately. And he just doesn't seem able to keep their strong puck possession game going.

 

Not that there's anything can be done about that at this point, but in your scenario of having him center the second line, that would be my concern.

[biittner77]

Kruger has looked a bit out of place the last few games in my opinion. He had that brief spurt of offensive success early in the year but really not much lately. And he just doesn't seem able to keep their strong puck possession game going.

 

Not that there's anything can be done about that at this point, but in your scenario of having him center the second line, that would be my concern.

 

He will have to find his way a little bit but I think he is creative and fearless enough to make it work. Handzus may be too slow, Shaw has had the same types of flashes of offense followed by long periods of invisibility and Bolland's issues have been well documented. So really it's Kruger by default unless Handzus can prove capable of keeping up.

 

I think we'll see all of these options explored over the remaining games.

[squally1313]

Dex, this is what I was getting at. I don't think Saad would have been given the same chance to show what he had without Carcillo, at least not as soon. I don't know if his season turns out the same if Carcillo doesn't go down right away

 

It's hard to say what would have happened. He might have had to wait until Sharp got hurt to crack the top 6 on a consistent basis. In a saeason where they haven't been practising as much it would be hard for him to move up the ladder except by getting a chance in games.

 

With everyone back, I'd like to see this line up for the playoffs

 

Saad-Toews-Kane

Sharp-Kruger-Hossa

Bickell-Bolland-Stalberg

Shaw-Handzus-Frolik

 

The first line will draw the top defensive line of the other team, leaving the second line to wreak havoc. The 3rd and 4th lines should be pretty effective too.

 

I read something last night (although you might have too) about Q keeping the Saad-19-88 line as his 'ace in the hole'. While the 2C issue is never going to be perfect, I'd keep the lines they way they are now (with Saad-Toews-Hossa on the top line), and maybe try Shaw out as the 2C. He's shown a serious ability to get to the net and seems to have minimized his stupid, reckless plays. Sharp took most of Kruger's faceoffs last night, so he can continue doing that with Shaw. With the lines you have above, I'm worried there isn't enough of a creator on the 2nd line, (although obviously both wings are awesome).

[biittner77]

I see where you're coming from regarding Kruger. I feel like the Bickell-Shaw-Stalberg line was fairly pedestrian lately but has looked a lot better with Handzus. Shaw would certainly add a net presence to that 2nd line but I'm not sure how much space he would create on that line either.

 

The truth is that if there was an easy answer we'd already see what that was. I guess we'll se how things play out the rest of the way. I suppose we probably shouldn't rule out Bolland on the 2nd line. I'm not as down on Bolland as some people but if he's on the 2nd line, I'd rather go with this set up

 

Sharp-Toews-Kane

Saad-Bolland-Hossa

Bickell-Handzus-Stalberg

Shaw-Kruger-Frolik

 

We've seen what that first line can do and that second line would have 3 good defensive player and still be able to generate some scoring.

[UMFan83]

With the season winding down and the Hawks looking like they are going to be the 1 seed, or 2 seed at worst, who does everyone want to see in the 1st round? If the season ended today, the Hawks would be playing the Wings in the first round. Historical rivalry juju notwithstanding, I think they would be who I'd want to see. Detroit has been inconsistent, and while the first 2 games against them were decided in OT/SO, I feel like the Hawks outplayed them in all 3 games.

 

Other possible opponents include:

 

6. St. Louis (46 points in 38 games. Hawks 2-0-1) - Have been a bit of a disappointment but still very good team, would prefer not to play them.

7. Minnesota (46 points in 39 games. Hawks 2-0-1) - I'd be fine playing them, but they do have a lot of talent.

8. Detroit (43 points in 39 games. Hawks 3-0-0)

9. Dallas (41 points in 39 games. Hawks 2-0-0) - I'd be ok with playing them.

10. Columbus (41 points in 40 games. Hawks 4-0-0) - Hawks played 4 close games against them, they got better at the deadline, we'd win but I think it would be a tough series.

11. Phoenix (40 points in 39 games. Hawks 2-0-0) - Probably not, just because I'm scared Smith would stand on his head all series again.

12. Edmonton (39 points in 39 games. Hawks 1-1-0) - Would rather not, they've had some great games against us the last 2 years although our depth and offensive fire power would win us the series.

 

Put me down for Detroit, Dallas, or Minnesota in that order. Either way, Hawks are 16-1-2 against potential 1st round opponents

[Butterscup1679666578]

Dallas or St. Louis

[seanimal]

none of those teams worry me at all, any would be lucky to win two games against the hawks in the playoffs

[seanimal]

With the lines you have above, I'm worried there isn't enough of a creator on the 2nd line, (although obviously both wings are awesome).

 

i think with kruger this is only an issue in the sense that he sucks at the dot. the good thing about that particular trait, is that it can be improved drastically

[seanimal]

I'm not as down on Bolland as some people

 

my thoughts go in two directions when it comes to him;

 

1) get back to me if he's playing like this in the games that REALLY matter

2) his "upper body" injuries to the head are taking their toll

 

i'm willing to forgive less-than-notable performance so long as he continues to turn it on in the playoffs. however, there is a part of me that, in the interim, worries that there has been a lot of damage done to his thinking bone

[kujay]

Bolland is at his best when he's more feisty, playing "on the edge" I guess. Maybe he's unwilling to do that due to injuries. If that's the case I'm sorry for the guy, but he's not contributing anything. I guess he was a healthy scratch the other night. I didn't even notice.

[biittner77]

Bolland is at his best when he's more feisty, playing "on the edge" I guess. Maybe he's unwilling to do that due to injuries. If that's the case I'm sorry for the guy, but he's not contributing anything. I guess he was a healthy scratch the other night. I didn't even notice.

 

They said he was a healthy scrath but I thought I heard that he didn't make the trip. Do the press box guys travel when it's a one game trip? I always assumed they did just in case they're needed at the 11th hour.

 

Speaking of Bolland, I don't want him taking draws on the PP ever again.

[Old Style]

I'm not sure I'd want to face Dallas in the playoffs. Lehtonen is a really good goalie that can single handedly shut a team down. Too bad for him he's on a shitty team.

[biittner77]

I'm not sure I'd want to face Dallas in the playoffs. Lehtonen is a really good goalie that can single handedly shut a team down. Too bad for him he's on a [expletive] team.

 

You could say that about just about any of the playoff hopefuls except for maybe Edmonton.The team in front of Lehtonen stinks most of the time.

 

I can't make up my mind between wanting Detroit in the first round or wanting them to miss the playoffs entirely.

[kujay]

I want Detroit out.

 

No fear of Phoenix. We owe them an ass-kicking. Nor of Dallas or Columbus of course.

[squally1313]

With Anaheim's regulation loss last night, we're 5 points up with 2 games in hand. Sports Club Stats has us as 95% favorites to win the President's Cup Trophy (and I can already see the snide comments from Vancouver fans) and pretty much guaranteed to get the number 1 seed. Since I don't care about the President's Trophy at all, and hope they don't either, it will be interesting to see how Q handles giving them some rest down the stretch while also getting them ready for playoff hockey.

 

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL.html

[shnsajax]

I think I would rather want Detroit to miss out all together. Don't really want to have to deal with Edmonton in the 1st round. Would rather have Dallas. Plus them I could go to a game.

[kujay]

@MarkLazerus: Bolland skating on fifth line with Mayers and Bollig. Kruger still between Sharp and Kane. #Blackhawks

 

Looks like Bolland is getting some more vacation time.

[biittner77]

@MarkLazerus: Bolland skating on fifth line with Mayers and Bollig. Kruger still between Sharp and Kane. #Blackhawks

 

Looks like Bolland is getting some more vacation time.

 

There's no reason for him to play. I'd like to see Oduya geta healthy scratch soon too, just to give him some time to recharge.

[kujay]

@MarkLazerus: Bolland skating on fifth line with Mayers and Bollig. Kruger still between Sharp and Kane. #Blackhawks

 

Looks like Bolland is getting some more vacation time.

 

There's no reason for him to play. I'd like to see Oduya geta healthy scratch soon too, just to give him some time to recharge.

 

Works for me his play has fallen off quite a bit the last month or so too.

[Banedon]

Crawford getting the start tonight. Bolland practiced, but is out.

 

“No controversy at all,” Crawford said. “We’re winning hockey games. We’re both playing well. I see it as a positive thing.”

[NewUserName]

I think I would rather want Detroit to miss out all together. Don't really want to have to deal with Edmonton in the 1st round. Would rather have Dallas. Plus them I could go to a game.

 

I think if there is any team that could make a LA Kings type run this season it is probably Minnesota. The Hawks would probably have an easy time with any of the other lower seeded teams currently. IF Helm and Bertuzzi come back I could see the Wings winning a couple of games and maybe pushing a couple of others, but still not nearly enough to compete with the Hawks in a 7 game series.

[Banedon]

Playoff tickets on sale Monday at noon.

[UMFan83]

Last (regular season) Wings-Hawks game as division/conference foes, right?

[UMFan83]

Thatta boy Captain

 

Was starting to get worried there

[kujay]

Toews! What a scrum that was.