2014-2015 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

[biittner77]

Yeah, looks like just smart roster management.

 

Yeah, a 22 year old who can reach some sort of free agency without actually playing in the NHL is a weird system, and it probably makes a lot of sense for a currently good team to be trading those guys for 18 year old versions.

 

It's the same premise as the rule 5 draft: keep teams from stockpiling prospects. You could argue that the salary cap should be pretty effective at doing that though.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Kane suddenly within two points of the league lead

[UMFan83]

Hawks still just 9-8-1 since December 20th and haven't won more than 2 games in a row during that span.

 

Not super worried because it's the Hawks but I would like to see them put together some sort of run at some point.

 

Hawks season broken into 3 parts:

 

-Started 9-7-1

-Went 13-2-0

-Then went 9-8-1

[bukie]

It's just another sign that the regular season is way too damned long.

[UMFan83]

Yeesh. I guess the Hawks are going for the "8 seed romps to title" approach

 

As bad as the Bulls have played, them and the Hawks have identical records over their last 19 games (9-10)

[Guest]

this is depressing

[Brian707]

Yeesh. I guess the Hawks are going for the "8 seed romps to title" approach

 

As bad as the Bulls have played, them and the Hawks have identical records over their last 19 games (9-10)

 

 

Well they still are 4th in conference but 3rd in division. Looks like they will have not have home ice advantage in the first round again. Last year that was the only round they didn't. Who knows they have an 8 game home stand. Maybe they can go 6-1-1 or something like that. Its frustrating right now, but I still think its hard for any team to beat them in a 7 game series. They are a lot deeper than last year. Although Oduyla is a shell of his former self.

[Brian707]

Hawks still 5th in GF and 3rd in GA(teams ahead of them have played less games). Also 2nd in goal differential.

[UMFan83]

Yeesh. I guess the Hawks are going for the "8 seed romps to title" approach

 

As bad as the Bulls have played, them and the Hawks have identical records over their last 19 games (9-10)

 

 

Well they still are 4th in conference but 3rd in division. Looks like they will have not have home ice advantage in the first round again. Last year that was the only round they didn't. Who knows they have an 8 game home stand. Maybe they can go 6-1-1 or something like that. Its frustrating right now, but I still think its hard for any team to beat them in a 7 game series. They are a lot deeper than last year. Although Oduyla is a shell of his former self.

 

Right....last year they ended the regular season terribly (14-13-4 in their last 31) and started the playoffs with 2 losses, then turned it up.

 

So I'm not super worried again, because this is what contending teams that know the grind of the Stanley Cup playoffs tend to do. Not a big deal until it translates to the postseason.

[Brian707]

I just noticed the Kings are 5 points out of a playoff spot, with 4 teams ahead of them. Could be first defending champion to miss playoffs since the 2006 Hurricanes.

[kujay]

What a finish. Kaner is so sick.

[Guest]

What a finish. Kaner is so sick.

His goal was great

[UMFan83]

@ChrisKuc: Dustin Byfuglien repeatedly shoved Patrick Kane into boards away from play. Appeared he was kidding but not 100 percent sure of that.

 

I missed the beginning of the game, did anyone see this?

[kujay]

Great start what a rip by Kruger.

[Butterscup1679666578]

awesome win

[jersey cubs fan]

awesome win

Great lazy Sunday

[RynoRules]

Badly needed those two wins. They should have the opportunity to move up a spot over the next 30. Not likely to catch Nashville baring a collapse.

[apete6]

awesome win

Great lazy Sunday

 

Never gets old beating the Blues. They are very unlikable.

[Brian707]

Badly needed those two wins. They should have the opportunity to move up a spot over the next 30. Not likely to catch Nashville baring a collapse.

 

 

Nashville looks like they will be tough to catch. Setting up another first round meeting with the Blues. The only question is which team will have home ice advantage. This is what I hate about the new playoff format, the Hawks and Blues could finish 2nd and 3rd in the conference and have to play each other in the first round.

[biittner77]

Badly needed those two wins. They should have the opportunity to move up a spot over the next 30. Not likely to catch Nashville baring a collapse.

 

 

Nashville looks like they will be tough to catch. Setting up another first round meeting with the Blues. The only question is which team will have home ice advantage. This is what I hate about the new playoff format, the Hawks and Blues could finish 2nd and 3rd in the conference and have to play each other in the first round.

 

I think that was kind of the idea- to build rivalries by having the same teams play each other every year.

[Brian707]

Badly needed those two wins. They should have the opportunity to move up a spot over the next 30. Not likely to catch Nashville baring a collapse.

 

 

Nashville looks like they will be tough to catch. Setting up another first round meeting with the Blues. The only question is which team will have home ice advantage. This is what I hate about the new playoff format, the Hawks and Blues could finish 2nd and 3rd in the conference and have to play each other in the first round.

 

I think that was kind of the idea- to build rivalries by having the same teams play each other every year.

 

 

I remember when they used to do this back in the 80's and 90's. I just don't like it as much as I did back then.

[biittner77]

Badly needed those two wins. They should have the opportunity to move up a spot over the next 30. Not likely to catch Nashville baring a collapse.

 

 

Nashville looks like they will be tough to catch. Setting up another first round meeting with the Blues. The only question is which team will have home ice advantage. This is what I hate about the new playoff format, the Hawks and Blues could finish 2nd and 3rd in the conference and have to play each other in the first round.

 

I think that was kind of the idea- to build rivalries by having the same teams play each other every year.

 

 

I remember when they used to do this back in the 80's and 90's. I just don't like it as much as I did back then.

 

I know what you mean. Rivalries have to be organic and should be in flux. The Hawks rivalry with Vancouver, for example.

[kujay]

Badly needed those two wins. They should have the opportunity to move up a spot over the next 30. Not likely to catch Nashville baring a collapse.

 

 

Nashville looks like they will be tough to catch. Setting up another first round meeting with the Blues. The only question is which team will have home ice advantage. This is what I hate about the new playoff format, the Hawks and Blues could finish 2nd and 3rd in the conference and have to play each other in the first round.

 

I think that was kind of the idea- to build rivalries by having the same teams play each other every year.

 

 

I remember when they used to do this back in the 80's and 90's. I just don't like it as much as I did back then.

 

I know what you mean. Rivalries have to be organic and should be in flux. The Hawks rivalry with Vancouver, for example.

 

Agree, those couple years were great and certainly live on with the fans, though really, it's just Burrows there now that we have a fight with.

[Brian707]

http://i.imgur.com/G9fh5xt.gif

[Soul]

LOL, that's great.