2014-2015 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

[UMFan83]

Goal differential of Stanley Cup Champions since 2010

 

2014 Kings +32 ranked 7th

2013 Hawks +53 ranked 1st

2012 Kings +15 ranked 9th

2011 Bruins +51 ranked 2nd they beat the #1 team Canucks

2010 Hawks +62 ranked 2nd

 

So it's important unless you are the Kings.

[UMFan83]

Unfortunately, I think this team is a one and done team with how they're playing.

 

They may face Nashville in the first round, but they can also end up facing the blues. They could also end up facing the Ducks.

 

Blues have clinched the division and can still win the conference. Blues play the Wild, Hawks play the Avs, Ducks play the Coyotes.

 

Blackhawks play the Blues if:

 

Wild win and the Hawks lose in regulation. (Wild and Hawks end up with 102 points, Wild hold tie break)

 

Blackhawks play Nashville if:

 

Hawks win or go to OT or the Wild lose.

 

Blackhawks play Anaheim if:

 

Anaheim and the Hawks lose in Regulation, St Louis goes to OT with Wild but the Wild get the second point.

 

 

I'm betting the Hawks end up playing the [expletive] Blues.

 

 

 

I know there is next to no chance of the Hawks playing the Ducks but if that happened and you got thru that, you would have a second round against one of Vancouver and Calgary. Then get to take on the tired winner of the Central.

 

I'd rather play the Ducks than St. Louis that's for sure. Maybe Nashville too, but probably not because of the travel involved with a road of Anaheim and potentially Vancouver.

[Brian707]

True, the travel would suck. Hawks will know tomorrow by about 5:30 if they need a point in Colorado or not as Minnesota plays at 2pm. Should be an interesting day.

[biittner77]

i'm curious about what st. louis will bring against minnesota in that final game.

 

They seem to place a lot of value on home ice, so that's a motive to try to win. All of their talented players are already hurt so they have no reason to mail this one in. If they win, they would have a chance to face the Jets. Depending on who they'd rather face that could be a reason to try to win. Finally, the Blues under Hitchcock rarely mail it in even if they probably should. Finally, a win would give them a road to the cup that doesn't go through Chicago.

 

On the other hand, laying down would hurt their biggest rival (in their minds). In order for them to get the #1 seed in the West, they need Arizona to win or take the Ducks into OT.

[cubbyvirus00]

Is it just me or has Versteeg, Vermette, Richards and Sharp all looked like the same guy in the last few weeks?

 

Very underwhelming group of forwards...

[Brian707]

Is it just me or has Versteeg, Vermette, Richards and Sharp all looked like the same guy in the last few weeks?

 

Very underwhelming group of forwards...

 

 

Richards has looked better the last couple weeks even though the stats don't show it. I would think Vermette will be playing center where he belongs come playoff time, Sharp he has been snakebitten all season. Versteeg he just needs to play on the bottom 6, Im sick and tired of him making a dumb turnover or passing when he should be shooting, just keep it simple.

[UMFan83]

So the Blues are up 3-1 after 2. Any St. Louis win locks the Hawks into a series with Nashville correct?

[UMFan83]

Alright. Hawks and Predators it is

[kujay]

Blues won, yeah I think we get Nashville.

[UMFan83]

Hawks and Preds are going to go in their series combining for 10 straight losses. 4 for Chicago, 6 for Nashville. At least this one was completely meaningless, but I really wanted at least a point going into the playoffs even if none of the guys gave a [expletive].

[kujay]

The only goal last night was don't get hurt. They don't need any good vibes from getting a loser point in a meaningless game.

 

I don't mind that Nashville is opening at home. The pressure is on them after having such a great year. Just take one of the first two and that pressure will ratchet up.

[biittner77]

No more excuses or rationalizations. We'll see what this team is made of on Wednesday. The Preds haven't been very good lately, including Rinne but neither have the Hawks. They won't be an easy out but were easily the least painful 1st round match up. Hawks in 6. Here's how the rest of the west plays out:

 

Blues are better than the Wild but the Wild are stubborn and won't go down easy. Blues in 6

Ducks are a mirage. Teams with speed give the Ducks problems. Jets in 7

Vancouver aren't what they used to be but they have more experience. The Flames are just happy to be there. Van in 7 because they stink.

 

Blues Hawks is hard to tell. If Kane is back the Hawks win.

Jets and Van are playing for the right to lose to the Hawks/ Blues winner so Jets I guess.

 

The Rangers should roll through the East. With the exception of the Lightning, it's hard to see how anyone can beat them in a 7 game series.

 

Now you know what won't happen.

[UMFan83]

Series starts on Wednesday at 7:30, then games every other day. Games 2 and 4 are at 8:30, game 3 at 2PM. The rest of the game times are TBD.

 

I'll take Hawks in 6, Wild in 7, Ducks in 7 and Cancuks in 6

[Hairyducked Idiot]

They're a pretty good hockey team who will play a bunch of close games with some other pretty good hockey teams, and we'll act like the final results are some sort of reflection of their innate character and worthiness whether it goes for good or bad.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Pat Boyle ‏@CSNBoyle 2m2 minutes ago

With Kane's work on ice while Hawks were gone, I'm expecting 88 to be cleared 4 full contact practice tomorrow..Probable for GM 1 vs Nash

[UMFan83]

Some people are going to be "Kris Bryant to AAA" salty if he plays as soon as the playoffs start

[biittner77]

Some people are going to be "Kris Bryant to AAA" salty if he plays as soon as the playoffs start

 

Who would be salty that Kane returned ahead of schedule?

[UMFan83]

Some people are going to be "Kris Bryant to AAA" salty if he plays as soon as the playoffs start

 

Who would be salty that Kane returned ahead of schedule?

 

Mostly because people expected him to be out until mid May and now the Hawks were able to add 2 of the best players available at the deadline and Kane didn't have to miss any "important" games

[Banedon]

Wednesday, April 15 8:30 p.m. Chicago at Nashville NBCSN, SN 360, TVA Sports

Friday, April 17 9:30 p.m. Chicago at Nashville NBCSN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

Sunday, April 19 3 p.m. Nashville at Chicago NBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

Tuesday, April 21 9:30 p.m. Nashville at Chicago NBCSN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

*Thursday, April 23 TBD Chicago at Nashville TBD

*Saturday, April 25 TBD Nashville at Chicago TBD

*Monday, April 27 TBD Chicago at Nashville TBD

[Guest]

Some people are going to be "Kris Bryant to AAA" salty if he plays as soon as the playoffs start

 

Who would be salty that Kane returned ahead of schedule?

 

Mostly because people expected him to be out until mid May and now the Hawks were able to add 2 of the best players available at the deadline and Kane didn't have to miss any "important" games

 

vermette and kimmo kind of suck though

 

still, i'm starting to get my hopes up again. nashville was probably the best case scenario in the first round. i think st. louis and minnesota are both better. and now kane might be back? i think it would be 50/50 even without him.

[Brian707]

Oh you poor offended Southerners

 

http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2015/04/12/nashville-predators-national-anthem-chicago-blackhawks/25684973/

 

 

I'm sure the bar owners on Broadway are thrilled that you keep trying to keep the Chicago drinkers and tourist dollars out.

[Banedon]

Oh you poor offended Southerners

 

http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2015/04/12/nashville-predators-national-anthem-chicago-blackhawks/25684973/

 

 

I'm sure the bar owners on Broadway are thrilled that you keep trying to keep the Chicago drinkers and tourist dollars out.

 

"It would almost be against God, country and apple pie to shout and cheer through the person next to you singing the anthem of the United States of America, wouldn't it?" Henry said.

 

ROFL

[biittner77]

Fans shouldn't cheer the anthem on the road. That's a home game thing. There are plenty of chances to let them know you're there once the game starts.

 

As for the tickets, if you had any fans that actually go to games, you wouldn't have to worry about road fans taking over your stadium.

[Brian707]

Fans shouldn't cheer the anthem on the road. That's a home game thing. There are plenty of chances to let them know you're there once the game starts.

 

As for the tickets, if you had any fans that actually go to games, you wouldn't have to worry about road fans taking over your stadium.

 

 

I agree the fans shouldn't cheer the anthem on the road. I went to one game down in Nashville and the Chicago fans were respectful. I think it's hilarious they are trying to keep the "Red" out.

[apete6]

Fans shouldn't cheer the anthem on the road. That's a home game thing. There are plenty of chances to let them know you're there once the game starts.

 

As for the tickets, if you had any fans that actually go to games, you wouldn't have to worry about road fans taking over your stadium.

 

 

I agree the fans shouldn't cheer the anthem on the road. I went to one game down in Nashville and the Chicago fans were respectful. I think it's hilarious they are trying to keep the "Red" out.

 

I'll be there on Wednesday night with tickets via StubHub. Never been to Nashville, let alone a game at Bridgestone. I'm randomly working a couple of hours away from there that week and going to drive in for the game with a co-worker. Wearing a Kane jersey if he plays. I'll give a full report later in the week.