UMFan83

So I was thinking a lot about the Hawks playoff chances this year. I am a semi-serious Hawks fan, I watch at least a chunk of 90% of the games, follow the team in the media, etc, but when it comes to the NHL in general I am more of a novice. So I wonder, what are the Hawks odds of making a run in the playoffs? There are times this year where the Hawks have looked unbeatable. In fact, there are a lot of times. Losses like yesterday make people so angry because they aren't expected. But there have also been times this year where the Hawks haven't looked as sharp (pun not intended). Their offense can be streaky, their defense has lapses here and there, there are depth issues here and there but nothing major. I am assuming most people's expectations would at least be to beat Vancouver in the first round. The Hawks have outplayed them a majority of their 3 games. But what about rounds 2 and 3 against most likely San Jose and Detroit. Are you hockey experts basically conceding there is no chance, or do you think if the Hawks can get over the psychological playoff experience hump by beating Vancouver, a group of young talented players with nothing to lose and their whole careers ahead of them can play with the big boys? Again, there have been times when the Hawks have looked just as good as SJ and Detroit, but when push comes to shove, they both have clearly distanced themselves from Chicago in the standings. So my questions are: 1) Assuming the Hawks are the 4 seed and draw Vancouver in the first round with SJ and Detroit 1-2, what are your reasonable expectations for the playoffs. (for example, mine would be win round 1, lose to SJ 4-2 is what I'd expect) 2) How likely is it that the Blackhawks can make a competitive series/win against SJ and/or Detroit? Or do you expect a veteran team like SJ or Detroit to roll over the Hawks 3) How likely is it that the Hawks can come out of the West and enter the Stanley Cup finals? Just hypothetical questions to discuss on the off day... Also, assume no major trades are made.

This completes a miserable day in sports for me where all 3 of my teams that played (Bulls, Michigan, Hawks) all lost to inferior games that they had no business losing. Yay

It's like when a team's 5th starter holds the Cubs to 2 hits in 7 shutout innigs

44-24 shot discrepancy in favor of the Hawks

Frustrating, but oh well. We are pretty much coasting into the playoffs as it is. Not a great chance of catching Detroit or falling to the 5th seed.

AGHHH I thought that was in.

Ack, shot right in the goalie's chest.

Damn, this goalie is playing the game of his life. Somedays, the shots just don't go in. You gotta tip your cap to the other guy.

here you go, now you can say you have seen michigan in the ncaa's: http://umtailgate.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/spt-acthm3.jpeg Thanks. Wasn't a Michigan fan back then. Started following them in 1998, which coincidentally was the last year they made the NCAAs. Terrible decision on my part to root for them.

I believe it's on WGN 720. No TV though

My first instinct is to think that they are hurt, but then rational thought takes over and suggests that maybe they are just being conservative with their top pitches due to the extra long spring training. Either way, its worth some discussion. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-23-cubs-bits-chicagofeb23,0,2082510.story

Kill the stupid Dodgers. We'll get our revenge in Spring Training.

Yup that's it for Michigan. Everytime they get on some sort of run, and I get my hopes up, they get crushed by a game like this. College basketball sucks, I'll never get to see Michigan in the NCAAs.

I am pissed because the Hawks have DOMINATED this game. And they get a BS goal for NO reason. Oh great, the refs only know how to call a high-stick... Yup, would have been no goal had they called it on the ice.

Cyno's gonna be pissed.

Wow what a turn of events. Shutout streak over

It's kinda crazy that the Blackhawks are going to likely have the 3rd most points in the conference after today after having played 33 road games and only 24 home games so far. So for the rest of the season we'll have 8 more road games and 17 more home games, and have 2 games in hand over Detroit to make up 10 points. Not saying it will happen but its possible. Make up 7 points between now and the last 2 games of the season and we have a shot. If we win this game, we'll have finished a stretch where we played 11 road games out of their last 12 games, and have gone 9-3 in that stretch. Amazing

Every Saturday game besides May 2 vs. Florida and August 15 vs. Pittsburgh is sold out.

Why not? he's not a jump shooter. he'll overwhelm you with physicality, but i don't think he has even as many game winning shots as ben gordon does. anybody else think he looked bad during the olympics? They did a study on it recently. LeBron leads the league in GW shots over the last 3 years. LeBron can beat you in so many ways, I can't see why you'd think you wouldn't want him taking that shot. He's a 49% shooter this year, and obviously a lot of that is because he goes to the basket a lot, but that's still an impressive shooting % for a guard

I think you're underestimating how good Derrick Rose is going to be. Just out of curiosity, would you think this team can compete in the East? Dwayne Wade Ben Gordon Luol Deng Tyrus Thomas Chris Bosh You probably would. And realize that in a few years, Rose might be as good as (or possible better than) Wade. Here are their per-36-minute stats from their rookie years: Wade (age 22): 16.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, .465 FG% Rose (age 20): 16.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists, .474 FG% So, comparing the two player's first years in the NBA, Rose scores at almost the same rate, but more efficiently. He also distributes better. And he's two years younger than Wade. I don't think he'll ever average 28 a game because he'll be playing the point, but I think it's very possible they'll have similar value. I don't think you can *only* compare 2 players based on statistics. Wade is a very good scorer and does it in many ways, from jump shots, to slashing in the lane, plus an amazing ability to draw contact in the lane. Wade seems to have a bigger reach as well, allowing him to get shots up over taller defenders (their height isn't a big difference, Rose is 6-3 and only 20, while Wade is 6-4) I'm not dogging on Rose, I think he is going to be a terrific player and can rival Wades impact. But to just compare them on their rookie numbers isn't telling the whole story. Wade's ability to score is unique and Rose might not be able to score in the same ways. Wades way of scoring might give him a higher ceiling that Rose's abilities might. There's no doubt that Rose is only going to get better though. His jumper is already better than Wade's is right now, and he has the ability to get to the lane easily. His first step is unrivaled in the NBA. I think he'll be a 25ppg scorer when all is said and done, if he doesn't focus more on distribution.

Well I got in 2 more times...I got.. (3) Sat. July 25 vs. Reds (2) Sat. April 18 vs. Cardinals (2) Thurs. April 30 vs. Marlins plus (2) Mon. April 13 vs. Rockies from Cyno Not exactly the haul I was looking for, but at least I got a couple of Saturdays and I'm guaranteed to go to some games in April.

Well, I did get in once...at around 11:15. My GF wanted me to get Reds/Cubs weekend summer tickets, so after checking opening day, the white sox, and cardinals weekend games to no avail, I finally got 3 tickets to the July 25 Reds/Cubs game. Terrible seats too. And thanks to Cyno, who offered me up a couple of his bleacher seats to Opening Day for an extremely reasonable price. Cyno, I don't care what Fred Hornkol says about you, you're alright in my book! (just kidding Fred :)). And yes, besides that one time, my 150 tabs haven't gotten me in at all in the 95 minutes I've been trying.

Are you kidding? Sell them now! Do you think the market will be better right now, when unlucky people are panicing about not getting tickets to the games they wanted, or 24 hours from now when they've calmed down and have had time to rationally realize that they will wait out the market and find the best time to get tickets.

Damn man thats crazy, I only had 20 tabs open. This will be my first time ever sitting in the bleachers, Im pumped. Also secondary market for tickets right now is ridiculous. I'm not mad for you...I get to go to plenty of Cubs games, and I'm sure I'll go to my share this year too. It just sucks because I look forward to opening day all year, take off work, meet up early to celebrate and then goto the game. Now I might not be able to do that. The secondary market is ridiculous but it will go way down once initial enthusiasm goes down....happens for every sporting event I've tracked. Yea you luckey ass wrigleyville people :D Id love to go to opening day but living in Galesburg makes it a pain to go to a weekday game. Im pumped though first time in bleachers for Woody and Deros homecoming, and Im going to Busch for the 1st time ever in April. Guess Im losing my virginity this year :D You're only going to Busch Stadium for 10-15 seconds? (sorry bad joke)

Damn man thats crazy, I only had 20 tabs open. This will be my first time ever sitting in the bleachers, Im pumped. Also secondary market for tickets right now is ridiculous. I'm not mad for you...I get to go to plenty of Cubs games, and I'm sure I'll go to my share this year too. It just sucks because I look forward to opening day all year, take off work, meet up early to celebrate and then goto the game. Now I might not be able to do that. The secondary market is ridiculous but it will go way down once initial enthusiasm goes down....happens for every sporting event I've tracked.