Pitt Rolls: TSN
The “reformed one” returns: MST
Swedish Silence: CSN AP
Still confident: Chicago Daily Tribune
Iron Mike happy behind the once Iron Curtain: CBC
I’m back and no I didn’t get pushed into the Grand Canyon by my wife!
3: ESPN
Shaw out: Chicago Tribune
Penguins Win: Sportsnet
Fountain of Youth: TSN
Kings win: LA Times
I think this is awesome?? Puck Daddy
Finalists for the players MVP: Globe and Mail
@
Game Time: 2:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CBC, NBC, RDS/87.7FM
Wondering If They’re Still Doomed To Repeat It: SLGT
By now, I’m sure you’ve read countless articles about the similarities between this current series and the Kings/Blues one from last season. Unless of course you only read this site for all your Hawks news, in which case, thank you, I guess. The similarities are pretty striking but don’t for one second think anything is a given in this game. While the Hawks record in elimination Game 6’s is stellar they must still focus on all the little things to fend off a team like the Blues who are going to be sure to throw everything they’ve got at the Hawks to bring the game back to St. Louis for one more go around.
vs
Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, CNBC, CBC (Angl0), RDSI (Franco), WGN-AM 720
Moral High Ground From Below Sea Level: SLGT
With the series now turning north and back to the west side tonight, the Hawks find themselves in an unfortunately familiar spot, down two games to an opponent, something that has happened each of the last three playoff years. And this go-around might be the most rancorous yet.
Its because he is Marian F’N Hossa: Daily Herald
Thank God this is back: Chicago Tribune
Also having a certain Dane and AHL POM dressed could help:ESPN
The Numbers do not lie: HockeeNight
Predictions from Down Goes Brown: Grantland
This worked out well the last time Uncle Dale had this pick: TSN
The Defence beings: Cheer the Anthem
The I-55 series: Chicago Tribune SCH
Good problems to have: Chicago Suntimes
Dave Chappelle has a line about this:TSN
Shameless plug for my good friend Ken Oda, who called the longest game in Modern Era Tier 2 Jr. Hockey: NAHL
I thought I’d knock this out today, with two games to end the season and attendance at HockeeNight’s thing on Saturday making Sunday completely useless. So let’s do our full season Atop The Sugar Pile.
The Dizzying Highs
Niklas Hjalmarsson – I named him The CI’s Player Of The Season in last night’s issue. And for me, everything has basically centered around him this campaign. Yes, Duncan Keith is the main cog in the engine, or maybe even the engine himself, that drives the Hawks game. But Keith was allowed to be that this season because Hammer was so good and earning the top assignments. It allowed Keith to dominate lesser competition, and when Keith is controlling the ice everything about the Hawks’ game opens up.
While we can look at almost every other Hawks and find a portion of their season that dipped or had a slump, it’s hard for me to remember a time when Hammer’s game varied 5% either way. The only time he looked vulnerable was lately when he had to be paired with Sheldon Brookbank. But who wouldn’t? Hammer’s poise defensively and with the puck has been startling to watch when you consider where he was two years ago. He never panics, he’s always in position, and his short but assured passes to the middle simple deflate every forecheck and start the Hawks the other way.
Has he been the all around game that Keith has? No. But he’s the best defensive defenseman on the team this year. He might be the best kept secret in the NHL, but I don’t think it’ll stay that way for much longer.
