Everything Else

You Gotta Keep 'Em Separated: Ducks 4 – Hawks 5 OT (Series Tied 2-2)

By 1279 0

Box Score

Event Summary

War On Ice

Natural Stat Trick

Even the next day I’m not sure where to begin this. So let’s flip it and look at it how a Ducks fan (if there is such a thing) might look at it. You still haven’t lost in regulation, and had Corey Crawford not put on two borderline-incredible overtime performances in Games 2 and 4, this series might already be over. Your 3rd period magic has now worked both ways, in that the Ducks were able to protect leads, and rather easily, rather easily in Games 1 and 3. And then there was that comeback, which has been a Ducks specialty this season, in Game 4. You’ve rolled the Hawks in the overtimes, they still only have four ES goals in the series. So yeah, things probably look pretty rosy, even if you think you can’t waste a three goals in 37 seconds burst like that.

Everything Else

Make Them Believe: Hawks at Ducks Game 2 Preview/Pregame Thread/Soakin’ It

By 1076 0

Hawk Wrestler vs.howard_the_duck

PUCK DROP: 8pm (or 20 minutes later) Central
TV/RADIO: NBCSN, CBC In The Great White North, WGN 720
MICKEY GROPERS: Anaheim Calling, Battle Of California

Now that all the teeth-gnashing and forcible hair removal after Game 1’s loss has faded, the Hawks get down to the business of trying to grab a split in Orange County, which is what they needed when this all began anyway. Nothing is fucked here, Dude.

As you may have seen the debate rage on Twitter last night, it looks like there’s going to be one lineup change for the Hawks tonight as Kyle Cumiskey will come in for David Rundblad. Let’s be clear, neither is an answer to any question anyone is asking. This isn’t about one being better than the other. But it is highly strange that after it was clear that Rundblad was struggling with rust after not playing in a month combined with the deficiencies in his game, that Q would then opt to try another d-man who hasn’t played in a month and hasn’t even been playing in the NHL this season save for six games that weren’t all that impressive. It’s unlikely he’ll play enough to make a difference, but then we thought that about Rundblad, didn’t we?

Everything Else

Make Them Believe: Hawks at Ducks Game 2 Preview/Pregame Thread/Soakin' It

By 1264 0

Hawk Wrestler vs.howard_the_duck

PUCK DROP: 8pm (or 20 minutes later) Central
TV/RADIO: NBCSN, CBC In The Great White North, WGN 720
MICKEY GROPERS: Anaheim Calling, Battle Of California

Now that all the teeth-gnashing and forcible hair removal after Game 1’s loss has faded, the Hawks get down to the business of trying to grab a split in Orange County, which is what they needed when this all began anyway. Nothing is fucked here, Dude.

As you may have seen the debate rage on Twitter last night, it looks like there’s going to be one lineup change for the Hawks tonight as Kyle Cumiskey will come in for David Rundblad. Let’s be clear, neither is an answer to any question anyone is asking. This isn’t about one being better than the other. But it is highly strange that after it was clear that Rundblad was struggling with rust after not playing in a month combined with the deficiencies in his game, that Q would then opt to try another d-man who hasn’t played in a month and hasn’t even been playing in the NHL this season save for six games that weren’t all that impressive. It’s unlikely he’ll play enough to make a difference, but then we thought that about Rundblad, didn’t we?

Everything Else

Down On The World Again: Hawks 1 – Ducks 4 (Ducks lead series 1-0)

By 1423 0

Box Score

Event Summary

War On Ice

Natural Stat Trick

The Ducks draw first blood on one thing we didn’t account for, and that’s Frederik Andersen turning in a great performance. Andersen has proved to be a good goalie these past two years, but he hasn’t proven he can win a series by himself. And he still hasn’t. But he has proven he can take a game and was very good today.

Because what else happened that you didn’t expect? The Hawks horsed the Ducks for the first 40 minutes, racking up a 63% shot attempt advantage. We also saw Rundblad have a few yips, which we pretty much all saw coming. The Ducks’ defense wasn’t actually much better, turning the puck over whenever under pressure and allowing the Hawks far too many looks than any Anaheim fan should be comfortable with.  The Hawks biffed a couple power plays they gotta have, but with the help of Andersen as well. The Ducks took their opportunities, Andersen made sure the Hawks didn’t take theirs.

And yet some people make it seem like the world is collapsing in. Let’s clean this one up.

Everything Else

Same In The End: Breaking Down Hawks vs. Ducks

By 1503 0

None of what comes in this post is going to be much of a surprise to you. After reading us breaking down the entire Ducks team, you probably know where we think this is headed. But thanks to the NHL and their infinitely genius scheduling, we’ve still got time to kill. So let’s look into the crystal ball.

(Although I guess I understand the series didn’t start tonight, as with Kanye playing the Honda Center tomorrow it probably takes all of today to stuff his aura into the arena).

Everything Else

It Wasn't A Pretty Picture – Anaheim's Special Teams And The Rest

By 1331 0

Time to clean up our preview of the Hawks’ Western Conference Final opponent the Anaheim Ducks.

Special Teams

Now this is where things could go a bit sideways for the Hawks, and clearly the biggest flashing red light. Just like the Hawks did last round, the Hawks will face the team heading into it with the playoffs’ hottest power play, as the Ducks are clicking at 31% in two rounds. Both Winnipeg and Calgary had middling kills during the season, but it’s not like the Hawks’ can claim much else from about March on.

Everything Else

It Wasn’t A Pretty Picture – Anaheim’s Special Teams And The Rest

By 1134 0

Time to clean up our preview of the Hawks’ Western Conference Final opponent the Anaheim Ducks.

Special Teams

Now this is where things could go a bit sideways for the Hawks, and clearly the biggest flashing red light. Just like the Hawks did last round, the Hawks will face the team heading into it with the playoffs’ hottest power play, as the Ducks are clicking at 31% in two rounds. Both Winnipeg and Calgary had middling kills during the season, but it’s not like the Hawks’ can claim much else from about March on.

Everything Else

California Uber Alles – Conference Final vs. Anaheim Preview: The Crease And The Blue Line

By 1432 0

The Conference Final is where it feels like the warm up acts are off and the headliner has taken the stage It’s serious now, maybe because you’re halfway home and each successive win brings you closer to the end than the beginning (which I guess is always true but now you’re over the line). There’s only one game per night, usually, so you have the attention of the whole hockey world throughout the series. Even though this is the fifth time in the last seven years the Hawks have gotten this far, there’s still a tinge or an uptick in the excitement when they do. And for the fourth straight trip, they’ll be heading back to Cali.

What will they find when they get there? Today we start to find out…