Everything Else

You Talk About Things That Nobody Cares

By Sam Fels 1475 0

Just some things to clean up after Game 3 before we turn toward what’s ahead in Game 4.

-This Hossa injury thing is just weird and I can’t believe it’s not getting the screws turned to Quenneville. Actually, I can totally believe it because it’s long been accepted in hockey circles that your coach can spill out pure drivel and everyone will just dismiss it as him simply being “hockey” or “Canadian.” Jesus, you’d think a lot of Canadians would take great offense at that, because though I don’t know that many I’m pretty sure an overwhelming amount of them are articulate and pretty intelligent.

If it was known well before that Hossa might not go, then not having Smith take the warm up when Mayers already was is just….well isn’t it ridiculous? Smith hasn’t played a game since the last game of the season. Doesn’t he need as much time on the ice as possible? You’re already hedging your Hossa bets by having Mayers skate in the warmup. I was under the impression that anyone who has the slightest chance of playing takes the warmup just for this exact purpose.

Everything Else

The World Is In Your Way – Game 1 – Bruins vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Freshman Orientation

By Matt McClure 1414 0

bruins country bear jamboroo vs AltLogo

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBC, CBC (Anglo), RDS (Franco), WGN-AM 720
The Impression That I Get: Cup of Chowder, Days of Y’Orr

Now the real fun begins. After an abbreviated 48 game season of intra-conference play and three playoff rounds with their fair share of scares for each team, the Hawks and Bruins will meet in the post season for the sixth time ever, and for the first time ever in the Stanley Cup Final. With the Bruins two years removed from their last title and the Hawks three, it’s a juggernaut matchup that the league has dreamed of, but probably doesn’t deserve after what it’s put everyone through. And though superficial analysis would have one believe that these two teams are diametrically opposed stylistically, they’re actually far more similar than one would expect.

Everything Else

Morning Links (Finals: Game 1)

By Joe DeTolve 1186 0

Here’s to hoping Sam has to write another one!

This is stupid: Chicago Tribune

Hawks once again to face “an all world goalie” CSN Autoplay

But they will be important: Cheer The Anthem

New History for Old Rivalry: Mr. Verdi

Hopefully Fro-Yo can contain himself: PuckDaddy

Education for the unwashed masses: Globe and Mail

From the ghosts of 2010:Suntimes

Hopefully our Governor will be drunk again reading proclamations on Michigan Ave: Daily Herald

Everything Else

Bright Light Fright: The Boston Bruins Blue Line

By Sam Fels 2006 0

Thar be monsters here.

While we highlighted the Kings unpleasant nature on defense, the Bruins bring that and more. This is a group of men who look like they belong in a bar brawl somewhere and try to turn their zone into one. But they also come with some of the warts that the Kings had as well, just not as large.

There’s no point in going any further without talking about the 6-9-sized problem on the top pairing, and that’s Zdeno Chara. This could be the biggest difference (ha ha) between what the Hawks just saw and what they’re about to see. While the Kings’ #1 d-man Drew Doughty is a great player, he can be erratic and wild and reckless at times. The Hawks got to take advantage of that. They will get no such breaks with Chara on the ice.

Everything Else

Anything Goes Tonight: Kings 3 – Hawks 4 2OT (Hawks win series 4-1)

By Sam Fels 1269 0

Or last night. Depends on your definition. Whatever.

There are many things to complain about tonight, but in the end it comes down to, “Survive and advance.” After the first 20 minutes, the Hawks were the second best team on the ice. They probably stole this one. But it doesn’t matter. You get where you can, and the Hawks did so. The historians won’t note that the Kings were the better team tonight. And that’s all that matters.

Everything Else

Piece By Piece: Blackhawks 3 – Kings 2 (Hawks Lead Series 3-1)

By Matthew Killion 1640 0

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Chicago Blackhawks at Los Angeles KingsThe Kings were undefeated at home so far in the playoffs. The Kings were 22-0 when scoring first all season long. The Blackhawks were without their best defenseman (and possibly just their best overall player). The Blackhawks found themselves down a goal twice in the game. And none of it really mattered. After a simply dominant third period, the Blackhawks found themselves up 3-1 in the series and the games shift back to Chicago on Saturday night. It’s not over yet but the finals are clearly back in our sights as the Kings need to win 3 in a row to close this out… and yes, that includes two games on the road for LA, where they’ve been awful.

Bullets after the jump