Everything Else

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

By 1275 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

Drunk Sex: Preds 2 – Hawks 3 (3OT – Hawks lead 3-1)

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Box Score

Event Summary

War On Ice

Natural Stat Trick

A process made far longer and more laborious than usual that eventually reaches what usually is a satisfactory ending marred by the miles it took to get there that at that point both participants are just happy it’s over. But one side is much happier with the ending than the other. There’s last night for you.

I saw a lot of people saying that Game 1 was Nashville’s best punch and that the series was over because the Hawks only took a standing eight count and then won anyway. I wasn’t sure. The Preds had the first of three horrible 2nd periods that night, Rinne wasn’t very good, and they still almost got it. Last night/this morning felt like a better right hook that still didn’t connect. The Preds actually won the 2nd period for once, Rinne was much better than he’d been all series (though still not looking totally comfortable), they’d kept Kane quiet, and had a lead in the 3rd.

Now they’re faced with winning three in a row, which they’ve done once since February, including one here which they haven’t managed this season yet. Now you might consider whether they’re deflated or not. Let’s get to it all.

Everything Else

Who’s Your John Druce?

By 1225 0

As is tradition around these parts before the playoffs, we ask you Who Is Your John Druce?

For those who don’t know, John Druce was a middling third-liner, only cracking 20 goals once in his career in the late 80s and early 90s. However, in the ’90 playoffs he exploded for 14 goals in 15 games, becoming the term for a player who shockingly becomes a playoff hero.

So who is it for this year? I hesitate to put Bryan Bickell on this list who has made something of a career of being a Baby Druce the past four years. Brandon Saad is already a star, so he can’t be on the list. But we’ll do our best. Who’s your John Druce?

 

Who’s Your John Druce?

Kris Versteeg
Marcus Kruger
Joakim Nordstrom
Teuvo Teravainen
Andrew Desjardins

Poll Maker

Everything Else

Who's Your John Druce?

By 1717 0

As is tradition around these parts before the playoffs, we ask you Who Is Your John Druce?

For those who don’t know, John Druce was a middling third-liner, only cracking 20 goals once in his career in the late 80s and early 90s. However, in the ’90 playoffs he exploded for 14 goals in 15 games, becoming the term for a player who shockingly becomes a playoff hero.

So who is it for this year? I hesitate to put Bryan Bickell on this list who has made something of a career of being a Baby Druce the past four years. Brandon Saad is already a star, so he can’t be on the list. But we’ll do our best. Who’s your John Druce?

 

Who’s Your John Druce?

Kris Versteeg
Marcus Kruger
Joakim Nordstrom
Teuvo Teravainen
Andrew Desjardins

Poll Maker

Everything Else

Into North Haverbrook: Hawks at Sabres Preview/Pregame Thread/Repainting

By 1367 0

Hawk Wrestler vs. image-sabre_medium

FACEOFF: 6pm Central

TV/RADIO: CSN, WGN Radio 720

THERE AIN’T NO MONORAIL AND THERE NEVER WAS: Die By The Blade

I’m not even sure this one needs much of a preview. It couldn’t be clearer that both teams, at least among their management, want the same thing tonight. That is a Hawks win. This seems such an oddly-scheduled game, as I would have thought for the last two weeks the NHL would have wanted to keep schedule intra-conference to really hop up playoff races. But then that would be logical, and we all know what we’re dealing with when it comes to his league.

Everything Else

Tuesday Randoms

By 1447 0

Few things floating in space today. Let’s clean them up.

-While the main goal of these last five weeks is tightening up the Hawks’ game and that alone, so that they hit the playoffs with momentum and a confidence, that doesn’t mean things aren’t up for grabs in the Central. Because of the Preds regression, anything is possible here. Though thanks to the Wild’s surge, there now really isn’t anything you’d call a “good” matchup. If you think getting the Wild at any point in the playoffs will be easy, then you’re very much mistaken.

Everything Else

Who’s Your John Druce?

By 1206 0

For those new to our site, this is something we do on the eve of every playoffs. John Druce was a workman-like winger for the Capitals. In 1989-1990 he managed eight goals during the regular season, but then rode a 31.8% shooting percentage in 15 playoff games to score 14 goals. Basically, it’s who is going to be the surprise for the Hawks this spring?

A couple words on the candidates. Bryan Bickell is not on it because he’s put together three straight good playoff performances and really wouldn’t be a shock if he does again. Brandon Saad is on the list because last spring he only scored in Game 1 of the Final. So we still await the first dominant playoff performance from the Marquis.

The rest are pretty explainable. So who you got?

Who’s Your John Druce?
  
pollcode.com free polls 
Everything Else

Who's Your John Druce?

By 1626 0

For those new to our site, this is something we do on the eve of every playoffs. John Druce was a workman-like winger for the Capitals. In 1989-1990 he managed eight goals during the regular season, but then rode a 31.8% shooting percentage in 15 playoff games to score 14 goals. Basically, it’s who is going to be the surprise for the Hawks this spring?

A couple words on the candidates. Bryan Bickell is not on it because he’s put together three straight good playoff performances and really wouldn’t be a shock if he does again. Brandon Saad is on the list because last spring he only scored in Game 1 of the Final. So we still await the first dominant playoff performance from the Marquis.

The rest are pretty explainable. So who you got?

Who’s Your John Druce?
  
pollcode.com free polls 
Everything Else

Kick Out The Jams: Scum At Hawks – Game 2 – Preview/Pre-Game Thread/Flea Market

By Matthew Killion 1194 0

Mordor vs Minas_Tirith

Game Time: 12:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CBC, NBC/ The Loop 97.9FM
It’s So Cold In The D: Winging it in Motown, Abel to Yzerman

After a pretty much textbook victory on Wednesday, the Blackhawks are simply going to look to do it all over again this afternoon. It makes writing these previews pretty difficult when all you have to say is… 60 more minutes of that again, please.

Both teams used the first period of Game 1 to get re-acquainted with each other and headed to the first intermission with an even score. While the score remained even in the second, the feel of the game was vastly different. The Hawks were clearly outplaying Scum. The three goals in the third period just seemed like they were a given.