Stanley Cup Finals - Round 4: Blackhawks vs Lightning (Chicago wins the series 4-2)

[JohnnySkittles]

I'm gunna stick with my pre season pick and go with Tampa in 7

[thefoss1957]

The 'Hawks appeared to pick up a couple of injuries in game 7 vs. the Ducks...Bryan Bickell, either undisclosed, or simply Q's doghouse, was stapled to the bench for much of the game...for 'Hawk fans, this is addition by subtraction. Although the team leader in the dubious "hits" stat, his hits didn't lead to much offensively OR defensively...and the team really seemed to spark once Kane was moved AWAY from him. If he is gone for any period of time, Versteeg will dress and skate in the slot...Versteeg gives better speed, more offensive threat in transition, but less "net front" presence on the PP. (Shaw or Saad seem better at finishing from there anyway). The major NEGATIVE Versteeg might bring, is more "bad" PIMs. They would be a wash in zone entry turnovers.

The MAIN injury concern, is, oddly, our 4th liner, Marcus Kruger, who took a late hit from dirtbag Kesler, even though the puck had been long played. Kesler hit him onto the bench, and Kruger did not return to the ice, appearing to favor his right elbow as he remained on the bench. Kruger, who plays with far more heart than talent, is the #1 PK center, and usually leads the team in TOI in shorthanded situations. Q uses the 4th, often to shut down opponent #1 lines, when he wants to direct our #1 lines energy to offense. Desjardins/Kruger/Shaw were often the best line out there in forechecking and creating chances, though, not necessarily finishing those chances, in each of the prior series. Their play, as much as anyone's ground down the Ducks #1 line, and can take some credit for Getzlaf's games 6 and 7 failures. If Kruger is down, Joakim Nordstrom skates in, bigger, willing, but less experienced, much worse in the dot, and lacking the chemistry with Desi/Shaw, Nordstrom would be a notch below what the team had been getting from Kruger.

It remains to be seen if these two starters just had temporary "dings" or something more serious.

[Glo Boyz]

Chicago in 6

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by getbak

Not that it means anything other than useless trivia, but Tampa becomes the first team since the NHL went to a 4 Round playoff structure to play against an Original Six team in each round.

A feat that is only possible for an Eastern Conference team, and now requires that Chicago make the SCF. Probably be a very long time before it happens again.

Frankly, I found it more impressive that the '04 Flames were the first team to play four straight rounds against teams that finished first in their divisions. I have never bought the alleged mystique of the Original Six. But then, I'm an old fart, and learned about hockey from my father, who was old enough to remember the Montreal Maroons, New York Americans, and the original Ottawa Senators. Original Six, my foot! Humph!

By the way, here's an interesting book if you like reading the naughty-naughty about how the NHL and the so-called ‘original’ teams muscled everybody else out of the pro hockey business:

Deceptions and Doublecross: How the NHL Conquered Hockey
by Morey Holzman and Joseph Nieforth

Back on topic: Hawks in 7. Possibly in 8, if you add up the OT minutes and count them towards an extra game.

[GreenLantern2814]

Hawks in 7. That team knows this is their last ride. Guys like Oduya, Sharp, Bickell etc. They may never get this chance again, and they have a chance to become the first 21st century dynasty.

Regardless of the outcome, we are about to witness some seriously high level hockey. This series is going to be art.

[dissentowner]

An easy win for Chicago, Hawks in 5.

[jeffporfirio]

Bolts in 6.
Also, sticking to my pre playoffs bracket.
It would be awesome to see this young team win. Textbook rebuild...flames in 2 or seasons.

[N-E-B]

Hawks in 5. I don't think it will even be close.

[Buff]

I want the Hawks to win because Steeger will bring it to Lethbridge. I was supposed to go celebrate with him before but my wife AND kid got sick and I wound up staying home.

[Locke]

Hawks in 6.

That last game against Anaheim...THAT was the Chicago Blackhawks, they are hitting their stride and peaking right now. They're the better, deeper team with experience.

Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, they're not just household names in the NHL these are guys that have won it all and know what it takes and are just used to it.

That game 7 against Anaheim was dominating, if they play that against Tampa this is going to be a real short trip.

[Magnum PEI]

Glad they arent waiting a week to start like the NBA. I think Chicago will win but it will go 6 or 7.

[Cole436]

Hawks in 6.



I'm still bitter.

[Machiavelli]

Hawks will win

[Jacks]

This will come down the goalies. Crawford and Bishop have both been great at times and skaky at times. TB has the firepower to expose Crawford if he isn't at his best. Before the playoffs I picked TB over Chi, sticking with that. Should be a great series whichever team wins.

[Erick Estrada]

I like the Hawks to win but I wouldn't be surprised if it goes seven games as that Lighting powerplay can be lethal and unlike the Ducks they have two lines that are a constant threat to score.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Stanley Cup trumps Garth

On behalf of The Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood it is with deep regret that we must cancel the Tampa shows due to unexpected scheduling by the NHL and NBC on June 6 for the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. We had hoped to be able to reach an acceptable solution in the best interest of all involved but due to safety considerations it is just not possible.

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood's statement :

“First of all, we would all like to congratulate the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks for reaching the Stanley Cup Final. As we now know, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final is being played on Saturday, June 6th. All parties looked into moving Saturday's two Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood shows to Sunday. The issue of getting the network crews and their gear out of the building and getting our crews and gear into the building late Saturday/early Sunday for two shows on Sunday raises serious safety concerns. It is because of those safety concerns that the choice is being made to refund all shows and reschedule depending on finding a date that works for both the arena and the tour.

“This was a hard decision for everyone. We would like to thank Elmer Straub at Amalie Arena and Tod Leiweke with the Tampa Bay Lightning for working around the clock for the last 48 hours to find a remedy for the situation. We personally know Gary Bettman and are very familiar with the League and its players, coaches, and staff…they are all stand-up people. We are convinced everything that could have been done was done to try to remedy the situation. Congrats again to the City of Tampa, good luck, and we will be watching the series!!!”

http://www.garthbrooks.com/news/gart...een-cancelled/

[Dion]

The experience of the Hawks will trump the youth of the Lightning. I can see this going 6 games with the Hawks hoisting the Cup at home.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Hawks are good and experienced. However, far too many people are dismissing the Lightning and their deep, deep team. They maybe don't have the elite players like Toews and Kane, although I find that statement dubious because Stamkos has always been in that conversation too, and Johnson has made a case to be talked about in the same breath. Don't forget that playing Anaheim takes a serious physical toll on anyone, so I imagine the Lightning will be slightly fresher for this series. Overall, I just like Tampa lineup better, despite their lack of experience. Beating the Rangers was no joke...that's a very good team.

To me it comes down to which goaltender plays more consistently. Bishop and Crawford have at times both been awful and very good. If either has another stretch of poor play it could be their team's downfall.

I'm going against the consensus and saying Lightning in 7.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Stanley Cup trumps Garth


http://www.garthbrooks.com/news/gart...een-cancelled/

So the NHL and Lightning ownership basically said; "Sorry Garth but we are taking Saturday. You can now have Sunday." and Brooks accepted it? Wonder if the NHL made it worth his while as either he's the classiest dude ever, big hockey fan, or got a little envelope of money to give up the date.

[Poe969]

Hawks in 5 or 6. It'll be nice to see Sharp bring the cup back to Thunder Bay and then be traded to the Flames in the off season.