The Official NHL Thread

[mrmouth]

Crazy as it sounds, if the Hawks can play that hard and fast every game going forward and they easily go on. Best game in the playoffs thus far. Not easy to flip the switch after coasting through the first round. Just an unfortunate loss made worse by the the loss at home, which was a legit stinker by them.

Still not sold on Crawford. They love him because of his size. I distrust him because of that third goal. That just cannot happen, and it happens too much with him. He didn't even have a bad game all things considered. But those kinds of goals eliminate good teams.

We've seen the best from both teams. The Hawks are simply better. Everyone knows that. Even when Detroit thinks they are taking away space, the Hawks can glide. They initiated most of the contact in that game. And then thoroughly went into goon mode which of course didn't help.

In my mind this comes down to goalies now. I mean the Hawks hit the post 3 times and had the bad disallowed goal, but Howard can outplay Crawford. And that can out-factor any theoretical goal difference, especially in the playoffs. And that is the playoff goalie thing at work.

[Cyrus the Virus]

Apparently the legend Patrick Roy is destined to be new Avs coach....

http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/...ing?source=pkg

[conon394]

We've seen the best from both teams. The Hawks are simply better. Everyone knows that. Even when Detroit thinks they are taking away space, the Hawks can glide. They initiated most of the contact in that game. And then thoroughly went into goon mode which of course didn't help.

I would agree Chicago is technically deeper and better - but not in goal and not behind the bench that can be the difference. I would also say the lack of discipline late in the game looks bad for Chicago

I mean the Hawks hit the post 3 times

That never works becuse that you have to count the other teams posts too... As I recall Detroit his one or two in the 2nd period of game 1 that would have altered that one as well. Plus Its hard to have any sympathy for a waved off goal after it being almost a every game event for Holmstrom.

All that being said your right Chicago should be playing better, so I think Detroit to win really needs to win the next game or at least loose a close one and avoid any mental downs or letting Howard get hammered - otherwise the Hawks best players might relax and start winning.