So blackhawks advance

[zrf 0]

(Note, I am not presuming the Wings will face the Hawks, I'm looking here from both the Ducks or Wings perspectives)

Negatives: The Hawks are young and dumb. They haven't seen a real playoff team yet, and they will should they face the Wings or the Ducks. I think they can handle the Ducks, I do not think they can handle the Wings.

They have no defensive system that I can see (I live in Chicago, and see a fair number of Hawks games). Puck holding forwars will run right through them most of the time.

They seem to favor end-to-end, chance-for-chance exchanges. They live and die on pure chaos. This was shown to a great extent in last night's game. Giving up 5 goals against a team like the Wings or the Ducks will mean that they loose. The way to keep their chaotic ways in check is to play puck possession to them and control the tempo. Make them dump and chase and they'll get nowhere.

They have no system, if the other team plays theirs they will be beat.

Positives: They are young and dumb. They're too stupid to know that they should have no chance against the Wings or Ducks and that will give them zero fear. They're giant killers and don't know when to quit. That's dangerous.

Their chaotic ways can get a team off their game. If the Hawks are allowed to control the tempo, we'll have a hard time against them. They're very quick and react fast on the initial rush. That will give the D a bunch of trouble. Goalies will have to work hard several times.

They have no system, predicting them will be difficult.

Final analysis: I repeated most things above for a reason. The Hawks are a double-edged sword. The positives and negatives work for and against them. If a team controls the tempo and sticks to a successful system, they'll beat the Hawks.

I just want to preface my first post in saying that I am a Blackhawks fan and am excited about the team's current success and future prospects. Given that I think your team will be our likely upcoming opponent, I thought I'd come here (I check in from time to time) to see what you guys were saying about our team.

It took me 3 pages of scouring, but this is the best assessment of the Blackhawks that I can find. The positives (from a 'Hawks team perspective) are that they are one of the (if not the) best skating teams in the NHL, and can trot out 4 quality lines ranging from adept to burgeoning superstar forwards (which is why, as you stated, the assertions of lack of depth are absurd). They have the ability to score goals in bunches, and have 4 defenders (Campbell, Seabrook, Keith, and Barker) that possess the abilities to bolster the offense when needed.

Speaking of the defense we have 2 #1 defensemen in Keithe and Seabrook, and another good young defensemen in Hjarlmarrson. Khabby has also played better than his numbers have indicated (aside from a few rough games), and was one of the bigger reasons the Hawks won their last series.

Now for the negatives/weaknesses. As Chris rightfully pointed out this team has no SYSTEM, which is particulary noticeable on defense. For some reason Q is content to play a non-aggressive style which lacks the proper emphasis on blue-line forchecking. This results in a RIDICULOUS amount of high percentage scoring chances due to easy entry accross the blue line, great passing lanes, and copious amounts of space for individual puck movement. This was not only evident in BOTH playoff series, but also during the regular season (and was a large determinant in your success against us). It's even worse on the PP when the Hawks let players waltz around and pass the puck at will. If the Canucks were even passable in their offensive zone, they probably win the series. The Hawks have the skating ability and the talent to be more aggressive and it's frustrating to see our current philosophy consistently be our undoing. Barring a biblical miracle and seeing this retarded "strategy" be reversed in the finals, I see you guys having an astronomical PP % (33-40%), which I'm pretty sure was accomplished during the regular season. It pains me to say it, but I can't see us keeping you out of our own goal.

Then there's the issue of our defensive liabilities. Matt Walker is the biggest piece of s*** defensemen in the NHL today. Q plays him in favor of Aaron Johnson who's a MUCH better defender and player. In these playoffs ALONE, Walker has made at least 8-10 major mistakes that have directly led to an opponent goal. What's more is that he really isn't capable of ANYTHING on the offensive end either; he has a rocket slap shot he can never get on goal and is utterly worthless at moving the puck. Simply replacing this skating failure would be a huge lift to the Hawks chances. He'll be, by leaps and bounds, the worst player for either team to see the ice.

I'm also not very high on Barker either. He's an able-bodied defensemen around the net and is becoming more punishing around the boards, but he too makes an inordinate amount of mistakes. What's scary is that he and Walker are often a defensive tandem; you'll see PLENTY of opportunities while they're on the ice. Barker still has a lot of potential, but I think the Hawks would be smart to sell "high" on Cam as I don't ever see him reaching his full potential. When it comes to hockey smarts he just doesn't seem to have them.

Our other weakness is that you can shut this team down IF (and its a big if) you stifle them at the blue line and limit your TOs. I really thought Vancouver played great defensive strategy that generally worked (outside the PP) on the overall. You guy's have MUCH more defensive skill and talent when healthy and should be able to mimic this strategy fairly easily. With that said it will be hard to completely contain this team as we've seen during the playoffs and even against you guys during the regular season.

In the end I feel we'll probably lose this series in 6 games. I think we'll score our share of goals, but our defensive scheme (or lack thereof) is horrendous and yields way too many scoring chances. Your offensive talent is superior in comparison to Vanouver and I see their missed opportunities resulting in your team. Q changes lines when their ineffective, but he DOES NOT make adjustments to the defense which will be this team's undoing. Playing the likes of Matt Walker will only compound this problem.

If (and I repeat IF) the Hawks manage to win this series, the PP will have a lot to do with it. Our puck movement has been tremendous, and Kane is back (for the last 4 weeks) to his old self ( which he was not after he got leveled in a Wings game earlier in the season).

Good luck later tonight, as I'm looking forward to a Hawks Wings series, even though I think we'd have a better chance against Anaheim.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Most of you are so confident that Detroit will win, just wondering why when you are having a hard time beating Anahiem? Chicago is very deep in every line and every line is dangerous and will score. Our defensive core has arguably 3 of the top defensman in the the league with Seabrook, keith and campbell, not to mention the highly skilled Barker and two other very decent defensman that rarely make mistakes. If Detroit is to take Chicago lightly then they got another thing coming.

IMHO Chicago in 6 if Detroit can make it past the Ducks and i sure hope they will.

Because Anaheim is a good team? They didn't beat San Jose for nothing. Look at Anaheim's top 6 D and it's the best in the game. Chicago is deep upfront but don't humor me with you guys having arguably 3 of the top defenseman in the league rofl

Keith is your best defenseman. Campbell is over rated, Seabrook is a young stud, but not a top D man yet. Chicago got lucky to get by Vancouver IMO. Vancouver f***ed up big time in game 4. But credit to Chicago for that as well.

No doubt in my mind the Wings would take the Hawks, in 5 or 6.

[drfnr14 0]

love how the chicago team loves jump on the forum to bash us for saying were gonna beat the ducks, before it happens! so why join LGW.com????? u know were gonna play the hawks!! STFU get ready because the wingwheel is gonna chop you the f*** up!!!

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

love how the chicago team loves jump on the forum to bash us for saying were gonna beat the ducks, before it happens! so why join LGW.com????? u know were gonna play the hawks!! STFU get ready because the wingwheel is gonna chop you the f*** up!!!

lulzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Supertack 2]

Hmm, sounds like the same kinda stuff Hawk fans heard from Flames & Canuck fans as well.

-Lack of experience

-Khabibulin's play

-Lack of size/physical presence

-Lack of defense

-Lack of coaching

Perhaps you folks are right, but most of those notions have been dispelled so far in these playoffs.

Sure Khabibulin is 15-21-4 w/ a 3.21 gaa in his career vs Detroit, but he was 6-16-2 w/ a 3.39 gaa life time vs Vancouver, & that didn't seem to matter. The Hawks out-hit both the bigger/more physical Canucks & Flames. Defense is a misnomer, you look at the goals against vs Vancouver & think, crummy D. However, they only gave up 9 goals in the middle 4 games of that series. Coaching? I know you've got history on Quenville, but he's mixed & match lines on the fly with tremendous resluts so far. Exerience? Throw that out the window at this point.

Obviously the Wings are a premiere team, & the Hawks would have their hands full, but this wouldn't be a short/easy series for your boys by any streach. I saw one prediction of Wings in 4, wow.......laughable.

Edited May 14, 2009 by Supertack

[OsGOD 3]

i like the fact that if the squirt wings show up tonight the Ducks will f*** Towes and Kane up!!!!!

[Theophany 110]

Our defensive core has arguably 3 of the top defensman in the the league with Seabrook, keith and campbell, not to mention the highly skilled Barker and two other very decent defensman that rarely make mistakes.

I can't belive you said this with a straight face.

Chicago's defense is crap compared to Anaheim (as much as I hate to admit it, Pronger et al have some of the best defensemen in the league).

Oh good for you, you faced two teams that had next to nothing for defense that you blew through with good forwards (and you do have good forwards), but your defense and Khabibulin were practically a sieve, with how bad Calgary and Vancouver's forwards played. All the comebacks that the media loves to praise Chicago for means that you're screwed against a Detroit team who has multiple Selke finalists (and even a couple winners ) and the best defenseman in the entire league.

How many Norris trophies does your defense have?

Ah, right. That's what I thought.

Edited May 14, 2009 by Theophany