2014-15 NHL Thread

[Chili]

If Hawks win, Toews, Kane, Keith and, if he stands on his head (couple of shut-outs and otherise stellar) in this series, Crawford, all in play for Conn Smythe.  I still like Keith, though.

Except for the fact that Kane's lack of defense has lead to a few losses. It's Keith leading but Toews is the darkhorse.

[swoopem]

Tyler Johnson is leading with Keith being the darkhorse.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

When's the last time a defenseman won the Conn Smythe?

[brewcity77]

When's the last time a defenseman won the Conn Smythe?

Scott Niedermeyer for the Ducks in 2007.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Tampa may have scored but that is the quietest home crowd I've ever heard. Especially in the SCF. They may have fans there but they're not very loud.

[brewcity77]

That opening goal was amazing. Can't really begrudge a goal that good.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

That's what you get when you sit back and play not to lose.

[brewcity77]

That's what you get when you sit back and play not to lose.

Exactly right. Tampa packed it in for the third period. Chicago's first goal was a long time coming. Once they scored, there was only going to be one winner in regulation. Tampa had to regroup and with no timeout and no intermission, they had no chance. Crow was great again keeping Chicago in it and Teravainen sealed the deal.

[jesmu84]

Tampa may have scored but that is the quietest home crowd I've ever heard. Especially in the SCF. They may have fans there but they're not very loud.

Especially when they denied entry to any ticket-holder who was wearing a blackhawks Jersey. What a coward move. Blackhawks made a statement saying anyone was welcome at the UC. How scared/crapty are your fans and management to do stuff like that?

[brandx]

Especially when they denied entry to any ticket-holder who was wearing a blackhawks Jersey. What a coward move. Blackhawks made a statement saying anyone was welcome at the UC. How scared/crapty are your fans and management to do stuff like that?

So how did people get them in? I saw numerous Hawks jerseys in the crowd.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

So how did people get them in? I saw numerous Hawks jerseys in the crowd.

It didn't apply to the whole arena - it was for a premium seating section. Still bush league, IMO.

[LloydsLegs]

That's what you get when you sit back and play not to lose.

Can't believe they'll make that mistake again.  They sure ad the Hawks scrambling the first period.  I don't think they can sustain that kind of pressure for 60 minutes, but also don't have to curl into a ball.

[GGGG]

Chicago was beginning to assert itself even toward the end of the first period.  Last night was a fired up team playing at home, but the veteran team making adjustments and playing through the energy. 

[RushmoreAcademy]

Huge win for the Hawks.  Such a demoralizing way to start the series for Tampa, when it seemed like such a golden opportunity to win and get the early edge.  The minor concerns I had about the Hawks taking the series were mostly taken away after that.

[jsglow]

Fantastic win. I do think it took the Hawks some time to adjust to the speed after the Ducks series.  And I also think that the Hawks only brought their B game as passing wasn't as crisp. But boy do these guys know what it takes. It's like touching the cup gives you magical powers. If we can find a way to win Saturday this might be the last road trip.

[JWags85]

It didn't apply to the whole arena - it was for a premium seating section. Still bush league, IMO.

I saw a picture on Twitter of a Dad and his two sons wearing Lightning sweaters only to remove them to show Hawks sweaters underneath.  LEGENDS

What's scary about last night?  20 year old Teuvo took over that 3rd period.  So many weapons.  What a gutty veteran performance to steal a road win.

[jsglow]

I saw a picture on Twitter of a Dad and his two sons wearing Lightning sweaters only to remove them to show Hawks sweaters underneath.  LEGENDS

What's scary about last night?  20 year old Teuvo took over that 3rd period.  So many weapons.  What a gutty veteran performance to steal a road win.

No sh*t. Dynasty in the making.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Don't own a jersey of any kind so my B-I-L sent me a retro Kanner sweater. Wearing it last night for good luck. Afterward I retired to the patio to smoke a Victory cigar. A smooth drawing CAO and some port -Life is Good!

[JuniorCardigan]

Man, Crawford can really turn up the heat on the big stage. That was a flat-out excellent game he played.

[JWags85]

Man, Crawford can really turn up the heat on the big stage. That was a flat-out excellent game he played.

Single-handedly kept them in it for parts of the 2nd and early 3rd

[Jay Bee]

All the hockey talk is great, but did chicos make it home safely from his latest European jaunt?

LET'S GO WILD!

[ChicosBailBonds]

"Hawks in 6, what say you chicos?"

"I'm going to Europe."

I called it.  Hawks to win it, even when the Ducks were up 1-0.  We are still a very young team, 5th youngest in the NHL.  Hawks are 3rd oldest, that matters.  Hawks are simply a better team.

To me, the series for the Ducks to have any shot was to win game 2.  You can't hit the pipes 4 times in three OT periods and lose and not have it sting.  That was the series right there. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

Wow.  5 goals in 5 minutes. From 2 up to 1 down in 37 seconds.  Great move by Q to use the timeout after the first two goals, but they scored 15 seconds later anyway.  Timonen brutal-he just has nothing left.  Open looks missed by both teams in OT, posts and cross bars, great saves.  And, yes, a Hawks win.  Heard last night that this team (Toews and Kane version) has never lost in playoff OT-they showed a montage of all the playoff OT game winnners at the UC between the end of the game and the 1st OT period-great stuff.

Too bad these games aren't televised in Europe.

I was able to see parts of the games in Europe.  They started at 2:00am and 3:00am accordingly....but I was there for my mom's last hurrah as her health is in serious decline.  Let's just say my ability to give a crap about the NHL with her stuff was low. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

FTFY

Please

[brewcity77]

To me, the series for the Ducks to have any shot was to win game 2.  You can't hit the pipes 4 times in three OT periods and lose and not have it sting.  That was the series right there.

At 3-2, it was the Ducks series to lose. After what looked at the time like a back breaking Game 5 win, Anaheim just didn't show up until it was too late in games 6 or 7. They let the Hawks dictate pace in those games. I'd say that was the series.