NHL PLAYOFFS Rnd. 2 - Hawks vs. Wild

[TNBT]

Well now we know who we're facing in round 2 after Minnesota knocked off Colorado in game 7. Thoughts on this matchup?

[Cliff Levingston]

Much better than facing Colorado!

[molepharmer]

Wild certainly have a different style than the Avs. Tend to muck it up, slow it down and make it more of a dump and chase as opposed to the end-to-end stuff (if I'm remembering right). Regardless, always good to have home ice advantage.

[bearadonisdna]

Game 1 is friday 8 30 pm central time. on nbcsn
i wonder who will be in net game 1. The wilds starting goalie left game 7 and is listed D2d.

[TNBT]

Curious why there was no call on Heatley for hitting Seabrook after the whistle...

[TNBT]

And Bryzgalov is in net for Minnesota.

[TNBT]

Shaw is out and will not return in game 1. Big blow for us.

[bearadonisdna]

Shaw is out and will not return in game 1. Big blow for us.

Hopefully it isnt serious and he wont have to miss much time. 5 goals and one of the ones allowed was a fluky one off of ODuyas skates. Great showing in game 1 and hopefully its carries for the rest of the series.

[TNBT]

Yeah, I was very happy with the game. Not sure what I'd do with Shaw though. Do you rush him back and risk him getting injured again? Or do you rest him until he's 100% and hope that the team can keep winning without him?

[bearadonisdna]

Yeah, I was very happy with the game. Not sure what I'd do with Shaw though. Do you rush him back and risk him getting injured again? Or do you rest him until he's 100% and hope that the team can keep winning without him?

right now im thinking about not rushing him back after scoring 4 goals after he left.

[TNBT]

True. I love his presence when he goes to the front of the net and gets a beating every time despite being about 4'7" and weighing around 75lbs.

Also love his defensive efforts and the energy he brings.

But yeah, if we can keep producing without him, then I'd rest him until we start struggling or he's ready to go.

[molepharmer]

True. I love his presence when he goes to the front of the net and gets a beating every time despite being about 4'7" and weighing around 75lbs.

Also love his defensive efforts and the energy he brings.

But yeah, if we can keep producing without him, then I'd rest him until we start struggling or he's ready to go.

Agreed. While they don't have the game of Shaw, Coach Q could plug in Versteeg or even Morin, who was hot at the end of the season.

Not the Hawks best effort last night. Their defense gave up way too many chances; almost like the Wild's speed and quickness surprised them.

Unbelievable goal by Kaner. I always thought he had one of the best backhands in the league, but that one surpassed any of my expectations.

[TNBT]

9 hours till game time! It starts at 5 am here, but I'll be up watching!

[TNBT]

Leading 1-0 after the first. Toews with the goal, Hossa and Bickell with the assist.

[bearadonisdna]

The hawks are getting an inordinate amount of shots from their defenseman.

[TNBT]

I don't mind the defensemen taking shots if they're there to take, but it's no surprise that our goal came by heading to the net. Have to keep putting the pressure on them and hope they crack.

[TNBT]

PK coming up for the Blackhawks, although I'm a bit unsure as to how the Wild are being allowed to get away with so many late hits, well after the player has given the puck away.

[bearadonisdna]

PK coming up for the Blackhawks, although I'm a bit unsure as to how the Wild are being allowed to get away with so many late hits, well after the player has given the puck away.

Thw wild are kinda stout , perhaps the hawks have to turn up the forecheck to equalize that because in the playoffs i thinks its better for the game to 'let the guys play'

[bearadonisdna]

if the hawks can start going top shelf i think they could put this away.

[TNBT]

Saad scores! Lead is now 2-0!