Playoffs Round 1 set: Bring on the Preds!

ADDinChicago · Post #1 » by **ADDinChicago** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 11:22 pm

We're heading off to Nashville, boys!! Basically Chicago south. I'd only be happier for the first round if the Hawks had home ice.

Post #2 » by **TNBT** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 10:18 am

Just curious if someone knows the stats a bit better than I do, but how have we gone as far as upping our physicality in the playoffs over the last few years? I know we've been a more finesse, puck possession team during the regular season, but just looking at the stats for our last game against the Avs, we were out-hit 19 to 3. As the games get more physical and intense in the post-season, have we historically upped our physicality? Or continued with the more finesse style of play?

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Post #3 » by **TNBT** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 10:19 am

Double-post.

ADDinChicago · Post #4 » by **ADDinChicago** » Mon Apr 13, 2015 7:26 am

TNBT wrote:Just curious if someone knows the stats a bit better than I do, but how have we gone as far as upping our physicality in the playoffs over the last few years? I know we've been a more finesse, puck possession team during the regular season, but just looking at the stats for our last game against the Avs, we were out-hit 19 to 3. As the games get more physical and intense in the post-season, have we historically upped our physicality? Or continued with the more finesse style of play?

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I think it's pretty much stayed the same for the most part. The Hawks have gotten more "physical" when they've had to do so (St. Louis, Boston, etc.) but it's still very much not their style of play.

ADDinChicago · Post #5 » by **ADDinChicago** » Mon Apr 13, 2015 7:29 am

Also, there was this today helping to fuel the rumor mill that Kane very well could be back in the first round (a lot earlier than the original time table). And Lazerus is not the only one reporting such.

https://twitter.com/MarkLazerus/status/ ... 1303863296

Post #6 » by **TNBT** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 1:32 pm

OK, so game 2 completely killed any momentum we built after game 1. If you're the coach, what changes are you making before the start of game 3?

ADDinChicago · Post #7 » by **ADDinChicago** » Sat Apr 18, 2015 10:15 pm

TNBT wrote:OK, so game 2 completely killed any momentum we built after game 1. If you're the coach, what changes are you making before the start of game 3?

Crawford, Richards & Rozsival are benched to start. I'm at the point to really send a message. Crawford's scratched. Raanta can be the backup (unless there's some rule that Crawford can't come back in the series, etc.). I'd cut Rozsival right now if we could. He's awful. Richards, unfortunately, looks gassed and done.

I'd also shuffle the lines a bit. I'd also instill more of a sense of urgency to get goals. Rundblad & Vermette are in. Sharp to the second line, Versteeg to the third. I'd love to see Dejardins or Carcillo crack the active list, but I don't know who'd I'd sit. Kruger, Nordstrom, etc. haven't been an issue.

Enough with the passes, shoot the damn puck. Eventually something's going to go in. Especially on the PP. They just stand around (usually in the Preds' zone) and do nothing. If you win a game 5-1 or 4-2, awesome. Quit thinking the goalie is going to be a wall. It's not happening against this team.