Western Conference Finals Game Thread
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Sunday start means a long lay-off, and time to heal, for both teams. (The injury confessions of ousted teams is part comical and part horrifying.)
Both teams have depth at forward, with maybe a small advantage to the Blackhawks for lines three and four.
The Blackhawks have better talent on the top defensive pairings (if they choose it) but zero depth. Keith/Seabrook is fantastic, Timonnen/Runblad is forbidden. So, Keith/Runblad and Seabrook/Timonnen end up a bit weak.
Anaheim doesn't seem to care much about match ups, so maybe Chicago can match Jhalmarsson/Oduya against Getzlaf's line, put Keith/ Seabrook against Kesler, and mix and match against the bottom two.
But the Blackhawks also have to worry about Richards/Kane/Sharp matched against Getzlaf or Kesler.
I'm a 'hawks fan, but I don't like this matchup. Their top line, with reliable D, can match anyone (Kesler?). The fourth line, centered by Kruger can also be tough. It's the Richards line and Vermette line, then, that has to outplay Anaheim, with possibly shaky D. I think Anaheim's offensive depth will make that very tough to do.
Both teams have depth at forward, with maybe a small advantage to the Blackhawks for lines three and four.
The Blackhawks have better talent on the top defensive pairings (if they choose it) but zero depth. Keith/Seabrook is fantastic, Timonnen/Runblad is forbidden. So, Keith/Runblad and Seabrook/Timonnen end up a bit weak.
Anaheim doesn't seem to care much about match ups, so maybe Chicago can match Jhalmarsson/Oduya against Getzlaf's line, put Keith/ Seabrook against Kesler, and mix and match against the bottom two.
But the Blackhawks also have to worry about Richards/Kane/Sharp matched against Getzlaf or Kesler.
I'm a 'hawks fan, but I don't like this matchup. Their top line, with reliable D, can match anyone (Kesler?). The fourth line, centered by Kruger can also be tough. It's the Richards line and Vermette line, then, that has to outplay Anaheim, with possibly shaky D. I think Anaheim's offensive depth will make that very tough to do.
Looks like Q is going with different pairings than what you mentioned.
Keith-Hjalmarsson
Oduya-Seabrook
Also, either the Richards line or the Vermette line will probably have Patrick Kane (has played with Richards and Bickell). That line should be expected to outperform the Ducks counterpart. I expect the Blackhawks to advance to the finals.
Keith-Hjalmarsson
Oduya-Seabrook
Also, either the Richards line or the Vermette line will probably have Patrick Kane (has played with Richards and Bickell). That line should be expected to outperform the Ducks counterpart. I expect the Blackhawks to advance to the finals.
Based on absolutely nothing, I suspect Q will have Keith/Seabrook and Hjalmarsson/Oduya, followed by a mix and match third pairing -- one of those four (maybe three, exclude Oduya) with Runblad or Timonnen, then one of those four with one of those four. I'd say that's why he was monkeying around today. One of the top two pairings is on the ice for the Getzlaf line and the Kesler line.
Given those pairing in practice, that would mean Runblad and Timonnen, and I don't see that happening even with a four goal lead in the third.
Figure:
Keith/Seabrook
Oduya/Hjarmalsson
Keith/Runblad
Timonnen/Seabrook
Keith/Hjarmalsson
Oduya/Seabrook
Keith/Seabrook
Oduya/Hjarmalsson
It runs the risk of being a bit confusing -- they've have some comical changes in the playoffs -- but it's Q's version of the blender on defense. And Keith has paired with Runblad this season, Seabrook with Timonnen this post-season. Just my guess on how the Blackhawks want to add "depth" and control TOI for Duncan Keith.
I'm assuming it'll be Richards/Bickell/Kane. (Though Boudreau hasn't matched lines a lot) Anaheim should counter with Fowler/Despres and ??? There's the question. If it's Getzlaf or Kesler, the Hawks send one of their two good defensive pairs out. If it's Cogliano's line, I think the Hawks have weaker defenders out. If Anaheim's defense can contain and/or muscle the Kane line, Cogliano's line has a big opportunity to be the difference makers.
That then means Getlaf gets Kruger's line and Kelser's line gets Toews (or maybe the other way around, but Towes/Kesler was a great match-up when he was with Vancouver.) Kruger and Toews get backed by either of the two good defensive pairs. That means Richards and Vermette don't get the same support, generally speaking. The Richards line is easily the weakest defensively (and that's okay, because they have Patrick Kane), but Anaheim can make hay on the counter-attack.
I also expect the Blackhawks to advance to the finals.
Given those pairing in practice, that would mean Runblad and Timonnen, and I don't see that happening even with a four goal lead in the third.
Figure:
Keith/Seabrook
Oduya/Hjarmalsson
Keith/Runblad
Timonnen/Seabrook
Keith/Hjarmalsson
Oduya/Seabrook
Keith/Seabrook
Oduya/Hjarmalsson
It runs the risk of being a bit confusing -- they've have some comical changes in the playoffs -- but it's Q's version of the blender on defense. And Keith has paired with Runblad this season, Seabrook with Timonnen this post-season. Just my guess on how the Blackhawks want to add "depth" and control TOI for Duncan Keith.
Which is part of the trick -- will that line outperform the Ducks second line? Or will they be matched up with the Ducks third line, making that the real comparison?sachmoney said:
I'm assuming it'll be Richards/Bickell/Kane. (Though Boudreau hasn't matched lines a lot) Anaheim should counter with Fowler/Despres and ??? There's the question. If it's Getzlaf or Kesler, the Hawks send one of their two good defensive pairs out. If it's Cogliano's line, I think the Hawks have weaker defenders out. If Anaheim's defense can contain and/or muscle the Kane line, Cogliano's line has a big opportunity to be the difference makers.
That then means Getlaf gets Kruger's line and Kelser's line gets Toews (or maybe the other way around, but Towes/Kesler was a great match-up when he was with Vancouver.) Kruger and Toews get backed by either of the two good defensive pairs. That means Richards and Vermette don't get the same support, generally speaking. The Richards line is easily the weakest defensively (and that's okay, because they have Patrick Kane), but Anaheim can make hay on the counter-attack.
I also expect the Blackhawks to advance to the finals.
This is going to be a good series. So much skill on both teams. Ducks are looking to punish the Hawks physically.
Both series should be good. Fast teams, great skaters. The Ducks are dangerous and so are the Blackhawks. The Rangers are big favorites against the Lightning and there is no favorite in this series. The winner of the west is going to be a huuuuge favorite against the East, which is going to be the Rangers. Either way, there's a lot of solid hockey to look forward to. The one thing the Rangers have is an ability to play really well on the road.
This game is as good as it gets. Chicago came out flying, and Anaheim is laying the lumber. Love the contrast in styles. 2-1 Hawks so far.
Hawks were like a fighter hanging on the ropes, waiting for the bell to end the round. Hope they come out swinging in OT2.
SoxFanInPdx said:
yes, rule 38.4 (iv) or 78.5 (i)
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/en/v3/ext/rules/2014-2015-rulebook.pdf
CoffeeNerdness said:
They would be banned from the league and whomever the offending player was would be put to death by a North Korean Anti-aircraft firing squad.
This game is insane btw.
The NHL Playoffs may be the only thing in sports that is more fun to watch when it isn't your team playing.
At this point, I really want Chicago to win to ensure a long series. This could be a short series if Anaheim wins.
God dammit, I should be playing The Witcher right now, not watching commercials for it getting ready for 3 OT.\
I guess I can be okay with that, though.
I guess I can be okay with that, though.
This is another of those games where I'm glad I don't have a big rooting interest. I'd be in the fetal position by now.
It feels like the Ducks have had it about 12 times this OT. They are going to be absolutely crushed if they lose this one.
Poor Ducks fans. Getting out of that parking lot after this is going to be torture..(and by parking lot, I mean the Orange Freeway).
SoxFanInCali said:
If by goofy bounce you mean Seabrook hitting it from ankle high out of the air on the bounce on net and kruger knocking it down....