As I said before, the most alarming thing about Saturday's loss was the manner in which they lost. After their second miserable failure of a PP (about 7 seconds of zone time...literally), they were totally dominated in every facet except the scoreboard.

Lots of people suggesting that the 1st period proves the Hawks can dominate if they just play "their game". Problem with that is that is, the 2nd, 3rd, and OT proved that Boston also appears to be able to dominate when they play "their game", and Boston seems better equipped to impose their will.

I hope tonight looks more like Saturday's 1st period, but I fear that in front of the home crowd, Boston may impose their will right from the opening puck drop. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like a blowout is coming...and not the good kind. 5-1 B's.
- Ogilthorpe2

Pretty sure this is tomcat's prediction

That's the other option. Just don't know where anyone gets this idea Stalberg is a playoff performer.
- John Jaeckel

He's just a better hockey player than Brandon Bollig, and I don't really see how anyone could debate that

It says so in the tarot cards, tea leaves, at a palm reading or karma or some such ....
- paulr

It just says so in the record STalberg in 11- 4 Stalberg out 2 and 2...now go ahead everyone and spend 4 pages posting how it has nothing to do with 25.

I don't see it as micromanaging Stalberg. I see it as Q wanting a different element in, who else are you going to replace? Not taking Krugman or Fro out. Bolland and Shaw are things this team needs, so they are coming out. Saad other than a game or two here and there is doing what he should be doing, so he is in. The only option is Stalberg.

Carcillo is the best option the Hawks have, if Mayers had any speed he would be too. Bollig doesn't have the experience or skill to be in the lineup. Karma aside Stalberg adds nothing. The Hawks had all kinds of time to get some bangers in the line up knowing the whole time that these players are valuable in the playoffs. They chose not to and now have precious few and Carcillo is the best.

I hope he is put in the lineup but I fear he does something stupid.
- paulr

Already did something stupid. For the second time in playoffs he changed his line up.

It just says so in the record STalberg in 11- 4 Stalberg out 2 and 2...now go ahead everyone and spend 4 pages posting how it has nothing to do with 25.
- TrueGrit

I thought that if the Hawks thought Bollig would be more valuable that Stalberg fine , but Carcillo has to be more valuable than Bollig right ?

Happy to see Stalberg get a shot tonight, hopefully his super fast legs are super rested and he explodes up the wing and wreks havoc on Boston.

Because most other guys are bringing something each night. Not everyone has to score, but everyone has their role. Kane's been under scrutiny as well, but he's managed 15 points in 19 games. Saad hasn't produced enough either, but at least he can play on the PK. Bolland isn't producing, and while he's seen his fair share of scrutiny at least he can play the agitator role well.
- DarthKane

Stalberg has had some pretty key assists these playoffs (game 1 winner in OT vs Wild - Game 2 vs LA). Nitpicking.... He is a 3rd now 4th line guy that hasn't played a whole lot of minutes. What is it we want out of his 10 minutes he is getting a game? I can think of some players on this team who have made many mistakes that get more rope. Q has always been that way.

Micromanaging players game by game isn't the best way IMO. There are going to be off nights.. Or even nights when the other team is better.

I thought that if the Hawks thought Bollig would be more valuable that Stalberg fine , but Carcillo has to be more valuable than Bollig right ?

Happy to see Stalberg get a shot tonight, hopefully his super fast legs are super rested and he explodes up the wing and wreks havoc on Boston.
- mrpaulish

I am not on the ledge like many get after a loss. I believe the Hawks lost because they ran out of energy. Reading many here it looks like they lost 8 - 1, but reality was different.

Stalberg adds to teams identity, even if many of you hate that fact. That said, Carcillo would not be a bad option either, but as I have said 100 times in the playoffs, why not start of trying to see if what was successful all year, actually works or not.

I don't see it as micromanaging Stalberg. I see it as Q wanting a different element in, who else are you going to replace? Not taking Krugman or Fro out. Bolland and Shaw are things this team needs, so they are coming out. Saad other than a game or two here and there is doing what he should be doing, so he is in. The only option is Stalberg.
- droe411

The most important element Stalberg brings is speed and to a secondary extent some size and the ability to cycle the puck down low in the Bruins end. The Hawks have to find a way to back the Bruins defence off and unclog that neutral zone.

And also move the puck out of their zone faster so the Bruins forecheck is limited.

I am not on the ledge like many get after a loss. I believe the Hawks lost because they ran out of energy. Reading many here it looks like they lost 8 - 1, but reality was different.

Stalberg adds to teams identity, even if many of you hate that fact. That said, Carcillo would not be a bad option either, but as I have said 100 times in the playoffs, why not start of trying to see if what was successful all year, actually works or not.
- TrueGrit

It concerns the helll out of me that they were the ones to run out of energy. We talk about the depth of the hawks...the speed game. If that has been compromised by the 3OT game, we are in trouble.

Stalberg has had some pretty key assists these playoffs (game 1 winner in OT vs Wild - Game 2 vs LA). Nitpicking.... He is a 3rd now 4th line guy that hasn't played a whole lot of minutes. What is it we want out of his 10 minutes he is getting a game? I can think of some players on this team who have made many mistakes that get more rope. Q has always been that way.

Micromanaging players game by game isn't the best way IMO. There are going to be off nights.. Or even nights when the other team is better.
- ilinkhawk

For sure, I won't argue that the Stalberg situation has been handled perfectly. However, when line-up changes need to be made Stalberg has made himself a candidate to be benched. We need more than a couple timely assists from Stalberg and the fact that this is his third consecutive playoffs where his offense has dried up doesn't help him. I want Stalberg in the line-up and producing just as much as anyone, but it hasn't happened. If Stalberg is going to be considered (abd be paid like) a legit 20 - 25 goal scorer he needs to produce more than 3 assists.

It concerns the helll out of me that they were the ones to run out of energy. We talk about the depth of the hawks...the speed game. If that has been compromised by the 3OT game, we are in trouble.
- eburgio

I don't think it is long term, just a lot of emotion spent in last game vs kings and 1st against Bruins.

Carcillo in, Bollig out per Q... unleash the hounds!

Carcillo in, Bollig out per Q... unleash the hounds!
- golfbard

Is this a fact?

i don't see why you'd hit the panic button with clowncillo right now. you won an epic game 1 and tuukka stole the first period of game 2.

b's might wear themselves out only rolling 3 lines most of the time. they're not used to that. claude's double shifting seguin, kelly, and paille with pevs and skipping thornton and doggy. also, krejci has taken campbell's place with paille on the pk.

Carcillo in, Bollig out per Q... unleash the hounds!
- golfbard

But where does Stalberg play then?

Watch out Johnny T! last time he was unleashed in the finals, he clocked his own teammate Carter

But where does Stalberg play then?
- ikeane

Toews is benched.

Carcillo in, Bollig out per Q... unleash the hounds!
- golfbard

Source? Everyone's reporting that Toews has been giving Stals pep-talks all morning and he skated on the 4th line

Edit: Stalberg is in according to Kuc

Source? Everyone's reporting that Toews has been giving Stals pep-talks all morning and he skated on the 4th line

Edit: Stalberg is in according to Kuc
- rollpards19

You sure its not the other way around?

You sure its not the other way around?
- TrueGrit

Source? Everyone's reporting that Toews has been giving Stals pep-talks all morning and he skated on the 4th line

Edit: Stalberg is in according to Kuc
- rollpards19

>#25 in according to Canadian Press, too
>http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=425699

Source? Everyone's reporting that Toews has been giving Stals pep-talks all morning and he skated on the 4th line

Edit: Stalberg is in according to Kuc
- rollpards19

Maybe it's been so long since Carcillo and Stalberg contributed that he isnt sure which one is which. Carcillo is the tall Swede and Stalberg must be the other guy?

Boston coming off big win Boston at home Boston bombing Boston Strong
Smells like a "trap " game. I know it's the cup finals but Chicago is going to come out hungrier then ever and could put them on their heals early again.


One think that Carcillo does is he keeps it simple. He may not be the best at cycling it down low. But He ALWAYS GOES TO THE NET WITHOUT THE PUCK. He can also mixed more then Bollig can amongst the lines including the top line. This is Q time to put him in and make the series potentially get ugly and nasty the Hawks need that push and man up. Carcillo also took down Thornton in winter classic a few years in a fight. Thats got to be still in Thornton head. Lets go Hawks !!

As long as he is not stupid, why not. Bollig/Cardillo - what's the difference. The real difference or key going forward will the the anemic, pathetic, useless, missing "power play". Fix that, and we will win - without - we will lose. Oh, and unless he is injured, it would be nice to see some goals from #19. Intangibles are nice - goal scoring is better.

Somebody posted this on Twitter last night...I thought it was pretty good: