1. With the series coming
back to Chicago, how will the Hawks respond on home ice? It’s no secret the Hawks didn’t play their
best hockey in Phoenix but they were able, in dramatic overtime fashion, to
steal a game from the Yotes. Now they
come home for a two game stretch where hopefully they’re able to pick up two
games and a commanding lead of the series.
It’s not a reach to say the Hawks could win these next two games, they’ve
played much better at home (27-8-6) this year than on the road (18-18-5). Phoenix is a good road team though; they’ve
won almost as many games at home as on the road. If the Hawks want to win this series they’re
going to have to translate their regular season success on home ice to the
playoffs.
2. What will the lineup and
lines look like tonight? After heading
into the first game with, in my opinion, disastrous lines (Kane at left wing, Kruger
at 2C) Quenneville seemed to adjust to more natural lines. On the back end will we see young Dylan Olsen
get a game since Sean O’Donnell has been unremarkable? Speaking of youngsters, I would love to see Jimmy
Hayes get some playing time although I am not sure who Quenneville will
scratch. My choice would be Andrew
Brunette who has been just as slow and bad as he was in the regular season but
Quenneville seems to love the guy. A
final last note is Andrew Shaw who is waiting (still) to hear about his
possible suspension. Shanahan made it clear
by not deciding yesterday that the suspension will depend on the health of Mike
Smith, who skated in warm-ups today.
However, Phoenix said he wouldn’t be speaking to the media due to “extreme
circumstances,” Dave Tippet said Smith will be a game time decision. Seems a little fishy to me.
3. Has Brent Seabrook
finally taken the reigns as the team’s #1 D man? He has had an absolutely fantastic series
after having what was, arguably, the best season of any Hawk defensemen this
year. Duncan Keith, while still playing
solid hockey and being a critical part of the team, has not returned to Norris
form (makes you wonder if he ever will).
Seabrook has been a force on the blueline for the Hawks playing solid,
consistent defense while still chipping in on the score sheet, not to mention
his massive contributions in the dying seconds of regulation in the last two games.
4. Will the power play ever
get any better? This has been a sore
spot all season due to its inability to put pucks in the net (26th
in the league this year). What confuses
a lot of people is how can a team with all this talent be unable to have a
dynamic power play. My argument is the
system. A nugget from Sharp’s post-game
interview, when he was jokingly asked if they practice 6 on 5, was his reply of
no and that they’re just reacting out there, playing the game. Maybe that’s what their power play needs, a
system change that allows the players to be more creative and go for anything
other than the back door pass to Sharp.
5. Will Brandon Saad be
called up and play in this series? After
being selected 43rd overall in the draft last year Saad came into
camp and exploded there, even earning himself a few NHL games at the start of
the year. He returned to Saginaw though
and had a stellar year putting up the highest point per game average in the
entire OHL. He put up 8 goals and 9
assists in 12 games before Saginaw was eliminated by the London Knights. I’ve watched as much of Saad’s game as I
could, he is going to be a dynamite NHLer he has a solid shot and a big body
which he uses well along the boards but his best asset is his IQ and
positioning. He simply knows where to be
all the time. I am excited about him but
not sure it’s the right move to bring him up for this series, if the Hawks
advance and he gets some time in with the team, then maybe play him in the
second series. Keep in mind if he is
called up a year on his ELC is burned.
Should be a fun game tonight, if I had to guess I'd say 3-1 Hawks.
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