Posted:
#1
As a Hawks fan, I'm not overly nervous or worried about our spot here but in all honesty, I'm a bit surprised with how laxed they have looked so far in this series, particularly game 2. I understand Nashville is lining up on the blue line making it hard for the Hawks to skate it in but we've seen that before in past years. The simple recipe is dumping it in. The problem though is that it seems as if the majority of the time we are last to the puck. When you dump it in, ya gotta get there first to keep possession and as a puck possession team, the Hawks have struggled here. It surprising.
Game 1 very well could have been a win but Nashville did the little things necessary to take it. They played disciplined with their changes, they stayed true to their defense first mentality, they blocked shots and they played physical on the boards and that is usually the recipe for success against this Hawks team. I felt Nashville got a bit lucky game one but game 2, they made the Hawks look awful in all facets. You usually don't see that from them at home down a game. So down 0-2. All the experts in the media and some in here are calling out the Hawks, more so Kane and Toews. Again, we've seen this before in cup runs. How did they get going? They were paired together and the defense joined the rush to create more opportunities. I see that coming tonite. Nashville has played well but I firmly believe over the course of a long series, they won't be able to keep this up. I just don't. Why? Becuase when you have Kane, toews, Hossa, the blue line of the Hawks, Coach Q, you know adjustments are coming. We will see the Hawks best tonite. No doubt. You have to expect them to pick it up. After a first round exit last year, I can't envision this team taking a dive again to, in my eyes, a far less superior team than the Hawks. My opinion.
Somebody asked a question about if we were all surprised with how the leafs are battling the caps. You can't be surprised because it's playoff hockey and more so in hockey than in any other sport, its all about hustle, making the simpe plays, staying disciplined and being PATIENT. Skill is big in any sport but I feel with playoff hockey, it's all about will and doing more than your opponent for those 40 seconds you are on the ice. Well....the Hawks have to start with this mentality because so far....it's Nashville doing these things. I expect toews and Keith to show up big tonite and I wouldn't be surprised if Q went with darling in net. I would actually prefer it becuase for me, that change would light a fire under the Hawks a$$es, most notably Crawford. Sorry for the long post here but I love my Hawks and to be honest here, I'm excited to see what this team can do with their backs against the wall. I'd rather them face this adversity now than later. The youngsters need it. I expect a tight game tonite but I think the Hawks do enough to get the W. 
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