Pre-Game Talk: Series Discussion: WC Qualifier - Edmonton Oilers (5) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (12)

[Cloned]

The Canucks troll stopped by to vote for the Hawks. Jesus.

Considering the Canucks' playoff history vs. the Hawks, they should be happy that they're not playing the Hawks.

 

[YakDavid]

While concerns have been brought up I am really not happy with hockey media. They seem to have disregarded fans concerns and said you should be happy there is hockey. The 24 team system has huge problems. Acting like they aren't there because the game is back is arrogant and shows the NHL has a say in whats being reported.

 

[Fourier]

Flames get the Jets. I don't know which would be better - them or the hawks.

Oh and....Social distancing on the bus from Fargo?

The Jets are a better team. They have better forwards and better goaltending. Neither team has much in the way of experienced defensemen. Chicago has Keith. But he is a far cry form what he was at his peak.

 

[Three On Zero]

The Jets are a better team. They have better forwards and better goaltending. Neither team has much in the way of experienced defensemen. Chicago has Keith. But he is a far cry form what he was at his peak.

Jets are a better team than Chicago, but Chicago has a lot of seasoned vets that know how to turn it up in the playoffs. In a best of 3, 5 or 7 I don’t see Winnipeg taking down Edmonton. A Chicago / Edmonton series will probably have some higher scoring games where the goalies will need to bail the team out

 

[Fourier]

Jets are a better team than Chicago, but Chicago has a lot of seasoned vets that know how to turn it up in the playoffs. In a best of 3, 5 or 7 I don’t see Winnipeg taking down Edmonton. A Chicago / Edmonton series will probably have some higher scoring games where the goalies will need to bail the team out

Those vets have not won a playoff series in 5 years. Their "depth" is now made up of young kids who have no playoff experience.

If Kane, Toews and Keith outplay McDavid, Draisaitl and Klefbom, then the Oilers don't deserve to win. That said the wild card is in net. In a short series goaltending can win all by itself.

 

[McDrai]

She'll be back.

View attachment 347345

Oh God no

 

[ujju2]

I'm saving them for the GDTs.

We need Supergirl playoff avatars...

 

[TheGhost]

We need Supergirl playoff avatars...

@Cloned your time has come

 

[Old Boys Club]

I vote for lockdown playoff avatars. Players behind bars with a description of the atrocities they have committed.

E.g. Kassian - Kicked cernak with skate. Sentence: 7 games in the gulag
Draisaitl - Led the league in scoring. Sentence: Not a #2C

 

[Oilhawks]

The Canucks troll stopped by to vote for the Hawks. Jesus.

Appears as though his mother’s basement is a very safe place during the pandemic.

 

[Laodongxi]

I was wondering ... will players keep their masks and gloves on during a fight?

 

[Stoneman89]

Can hardly wait for the December opening night for the 2021 season!

 

[Stoneman89]

I was wondering ... will players keep their masks and gloves on during a fight?

They will have to. Removing a mask should be an automatic 3 game suspension. Barking at an opponent will be ejection and one game ban. Licking, however will be okay, as long as it's done Brad Marchand style.

 

[CycloneSweep]

My initial thoughts are that Chicago is a scary opponent. A veteran laden team with some young key players as well. Likely better goaltending as well. IMO the difference in this series is whether or not we get McDavids line going. We need guys like AA, Green and ennis to step up in a big way for us.

Chicago got rid of Lehner so their goaltending isnt good anymore

 

[Mr Positive]

Chicago got rid of Lehner so their goaltending isnt good anymore

And Gustavsson

 

[Bring Back Bucky]

Man you gotta think youth and speed are at a premium when you jump into hockey after a break like this. Will be very interesting to see how players who have played in front of large vocal crowds since age 16 respond to playing in rinks that are packed like 11 pm shinny in rural Canada.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Chicago got rid of Lehner so their goaltending isnt good anymore

still have Cup-winner Crawford though

 

[Oilhawks]

still have Cup-winner Crawford though

Crawford will be a wild card in this series. When he's on, he steals games (and even series). He should have won a Conn Smythe one of the years.

 

[HawkeyTalkMan]

And Gustavsson

Getting rid of this year's version of Gustafsson was a positive. His offensive contribution was not the same as last year and defensively he was a huge liability. Boqvist is more than capable of filling his role on the PP

 

[HawkeyTalkMan]

Chicago got rid of Lehner so their goaltending isnt good anymore

Clearly you haven't been watching much of Chicago this year. Crawford has been awesome especially considering how much Chicago bleeds high danger chances and shots all year. Crawford still posted a .917 sv pct this year despite playing behind Gustafsson, a broken down and slow Seabrook, a rookie in boqvist, dehaan out half the year, Murphy out to start the year, and Keith still getting leaned on for heavy minutes at 35

Collitons system is crap but Crawford is absolutely a threat to steal this series

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Clearly you haven't been watching much of Chicago this year. Crawford has been awesome especially considering how much Chicago bleeds high danger chances and shots all year. Crawford still posted a .917 sv pct this year despite playing behind Gustafsson, a broken down and slow Seabrook, a rookie in boqvist, dehaan out half the year, Murphy out to start the year, and Keith still getting leaned on for heavy minutes at 35

Collitons system is crap but Crawford is absolutely a threat to steal this series

Hey, piss off troll!






Just kidding, its just nice to talk hockey and smack against a rival fan again for a change!

 

[Oilhawks]

Clearly you haven't been watching much of Chicago this year. Crawford has been awesome especially considering how much Chicago bleeds high danger chances and shots all year. Crawford still posted a .917 sv pct this year despite playing behind Gustafsson, a broken down and slow Seabrook, a rookie in boqvist, dehaan out half the year, Murphy out to start the year, and Keith still getting leaned on for heavy minutes at 35

Collitons system is crap but Crawford is absolutely a threat to steal this series

As a Hawks fan second, I agree with this assessment. Crawford was like the Rodney Dangerfield of the cup winning Hawks teams. Niemi was pretty good in 2010 (considering his overall resume), but Crawford was better in the years since, IMO.

It will be an interesting series. Oilers better come ready.

 

[Cloned]

We need Supergirl playoff avatars...

That’s what I suggested a while ago...

Anyone brave and talented enough to do these up?

 

[Three On Zero]

I was wondering ... will players keep their masks and gloves on during a fight?

Bigger question is will they allow fighting?

 

[bellagiobob]

Bigger question is will they allow fighting?

No fighting or breathing allowed.