Blackhawks-Kings Game 6 - controlled frenzy - Game 7 preview

[uihawk82]

Starting with the 3rd period of game 5 that went into 2 overtimes the last 102 minutes have been awesome. The 8 minute span in game 5 OT #1 with no stoppages of play was amazing up and down the ice, rush after rush, with great line changes and amazing goaltending.

The hawks are an offensive powerhouse yet Quick and the Kings are holding their own.

The game 2-4 struggles by the hawks look to be over with as the hawks defense is no longer mainly trying to block shots while leaving kings players in front of the net to screen Crawford. Crawford was getting killed by this but games 5 and 6 the hawk defense is checking and pushing the kings out from in front of the net.

The Kings are big and fast and can really pass. THis has been a series with perhaps the two best hockey teams in the world going at it.

Game 7 prediction , I say a toss up as the Kings strength is defense which can win on the road. If the hawks fall asleep on defense which they sometimes do and if they play too cute with the puck which they do a lot, instead of easy passes to clear the zone, then I see a Kings win,

But Kane and the Shaw line are figuring it out so maybe barely slight edge to Hawks.

 

[zhawk21]

Starting with the 3rd period of game 5 that went into 2 overtimes the last 102 minutes have been awesome. The 8 minute span in game 5 OT #1 with no stoppages of play was amazing up and down the ice, rush after rush, with great line changes and amazing goaltending.

The hawks are an offensive powerhouse yet Quick and the Kings are holding their own.

The game 2-4 struggles by the hawks look to be over with as the hawks defense is no longer mainly trying to block shots while leaving kings players in front of the net to screen Crawford. Crawford was getting killed by this but games 5 and 6 the hawk defense is checking and pushing the kings out from in front of the net.

The Kings are big and fast and can really pass. THis has been a series with perhaps the two best hockey teams in the world going at it.

Game 7 prediction , I say a toss up as the Kings strength is defense which can win on the road. If the hawks fall asleep on defense which they sometimes do and if they play too cute with the puck which they do a lot, instead of easy passes to clear the zone, then I see a Kings win,

But Kane and the Shaw line are figuring it out so maybe barely slight edge to Hawks.

Crawford still got screened on goals 2 and 3 in Game 6. Granted goal 3 was a powerplay, still almost every goal in this series by the Kings has been a shot in the slot with a player, sometimes 2, screening Cory. Take care of paint and I think the Hawks are playing for a repeat.

 

[uihawk82]

Crawford still got screened on goals 2 and 3 in Game 6. Granted goal 3 was a powerplay, still almost every goal in this series by the Kings has been a shot in the slot with a player, sometimes 2, screening Cory. Take care of paint and I think the Hawks are playing for a repeat.

I agree with you, the hawks are not a real physical team in their own end. They are pretty physical in center ice and forechecking the opponents end as they crash the boards.

I might want to look up the past few years rosters to see if they let some bigger defensive type players go.

 

[schatz247]

The defenseman have pretty much been same guys over last few years.

 

[uihawk82]

The defenseman have pretty much been same guys over last few years.

Thanks schatz.

I think offensive minded teams like the hawks like to block shots out front to pick up the puck by the blue line and get quick odd man rushes.

 

[uihawk82]

Well the hawks couldnt keep several leads. They looked to be playing conservative in the third period with a 1 goal lead.

There were some strange goals on both sides but I think the basic point is the hawks had trouble tying up the sticks of guys crashing the goal.

 

[NEIChawk]

The Kings do a great job running interference in front of that goal, and are very aggressive, and I think the Hawks got a little lazy on "D" in transition, some absolute fantastic goal saves by both sides, and unfortunately someone had to win and lose, two classy teams with two of the better coaches around....should be a great Stanley Cup final, Wednesday night is game 1...