2013 NHL Playoff Thread: BITCH WE MIGHT BE

[Caiyuo]

Was talking to isladar last night before game about the perception of Rask and Crawford being pretty different, specifically Rask being considered better hands down, despite their numbers being really close prior. After the game I wanted to see what story the numbers told because even with big saves for Crawford, the same sentiment seemed to carry through. Specifically, the shots on goal were in the Hawks favor of about 9 and the post-game reaction to the double deflection seemed like that was the only way we were going to get one past Rask. Boston had almost twice as many blocked shots as we did (40 to 23) while still being under in shots on goal (54 to 63). Between netting fewer shots, a potentially big margin had they not been blocking as well as they did, on top of what isladar predicted would be a big factor in turnovers and therefore possession it starts making sense.

My argument last night was that Chicago's defense soaks up a bit of the spotlight and basically just gives Crawford less to do. I still believe that, only it seems it's really the whole team in that I think it's just when Chicago is going on all cylinders it makes it hard for a goalie to look standout if he's doing anything less than getting shutouts. Even late in the regular season being the starting goalie for the top team, Crow's interviews really never gave me the impression he was that guy nor did the questions he was receiving. More that he wasn't fucking up and deserved a pat on the back.

[Sepukku]

Was talking to isladar last night before game about the perception of Rask and Crawford being pretty different, specifically Rask being considered better hands down, despite their numbers being really close prior. After the game I wanted to see what story the numbers told because even with big saves for Crawford, the same sentiment seemed to carry through. Specifically, the shots on goal were in the Hawks favor of about 9 and the post-game reaction to the double deflection seemed like that was the only way we were going to get one past Rask. Boston had almost twice as many blocked shots as we did (40 to 23) while still being under in shots on goal (54 to 63). Between netting fewer shots, a potentially big margin had they not been blocking as well as they did, on top of what isladar predicted would be a big factor in turnovers and therefore possession it starts making sense.

My argument last night was that Chicago's defense soaks up a bit of the spotlight and basically just gives Crawford less to do. I still believe that, only it seems it's really the whole team in that I think it's just when Chicago is going on all cylinders it makes it hard for a goalie to look standout if he's doing anything less than getting shutouts. Even late in the regular season being the starting goalie for the top team, Crow's interviews really never gave me the impression he was that guy nor did the questions he was receiving. More that he wasn't fucking up and deserved a pat on the back.

This will be settled in the next week as the winner's perception will improve and the loser's will slip; after all, when this series ends, only one will have led their team to as many Cups as The Best Goaltender in the World.

[Judai]

In other news:

Evgeny Kuznetsov tells Russian website Slovo he'll play in NHL in 2014/15: "No money can stop me from going."

Will be fun to watch. He's amazing with the puck.

hoooooooooooooooooooly shit, about time if it happens, mother fucker should have come next year though.

[Callisto]

Was talking to isladar last night before game about the perception of Rask and Crawford being pretty different, specifically Rask being considered better hands down, despite their numbers being really close prior. After the game I wanted to see what story the numbers told because even with big saves for Crawford, the same sentiment seemed to carry through. Specifically, the shots on goal were in the Hawks favor of about 9 and the post-game reaction to the double deflection seemed like that was the only way we were going to get one past Rask. Boston had almost twice as many blocked shots as we did (40 to 23) while still being under in shots on goal (54 to 63). Between netting fewer shots, a potentially big margin had they not been blocking as well as they did, on top of what isladar predicted would be a big factor in turnovers and therefore possession it starts making sense.

My argument last night was that Chicago's defense soaks up a bit of the spotlight and basically just gives Crawford less to do. I still believe that, only it seems it's really the whole team in that I think it's just when Chicago is going on all cylinders it makes it hard for a goalie to look standout if he's doing anything less than getting shutouts. Even late in the regular season being the starting goalie for the top team, Crow's interviews really never gave me the impression he was that guy nor did the questions he was receiving. More that he wasn't fucking up and deserved a pat on the back.

This is pretty much the same deal with Niemi, because the defense played so well in front of him he didn't see a whole lot of shots. The one game he finally came under heavy fire vs. the Sharks he was lights out

[Ishido]

Rask is better than Crawford

[Caiyuo]

That was the story that gave me the entire impression, really, that Niemi never seemed to be considered anything special in Chicago while it seems like San Jose and the league recognizes him now.

[Caiyuo]

Rask is better than Crawford

I'm not making the argument that he isn't. It was just the perception I was getting from media going into the series about how much the two differed that interested me because Crawford has been really good.

[Deader2818]

I think its more to do with not wanting to jump on a goalie who might be a flash in the pan. Rask has proven to be a very good goalie before this season so he gets a lot of credit. Crawford has been great this season but no one knows if its a one off or if hes actually turned the page and became a solid goalie.

[Ishido]

That was the story that gave me the entire impression, really, that Niemi never seemed to be considered anything special in Chicago while it seems like San Jose and the league recognizes him now.

Niemi was the definition of average in Chicago, this year was the first he's had legitimately good numbers in both the reg season and playoffs. Crawford mirrors that quite well actually.

Both go above average, average, good in the past 3 years.

Meanwhile Tuukka has seasons of .931, .918, .929, .929, and .912, .942 playoffs.

e: This is to explain why the perception is what it is, Tuukka has been goddamn good for a decent length of time while Niemi and Crawford might still regress to the norm as Jornna was saying.

[Judai]

Yea, until this year, Niemi has been average in SJ. He was average in CHI and had a great run for a cup and hasn't shown he is anything more since. Plenty of goalies put great years every so often, look at MAF, but are average the rest of the time. Only a select few are great every single year.

Rask is a little better then Crawford, they are both having incredible runs though. If Crawford continues like this next year, which I doubt he will, then we can start talking about him being a top goalie.

[Selamis]

Crawford isn't bad at all, he's gotten absolutely no love either this season from the media here and it's a shame. Last year he got shit on, and rightfully so because he gave up some really really bad goals, and had confidence issues, a bad goal or two quick ones and he just couldn't regroup. I think he's used that as motivation this year to show people he can do the job, and he was still always looking over his shoulder especially the way Emery was playing.

Once Emery got hurt and he knew for sure he was the #1 guy going forward into the playoffs, he's been playing rock solid and yes he has help from the D in front of him, but he's made some wicked saves too and bailed the team out a ton when they struggled. He's the reason we got past Detroit, because he kept the Hawks around long enough for them to find their game.

[Caiyuo]

And this has been your Hockey History lesson with the BG Hackey thread. Thanks, guys, that sounds entirely reasonable. Shit, I remember like the first few games of the season hearing isladar surprised to see Crawford making big saves. I guess that and to touch on what Selamis said is what brought it all about, not speaking to his career, but to his season and his performance right now and how this final will shake out.

[BadKarma]

Stars prospect also died suddenly of unknown causes today too

http://blogs.gazette.com/collegehock...er-dead-at-23/

[Deader2818]

Honestly, the excuse that a goalie is only good because of his defense only goes so far.

To win a cup, you have to have great goaltending but great defense as well. Quick, Thomas, Niemi, Fluery all played great when the won but also had great defense to help them out.

Sure, solid defense can make an average goalie look better than he is: IE Bryzgalov and Smith come to mind, but i mean, look at guys like Miller, Price, etc. very great goaltenders, but no cups to show for it.

[Deader2818]

And this has been your Hockey History lesson with the BG Hackey thread. Thanks, guys, that sounds entirely reasonable. Shit, I remember like the first few games of the season hearing isladar entirely surprised to see Crawford making big saves. I guess that and to touch on what Selamis said is what brought it all about, not speaking to his career, but to his season and his performance right now and how this final will shake out.

This year Crawford is making the stops he needs to make which has helped him a lot. But yes, he has been making big saves as well which is what gets you over the top.

Remains to be seen if he can keep it up next year and years after is all.

[Ishido]

I expect Crawford to regress a bit in the coming years but he will still probably be in the Howard range, ie above average to good, but not one of the "great" goalies. He won't be the reason the Hawks lose but he also won't take them places by himself.

[Deader2818]

This generation of goaltenders really seems to be lacking those clear cut top teir goals. 10 years ago, Roy, Hasek, Belfour, Brouder. These guys were the top of the top. Not sure if we have that now.

[BadKarma]

This generation of goaltenders really seems to be lacking those clear cut top teir goals. 10 years ago, Roy, Hasek, Belfour, Brouder. These guys were the top of the top. Not sure if we have that now.

Says the Kings fan. Also Eddie Belfour, way more then ten years ago

[Deader2818]

Hey man, Belfour retired in 2007, lol.

He was apart of the era is more what I meant.

[BadKarma]

Hey man, Belfour retired in 2007, lol.

He was apart of the era is more what I meant.

Oh ok that makes more sense.