GDT Game 1: 4/13/16 | 8:30PM CST | v Hawks | NBCSN/FSMW/Y98

[cardsfan04]

Wouldn't surprise me if Schwartz is still hampered by that injury somewhat. I doubt he'll be 100% until next year.

Can someone explain Backes comment in his post game interview meant about Schwartz losing teeth last night meant? Did he get smoked in the face? Or was he just commenting about him missing the empty net?

Never mind, just saw a video of the post game celebration, blood pouring out of Schwartz mouth. Guess he lost some teeth during the game. Didn't see it happen at the game.

Oh, damn, didn't realize that. I hadn't heard Backes' comments and wasn't sure what he was referring to either.

[glen a richter]

Escaping with a win could be better, long term, than running away with a big win. It sends a message to themselves that they need to come out guns ablazing next time or it won't bounce the way it did this time.

Get shots on Crawford early and often, make him uncomfortable, jump out to a lead in the first 10 minutes and then keep going strong. It's the playoffs, tired isn't an excuse. Defenses tighten up isn't an excuse. 4 shots in the 1st period and 2 in the 3rd is pathetic and they won because of a lucky deflection.

[cprice12]

Wouldn't surprise me if Schwartz is still hampered by that injury somewhat. I doubt he'll be 100% until next year.

Can someone explain Backes comment in his post game interview meant about Schwartz losing teeth last night meant? Did he get smoked in the face? Or was he just commenting about him missing the empty net?

Never mind, just saw a video of the post game celebration, blood pouring out of Schwartz mouth. Guess he lost some teeth during the game. Didn't see it happen at the game.

Oh, damn, didn't realize that. I hadn't heard Backes' comments and wasn't sure what he was referring to either.

Lehtera's stick came up and got Schwartz in the mouth shortly before Backes scored.

[gaijin]

4 shots in the 1st period and 2 in the 3rd is pathetic and they won because of a lucky deflection.

Exactly. If Toews had scored the OT winner on a deflected pass off Parayko's skate, I think we would all be a little more pessimistic in evaluating last night's performance.

Regardless, the fix is the same- play as hard as you (Franking) can. Otherwise, you're going home in short order.

[tjk002]

One other thing that stood out to me last night is that Reaves cannot ice the puck against Chicago. I remember at least twice this happened last night. It allows Quenville to get really unfavorablel matchups for the Hawks.

[Kerfuffle]

One other thing that stood out to me last night is that Reaves cannot ice the puck against Chicago. I remember at least twice this happened last night. It allows Quenville to get really unfavorablel matchups for the Hawks.

Yeah our announcers mentioned that - especially the one late in regulation that caused Hitch to use his timeout - said as a vet he should know better. But it didn't cost the blues so no harm.

[StL Dan]

#chiclets

[cprice12]

One other thing that stood out to me last night is that Reaves cannot ice the puck against Chicago. I remember at least twice this happened last night. It allows Quenville to get really unfavorablel matchups for the Hawks.

Yeah our announcers mentioned that - especially the one late in regulation that caused Hitch to use his timeout - said as a vet he should know better. But it didn't cost the blues so no harm.

Yeah, the 4th line can't ice the puck. You can't change lines then and the other team puts out their #1 line against your 4th line.
I remember both times that happened and I was thinking how bad that was each time...and yup, both times, out comes Kane & Panarin for the faceoff...and the Hawks won both of those faceoffs, but no harm was done as the Blues were able to clear the zone both times without any issue.
Scary though.

[cardsfan04]

I remember the 3rd period icing by Reaves and thinking how bad it was, but hadn't even considered the 4th vs 1st line aspect of it. Not that it matters, but I suspect he put more on it than he intended. I suppose that's true of most icings though.

[theohall]

According to NBCSN, the Kane-Anisimov-Panarin line is Chicago's 2nd line. The Toews line is the 1st.

[WaukeeBlues]

According to NBCSN, the Kane-Anisimov-Panarin line is Chicago's 2nd line. The Toews line is the 1st.

Correct, it's Hossa- Toews- Ladd on the first line.

[fargoblues]

NBCSN = National Blackhawk Cawk Sucking Nutbeards

[Toasted Oates]

Man, considering the history of this franchise, I don't get the pessimism after a playoff win. As John Kelly said on the goal, "They will take it!" You're damn right. Big time goaltending and a lucky goal; isn't that what we've been starving for?

However, I agree that Schwartz isn't passing the eye test right now. Not panicking on him quite yet ,but it could be about time to bump him down (maybe swap 91 and 21). Regardless, I think we'll see 91 on the hunt tomorrow night. He passed up a few chances to get his mates some cookies. Crawford will see Vladdy in Game 2.

Let's get it.

[cprice12]

According to NBCSN, the Kane-Anisimov-Panarin line is Chicago's 2nd line. The Toews line is the 1st.

Right, I'm just saying in general, it's usually the 1st line that jumps out there in that situation.
Chicago's 2nd line is their scoring line and the line that goes out in those situations.

[cprice12]

Man, considering the history of this franchise, I don't get the pessimism after a playoff win. As John Kelly said on the goal, "They will take it!" You're damn right. Big time goaltending and a lucky goal; isn't that what we've been starving for?

However, I agree that Schwartz isn't passing the eye test right now. Not panicking on him quite yet ,but it could be about time to bump him down (maybe swap 91 and 21). Regardless, I think we'll see 91 on the hunt tomorrow night. He passed up a few chances to get his mates some cookies. Crawford will see Vladdy in Game 2.

Let's get it.

You've got to be lucky and good to win a cup.
This franchise has had teams that have been plenty good enough to win a cup, but they just haven't gotten enough bounces along the way to compliment their talent.
Your damn right I'll take a lucky game winning goal in game #1...and I'll take 15 more of them as well. Who cares? A win is a win in the playoffs. Period.
I hear a lot of talk from Hawks fans about "moral victories" in game #1. As far as I am concerned, they can have 3 more "moral victories". I don't care...I'll take the actual W.

[cardsfan04]

Man, considering the history of this franchise, I don't get the pessimism after a playoff win. As John Kelly said on the goal, "They will take it!" You're damn right. Big time goaltending and a lucky goal; isn't that what we've been starving for?

However, I agree that Schwartz isn't passing the eye test right now. Not panicking on him quite yet ,but it could be about time to bump him down (maybe swap 91 and 21). Regardless, I think we'll see 91 on the hunt tomorrow night. He passed up a few chances to get his mates some cookies. Crawford will see Vladdy in Game 2.

Let's get it.

You've got to be lucky and good to win a cup.
This franchise has had teams that have been plenty good enough to win a cup, but they just haven't gotten enough bounces along the way to compliment their talent.
Your damn right I'll take a lucky game winning goal in game #1...and I'll take 15 more of them as well. Who cares? A win is a win in the playoffs. Period.
I hear a lot of talk from Hawks fans about "moral victories" in game #1. As far as I am concerned, they can have 3 more "moral victories". I don't care...I'll take the actual W.

There's one thing that everybody who has ever spoken about a moral victory has in common. They're talking about the team that lost. I'll take real victories. They're the ones that matter.

[ecbm]

Schwartz does look kinda gassed. Interesting to see that he got 18 minutes and change but Fabbri got 19. Even in an OT game that's quite a jump for the kid while you'd expect Schwartz to get about 20 in such a game based on his usual numbers. Looks like the coaching staff sees something too. I have to say, I had also hoped all season that Fabbri was being held back so as to have something left in the tank for the playoffs. I hope that's the case.

I also generally agree that the Blues didn't play bad and there's no need to fixate on negatives. It was turgid game from both teams really and I don't feel like either got near their top gear. They do need to get more shots on target-this isn't the first time we've seen this problem in the playoffs. It strikes me as psychological. Just get it on net, make them block it or make the goalie work. Stop squeezing the stick. Breath. It was more of a goalie duel than the SOG numbers make it out to be but I don't think you can expect to beat the Blackhawks 4 times out of 7 while being outshot 2 to 1.

Eliott a giant bright spot obviously.