Leafs defense are a big weakness for their team. If the Hawks can stick with their high pace moving the puck in transition and a heavy forecheck, they should be successful tonight.
- EnzoD

Schmaltz would have had a field day against them, maybe AA can rekindle some magic from last year. While their defense is not that good, not sure how excited I'm gonna be to see Matthews, Nylander, Marner and others pushing down against Murphy and the rest of the "Who Knows What We Got" club.

Down our 2nd best center, going with a backup goalie against a high flying team in their rink who promises to be motivated against a work in progress defense has all the makings of a long night.

But the Hawks will probably win 5-2, because hockey
- kwolf68

The defense may have a lot of new faces, but Rutta, Kempny, Murphy and even Forsling have been solid against 2 of the best teams in the East. The Leafs may be the fastest group of Forwards in the NHL, so it will be a stiff test, but I expect a Hawks win bc our forward group should have their way with a makeshift Leafs' Defense.

This Toronto team managed 8 goals against Lundquist their last game and now we're going to give our back up goalie his 11th NHL start (first as a Hawk) in 3 seasons, with a defense that is still "progressing" at figuring things out.......this just feels like a recipe for disaster. Sure hope I'm thinking "what the *explicative was I worried about" 60 minutes after puck drop.....

I know Crow loves starting at the Bell Centre, but with the way the Habs are NOT scoring goals right now, Crow could probably play tonight and walk to Montreal after AND play well tomorrow.

......Here's Hoping to Witness Some Jimmy Waite Coaching Stellar Tonight
- moms2sense1puck

Uhhh - how about some defense from the 5 skaters in front of him?

Forsberg should be OK if they can keep the Leafs outside and clear the pucks away from him as they did for Crawford in the first two games.

Uhhh - how about some defense from the 5 skaters in front of him?

Forsberg should be OK if the can keep the Leafs outside and clear the pucks away from him as they did for Crawford in the first two games.
- StLBravesFan

I'm curious to see if Q will have Toews' line chasing Matthews' line all night for the matchup. Babcock has last change so there will be some difficulty in getting that matchup every shift, but if Toews matches up against Matthews, that will be fun to watch.

I'm curious to see if Q will have Toews' line chasing Matthews' line all night for the matchup. Babcock has last change so there will be some difficulty in getting that matchup every shift, but if Toews matches up against Matthews, that will be fun to watch.
- EnzoD

Toews vs Matthews is a match-up I'm really hoping for. I think it could be one of the great battles over the years with the way their skills and strengths match up.

Toews vs Matthews is a match-up I'm really hoping for. I think it could be one of the great battles over the years with the way their skills and strengths match up.
- SolidGoldBricks

Maybe but they just won't play each other enough

Maybe but they just won't play each other enough
- mrpaulish

I know. Unfortunate.

I really wish the Hawks would wear RED tonight and the Leafs wear BLUE . Lose the whites for a night. Would look badass in HD

Maybe but they just won't play each other enough
- mrpaulish

All it would take would be one long SC Final....

This promises to be an entertaining game with fun talent on each team. If Hawks stick with their system, they should win based on Toronto's relative lack of discipline. The Leafs' 15 goals have covered up a lot of sloppy hockey in their first two games. 6-3 Hawks.

I'm curious to see if Q will have Toews' line chasing Matthews' line all night for the matchup. Babcock has last change so there will be some difficulty in getting that matchup every shift, but if Toews matches up against Matthews, that will be fun to watch.
- EnzoD

More interested in Panik going up against the Matthews line. You know he will want to lay a few big hits and he has the speed to do it. On that Jones hit I think Jones thought he would be able to skate away from Panik.

This promises to be an entertaining game with fun talent on each team. If Hawks stick with their system, they should win based on Toronto's relative lack of discipline. The Leafs' 15 goals have covered up a lot of sloppy hockey in their first two games. 6-3 Hawks.
- gmurban

Peg fans predicted 5-2 victory and Rangers fans predicted 3-1 victory.

Will be interesting to see how this 6-3 prediction holds up.

Peg fans predicted 5-2 victory and Rangers fans predicted 3-1 victory.

Will be interesting to see how this 6-3 prediction holds up.
- Cooshie

Last year we won one in a SO 5-4 and one in OT 2-1. I don't see a 6-3 win. Closer. Maybe 5-4, 6-5 for the winner.

I thought he was actually Tampa Bays high draft pick that never became what they had hoped, was a waiver pick up in Toronto and never developed to Babcocks satisfaction either.

I remember he helped the Hawks FINALLY shed Morin and was benched his first game here for missing a practice when he *forgot the time changed and overslept. Didn't he start as a 3-4 line player with us as well and only ended up on the first line after Q wasn't finding anyone else?

Don't get me wrong, after that first post season Panik was one of the few late season pick ups I was hoping Stan would sign, he improved as his play progressed and has turned out to be what TB thought they had drafted
- moms2sense1puck

Correct

Has anyone else been tracking Hawks' defensive prospect Joni Tuulola? Kid has good size and wheels (6'3" - 180 lbs) and has had a monster start to the year in SM-Liiga (highest level of pro hockey in Finland) with 2 goals and 8 assists through his first 12 games.

Here's a youtube link to a video of him scoring a hat trick(!) in a preseason game, with a bonus filthy shootout move at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQWobE7T6Vs

It's not like this kid's a nobody either. He played in the World Junior Championships for a stacked Finnish team in 2016 when they won gold so clearly he's shown flashes of potential before. If anyone has watched this kid play please offer some insight on his game, since it seems odd that he's managed to fly under the radar for so long.

Hoping Stan can sign him to an ELC sooner rather than later, since barring some major defensive warts in his game, he seems like the big + mobile defensive prospect we've been missing for what seems like forever.

Schmaltz would have had a field day against them, maybe AA can rekindle some magic from last year. While their defense is not that good, not sure how excited I'm gonna be to see Matthews, Nylander, Marner and others pushing down against Murphy and the rest of the "Who Knows What We Got" club.
- kwolf68

What we Got is 1).superb Ruuta: may become one of the top echelon in the league at his position; 2) Two defensemen with a lot of ability, good skill level, mobile whom might develop under Samuelson tutelage. The question will become, how much better and how soon; and 3). A GM and head coach whom will be worried if there is a significant long term injury to a top six forward, particularly Kane or a center.

Therefore I expect that Stan will hold the extra salary cap until the trade deadline. At that time he can reassess the team's fortune and may be aggressive in adding or changing the make up of the roster. The purpose is to at least make the playoffs. The strength of the roster will need to include a fourth reliable defenseman, and hopefully a 5th dman is not prone to a lot of turnovers.

That being said, I would worry about Forsling or whomever at #6 dman last of all. You can also take the viewpoint that Sikula and any help from Rockford is a bonus.

If you feel I am omitting the great expectation from ABD, this team needs others to be leaders on the scoresheet and it is healthy point - of - view even if scoring is spotty regarding ABD. Right now this kid is finding out that defensive miscues, unaware, not caring or improving (defensively)will not endear him to Q giving him much TOI. He seems to get it, so there have been no issues so far.

Just my 2cents.

Correct
- jhawk59

5-2 as mentioned earlier....the Tomcat.

Has anyone else been tracking Hawks' defensive prospect Joni Tuulola? Kid has good size and wheels (6'3" - 180 lbs) and has had a monster start to the year in SM-Liiga (highest level of pro hockey in Finland) with 2 goals and 8 assists through his first 12 games.

Here's a youtube link to a video of him scoring a hat trick(!) in a preseason game, with a bonus filthy shootout move at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQWobE7T6Vs

It's not like this kid's a nobody either. He played in the World Junior Championships for a stacked Finnish team in 2016 when they won gold so clearly he's shown flashes of potential before. If anyone has watched this kid play please offer some insight on his game, since it seems odd that he's managed to fly under the radar for so long.

Hoping Stan can sign him to an ELC sooner rather than later, since barring some major defensive warts in his game, he seems like the big + mobile defensive prospect we've been missing for what seems like forever.
- Spoodles

After watching that video clip you would think he is a foward

Guys, need your insights here.... NHL TV no longer is supported on my ancient Xobox360 so I need another streaming option.

I read that going with a ROKU and then SlingTV would work well, any other ideas here?
- Bjm84

As long as your internet is solid, ROKU is an excellent option.

Has anyone else been tracking Hawks' defensive prospect Joni Tuulola? Kid has good size and wheels (6'3" - 180 lbs) and has had a monster start to the year in SM-Liiga (highest level of pro hockey in Finland) with 2 goals and 8 assists through his first 12 games.

Here's a youtube link to a video of him scoring a hat trick(!) in a preseason game, with a bonus filthy shootout move at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQWobE7T6Vs
Edit from Jhawk59: This board has an informed contributor with reports on Finnish and maybe on Swedish players. I think his avatar is myQuist or similar. Wait for him to respond. Lucas Carlson has also been touted...He plays in Sweden. Along with Krys, three youngsters to be excited about how they keep developing. End of edit.
It's not like this kid's a nobody either. He played in the World Junior Championships for a stacked Finnish team in 2016 when they won gold so clearly he's shown flashes of potential before. If anyone has watched this kid play please offer some insight on his game, since it seems odd that he's managed to fly under the radar for so long.

Hoping Stan can sign him to an ELC sooner rather than later, since barring some major defensive warts in his game, he seems like the big + mobile defensive prospect we've been missing for what seems like forever.
- Spoodles

Just watched the condensed leaf/ranger game. Rangers D was caught flat footed a lot. No pressure, no physicality. If our D plays like that we'll be seing some changes. Leaves have talented forwards but so do we. Leaves also gave up a 4 goal lead. My favorite part of our Columbus win was how we didn't fade after the Columbus goal. I'm calling a 5-2 Hocks win. I love seeing Babcock just stare.

GO HOCKS

As long as your internet is solid, ROKU is an excellent option.
- MOhawk

I watch on a laptop with an internet hot spot from my tractor trailer. No blackouts. Better than last year. When I get home I plug my hd cable into my laptop and watch on my tele. 10 bucks a month. So far, I'm likey.

http://nhlpass.net/

Has anyone else been tracking Hawks' defensive prospect Joni Tuulola? Kid has good size and wheels (6'3" - 180 lbs) and has had a monster start to the year in SM-Liiga (highest level of pro hockey in Finland) with 2 goals and 8 assists through his first 12 games.

Here's a youtube link to a video of him scoring a hat trick(!) in a preseason game, with a bonus filthy shootout move at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQWobE7T6Vs

It's not like this kid's a nobody either. He played in the World Junior Championships for a stacked Finnish team in 2016 when they won gold so clearly he's shown flashes of potential before. If anyone has watched this kid play please offer some insight on his game, since it seems odd that he's managed to fly under the radar for so long.

Hoping Stan can sign him to an ELC sooner rather than later, since barring some major defensive warts in his game, he seems like the big + mobile defensive prospect we've been missing for what seems like forever.
- Spoodles

The Athletic's prospect look, featuring him

https://theathletic.com/1...aking-through-in-finland/

As long as your internet is solid, ROKU is an excellent option.
- MOhawk

I also use Roku at home with no issues when watching on the TV, but have difficulties when trying to stream on my laptop. Desktop computer isn't bad, some stalling, but not as bad as laptop.

That is exactly what happened.
Blackhawks lines:
Saad-Toews-Panik
Hartman-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp-Kero-DeBrincat
Bouma-Wingels-Hayden
- JRoenick97

I wouldn't be surprised to see AA back with the third line and Kero centering the 2nd before the night is over.