How 'bout them Boston Bruins?

[nolemmings]

Tonight's game is huge. Quenneville must play six D all night--the decision to bench Leddy was dumb. I don't care what the so-called experts are saying, especially that irrelevant Melrose and his smug sycophant Steve Levy at ESPN, it would not be a bad move to give Emery the nod in goal. It would be bold though. Talk of Crawford for Conn Smythe is foolishness--he was outplayed by Rask in his two good games; in fact, arguably outplayed in all of them. The winning goal from Game 4 was a bit soft IMO (there wasn't that much of a screen), but the others were the product of a barrage of rebounds in which Rask was constantly under attack. By contrast, at least three of Boston's goals were stoppable. Crawford had deer in the headlights on Peverly's goal and fell asleep on the ricochet over the back/top of the net--you've got to know where the puck is. Bergeron's blast probably gets past most goalies, but Crawford again looked to be glued in his tracks.

In any event, it should be another good one. Chicago has better overall talent--although not dramatically so-- but Boston is better coached and plays smarter. Hawks are better served with that frenetic throw-it-at-the net style of game 4 then the Penguin approach of who can get the prettiest goal. Boston should take a shot or two at Odouya and Keith pinching and get a couple of odd-man rushes to add to their more methodical style.

Let's get started--drop the puck!!

[chaddurbin]

i like steve levy, i don't think he's smug at all. actually i like all the old nhl guys on there, bucci etc from when they still carried nhl.

emery's not sniffing this series unless crawford gives up 6 goals high glove-side tonight. 2 original six teams in 2 big markets SHOULD do well ratings-wise, otherwise just bury nhl on the ocho next to flyfishing.

huge jagr fan since '91, so rooting for bos...otherwise don't really care about either team. tukka needs to steal another game, otherwise chi in 7 imo.

[nolemmings]

Quan, I used to like Levy, especially in the old days when he made that bulging dick, er disk, gaffe and seemed humble. Now there's not a thing Barry Melrose could say that Levy wouldn't lap up as gospel. Melrose, whose pick for the cup at the beginning of the playoffs usually gets eliminated in the first round, is a nice enough guy and completely likeable. I just don't think he or anyone at ESPN puts much time into it anymore yet they try to come across as having earned some serious props. I readily admit it could be me though--I'm brutally critical of almost all hockey TV guys.

I would love to see Emery but the only thing that gets him on the ice is Quenneville's ego--the very thing that I don't like about him-- or a collapse by Crawford, which is not something I want. I still have an ominous feeling that if the goaltending is the difference, it won't be the Hawks that win.

[TUM301]

Do or die Mon nite, see you back in Chitown on Wed. Go B`s !!!

[ScottR81]

We take it Monday!!

[nolemmings]

WOW, well played Hawks!!!!

Great series--thanks for the ride Bruins and Hawks!!!!!

[chris6net]

As a die hard hockey fan being objective the Bruins played liked Dogs after the game got tied at 2-2 and were willing to settle for OT. They got complacent and it killed them