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BuckeyeMike80;1470997; said:No way they'll get another goal tonight.
souL;1471255; said:Ya, if the Hawks poured in 2 goals on that 5 min penalty w/o one of their top 4 defensemen and salted the game away it might have been different, but how long did it take for the Hawks to get their next goal? Ok, guys are pulling extra shifts and blah blah but the difference was marginal that night, at best. I'd have certainly traded you Kronwall for Havlat. Hell, at this point I feel like Havlat for Datsyuk is pretty close to a wash. That's how good Martin Havlat's been playing. We'll see if he plays on Sunday, but I'd be surprised to see either him or Datsyuk.
The only thing I didn't like about the hit was he's either off his feet when he makes contact or is about to be. Definitely NOT supposed to do that. That's where it could have been roughing, but definitely not interference. Certainly not a major for roughing and about the worst ejection ever.
I don't think Huet looked great either, but no one needs to be great to outplay Bulin so far this playoffs. Huet looked good against the Wings at the end of the regular season and Bulin's sv% isn't over .900 in the playoffs. A change would be welcome at this point imo.
Hard feelings linger after Kronwall hit on Havlat
CHICAGO -- Brian Campbell is none too pleased with Niklas Kronwall.
Less than 24 hours after the Chicago Blackhawks saved their season with a 4-3 overtime win in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals at the United Center, the Blackhawks' defenseman fired some verbal jabs at Kronwall after the latter left Martin Havlat briefly unconscious on a controversial hit in the first period.
"I thought it was gutless all around," said Campbell, who is part of the NHL competition committee. "I thought he jumped. Marty didn't have the puck. His forearm came up high. He's done it hundreds of time in the League, and it seems like nothing ever happens. He could have easily come in and used his shoulder and hit him with the side, and it would have been fine. But instead he comes up and explodes with his fist and his forearms and jumps. I just don't understand it. We've talked about it, and eventually we've got to clamp down. These guys got to pay for it -- guys that are taking shots to the head. It's unacceptable and it's not like it's the first time it's happened with that guy. There's no need for it in this game."
Kronwall avoided returning fire. Instead, the 28-year-old defenseman was apologetic and hopeful that Havlat will be able to play Sunday. Havlat, who leads Chicago in postseason scoring with 15 points (5 goals, 10 assists), did not skate with the Blackhawks Saturday afternoon.
"It's unfortunate that he got hurt ? it was scary to see him down like that," Kronwall said. "But the puck went off the wall and he went to pick it up. I stepped in and he never saw me coming, I guess. The puck was right there.
"He never saw me coming, so I think I would have felt the same way if somebody did that to one of my players. It's unfortunate that he got hurt. You never try to hurt anyone when you're out there. You just try to make a hit."
As for Campbell's remarks about Kronwall's "reputation", the defenseman opted to play defense.
"Everyone has the right to their own opinion," Kronwall said. "I think people that know me know that I never try to hurt anyone. It's unfortunate."
Campbell was asked if Kronwall should watch his back in Game 4.
"I don't know," he said. "I'm not sure what will happen with him, but I'm sure there won't be one check not finished on him. He could be the greatest guy in the world off the ice, but every time he hits, he jumps in the air."
Chicago coach Joel Quenneville wouldn't commit to a Havlat return in Game 4, but the Blackhawks are hopeful they'll have their leading scorer back. If Havlat can't play, Colin Fraser would be inserted into the lineup.
"I thought Marty really looked good today," Quenneville said. "Hopefully he progresses today in the same fashion for tomorrow. There's a chance he could play."
As for the hit, Quenneville's opinion didn't change after watching replays.
"It's a dangerous hit," he said. "He didn't touch the puck. The guy left his feet. It was a tough hit."
Detroit coach Mike Babcock's opinion didn't change, either.