NHL W. Conference Finals: Red Wings defeat Blackhawks 4-1

It's the first time in 7 years that the Blackhawks are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs so I def. think this deserves it's own thread (it will serve as GDTs as well as general discussion).

Going to put together some highlights from this year and post them in this 1st post similar to the Blackhawks 08-09 season thread!

Chicago should embrace this team like I advocated before the season, I said we were in for one hell of a ride and here we are only 5 days away from the PLAYOFFS!

Don't miss these games!

HITS:

In my opinion, this was the hit of the year... Winter Classic Seabrook against Cleary:

Aaron Johnson gets goated into a fight after a clean hit on a French Fry:

GOALS:

Jonathan Toews trying to outdo his goal against the Avs last year:

Martin Havlat with a ridiculous goal against Edmonton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYcQ47gv25c

Martin Havlat with a sick drag move against the Yotes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqjcr8xvPiA&feature=related

FIGHTS:

BLACKHAWKS vs. CANUCKS LINE BRAWL!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBY81jKIz7A

Ben Eager vs. David Hale - Eager gets up after Hale takes him down and POUNDS HIM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MtEVj2VhQk

playoff beard time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hell yea!

I can't start growing mine until after game 2 due to clinical time I must perform (clean shaven for the lose).

After that I'm going all out... not going to groom or anything, just let it grow.

Rules for playoff beard: Clean shave night before game 1, do NOT trim or shave the beard until after the final horn when the Hawks are eliminated (or win the cup of course).

Damn, last time the Hawks were in the playoffs I couldn't even grow peach fuzz, this one will be fun.

By the way... anyone think this would be a cool logo for the 3rd jerseys next year?

Obviously you can NEVER replace the Indian Head... but this logo is amazing:

http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss30/tjfitz/chicagologo.png

Yeah, I don't know about that logo. The Indian head is too perfect.

 

I hope the Hawks open Thursday or I might miss Game 1.

They have too, the Bulls play the Raptors on 4/15 (the same day the Playoffs start). All signs point to the Hawks having game 1 at the UC on 4/16.

Sucks for me... I'm going to be 3 hours behind and if I hear the score before I get home I am going to go ballistic.

Is Chicago the largest t.v. market in the playoffs this year?

 

I would imagine the NHL would really want to market their product through Boston and Chicago.

New York is in but they aren't very good.

You also have a Pitt/Phil series which the NHL is gonna give a rim job too every night.

SERIES H #4 vs. #5

Network

Thursday, April 16 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. TSN, VERSUS

Saturday, April 18 at Chicago, TBD TSN

Monday, April 20 at Calgary, 9:30 p.m. TSN, VERSUS

Wednesday, April 22 at Calgary, TBD TSN, VERSUS

*Saturday, April 25 at Chicago, 10:00 p.m. TSN, RIS

*Monday, April 27 at Calgary, TBD TSN

*Wednesday, April 29 at Chicago, TBD TSN

Are all of those times local or Eastern?

Also, I will put this in the main post.

I am completely relieved.

The only game I am going to have to miss is the Thursday game! Everything else works perfectly around my schedule of Cubs games, Clinical Time and school!

I just think I am going to find out about an afternoon game that might make me a little irked because the Cubs game is at 2:55.

And WTF? 9:00 start IN Chicago?

Why are we starting earlier IN Calgary?

Does this make any sense?

This is the real question --

On Saturday 4/18 here are the games:

Chicago TBD

Capitals 12:00

Wings 5:00

Bruins 7:00

Would Chicago be taking the 3:00 spot?

I don't see how this is logical because the Cubs play the Cardinals at 2:55 on FOX so it would be conflicting with the ratings AND make it a TRAVEL HELL in and out of Chicago at the start and end of the game... they wouldn't be THAT dumb right?

We'll probably get a night slot?

I don't see how this is logical because the Cubs play the Cardinals at 2:55 on FOX so it would be conflicting with the ratings AND make it a TRAVEL HELL in and out of Chicago at the start and end of the game... they wouldn't be THAT dumb right?

 

We'll probably get a night slot?

 

A cubs game and Hawks game at the same time shouldn't affect travel all that much.

 

NHL screwed this up. Early in the day nhl.com said they would have playoff schedule up and ready as soon as the 5pm games ended. This did not happen. You have to do a better job with this stuff. It took way too long to figure out when this would start.

 

My big concern is what happens to the non Versus games for a non-Chicago resident? I had the center ice package, and I get the sports pack that includes CSN Chicago. If a game isn't on Versus and is only on comcast chicago locally, will I be able to watch it?

It would on the tollways in and out of Chicago, not in the city itself.

Anyways, are we likely looking at a night start here? Would the NHL and MLB shoot eachother in the foot by having a major market on National TV at the same time?

Any speculations on start times?

I might even sell my tickets to this game to watch the Hawks.