they didn't bow out, the bizarro world happened off the stanchion, and they couldn't resist the inevitable tide of a team at home for 10 minutes. I think they played better in games 3 and 4, kinda neutralizing the quit theory.
I was referring to game 3 - where the 'hawks got up 2 and stopped skating--especially Toews and Keith. They stopped when they got the lead and never got restarted
Don't call me bandwaggoner scum. Thats rude man, and unnecessary.
Don't think you're bandwagonner scum? Then don't blame the refs. Shitty refs and bad calls are a part of any sport and the same 'hawks core in terms of personnel have dealt with shittier refs and worse calls than were iced against Nashville--and came out the victors. Perfect officiating wouldn't have given us a chance. The reason we lost is simple: Toews sucked. Kane sucked. Keith sucked. Seabrook sucked. Panarin sucked. Anisimov sucked. Panik sucked. Schmaltz sucked. Hjammer sucked. Oduya sucked. TVR sucked. Seabrook sucked. Kempny sucked. Kruger sucked. Hossa sucked. Hartman sucked. Hayden sucked. Tootoo sucked. Hino sucked. Crawford sucked. Q sucked. Kitchen sucked. Dinneen sucked. You get the picture...the. whole. fucking. team. sucked.
Better refs wouldn't fix that. A team that sucks vs. a hungry team playing to win = a sweep in craptacular fashion.
And let's not forget Getzlaf, who's old and bald, is having a playoff that makes Toews look weak and innefectual.
Its really upsetting to go out like that. I didn't think that is who we were, it hasn't been who we used to be. If in losses we gave some damn incredible series, usually the best of the playoffs. Hockey takes a toll, something is fucked about our lack of physical training I think.
One could argue they weren't ready, yes--especially after last season where "Gassed" was the excuse du jure and at least somewhat valid coming off 3 straight deep playoff runs (and 2 cups). That doesn't fly this year. We had a long offseason and a good regular season record in spite of a few core peices that had down regular seasons. There was no excuse for those playoffs and Stan has a right to be pissed.
We play a finesse game, and I assume its a little like they used to say about big men who fall in love with the 3 ball. Once you drift out, you become soft inside.
I'll assume that's a BBall reference so I don't quite get it. But if it's anything close to winning on talent alone our boys should have known for quite some time they haven't had the talent to win on talent alone for quite some time now--and it looked like they were trying to ride their reputations to an easy victory. Nashville, playing as a team committed to winning by any means necessary, kicked the shit out of us as if they were Kenny Norton and we were Gary Coleman.
I don't think we are finished, and I will reserve judgement until next year, fully expecting them to play a playoffs with something to prove. To make some bold moves, to get this right.
It feels like only the Maple Leafs have a stronger crop of players capable of taking big strides next year. I believe in some of these young guys.
Hayden and Bondra in particular, could really fortify what Panik and Hartman already bring. Capable players with a physical element. I don't like the lack of adjustments Q made, but he had an injured roster.
Smaltz and Kero need to get stronger.
Whether or not the 'hawks are finished for the better part of a decade hinges on one thing--our core figuring out how to play with some sense of passion again rather than mailing it in. We could blither on about depth, support, coaching, personnel, etc. but it's not going to change jack or shit until/unless Toews, Kane, and Keith can start playing like top 100 of all time players again (if not in the physical capabilities in the hockey IQ category--in which the core--especially Keith, was sorely lacking). Once that happens, THEN us fans can start blubbering like fat girl's blouses about depth, shitty coaching, etc. But right now that's not going to matter because the core played like ass in a vacuum. If that doesn't change we're pretty much stuck until 2023 or 2024 (when Toews, Kane, and Keith's deals, and then Seabrook's deal, respectively, expire).
That has to be the alpha and omega moving forward. Get the core back into core shape. Motivate them and if necessary, adjust the game plan to fit the playing style they can do in the here-and-now and not some 7 years ago.