i think i saw that De Haan might be avail by mid June?

the forwards will be able to hold their own a little bit, but McDavid and Draisaitl would rip this defence apart

the forwards will be able to hold their own a little bit, but McDavid and Draisaitl would rip this defence apart

agreed. almost wish they were on the same line still, so we could "try" and shut that line down, and hope our depth wins against theres. but those two on different lines will be too much to handle.

I would have (2) defensive 1st lines. Cags - Toews - Saad and Smith/Highmore - Kampf - Carpenter. IDK between Smith/Highmore. I can see arguments on both sides.

and just hope Kane is able t oget all the scoring done for us... i will say i am kinda excited for this series if it happens. i dont think it will be a blow out. Crow can keep us alive, and we have all the playoff experience. toews, kane, crow and keith will drag this team past the oilers. i would not be shocked.

Shaw probably isnt available

The key for Chicago would be just staying out of the box and trying to keep as close to even as possible against McDavid and Draisaitl. I think this proposed 3rd line could be the difference. Edmonton sucks so bad at 5v5 but has terrific special teams.

Smith is doubtful to return with a back injury

Correct, Shaw is doubtful to return this season

I would have to disagree with you on one thing. Edmonton does not suck so bad on 5v5, we are good on the PP, but we don’t suck bad on 5v5!

Good luck Chicago! I know it would be a hard match for both teams, and if thats the way it’s going to go it’s going to be exciting to watch.

27th in the NHL would definitely point to being terrible. Hence why you have 2 100 point players with both being minus on the season.

Shaw and Smith are both doubtful to return. Seabs is out for sure. De Haan is probably to return. For that reason, I would do the lineup as follows

Kubs - Toews - Saad (best line this season)
Caggs - Dach - Kane
Cat - Strome - Nylander (switch Nylander and Caggs as necessary)
Highmore - Kampf - Carps (highmore has earned his spot)
Hagel

Keith - Murphy (against the Oilers top line)
De Haan - BoQ
Maatta - Koekko
Carlsson

I hope we get swept and a better chance for a top 10 draft pick. This team, I believe, can beat Edmonton but we'll get beat by Dallas (likely 2nd round) and certainly get crushed by Colorado, St. Louis, and Vegas so there is no reason for us to win the first round and end up with a 12-20 OA draft pick..no thank you. Play the 3 games, make them entertaining, and I'll get enough Hawks to tide me over to next season.

I think the lines will more realistically be
Kubalik - toews - kane
Cat - strome - kane
Saad - Dach - kane
Kane - kane - kane

I think shaw's done with hockey
Edmonton may be bad 5v5 but their still better than chicago 5v5 and the special will straight up murder the hawks

Toews-Kubalik-Caggiula
Strome-Debrincat-Kane
Dach-Nylander-Saad
Kampf-Carpenter-Highmore
Hagel/Sikura
Keith-De Haan
Boqvist-Murphy
Koekkoo-Maatta
Carlsson/Seeler
Crawford
Subban