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Hit Lidstrom
by Paul on 05/19/09 at 07:08 AM ET
Comments (23)
from Steve Rosenbloom of RosenBlog at the Chicago Tribune,
I have an idea. My plan even follows the John McDonough Ten Commandments, all of which are Thou Shalt Market Everything. So, if we’re going to stick with “One Goal,’’ then make it this: “Hit Nick.’’
As in Nicklas Lidstrom.
More than getting the Zetterberg line out against the Toews line, the Wings want to match up with Norris Trophy hog Lidstrom and speedy but small Brian Rafalski (fits neatly into the overhead compartment). OK. Fine. Then make them pay for it. You have to take an opponent’s strength and make it a weakness.
So, as much as it goes against the talented, creative instincts of Kane and Toews, they need to chip the puck deep, specifically into Lidstrom’s corner. Make him turn around. Make him face the glass. Make him carry the puck so they can hit him.
The Hawks need to punish Slick Nick. He is too cool for the room. A living instructional DVD. The prized piece in the Wings’ traveling Hall-of-Fame exhibit. Lidstrom is everything Duncan Keith ought to want to be when he grows up.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
Good luck trying.
The last time he was hit hard that I can recall it was Ian Laperierre last year - usually he gets rid of the puck and gets out of the way. If they want to get interference penalties and put themselves out of position and smush themselves against the boards because their target moved, okay - but I’m thinking that isn’t exactly a good plan.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/09 at 07:28 AM ET
LOL. You don’t think teams try to hit Lidstrom? Lidstrom has been hit hard exactly twice in his entire career—by Ian Lapierierre and by Dallas Drake.
Lidstrom is even harder to hit in the so-called “new NHL” because he makes decisions and moves the puck so quickly, that by the time you think you can hit him, he’s either already looking at you coming and moves, or you hit him way late and get an interference or roughing penalty.
Second of all, it’s laughable to suggest Kane and Toews are going to hit those guys. Kane’s got what, 3 or 4 hits the entire post-season? Toews has barely 10? These guys don’t hit.
In a few years they’ll learn what Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Filppula have learned about playoff hockey, and they’ll throw a few more body checks.
Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 05/19/09 at 07:31 AM ET
As an aside - is this the same guy who was going on earlier in the season endlessly about how helmets were ruining the game because the ladies couldn’t see the guys’ flowing hair, and that would be such a marketing win that it woudl be worth the multiple serious head injuries and ended careers that would result?
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/09 at 07:31 AM ET
Good luck, Hawks.
I’ve seen Lidstrom hit hard 2, maybe 3 times in his entire 17 year career.
Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 05/19/09 at 07:58 AM ET
A revelation… someone figured it out. After all these years all someone needs to do is hit Lids. What an ephiphany.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/19/09 at 08:12 AM ET
funny how all these inexperienced teams writers are just as baffled as how to defeat Lidstrom and the Wings.
Posted by Speedy Sammich from DTown on 05/19/09 at 08:14 AM ET
While they’re at it, they can solve cold fusion, untie the gordian knot, and balance the national budget.
Hell, they could try doing all three of those at the same time and it would still be easier than hitting Nick Lidstrom.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 05/19/09 at 08:15 AM ET
funny how all these inexperienced teams writers are just as baffled as how to defeat Lidstrom and the Wings.
Of course, when this doesn’t work, they take the next logical step. Hit Osgood! Of course, you’ll take a ton of penalties, but it will start to pay dividends in games 6 and 7!
Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 05/19/09 at 08:29 AM ET
The Hawks need to punish Slick Nick
That is a great game plan, if you are a Wings fan. Good luck with that, really.
I really wonder how many times Rosenbloom has seen Nick actually get hit hard. Off the top of my head, I remember once maybe twice.
What an idiot.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 05/19/09 at 08:39 AM ET
Most of the time you see big hits on defenseman you either have a dirty hit, or it’s because they misplayed the puck or couldn’t get a stick on it properly and end up too close to the boards and puck.
Yeah. uh. I don’t see a lot of category A or category B involving the most cerebral player in the game.
Posted by shanetx on 05/19/09 at 08:48 AM ET
What other brilliant ideas does he have? Score more goals than the Wings? Douche.
Posted by Chris Pronger Rosetta Stone on 05/19/09 at 09:05 AM ET
It’s impossible to hit Lidstrom. He skates so far away from contact it’s hilarious.
Great Captain (sarcasm)
Posted by Jimmy from Windsor on 05/19/09 at 09:16 AM ET
Fortunately, he can usually be found skating near silverware (Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, Stanley Cup) or, occasionally, even Olympic Gold.
Irony - my submit phrase is “class91” - the year Lidstrom joined the Wings
Posted by mc keeper from The Home Of Lord Stan on 05/19/09 at 09:44 AM ET
The Hawks need to punish Slick Nick.
They certainly do. They need to punish Slick Nick, because that will leave the door open for Stuart and Kronwall and Helmer to just absolutely destroy Kane and Toews and Keith and Havlat.
Yeah, that’s what you want to do, is give our big boys the justification to start handing out the the pain sangwidges.
Posted by Garth on 05/19/09 at 09:53 AM ET
Yep, go for it. Run him, if you want. IF you can hit him, he’ll punish you with a pinpoint outlet pass, you’ll be out of position, and will give up a scoring chance.
Great plan, though.
Posted by Incognetis from Delaware... Hi... I'm in... Delaware on 05/19/09 at 09:59 AM ET
Hit Lidstrom? I think my odds of winning the lottery are better.
Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 05/19/09 at 10:05 AM ET
It’s impossible to hit Lidstrom. He skates so far away from contact it’s hilarious.
Great Captain (sarcasm)
Posted by Jimmy from Windsor on 05/19/09 at 10:16 AM ET
...because to be a Great Captain you have to hit people all the time! You can’t play a smart game, you have to play physical! If you want to play with yer brain, go play chess!
Sounds like someone’s a bit jealous.
Posted by BuzzFledderjohn on 05/19/09 at 10:58 AM ET
Kane is 5’10” and 170 lbs. So, by all means, have him go after Nick at 6’1” and 190lbs. That’s a brilliant plan. Who cares if your star player is the one who ends up with a concussion from multiple collisions with the glass on missed hits (and there will be lots of missed hits). Pure lunacy.
On the other hand, I think we need to cut the Chi-town writers some slack. It’s been so long since their Hawks have been in the playoffs, they still getting their “sea legs” under them right now. Too bad this series is going to be too short for them to actually get it together this year. Maybe next year. Maybe.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 05/19/09 at 11:23 AM ET
Thanks for the good laugh, Rosenbloom.
Posted by Aphaea from Pennsylvania on 05/19/09 at 11:56 AM ET
Nick at 6’1” and 190lbs
After seeing that picture of him and Franzen by the pool, I’m thinking Nick might weigh more than he’s listed at. Dude’s a real hunk of chiseled man-meat.
I’m not gay ‘r nuthin’.
Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 05/19/09 at 12:08 PM ET
I’m not gay ‘r nuthin’.
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson’s ice cream truck on 05/19/09 at 01:08 PM ET
You might wanna give Jonny Ericsson a call, Nathan. Lest you make him jealous. 
The Perfect Human has been the target of EVERY coaching strategy in the league for the last ten years, Rosenbloom. What makes your “epiphany” any different from the last 60 some odd coaches who coached against him, which I may include Coach Babcock with the then-Flighty Schmucks?
If you think destroying Nik Lidstrom is the ONLY way to beat the Wings, Roseybum, then I’ve got some totally f*cking awesome beachfront property to sell you here in Las Vegas by the Hard Rock Hotel. You in?
Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 05/19/09 at 01:47 PM ET
“Hit Nick”
What a bloody original plan, eh?
Everyone’s got a plan - ‘til Norris Nick dangles another Cup in their face.
Posted by Hoser from Downer Peninsula, Michigan on 05/19/09 at 02:28 PM ET
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Hit Lidstrom? @#$% Rosenbloom.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 05/19/09 at 07:13 AM ET