Blackhawks vs. Red Wings - Win Recap

"Rookie Hayes-ing"



The hits just keep on coming for the Blackhawks. Facing the teams with the best records in the NHL is NOT a way to break out of a horrid losing streak, yet the Hawks have done just that. Coming into Tuesday night's game, they had won 3 in a row against two studs, and a dud. Not to take anything lightly, the Hawks were at home to play the ALWAYS tough Red Wings. News before the game surfaced that both Jon Toews and Pavel Datsyuk were out of action, so it was time for some secondary Hawks to take advantage, and show they as deep as any team in the NHL.

The first period of Tuesday night's game, started out heavily in the Wing's favor, but the Hawks found their legs and evened up the shots, even out shooting the Wings 10-9. The Wings still led after the first, but the Hawks weren't out of it. The Hawks came out fairly dominant, in the middle period, and tied the game. They were out shot 15-13, but they had much better and more chances. The Hawks opened up the lead early in the third period, and hung onto it for dear life, which lead them win their fourth in a row.

The Good

• It didn't take Crawford long to make up for the weak goal against bailing Deuce and Olsen, who had forgotten about the strikingly ugly, Jiri Hudler. Crawford was on point after the Filppula goal. For all the fucking harsh criticism he took, I'm going to beat the drum for him while he's kicking ass. Everyone is quick to jump on his ass when he's down.
• The second Hawks powerplay actually showed signs of life, but no goal. Hopefully that means something is finally clicking, not just an anomaly.
• Purple Hayes got a huge goal for the Hawks, picking up a Bickell tip on net, to tie up the game about eight minutes in. Hayes worked Kronwall over in front of the Wings net and spun off just in time for Bickell to tip Deuces long point shot right on to Jimmy the Kid's stick. Slam dunk, tie game, the place goes bananas.
• Dream Warrior put the Hawks up 2-1, just two minutes into the third period, on another great play by Jimmy the Kid. Hayes took the puck behind the net and shielded the puck with his body, trying to wrap it around. While it didn't really make it on net, the puck squirted out to Bruno, who chopped it towards the net. It dropped in behind Opie Howard and Kruger whacked it over the line.
• I don't see many people out there talking about how big Bryan Bickell has been for the Hawks during this winning streak. Like Crawford, he deserves his due credit. He may still be a big dumb animal, but he's finally added something to the mix. I still don't think he's long for this team, but if it means he's more valuable from now until Monday, so be it!
• Most of the Hawks centers, including Sharpie, did decent at the dot, but Kruger was clowned by Darren Helm all night, going 1-6 against him. MageMayers, Morrison, and Bolland were all at 50% or above, and Sharp was just a hair under 50%. If it weren't for facing Zetterberg, Sharp would have been over 50%.
• The Hawks out hit the Wings, 21-17. Maybe they've got something here.

The Bad

• Valtteri Filppula opened the scoring for the Wings, on an early WEAKpowerplay, just three minutes into the game. This was good for me, because he's on my fantasy team, but I digress. The penalty kill was out there FAR too long, and just ran out of gas. They simply couldn't get the puck out of the zone, and it turned into a hot mess really quick. Add a fairly weak shot to this mix which snuck by Crawford's stick side. From a goalie's prospective, it looked like a change-up, that he committed far too early on. Corey Crawford 2 weeks ago hangs his head, and gives up 3 more in the period. Not the new and improved Crow.
• Bolland had a break-a-way, and Kane had TWO in the second period, alone. Just too bad none of them could finish. The game could have easily been 4-1, had Opie Howard not sat on a horseshoe as part of his pregame ritual.
• Big Slow and Pistol strikes fear in ME, but I highly doubt that the Red Wings were shivering in their skates. More like licking their lips.

The Ugly

• Something I NEVER want to hear again, "John Scott getting some time on the penalty kill". Never, fucking, again! Over HALF of his playing time was in the PK. OVER HALF!
• Frolik got a break-a-way from the Hawks blue line in, and got in WAY too close. By the time he tried to get a shot off, he was half way up Howard's right nostril. He seriously has ZERO confidence now. Maybe he needs a pep talk from Bickell.

Here are your video highlights:

Blackhawks vs. Blues - Win Recap

"Ride The Lightning"



Fresh off an ass whipping in Columbus, the Hawks FINALLY came home for a Sunday afternoon tilt with the St. Louis Blues. These weren't the same "display a bunch of stupid physical play and then roll over" Blues that everyone was used to. This team was on a mission, behind new head coach Slim Hitchcock. The Blues came in 10 points ahead of the Hawks and in second place, in the division. They don't score a lot of goals, but they were tied with the Rangers for fewest goals against in the league. The Hawks had a good test to show if they were truly back on track. If they could pull this one off, this is officially a winning streak.

The Hawks opened up slow and sloppy, getting out shot 15-4, despite having 2 powerplays. When the horn sounded for the first intermission, the Hawks had give up a late goal to go down 1-0. The Hawks played a better second period, out shooting the Blues 9-7, but neither team added to their score. The third period was owned by the Blackhawks, which is rare this year against the Blues. The Hawks out shot the Blues 14-8, and out scored them 3-0. Nothing pretty about this win, but it's a win. A WINNING STREAK!

The Good

• Deuce tied the game up, five minutes into the third period. The play started with Kane and Shooter breaking into the zone 2-on-3. Kane dished it off to Sharp, and Sharp just waited for help. Before dishing it off, Sharp faked a shot to freeze Elliot. As soon as Deuce hit the blue line, Sharpie dished the puck, and Keith beat Elliot.
• Douchebag David Backes put the Hawks up 2-1 with just under 7 minutes left in regulation play. Deuce had given up trying to hit the net, so he hit Bolland to the right of Elliot. Bolland was looking to hit Kane with a pass across the crease, but Backes kicked it towards the open net, and tried to stop it with his stick, but was unsuccessful. Couldn't have happened to a better guy.
• Hossa dotted the "i" in the win, with a 3/4 ice shot into the empty net. Solid win for the Hawks.
• With all the criticism he has taken lately, Corey Crawford deserves credit for keeping the Hawks in the game. When they weren't generating any pressure, Crawford kept it a one goal game. Welcome back. It's really nice to see him deeper in his net, where he's more comfortable.
• It shouldn't go without being pointed out that Duncan Keith is PLUS 7 this weekend, with a goal and 2 assists. Nice time to step up, Deuce!
• Just a sign of how much the Hawks dislike the Blues, they out hit then 30-26, with Dylan Olsen's 6 hits leading the Hawks.
• The Hawks were 52% at the dot, but El Capitan was only 8-18.

The Bad

• Early on, in the first period, Dr. Lineblender got the brilliant idea to put Big Slow out on the ice with El Capitan and Kaner. I'm not really sure why he thought that was a good idea, but that matchup led to the first Blues goal. Luckily, someone slapped some sense into Quenneville, and Scott only saw 2-45 second shifts the rest of the game.
• Jamie Langenbrunner found a loose puck behind a prone Crawford, and kicked it towards the goal line. Before it could cross the line, Andy MacDonald picked up the puck and pushed it over, with under a minute left in the first period. Just to point this out, Olsen, Leddy, and Scott were on the ice for that one. The Blues will take that matchup any time.
• I'm not entirely sure why, but Lurch only played 8:23. Stan needs to find his guy YESTERDAY, and make the move.

The Ugly

• Like clockwork, during the second Hawks powerplay, the Hawks broke down and gave up a shorthanded break-a-way to Andy MacDonald. Might not have that problem if you had 2 defensemen on the ice. I can't even begin to imagine how they are going to fix this. They can't even get the puck into the zone, much less get a solid scoring chance.
• Typical St. Louis Blues low class play, with Ryan Reaves punching Big Slow in the back of the head when he was down on the ice. That guy is a completely useless piece of shit. He was before this game, and he remains that way.

Here are your video highlights:

Blackhawks at Columbus - Win Recap

"Colossal Slump Buster"


With a weekend of matinee games on the agenda, the Hawks rolled into Columbus to face the Blue Jackets and a player they WON'T be acquiring, Rick Nash. Even though Columbus is warming up, they aren't a good team. Last in the NHL, and working with an interm head coach. Injuries and drama have crippled them. Before the other nights game, this was the game all Hawks fans were expecting the team to end their losing streak in. Lets just hope for 2 in a row, with a win in Ohio.

The Hawks came out slow and sloppy in the first period, yielding the lead on a bad turnover. They woke up and scored two of their own, outscoring the Jackets 11-10 in the opening period. The Jackets out shot the Hawks 14-12, in the middle period, but the Hawks out scored the Jackets 2-0 to take a 4-1 lead into the third. The third period was a joke. The Hawks scored two more goals to put the Blue Jackets to bed.

The Good

• El Capitan threw the team on his back and his balls on the table, going end to end and driving right around Jeff Carter to tie the game up at 1-1. Really no excuse to let a player go right around you like that, Mr. Carter, but we'll take that gift.
• Pick-to-Click Vik put the Hawks up 2-0 on a nice feed from One-Trick-Bick. Bickell out raced the Jackets defender and quickly found Stalberg wide open in front of the net. Stalberg one timed it on Mason, who was out of position in the first place, and it bounced up and flipped over the goaltender, into the net. I can't imagine what it must be like to be a Columbus fan, and watch this. Makes you appreciate the Hawks much more when you think of it that way, doesn't it?
• Kaner dished a sweet cross ice pass to a WIDE open Shooter, who took a tight angle one timer from Mason's right side, and beat him for a Blackhawks 3-1 lead. The Kane pass was the highlight of the play, threading the needle between two Columbus players right to Sharpie's tape. I don't know what the media or fans were thinking, suggesting trading Kane, but this is one of many examples why that is an asinine idea.
• Kane followed up his nice pass to Shooter, by using former Hawk James Wisniewski as a tool. Kane put his shot between his legs and beat Steve Mason for a 4-1 Blackhawks lead, ending Mason's afternoon in net. After he was pulled, CSN caught Steve Mason bitching at coach Todd Richards in a pretty animated manner. And people think we have goaltending problems in Chicago. OOOFA!
• Bruno and Dream Warrior hooked up with 5 minutes gone in the third, to expand the Hawks lead to 5-1. Bruno saucered a pass across to Kruger who was actually tied up. Kruger was still able to get a stick on the pass and chip it past York.
• Less than a minute after the Kruger goal, Lepisto scored his first Blackhawks goal, off the back of John Moore. When it rains, it pours. How did that one feel, Columbus? That was a guy that couldn't trip onto the ice, and he's putting the exclamation point on a home ice loss.
• Nick Leddy was set up by Kaner late in the second period, and skated right past three Jackets players. Leddy made a slick little move on York, but he didn't score. That play was a nice preview of what is to come with this kid. He's still green and wet behind the ears, but he's going to be a good player for this team.
• Nice to see Purple Hayes come out punching. Even though he didn't really get many shots in, he went toe to toe with MacKenzie. Welcome back, Kiddo.
• I have to completely honest. I haven't really missed Hammer. Lepisto's early turnover aside, him and Olsen have been alright. Might this show the Hawks that Hammer is expendable?
• Deuce was a plus 4 and had an assist on the day.

The Bad

• Sami Lepisto didn't make a good argument for more playing time by hitting the Blue Jackets Derrick Brassard right on the tape, at the Hawks blue line. Brassard took the gift and blew it past Crawford's glove for a 1-0 Jackets lead. There is really no excuse for that turnover. He wasn't pressured and had plenty time. I can't defend you on that one, Pistol.
• Not that it really means anything, but the Haws were outhit 29-7.
• Did Rick Nash even suit up? The guy was invisible. THAT'S a guy the Hawks definitely need.

The Ugly

• Derek Dorsett absolutely made my afternoon when he went after Big Slow, following the Lepisto goal, and Columbus time out. Dorsett looked like a toddler playing with his big Uncle John going straight for Scott after the puck was dropped. Dorsett got one shot in on Scott, and Scott proceeded to beat the SNOT out of him. I was crying because I was laughing so hard. There is NO way Scott could have made a bigger mockery of Dorsett. Beat the piss out of the guy, and then laugh at him and dress him down while he's tossed from the game. Watch it here, enjoy and laugh your ass off:
  
  

Here are your video highlights:

Blackhawks at NY Ranger - Win Recap

"So Long And Thanks For The Fish!"


How do you start off a preview of a game against the best team in the Eastern Conference that is towards the end of a 9 game road trip, which also includes a 9 game winless streak? Doom and gloom? We've seen plenty of that. Trade everyone? Lots of that, too. Fire the Coach and GM. Check! The streak has to come to an end some time, right? Why not against the best team they were going to face on this trip? No one will admit it, but I honestly thing John Tortorella threw Quenneville and crew a solid by playing Marty Biron in net. Biron in a good back up, but lets face it, he is no King Henrik. With 10 days left until the trade deadline, Hawks fans have enough to deal with as far as personnel goes. Lets put this to rest and start a more positive streak, Gentlemen.

Well, the Hawks came out of the blocks on absolute FIRE! Four goals on 10 shots, and the Rangers were left to scratch their heads during the first intermission. Of course this kind of pace can't be kept up the whole game against a team like the Rangers, but that is a hell of a head start. The second period was much more even, as the Rangers finally put a goal on the board. The Hawks still out shot the Rangers but only 9-7. The first place Rangers finally showed up in the third period, but it was too little too late. That Hawks held off a 12-3 Rangers shot advantage, and only yielded one late goal. Nice road game for the Hawks, and thank god that god forsaken losing streak is over. So long and thanks for the fish, Torts!

The Good

• Nice of you to pay attention to the refs, Foley. Yes, it's a penalty shot that the play-by-play guy was the last to notice. Just over a minute into the game, and El Capitan was rucking in on a penalty shot because the Rangers Dan Girardi covered the puck in the crease behind Biron. El Capitan did what he does, in that situation, scoring 5-hole on Biron. 1-0 Hawks.
• A minute after the penalty shot goal, the Hawks used a delayed penalty to go up 2-0. Nick Leddy used Big Slow for something useful; as a screen, and blasted a shot past Biron. Just 2 minutes into the game and the Hawks are up 2-0.
• Just two minutes after the Leddy goal, El Capitan found Shooter behind the Rangers defense, and hit him, in stride, for a break-a-way. Shooter wasted no time sizing up Biron, and powered a 5-hole shot through.
• After killing off the stupid Shaw/Scott penalties, Kaner played a little deja vu and found Boss 81 right up the gut, behind the Rangers defense, hitting HIM for a break-a-way. Hoss followed Shooter's example, just picking a spot and nailing Biron's 5-hole. 4-0 Hawks not even 10 minutes into the game.
• The Hawks were on the good end of some luck when the puck got lodged under Crawford's left skate ON THE GOAL LINE. The refs used the "intent to blow" rule, which never gets old.
• I don't want to take anything away from a Hawks penalty kill, that did a great job, but the horrible Rangers powerplay helped their cause.

The Bad

• Three minutes into the second period, Marc Staal was left to rattle off a few shots from the point by the fourth line wingers, and finally put the second one right through the wickets of Crawford. Scott and Shaw couldn't figure out which guy was which, and Staal was the odd man out. Can we please put that fourth line out of its misery? Morrison, Frolik, ANYONE! Edzo can blame Shaw all he wants, but Big Slow was roaming around he zone aimlessly, like a big gorilla.
• Ryan McDonagh bulled right through Bolland, Olsen and Shaw setting up Carl Hagelin for the second Rangers goal of the game, late in the third period. Luckily, that was it for the Ranger offense on the night. Holding this team to only two goals at home is acceptable.
• With all that went well, Toews and Kruger were even or better at the dot, but Mayers and Bolland were mushroom stamped all night, going a combined 35%.
• Mike Rupp has some mitts of stone, holy christ. That guy could have singlehandedly tied the game up for the Rangers but just shanked and missed every puck near his stick. He was better off carrying a club around.
• Again, someone tell me what is SO fucking bad about Sami Lepisto? He's a #6 defenseman, and has more skill than Big Slow, which doesn't take much. Why did he sit for 15 straight games again?

The Ugly

• Well, as with this streak, all good things have to come to an end. The braintrust combination of Andrew Shaw, and John Scott temporarily took the wind out of the Hawks sails with a couple of really stupid fucking penalties in the first period. Shaw took a lazy offensive zone holding penalty, and then Big Slow decided that finishing the play by throwing an elbow into the throat of John Mitchell, about 2 seconds after the whistle, was a swell idea. Those guys acquire some Carcillo-itis or what?? C'mon guys, really? Thank Lord Stanley that Scott only saw the ice for 56 seconds the entire rest of the game, and none at all in the third period. Shaw was out there for both Rangers goals, and only saw 5 minutes of ice time all night. #Shawfacts: Andrew Shaw doesn't hit the wall, the wall hits him like a puck to the forehead.
• Sweet Jesus, I thought the Hawks powerplay was bad, but the Rangers powerplay was just as bad, if not worse. How does a team get a record like they have with a powerplay THAT bad? Not to be outdone, The Hawks 5-on-3 looked like the Bozo fucking Circus. Actually, the word I'm looking for is repugnant. I can't remember ever seeing two teams with such collectively ineffective powerplays.
• I have to finally agree with Edzo on something, regarding the Stalberg goalie interference call. There is no way that he can stop without making contact with the goaltender, especially when Del Zotto is pushing him in that direction. That rule HAS to change. One of the dumbest interpretations of a rule I've ever seen.
• I don't think of the Rangers as a particularly dirty team, but what the hell is up with Brandon Dubinsky? Take a stupid penalty at one end and then take a cheap shot on a defenseless player on the delayed penalty. Dumb Asshole!

Here are your video highlights:

Keep Trollin, Trollin, Trollin

Eleven days until the NHL trade deadline....breathe, just breathe...

One the things I try do accomplish with my insignificant little rag, here, is encourage fans to use common sense, and actually put that lump three feet above their ass to use. For that, I've failed miserably, and I apologize. Past free agent insanity and trade deadline speculation has been around for quite a while, but this year is BY FAR the worst. The rumors don't have to make sense, or even fit within the salary cap. Just grab some names, throw them in a hat, pick a few out, and harass a beat writer. They really make NO sense. Thanks to this wonderful tool, called Twitter, the Hawks beat writers are more accessible than ever to field these dumb theories. Most, if not all of these writers, are better people than I, but then again, who isn't? The majority of them ignore the complete stupidity of the general public, but one of them displays these ignoramuses for all the Twitterverse to see. Tim Sassone (@TimSassone)of the Daily Herald. He retweets a fraction of the painful stupidity he must endure on a daily basis. I have to both thank him, and curse him for this gift.

First of all, I have to thank him for pointing out this on going stupidity, and for also point out that people are just too damn lazy to actually take the time to research their question before asking. People will ask the same question over and over, even if the answer was posted on the Times Square video screen and they were forced, Clockwork Orange style, to stare at it for 36 hours. They are just too lazy. I'd be a little grumpy too, if people asked me questions, I answer them, and they ask me the same question again, and so on. Frustrating. He generally comes off as a grumpy old man to the general noodnik, but I've been in that situation, and my fuse was much shorter than his, let me tell you.

Secondly, I have to curse him, because the few people that WILL research their own questions, see this and think, "What the hell is wrong with Chicago Blackhawks fans?", followed up with a blog like this very one. DAMN YOU FOR MAKING MY MIND RACE, TIM SASSONE!!!! While I don't always agree with everything he says, I do agree with a good portion of it. If I agreed with everything, I'd have to have him arrested for identity theft. Moving on...

After watching a few of these tweets scroll by, I thought I would share them with you, and give a little shot of what Mr. Sassone must be thinking with each. Fun little game, no? Without further ado:

Same. Real slow. “@ArmchairAnalyst: @TimSassone How was Cam Barker in Chicago? Oiler fans killing him for injury history, giveaways, etc.”

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 16, 2012

Cam Barker, good old Cam Barker. Well, Cam was so bad in Chicago that we traded him away for the rotting carcass of Kim Johnsson and a promising, yet still unknown, prospect named Nick Leddy. Cam Barker proceeded to stink up the joint in Minny, thus bringing on his eventual release. Lets just say his career isn't ascending.

How is Price available?RT @TheBarBeQueMan: CBC last week said carey price available. 2nd time tweeting this Tim!!RT @TimSassone:

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 16, 2012

Who said this, and WHY would the Canadiens dump a 24 year old All-Star goalie that they just fully committed to, just 2 summers ago? He is going to be a restricted free agent in July, and will probably double his salary somewhere, if not Montreal. They have nothing else in their system, and there isn't much out on the market, unless they are going to roll the dice with Josh Harding. Highly unlikely. Price has done nothing to show that he's worth giving up on.

Absolutely not. RT @nelsonrbmoniz: @TimSassone is it true that Kane might be on the trading block?

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 16, 2012

Probably not w/that contract. RT @Stonewing: @TimSassone do you think Keith has a good trade value? GMs might remember player he used to be.

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 16, 2012

I'm not really sure what you consider "good trade value", but a 27 year old defenseman with a $5.5 million cap hit until 2023, doesn't exactly make me come running for dinner, unless I'm Uncle Dale in Florida. You forgot to factor in that he is the team's #1 defender, and ice time leader. Diminished production or not, how do you expect to fill that hole?

Worth looking at. RT @04PowerPlay: @TimSassone If Dallas is dealing D, what bout Souray. Still has a shot,+11, cheap and a UFA next year.

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 16, 2012

I said this over a week ago, cheap and powerplay help, but everyone ignores me.

Should be but aren't. RT @Chicago_Sean: @TimSassone Does Coach Q's system not require the forwards to block shots? If not, why?#Blackhawks

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 16, 2012

No, actually, they promote letting opponents take as many shots as possible on their own net. If that doesn't happen, they turn around and shoot on their own net. It's a proven system. Really. Obviously, The forwards aren't doing their jobs defensively. Doesn't this question answer itself?

Done for year. RT @JtotheBRD: @TimSassone RT any return date set for Carcillo? #Blackhawks could really use his energy right about now.

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 15, 2012

Have you been living under a rock for 2 months? What part of "season ending knee surgery" wasn't beaten through your skull? You obviously know enough to know he's injured. Were you suddenly locked up abroad? Did you fall into a coma?

Not a fan. RT @CraigNigrelli: @TimSassone, Tim, Babchuk's bomb from point would certainly help the hawks pp.he's regular scratch for Calg.

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 15, 2012

A regular healthy scratch for a team that's just struggling to stay afloat in the playoff race. That sounds like someone we NEED to have! How about Babchuk for Keith? Good trade value, no?

No chance. RT @JtotheBRD: @TimSassone RT there are rumblings here in #Toronto, Kane for Ryan Miller. 1for1. Any rumblings there in Hawktown?

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 15, 2012

Zero. -- RT @lastcallcasual: @ChrisKuc Any chance the Hawks go to France and find Huey if the goaltending continues to suck?

— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) February 15, 2012

Other than the painful cap hit, and poor skills, sounds like a good idea. The only problem is that if you're looking for Huet in France you'll be looking a long time. He's playing in Switzerland.

It was as soon as David Poile stopped laughing. “@tbarszcz: @TimSassone Is this idea dead? Suter for Morin, Bickell, Hjalmarsson and pick?”

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 14, 2012

If Nashville would make that trade, to a division rival that they have to face 6 times a year, they are the most stupid team in NHL history.

Don't know. RT @John_Faker: @TimSassone is there a open rink in Columbus?The gf and I would like to go skating.

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 13, 2012

Tim Sassone, beat writer by day, Columbus tour guide by night.

Please, not tonight, lol. RT @elpostman77: @TimSassone Patrick Kane for Ryan Miller?

— Tim Sassone(@TimSassone) February 13, 2012

I applaud this answer but nonetheless...

Blackhawks at Nashville - Loss Recap

"Luck Ain't Even Lucky"



I honestly don't think my brain is going to stay intact, until the trade deadline. The delusions of grandeur are just stupid, and every "Tom, Dick, and Harry" thinks they are an NHL GM. This isn't even entertaining. Anyhow, the Hawks had more immediate problems to deal with, in Music City. Eight losses in a row, and a tough Preds defense didn't exactly spell "slump buster". While the Preds were 1-2-2 in their previous 5 games, they haven't been as bad as the Hawks. If you remember correctly, the Avalanche were just as cold before THEY beat the Hawks. Nothing is a sure thing, as things sit, and the opening two losses of this streak were against Nashville. Would the third time be a charm for the Hawks?

The Hawks opened up the game at a fever pitch, which was nice to see after such mediocre efforts, lately. The game was tied at one after the first period, but the Hawks out shot Nashville 10-4. A bad turnover ended up in the Hawks net, but they rebounded and tied the game back up just a few moments later. As the Hawks luck would have it, even though they out shot the Preds after two periods, they were still outscored 1-0 in the second frame, to go into the third down by a goal, on the road. The Hawks tied the game in the third period, but, once again, the Hawks were on that wrong end of some luck, as the Preds scored a late deflected game winning goal. Third time was, in fact, a charm; for Nashville.

The Good

• MegaMayers made a smart shorthanded play to open the first Preds powerplay of the night. He rushed up on a 2-on-2 with Lurch, and sent a laser beam at the Preds goaltender. He didn't score, but it took time off the clock and he didn't force a bad pass, which is the Hawks M.O. as of late.
• One Trick Bick tied the game up shortly after Suter put the Preds ahead, and continued his slight resurgence. Ryan Suter allowed him to get off his "worlds longest set up", and backed his ass right into his own goalie. So not only to do let BRYAN BICKELL get his three day long shot off, but you screen your goalie. Major fail by Suter, after scoring the first Preds goal, he truly dicked-the-dog on that one, but finally something promising for the Hawks.
• The Hawks defense looked extremely aggressive through the first half of the game, pinching early and often, to keep the plays alive. I can't say I wasn't enjoying it either. Nashville didn't know quite how to handle the pressure.
• Boss 81 answered my pick to click by scoring a huge third period goal to tied the game back up at 2. Deuce threw him a chest high grenade, at the Preds blue line, and he was able to cradle the puck in his body, spin, and drop it on his stick while keeping it away from the Preds defender. He headed for the net and snapped it past Rinne's stick side.
• The Hawks didn't score any powerplay goals, but they DID have serious pressure. They also didn't give up and power play goals against, so those are both promising.

The Bad

• El Capitan cost his team the first goal of the game, late in the first period. He had possession of the puck at the red line, and couldn't control it. The Preds knocked it free and carried it into the Hawks zone, clowning the Hawks defense in the process. You could just feel the panic when the Preds took possession of the puck. I'm not really sure just what Razor was doing, but he was shuffling around the crease on his knees, and just wasn't in great position to make the stop. Id I question any of the three goals, this is the one. He had a good look and wasn't in position.
• Nick Spaling put the Preds up 2-1, with two and a half minutes left in the second period, on a redirect of a Ryan Ellis point shot. Again, not a whole lot a goalie can do when an 85mph shot is redirected 10 feet in front of you. As usual, the play started with the Hawks not controlling the puck after a Bolland faceoff loss.
• Ryan Ellis got another deflection goal, but this time it was off a Hawks defenseman, with 5 minutes left to go in the third period. What originally looked like a bad long range goal turned out to be another deflection. The Hawks couldn't clear the puck when they had possession with Dylan Olsen blindly backhanding it up the boards. The puck worked its way around and across the zone to Ellis, who played the carom off the boards and one timed it towards the net. About half way to the net, Deuce's stick got a piece of the puck, and ever so slightly, changed the direction and speed of the shot. More bad luck, and that kind of stuff isn't helping your already shaky goalies. 3-2 Preds.
• When you out shoot a team 32-19 in their own rink, you win that game 98% of the time. This was one of those games in the 2%.
• El Capitan was the only Hawks Center with a faceoff percentage over 50%, and the second goal was as a result of a faceoff loss in the Hawks zone. They need to get better in this area, too.

The Ugly

• The usually level headed El Capitan took a questionable penalty in the first period, running over Pekka Rinne to negate the first Hawks powerplay of the game. While he was pushed a little, I fail to understand just what he was doing. He looked confused. I'm dumbfounded on that one.

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Crashing Around You

Unfortunately for the Hawks, this epic slide they are riding has provided SO much material for the columnists, bloggers, and twatards. The problem is that 90% of them look like complete and utter imbeciles. Of course, I'm not excluding my very own imbecilic tendencies, but some of these people put me to absolute shame. I addressed some of the silly trade scenarios last week, but I didn't really address what some of the problems may be. Of course, I don't have press credentials, and I don't have access to any more information than the average fan does, but I see things, unlike seeing dead people. These are a few of my opinions, of which I'm NEVER short on.

Currently the Blackhawks are 29-20-7 with 65 points and in 6th place, right behind tonight's opponent, the Nashville Predators. They are have lost eight in a row, and are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games. Obviously, it's not time to throw the red flags around, but it is certainly time to raise the concern level to a healthy orange. The team is hurting, both physically and mentally, but WHY?

• Goals Against
  The easiest place to throw the blame is between the pipes. Call me loyal and biased, but since I've been known to impersonate a goaltender on occasion, I tend to spread the blame around a little more than most. When any other player, beside a goaltender, makes a mistake, there is someone behind them that has a chance to bail them out. If they do, all is forgotten. If not, the goalie is a sieve and a scapegoat. Goalies certainly can be at fault as well, but it's not always their fault. This would be a boring sport if goalies were perfect. Hockey purists will watch how a play breaks down, not just look at the final result and spit out "that fuckin goalie fuckin sucks, fuckin trade him", as they are spitting chewed up tortilla chips all over their beer bellies. This by no means, is to say that the Blackhawks goalies haven't had their issues, because they have. Noticeably. But look at the situation this way; if you don't/can't trust the team in front of you, what does that do for your confidence? It leaves you second guessing, and trying to overcompensate. This is where the problem lies.
  
  Neither Crawford or Emery are upper echelon goalies that will carry a team on their back for long stretches. They were never expected to be that kind of player, well, at least from anyone who actually knows something about the sport, other than which are the cutest players and which ones they can get to respond to their tweets. They are serviceable goaltenders that can be, and have been, successful players. Let me repeat; can be, and have been, successful. BUT, this is when they are in their comfort zone, not facing an inordinate amount of oddman breaks nightly, or facing the obligatory shorthanded breakaway against. I've been there myself and I'm CERTAINLY no all-star. When you see an opposing player come out of the penalty box and find the puck on their stick for a break-a-way for three games in a row, you start to think to yourself, "What the fuck, guys?".
  
  They have DEFINITELY played sub par lately, but did you see these kind of mistakes early in the trip? Not so much. They look gun shy, and like they are overcompensating, which is NOT where they are most effective. I'm not saying this is acceptable, but they need help getting out of this funk.
  
  What happened to the defensive brotherhood? What happened to helping your goaltender out, rather than hanging him out to dry? Players are left to camp in front of the net, without so much as a stick getting tied up. The odd-man breaks against are laughable. It's open season on goawies, Elmer Fudd! The defensemen, AND forwards for that matter, are relying too much on their ability to block shots, and not enough on actually playing the physical aspect of defense. It's time to get tough, and clamp down. SHOW your goalies that you have their back, and would take a puck to the grill for them. IT GOES A LONG WAY! When a team shows no respect to their netminder, he has no reason to show them respect. When a goaltender sees a player sacrifice himself for the players behind him, it becomes contagious. Put another goalie in there behind the same defense and they will be looking like they have Tourette's too. It's a matter of what you're conditioned for, and these two have been conditioned to try and do other people's jobs, as well.
  
  There is nothing on the market that will be a significant upgrade over what they currently have, so get used to #50 and #30 until, at least, the offseason. This brings me to my second point...
• Defense
  I honestly believe this is where the majority of the problems stem. The Blackhawks have a #1, a #2, maaaaaybe a #4 and a bunch of #5's and #6's on their roster, and now that the forwards are all dinged up, the spotlight is on the defense. That spotlight is showing a GLARING hole right in the middle. A BLACK hole, to be exact. With the latest injuries to Hjalmarsson and Montador, the hole has gotten even bigger.
  
  The last few years, they had a 1a/2a type player, in Campbell, that offset the hole. You basically had 3-1/2 guys, and 3-5/6 guys. So that middle pair wasn't a traditional 3-4 pairing, but it worked itself out. Campbell held his partner together by carrying the puck more. That's gone, and this hole has opened up something that has been there all along, just disguised.
  
  Hammer is a beaten man, mentally and physically. He won't take the body, and just gets the absolute tar beat out of himself, on a nightly basis, and he's a great PK guy. Without his safety blanket, he's looking confused and trying to make up for what Leddy DOESN'T do on the back end.
  
  Leddy was suppose to be the heir apparent to Campbell, but he's young and still wet behind the ears. FULL of potential, but you don't step on the ice and turn into a Brian Campbell right out of High School. He's about 2 season's away from shouldering that load, at the very least. Even Duncan Keith, or Brian Campbell himself, weren't "Brian Campbell" at that age. It's not a knock on the kid, but give him some room to grow, instead of throwing him to the wolves, so they can feast. And, for god sakes, GET HIM OFF THE PK! That shiny new toy starts to look rough when you're constantly drilling it into the concrete.
  
  It has been pointed out, more recently, that Montador was a solid defender on a playoff team, and a pretty successful PK unit last season. He's no slouch, despite all the hate being thrown around. YET, he's been relegated to the #5 spot, and tethered to Sean O'Donnell, John Scott, Sami Lepisto, and Dylan Olsen. Two big painfully slow Yetis, a rusty doghouse/press box resident and a slow green kid. Not only that, but he has yet to sniff the terrible Hawks PK. Help a guy out a little. Shit! Better yet, in the words of Jerry McGuire, "Help ME, help YOU!"
  
  I, pretty much, just summed up the rest of the clowns, as well. A bunch of 5's and 6's, like a weight watchers meeting.
  
  If the Hawks ARE going to make a deal a the deadline, this is where it needs to be. If the back end gets it's shit together, the rest will follow in suit. A middle/bottom of the lineup defender can made an immense difference on this shit show we're seeing nightly. Move Montador up as a #4, and find a legit #3 guy. Move Hammer and Leddy down, and you have the makings of something solid. This is not going to be easy to accomplish, so maybe you move Hammer and let Leddy play #5 with O'Donnell. However it may play out, the Hawks can work with their existing talent at forward. They currently HAVE the talent up front, but the middle of the train is dragging the rest down.
• Offense
  The offense isn't doing itself any favors, but the entire league knows they have the talent to help get this train rolling. First of all, Quenneville needs to stop fucking with the line combinations. When you can't have a consistent line mate for more than a period, your flow tends to get mucked up. Make them learn to work through the ebbs and flows a little. When the top line can't figure out if Vik Stalberg, Michael Frolik, or Andrew Shaw are the #3 guy on a shift to shift basis, you're not going to get much going. Lets not even get INTO Stalberg going from the 1st to the 4th line. He's your #3 forward, or your #10. Make a decision!
  
  Secondly, There seems to be a little "wrist" issue going on with 3 of the top 4 Hawks forwards, and it's affecting the scoring of the whole squad. Toews, Kane and Sharp have all had issues, in the last 12 months, with their wrists and it's starting to rear it's ugly head. While these are injuries that can be played through, it doesn't help when they have to work the puck 2/3 of the ice by themselves, sometimes. The craziness on the back end is forcing the forwards to back check deeper than usual, and get beat up before they even hit the opponents blue line. Wouldn't things be much better if the forwards could streak out of the zone, knowing that a defenseman other than one named Brent Seabrook could hit them with an outlet pass putting them in 2-on-2 rather than a 2-on-3 or 4? As things currently sit, if they don't bust their asses back like the building is on fire, the defense is doing them no favors. Fix the defense, and the offense will open up.
  
  Lastly, The one area of contention on offense, that they CAN control somewhat, is the powerplay. They just have too much talent on this roster to be THIS bad on the powerplay. Most of the blame on this one, though, the coaching, because everyone can clearly see that this philosophy isn't working. When something doesn't work, you change it. PERIOD. They've beaten the hell out of this carcass, and need to open up their options. This team CAN have a top 10 powerplay, when you put the pieces together correctly. I'm not even asking for top 25%, just top 33%. They are SOMEHOW 16th in the league, so it's nothing a little hot streak can't fix.