Balanced Blackhawks Bury Blues
Saturday night was a good dose of old time, Norris Division hockey from the Blackhawks and Blues in St. Louis.
The Hawks did a nice job of controlling a majority of the action in the opening 20 minutes. Duncan Keith, in his first game back from LTIR, put a long shot on net that got past Jake Allen to give Chicago a 1-0 lead at 4:10 into the game. Andrew Shaw was credited with tipping the shot in for his second of the season.
Chicago held a 10-9 shot advantage at the end of one. It was in the second period that the fun really began.
The teams combined for 24 penalty minutes in the second period, including a Toews-Backes fight after the Blues captain boarded Niklas Hjalmarsson. Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice to begin the period, at 6:32 and then a power play goal with Marko Dano in the box at 8:16. The two goals gave him ten on the season and the Blues had a 2-1 lead at the mid point of the middle frame.
After taking a dumb penalty behind the play, Dano saw his ice time the rest of the way in the second period disappear. He made his limited opportunities count, however.
But the Hawks battled back, showing a resolve they have lacked at times early this season.
Trevor van Riemsdyk played a magnificent game, and tied the score with his second of the season at 15:17 into the second. Dano, on a rare shift late in the period, picked up the second assist on TvR’s goal.
Three minutes later, it appeared the Blackhawks may have taken the lead. Jake Allen made a remarkable save on a shot by Dano that was reviewed by the NHL. The league office felt they couldn’t clearly see the puck fully cross the goal line and supported the no goal call made on the ice.
Moments after the Allen save, former Hawks forward Troy Brouwer was sent to the box for slashing and the Hawks made them pay. Artemi Panarin made a beautiful pass to a wide open Patrick Kane, and the rest is… well…
The goal is Kane’s 12th of the season and gave the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead.
While it’s become commonplace for the Kane-Anisimov-Panarin line to make an impact on the box score, what was encouraging was the balanced scoring in the first 40 minutes of the game. Nine different Blackhawks skaters had a point in the first two periods, including Teuvo Teravainen. Teravainen quietly has a point in five of the last six games for the Hawks, and looked good on a line with Marcus Kruger and Andrew Shaw for most of his evening.
In the third, it took more than 15 minutes for the Blackhawks to register a shot on net but the defense was up to the task as the Blues put pressure on.
Corey Crawford was spectacular in a couple sequences, perhaps most notably with around two minutes left in regulation when he made a couple enormous stops in traffic and was able to get the puck into open ice for the skaters in front of him to get it up the ice.
Seconds after Jake Allen skated to the St. Louis bench, a terrific effort by Jonathan Toews to find Niklas Hjalmarsson was followed by another exceptional effort from Hjalmarsson to get the puck past the center ice line. He found Anisimov, who buried the empty net dagger to cap the scoring.
van Riemsdyk went to the box with 3.3 seconds left in regulation, which will help bolster a strong night of penalty killing for the Blackhawks; with the short denial, the Hawks killed five of six on the night. It didn’t take away from another fantastic effort from the Hawks young defenseman, who skated 18:22 in the victory.
Keith led Chicago, skating 27:34 in the victory. Hjalmarsson went to the room briefly after he was boarded by Backes but still skated 22:48, and Brent Seabrook skated 24:20. Oddly, not one of the Hawks’ top three defensemen was credited with a blocked shot in the game.
Another youngster whose role continues to grow is center Tanner Kero. While Toews served seven penalty minutes, Kero found himself getting heavy minutes on penalty kill duty and he was very good in his increased role. Kero skated 14:23 of which 4:14 was short-handed. He won five of eight at the dot and was credited with a blocked shot, and – perhaps most impressively – was on the ice for a few late shifts with the game.
Anisimov won eight of 14 faceoffs and was the only Blackhawks player to have a multi-point night. At the end of the night, 11 different Blackhawks skaters registered a point and Crawford made 29 saves against 31 shots.
The Hawks return home for their final home game before the Circus Trip on Sunday night when the Flames are at the United Center.
Q smoking funny cigarettes. Mashinter on ice the shift w/ six minutes left in third period, Blues all over Hawks’ zone — he hadn’t been out there the entire period prior thereto. And to make matters worse, he was out there at the same time as Roszival. This is not acceptable. Can we see Tihkonov tomorrow night please? You’ re not going to tell us Mashinter is going on the road trip — that’s 14 forwards …. players like this don’t all of a sudden become productive. Jake Dowell is more useful than Mashinter. Good night.
Great game. Still need to get the Toews line sorted out and clicking somehow. Garbutt was useless tonight and I’m afraid I was guilty of thinking his grit and skating ability could make him reliably useful. The dilemma of where o where to play Teuvo is still a big thing. Kero looked very good and Q is clearly trusting him. Go Michigan Tech !!!
Aside from being on their heels for the majority of the 3rd, the Hawks looked great all over the ice for the rest of the gane. Even the empty net play was outstanding and the goal was truly worked for.
I still don’t see how Dano wasn’t given the over-the-line save goal, but they seemed to give them an immediate PP to make up for the crap call, where Kane promptly scored while making their goalie look like a pickup league guy on the play.
I thought Teuvo looked really good as well, but his line was just never in step with him. A lot of passes and looks that went nowhere.
I will also give props to van Riemsdyk. He still is really just a guy, but he’s playing hard and smart and the coaching staff obviously entrusts the kid. But I will admit good hockey play when I see it.
Where do the Hawks play Teuvo and with whom are the questions. It’s just not working. And the addition of Dano further complicates the issue of how best to use Teuvo.
Flip the switch. On.
Thats the Blackhawks we all know and the kind of game we all know as our signature. Everyone stood out, all 4 lines, everyone gave a tremendous effort. Hjalmarsson’s brute fending off to get the puck to Anisimov was the empty net goal of the year. Crawford held the fort with magnificence. NHL website already featuring Allens glove save on Dano’s very obvious goal as “the save of the year”. What kind of special breed of boneheads do they have in the war room in Toronto? The puck is clearly visible in Allens glove netting well beyond the goal line. What a bunch of useless pinheads they are…what exactly is their purpose except to consistently screw the Blackhawks out of legitimate goals. Another year of this cowardly blindlessness. Shameful. Toews taking on the much bigger Backes was delightful. The Captain really showing his leadership lately. Panarin/Kane stunning. Turning point game. So glad Keith is back, obviously so is everyone else. Tabs emoji bang on jockularity.
Tough words from Hitch after the game
The Hawks are a different team both offensively and defensively with #2 in the lineup. Nobody in the league can make those short crisp passes in the d zone like Keith. The best d-man in the league. TVR is well on his way to becoming our long term 4rth d-man. Kero belongs on the third line. Dano obviously scored. The boys in Toronto must have their heads up their ass. You could clearly see the puck in the glove over the line.
re: Rufus’ apparent hard on for referring to players as “just a guy” – who really, honestly gives a shit? If you have 4-6 future Hall of Fame players on a roster, most of whom are still in the middle of their prime, all you need are solid players who are smart enough to play the game the right way at all the right times. In the salary cap era, teams with legit superstars are going to have a bunch of players who are “just a guy” until the chips are on the table. TvR has been smart and he’s getting better – and more comfortable – with each night. For what the Hawks need right now – a good #4 defenseman – he’s filling the role well.
The Dano goal didn’t happen because the rule explicitly states there has to be visual evidence of the PUCK crossing the line. And in the replay all I saw was the glove. We all knew of course the puck was inside that glove, but the rule is the rule and they certainly were not going to overturn a no goal call on the ice.
Huge leaning curve game for Dano. A bad penalty, but then two very nice contributors in the offensive zone. I have had my doubts on whether he is ready but that was great on the job training tonight.
Think I’ll smoke a big cigar..have one Cohiba left in the humidor.
Hitchcock is a fine coach and his resume speaks for itself, but he is not the guy to take the Blues to the next level. They have fallen into the pattern of what Vancouver was. Regular season wonders and a great deal of talent, but they can never put it all together.
The Blues are bursting with talent. That is a team with talent to win a Cup. But they aren’t doing that. The chemistry is out of whack. And Hitch isn’t the answer behind the bench.
Rufus- I know what the f’n rule states, we all know what the f’n rule states but if the puck is one one side of the f’n line and then its clearly visible on the other side of the f’n line then it crossed the f’n line. It didnt suddenly materialize or got beamed in. Besides, with super slow motion and todays high tech and high definition it was easily discernible crossing the line in Allens webbing all the way, and that was as palin as can be on my 7 year old Samsung. Perhaps you would like to go and coach the Blues? …now can I enjoy my f’n cigar? …or you can come on up and join me, have some Romeo and Juliets left.
http://twitter.com/The1Tab/status/665742848835342336/photo/1
Too funny
Duncan Keith is the BEST defenseman in the NHL…but, “props” to Doughty, Hedman, Karlsson, and Subban. (Again, I wish I hadn’t shredded and burned my Chicago 88 jersey…)
….oh, and Backes is (still) a DICK!!
Good summary, Tab. Thanks.
Rufus, Teuvo has points in 5 of his last 6. I’d say they must be doing something right.
I hesitate to say this … but I agree with Rufus regarding the no goal call. (just kidding Rufus :) )The overhead view could not be used because the puck wasn’t visible. The other view showed the puck in his glove and it appeared to be over the line – but at that angle it was not conclusive enough to overturn the call on the ice. Do I believe the puck crossed the line and it should have been a good goal – yes. But the visual evidence was not good enough to prove it. So be it – the Hawks won the game so it doesn’t matter.
Mining Man (at 10:45 pm), “You really captured the spirit of the thing.”
Besides Backes, the blues are full of turds. I think Brouwer may have taken Jackman’s place. I admire their tenacity, but it goes too far. The Hawks weren’t even retaliating and getting calls against them. The Keith penalty on Brouwer. And I have no clue what Kane did to Pietrangelo.
It was nice to have Keith back. He made a difference. It was also nice to have Rozsival back. Yes, he turned the wrong way on the play which resulted in the first Tarasenko goal, but he played pretty solid considering it was his first game after practically having his foot re-attached. One of the things that Rozsival provides that the three young Swede d-men to not is solid physical play – both in absorbing a forecheck and dishing out a hit.
And TvR may be “just a guy” if by “just a guy” you mean pretty good NHL d-man.
Fantastic game. Playoff atmosphere. I listened to the entire pre game show in the car and they played Qs interview a couple times. He said they needed an A+ effort from everybody. Toews and Keith led by example as always. Both have incredible heart.
Loved that Q had Mash out there for the last 30 seconds. For obvious reasons.
Thought the Dallas guys Garbutt and Daley were really weak.
The Dano shot was clearly in and I have 20//40 vision. The sheer inertia of the shot though pushed Allens glove over the line. The fact that it took the war room in Toronto 60’seconds to review it tells me they just punted it back to the on ice call…and then Kane fixed that.
Thought Kruger was very very engaged tonight. Anisimov was great in all zones. Kero impressive as well. Teuvo looked timid to me especially when the going got tough.
All in all a great win and oh by the way Q is a great coach. When he demands that the players dial it up, they respond.
Gonna beat Hof to it. But Bickell with a 3 point night. 4 games….8 points.
Ernie- Looks like Mr. Bickell has found his niche! Perfect place for him obviously so lets hope he stays there. We gain a wee bit of cap space and write off the rest of the dollars. The 2013 cup win, 17 sec. and all, was a huge payday for Bickell and Bolland. They are millionaires and set for life and still playing hockey so what the heck. Its nice not having him on the big team and talking about Bickell endlessly.
The instant replay officials (of any city in the world) will not ever get the Right call unless they have the Professional 3d tennis video replay. Ever. Ever ever ever,
Dickie Dunn- Thanks for the nice words. Too bad you shredded and burned your #88 jersey….don’t feel like the Lone Ranger, can sympathize as I “retired” my “Kane-O-Rama ” T shirt, which I’m sure didn’t cost near as much as your jersey. We can console ourselves in the fact that he is having a banner year and en route to the scoring title.
As much as I loved to see 19 take it to Backass, I’m thinking somebody should tell the captain to be happy with his 2-0 record this year and call it quits. A broken finger, hand, wrist, or worse is something this team can not afford. Much better effort on fronts. Welcome back 2, 1961 is right about the huge difference both offensively and defensively in this team with him in the line-up. This looked like TVR’s best of the year so far. His ceiling could be much higher than “just a guy” Sounds like the “Stay-Puff” man is tired of loosing to the Hawks, too bad. I think you are correct MM, sure looked like puck in the webbing clearly over the line on my Samsung also. Go Hawks.
86.
‘Those are I owe you. This one’s for 300 though, you might want to hold on to tat one’.
Dickie, heres to all that gorgeous snatch in fla.
and 57.
Craig, they will not ever give us the right call on instant replay unless they absolutely have to, because thats the way the rules are written (to go by what the fix ref wants). In tend to blow. That’s a rule.
WNNNNNNNNNNNBC.
Morrison- Professional 3D tennis video replay? Really? Just envisioning that makes me dizzy….are you sure about that? Would not surprise me if it actually exists.
Not sure if its actually 3d but tennis has that kind of review that it shows if the ball hit line or not and would be easy to see if puck cleared the line. With tech these days I cannot believe that they cant get that into it. Unless they really want the refs on ice to decide every call. Help the refs, its hard to ref and theres no fucking way refs can see the fast stuff. But when instant replay people do not make the right call because of how the rules are written, they are wnnnnnnbc flatlanders, whats the point.
Mining Man, Hey! I hope you took that (88 jersey jest) in the spirit in which I intended…I NEVER got down on Kane (maybe because I don’t have a 14 year old daughter and I don’t really place the “role model”, etc. above ALL else…) – the “story” smelt very much like bullshit right from the beginning. If I’m off blathering, forgive that too – perception impaired by the euphoria of tonight’s ROAD win!
Morrison, “gorgeous snatch in fla. and 57.”…now, that’s good writing? Seen Anita McCambridge, lately?
Just my opinion, but, from that overhead view it looked like you could see the puck thru the webbing of Allen’s glove clearly behind (or is that “below” — why does everyone spew “below the goal line” except in reference to within the net???) the line — uh, not enough evidence to overturn the call?
Anyway, 4-2….”That’s just great, Anita”!!
Blackhawks overcome the usual Backes & Reaves shenanigans – I cringe when seeing Toews drop the gloves but he did what he felt he had to do. Seemed like the ice was tilted toward the Blackhawk end that third period. Hate when Foley says “Hawks win” when there’s still almost a minute left. One of these days that’s gonna jump up and bite him.
Had the Rockford game on the radio – Svedberg did not play, it sounds like he is meeting the team back in Rockford after these last two games in Des Moines. Ice Hogs win 4-3, Cumiskey with the game winner on a power play with about 7 minutes left in the 3rd.
As Ernie mentioned, 3 point night for Bickell with a goal and two assists and 1st star honors. Defenseman Nolan Valleau with two assists, the play by play guy Bob Mills mentioning Valleau is looking more and more comfortable.
Sounded like Ross, HINObsession, and Hartman were on the ice for all three Iowa goals but not certain. Looking at the stat sheet they were all minus on the night.
McNeill with a goal. Kyle Baun still looking for his first goal of the year, don’t think he has a point either. Thought for sure Visentin would get the start on the tail end of a back to back set … nope … Leighton in again and he got the win. For those who follow the “what could have been” it sounded like Mike Reilly for the Iowa Wild had another quiet game, he was -1 on the night.
That was as spirited a reg season game as we will see. Despite a wtf first few minutes the Hawks collected themselves and gave a good effort top to bottom. I believe there is a time and place for fighting in the NHL and last night following the Backes deliberate attempt to injure Hammer the Cpt said enough. No, I don’t want to see Toews hurt a hand in a fracas, but justice needed to be dished out. The team rallied behind their Cpt and played like they gave a damn for the first time on the road this year. A hard earned victory, and in the process Crow found his mojo in a big game. Keith scarcely missed a beat. When he is out there the Hawks are a different team. TVR continues to grow. Dano dumbass penalty was overshadowed by a strong effort that says this kid can ply. He must be loving the fact he is skating with Hossa. Speaking of Hossa, could it be his left wrist isn’t right? His shot has lost some zip that age would not factor into imo.
The replay of Dano’s shot showed the puck in Allens glove over the line. Not sure what conclusive means, but I concluded the puck looked in the glove and clearly revealed in the mesh over the line. Replays in the NHL and NFL are a farce. We all wanted replays, but even clear video evidence can now be disputed. Bizarre, and still controversial. Konroyd actually made a good suggestion during the 2nd intermission saying to put a chip in the pucks that will activate the goal light when fully across the goal line. Many of those calls the refs really can’t make because it happens so quickly. The call on the ice should be ‘lets have a look” not good or bad goal. Can’t they just say I couldn’t see??
Is Brouwer really going to play this chippy crap for the Blues all year? My God, they finally drop kicked Jackman who made a career out of cheap shots, and bring in Brouwer(a good player) and tell him to get mean? Brouwer could have received 4 minors last night easy. Throw in Reaves and Backes and the sluggo boys are back which has been the Blues modus operandi for just about forever. I have said before and will repeat, the Blues will never win a Cup with Backes as their captain.
Hope the boys have something left in the tank for the Flames at the UC tonight. They can build on last nights big road win and take this show on the road.
Lets Go Hawks!
Bickell averaging 2.0 pts/game thru 4 games… keeps this up and perhaps some other team will be foolish enough to trade for him.
Daley- less Ice time than Rosey last nite???
Lot of money being payed for the # of minutes he’s skating… especially when you consider the two guys just sent down were getting as many minutes (Sved- was actually getting way more)
I find that quite interesting…
Will Daley be “Leddy-ied” by Q come PO’s??? (if they make PO’s)
Mashinter can be sent back to Rockford since Toews can handle any fights that are required – what a leader! Didn’t see the game but there is nothing sweeter than beating the Blues in St. Louis. For those who continue to hammer SB for failure to move Bickell, etc. how bout acknowledging that Panarin, Kero and TVR could have signed with 29 other teams but are all playing big roles for us. TVR’s growth is the story of the season so far IMO.
wall – Daley had less minutes Rosey because he doesn’t PK. Also he is in a difficult position with Coach Q now. He had to step up big with Keith out and he only managed to play better, but still average. I don’t mind Daley, though. He hasn’t been a liability up until now. So one can expect a steady improvement in time.
Lol STL. What a dumpster fire. Love how hitch called them out after.
To be fair they have some injury issues themselves but nice to see them drop points.
Looks like some of the guys are starting to click. Another dozen games of up and down and we may see them string together a nice little streak.
Typical Hawks win , grind it out, Rope a Dope and sneak out of there with a win. Hawks don’t dominate ever, they suffocate you and play two way defense like no else. Power play is still disney on ice but anyway! Rozy still knows how to close out and down on his end on defense, WOW, Really he just rides ya into the boards such a pure d-man, his lack of speed wont hurt until june! Keith is well Keith! Hawks d protected well. Dano to me looked good he is the “perfect profile ” for that top line, speed and physical and plays under control, given a few more games and he just might be da man. This team is very good, they will have more ups and downs but again if Healthy in June they are right there!
Crow played GREAT his lower body is the best in nhl, he gives up so little low, like Quick and the Kings, really sealed a lot off last night low and close, he is under rated in that way. A little sloppy post to post sometimes, tends to slide out of position, but when CROW is down he is tuff. D played well in front too!
But that is why CROW is there!
Daley is making progress it is slow progress but he is getting better each game and that is all you can ask. You have to really watch him game to game, not easy, but he will easily replace Johnny Oh productivity from last year. They now have enough LIVE bodies that defense is solid.
Need a great 3rd line . . . and a slightly more productive 4th line. But to me it’s all 3rd line, we need it, again in june ya roll 4. See what happens!
Trevor van Riemsdyk had a monster game last night. 1 goal, drew 2 penalties (1 on O transition, 1 on D transition, lots of great stick work and body positioning, 0 sloppy plays unlike Rozival who made 2 huge errors, fair amount of shots).
I personally always liked him and his style of play. I thought from the beginning he can be a solid 4 Dman or better.
This year not only confirmed it, but exceeded these expectations. I now think he’s a bonafide Blackhawks 4 Dman. A Blackhawks 4 is an elite 4.
He has a complete game, he’s versatile and he has answered with glory to all the challenges Coach Q & staff put him into since last year… back-up Keith last year, carry Daley, play shut down pairing, increased minutes, PK, right side-left side, play SC Finals and don’t lose composure, work in the offseason, respond to difficult situations like devastating injuries
The most important thing though… Coach Q obviously loves him and his game. It’s a fact and it goes back to last year. If Coach Q loves X… I’m all-in.
PS: The youngster doesn’t even have 40 NHL GAMES under his belt !!! Are you fucking kidding me ? He is a stud. Not a prototypical stud, but a Blackhawks stud. The best breed there is.
PS2: Hah. As long as he stays healthy… that’s his only ‘red flag’.
The problem I see with putting a chip in the puck is the shape itself. It’s not a sphere so depending on whether the puck is flat or on edge or anywhere in between would dictate if the goal is in fact a goal. Whereas if it was a sphere said chip could be in the center.
Someone smarter than me should be able to figure something out.
I had the misfortune on watching the game on Blues feed. They are terrible, but they did show and said a couple of interesting nuggets:
1) they had a graphic showing
“OFFENSIVE ZONE POSSESSION TIME AT EVEN STRENGTH”
Panarin -0.56 minutes (1st in the NHL among forwards)
P. Kane -0.55 minutes (2nd in the NHL among forward)
I found that very interesting and surprising. I never knew the O zone time is that much limited. The best in the NHL has less than a minute.
2) they said Panarin is friends with Tarashenko. They said ‘close buddies’. Never knew that.
3) they showed a good replay of Keith hight sticking Brouwer when he got the PK. Very nasty move by Keith.
You watch the game and read and you have the impression those 2 are friends or at least have that ex team mates bond. It either isn’t true or it doesn’t matter AT ALL when you’re on the ice.
PS: Another nugget from last week I forgot to write down.
I was watching the Jets on the TSN feed. At one point they talked about Pavlec and how he changed the pands. New pads, different brand.
Now this new brand of pads were much more slippery and he has been trying to adjust to the change and still had troubles doing it. Of course… that’s the reason he changed them…wanted to be more “all over the place’.
I’ve never thought of than. Never knew there’s such a variety and difference between different GK pads. Silly me…I guess.
Why did I think to write it here ? First…it’s an interestic thing and second…. the Hawks GK have these new black pads. Did they only changed the color to get more early ‘lost vision of the puck’ calls or did they changed brands or pad styles ?
Maybe somebody knows and can clarify that for me.
Hof, thanks for the Rockford update really appreciate it. If TVR is just a guy can we please get more of them!!
I worry more about Toews concussion history rather than his hands.
Can’t help thinking that his next one puts him in a dark room with Pronger and Marc Savard for a LONG time.
DumDum… even w/ Keith out… Daley was at bottom or near bottom in minutes played… $3.3M seems like an un-affordable luxury (Hawks can’t afford) for a 5th/6th D man… especially- when you just sent a D guy down… who was actually Getting Added minutes when Keith was out!!!
Just sayin-
I would think that SB could afford to move Daley- (if right deal came a long ) and get that 1st LW or 3rd C (like a Vermette)… May have to throw in a 65, or TT, or 56
to get it done…. But- I think SB should “kick the tires” around the league
MtM–RE: Dano- Q played him around 5 Min. so Q didn’t seem to think he was that special last nite
Good CC showed up last night. Hope the Jekyll/Hide act is a thing of the past. He doesn’t have to be great every night, but he can’t be terrible every 2nd or 3rd game if the Hawks are going to win enough to make the playoffs.
Note to Hawks: don’t let Tarasenko free wheel through the slot until he sees an opening to shoot. How about someone put a body on him when he has the puck or at least get in the vicinity and make it more difficult for him. He had one unimpeded shot for a goal and one unimpeded shot that clanged iron. I know he’s a great player – but make a better effort.
Calgary is desperate to get back in the race before it’s too late for them. The Hawks are coming off an emotional win and ripe for a let down. Keith is superhuman but he put in over 27 minutes last night after not player for weeks – he could be fatigued tonight and it’s even worse for Rozy (if he plays – could be Rundblad in for him). So the boys better be ready to start the game or it could get ugly early.
Darling tonight?
Wall= It is becoming obvious that it was you that was responsible for concieving, initiating and developing the Esposito/Hodge/Stanfield trade…the greatest unmitigated disaster in the history of the Blackhawks, and in any top ten ranking the #1 worst trade ever in the entire NHL. Lets see, so far you have shipped out Crawford about 186 times, TT about 47 times, and now packaged Shaw, Dano and TT, plus countless other individuals, all to the detriment of the team. I am so grateful that you do not have any actual real say in the running of things because if you did the UC would be 70% empty night after night.
^Mining Man with the 20 foot jump shot SWISH …
Dumdum, yes Keith gave Brouwer a stick rake up high, but Brouwer gave Keith a wicked 2 hander in the back of the Keith’s legs from behind. Not cool with a guy just back from a knee surgery. Duncs got caught and Brouwer skated. Those 2 are probably friends off the ice, but it ends there once the puck is dropped. Panger is a terrible homer announcer. Thought those two guys last night would swoon over Allen “robbing” Dano when of course the puck did actually go over the line.
ER, good point on Hawks letting Tarasenko float free up there top of the ring. The guy is a deadly assassin in this area. Hawks got lucky a few times. Tarasenko should have potted a hatty last night. Meanwhile take those 2 points and get out of Dodge.
Lets Go Hawks!
MM- funny stuff!!!
Yes, Hawks won the cup last year w/ $6M goalie- that is a fact
How much better/worse would Hawks be w/ Different Goalie… and $$$ spent on skaters… you and I will NEVER know… that is also- fact
another fact- Hawks “Core” will be past their primes in less than 3 years…
So I am in the Win now camp…
Luv TT- (spent small fortune on his jersey recently)… but playing GM- and knowing window… can the Hawks wait for TT, or Dano???
Lastly- My rant Is directed primarily at Daley…
another Fact– not too many 5th/6th D men making $3.3… Luxury SB can’t afford
especially with $4M skating in AHL right now
Just saying
Happy about the win but two things worry me. The effort by the Hawks in the third period was pretty bad. Only 4 shots total and none in the first 15 minutes.
The other thing is Toews new tough guy role. He is an elite player and now he is spending 5 minutes at a time in the penalty box. Then there was the heads shot to Backes. Toews is leading the team in PIMs. How does that happen? He’s too good for that.
Phil – I didn’t say Keith’s response wasn’t warranted.
Seems to me though they’re quite not that close if one goes after the other’s operated knee and the other responds with a stick chopping on to the head.
I understand hockey is hockey and you transform when on the ice, but that’s nasty stuff right there. Kind of extreme even for players who don’t know each other.
Or maybe they’re actually friends and that’s the best way to have fun for both of them.
Ernie, two chips might work (one vertical and one for horizontal). Even with just one in the middle core, etc. it would fix every good goal horizontal wise and only miss on some of vertical good goals that are on angle, but that would be the way to go. Helps the refs, it would be instant correct call and the instant replay refs can take off, eh.
Whatever Teows does I find hard to find fault in.
Teows fighting, Kane hitting and provoking. Good for them. Good for the team.
Wall, I agree on trading 6 (that and 29 3.05 would give us 6.3 for a Dman) what about this expansion unprotected contracts. 29/6, etc. would be good for that if those guys are still on 23man then. I think we should trade 6 and get a better defensive defenseman (but not for 86). 86 is going to be wicked and when we get a good 3rd line (like 80) theres the 4 quality lines again.
With Detroit gone but not forgotten, I take even greater pleasure in winning a divisional game in St Louis. I felt last night was as entertaining as a game can be in regular season…just a fun game to watch.
Their goalie wears a glove which is all white on the palm side and also the outer portion where the webbing is, is also white. That’s all I got to say on Dano’s ‘shot’. StL TV did not have anything better than WGN, in fact they were worse in their replaying of the ‘save’.
I did not miss seeing Steve Ott on the ice, though after the fact I wish he would have dressed so he could skate off knowing his team had been ‘had’. Again
Dunc is one of the great ones. If he ever wears another sweater I don’t know if I could even look his way. A lot is made about when 19 and 88 got here and rightfully so, but 2 is and has been, their equal in my heart and mind. Welcome back Dunc.
Great comments by all. Pucklogic is correct but on the same token so is DumDum. The Captain showing good leadership by being the tough guy was needed in the mix at this time, however, 5 minutes a night in penalty box is a lot of high skills out of play. Kane needs protection, I’m sure he can handle himself, to a degree anyway, but I get kind of worried when he starts mixing it up. St. Louis is the kind of team that plays an intimidating dirty game and we simply let them know that can cut both ways. I’m sure the team feels good about the outcome. Going to be a barn burner against the Flames tonite for the home crowd. Its televised on Sportsnet 1 , hope you guys get that down there.
When did #19 become the ” TEAM ENFORCER ” ? If they want one they need to go out & get one. Can’t afford him off the ice like that & sooner or later he will mess with the wrong guy & get hurt. Appreciate his effort & his leading by example but some others need to pick it up in that area. WTF is with #81, why can’t he put a puck in the net anymore ? If I was the coach on the other team I would instruct me goalie, if you see #81 with the puck just drop down into the butterfly & throw your shoulders back to fully expose the crest on your jersey cause that’s where #81 is going to put it, that seems to be his only target !!!!!!!
Great game. And wonderful alliteration in that headline, Tab. Here’s my alt headline:
Bonehead Backes’s Band of Buffoons Bitch-slapped By Blackhawks!
RD – great comment on #2 – couldn’t agree more.
Bears just destroyed the Rams today. Trailer parks all around St. Louis are on lock down. :)
The Hawks DID NOT WANT Trevor Daley. Rather he was part of the price to pay to have Dallas take the Sharp contract and we netted a couple of million dollars in salary cap savings. It is very clear that Quenneville doesn’t want Daley either. But he makes $3M per season for this season and next, and isn’t movable. Not unless the Hawks toss in a cookie like a decent prospect or draft pick. I don’t think Daley will be here when the end of the season rolls along. Bowman will cut bait at some point. Maybe he lumps rhe disappointing McNeil with Daley and can sell to a bottom feeder team looking for a few warm bodies.
From the Dept. of Redundancy Dept.
re·dun·dan·cy
r??d?nd?ns?/
noun
the state of being not or no longer needed or useful.
To re-cap, Daley -no good-hawks no want- get rid of him soon please.
Rufdundancy. Rufdiculous.
Morrison, expansion won’t happen this summer. Unfortunately. When expansion happens I believe Hossa will be one left unprotected.
Don’t understand willingness to trade TT; averaging 1/2 points per game in his young career and his defensive play satisfies Q which is just a important, Great potential, Over.
Ernie, please do not say that. That makes me want to puke. Like that, puke.