Blackhawks Lose In Vancouver
The Blackhawks lost in Vancouver 3-1 on Monday night.
Daniel Carcillo scored the only Hawks goal. Brandon Bollig and Viktor Stalberg skated on penalty kill duty. And Dave Bolland left after five shifts with a groin injury. And that’s… about it.
The Hawks went through the motions again, and escaped without a major injury. With nothing left to accomplish in the Western Conference standings, it might be time to see what some of the kids in Rockford can do with three games left on the schedule.
Thankfully, after an ugly first period on Saturday at the United Center, Corey Crawford bounced back with a fantastic performance. He allowed three goals against 32 shots, but was the only reason the Hawks didn’t lose the game by four or five. Considering the effort in front of him, a 3-1 final score wasn’t bad.
Was only able to watch the first and second periods. It was ugly. Glad to see in the stats that the Hawks must of done at least some hitting in the third.
I agree 100% with letting some Icehogs get some time, and a few extra bucks in their pockets. I think they earned it. Valuable NHL time and some rest for our key guys. Hell, I would love to see the 3d and 4th lines and the 3d D pair all Icehogs. Let em play.
I doubt we see anyone until either Friday or Saturday, if that, which I don’t understand. They signed this Leblanc kid for what? Is he going to see the ice.
I can’t wait for the playoffs to start because watching these games is frustrating.
How bad is Bollands injury?
LeBlanc was signed so the Hawks could get a look at him and would be able to determine if they want to sign him to a longer contract.
Corey was brilliant (don’t tell the haters), everything else was awful. Did the Hawks even win a faceoff all night?
I actually liked the PK unit of Saad and Stalberg, so much speed. I know it can’t happen when it matters, but would have been fun if Saad got that shorty.
Couple really nice hits by Bollig, Carcillo seems to bounce off people when he hits them… I wish Hammer didn’t leave his feet on that Sedin hit or it would have been pretty awesome.
Wake me up when the playoffs start.
Leblanc was basically signed because they have zip in terms of draft picks. It gives them an opportunity to sign a player that may have some upside in a year or two without having to burn a pick. Pretty smart move.
The jump from College to the NHL is not easy. Just ask Stalberg. After a hot start in the playoffs (last season) Chris Kreider with NYR had some trouble adjusting to the Pro game this year.
Guys who can make that step quickly or immediately (Toews or even Leddy to an extent) are very rare.
I would temper your expectations regarding the player. It isn’t fair to expect a contribution at this point.
This game last night and the upcoming spat with the Blues this weekend were contests we just need to get through physically sound. The Hawks looked disinterested in the 1st period and it carried into the 2nd. Taking hits and playing rope a dope. It pains me to see our guys beaten up like that. The Nucks and especially the Blues seem to relish the opportunity to run our guys. Our d men just took a terrible pounding. Would love to see some push back from our own d men on the crease campers and our forwards on the dmen at the other end. We finally saw some of that in the 3rd, but by then it was too little too late. Overall, this was a bad effort and very hard to watch. What was up with the BS tv coverage in the first period? No alternatives for those of us with Xfinity. It was Bulls and Cubs. Not acceptable. During the 1st there was some spotty tv coverage on NHL network that had the Nucks broadcast crew going. Hilarious to hear these guys take cheap shots with Duncs. Their contempt of Keith and the Hawks in general simmered just below the surface. Must be the water there.
I’ll make one other comment about broadcast crews and this is directed at Pat and Eddie. I wish these guys would please quit telling banal stories, using tired used up phrases that only makes THEM laugh, and calling out hellos to people while the game is being played. It has become really, really aggravating. Just call the damn game! When they just talk about what’s happening on the ice they can be very good. Just lose the schtick will ya? Wish I could sync up the radio feed.
Thankfully Crawford was back on his game last night and looked much more confident against a better team than those we played over the weekend. Corey appears to be more engaged against better quality opposition.
I’m afraid the close out to the regular season will not be good viewing, especially on this brief Western swing. Perhaps, we go for the final playofftune up at home Friday and then hold onto your hats for what seems likely to be a potentially ugly affair Saturday against the plodding, headhunting Blues. I am sure the Blues will come out out of the gate in decapitation mode. Remember everyone, the Blues were supposed to be the team to beat when the season started….? What a joke. Talk about overrated?
I’m sure we wait until the weekend to see which team we will play. Let’s Go Hawks!
Maybe they don’t have anything left to accomplish in the Western Conference, but what about the league? Don’t they want the President’s Trophy? If they keep playing like this, and Pittsburgh keeps playing the way they are, they can steal it. Both teams have only 3 games left, and the point spread is only 3. The Blackhawks can’t win the tie, so they have to stay ahead. The Hawks need to win 2 out of the next 3 to clinch that award. I know the cup is more important, but it would be sweet to get both.
Scott, only about 1 in 4 Pres trophy winner went on to win the Cup the past 20 years or so. IMO the Hawk’s players need to be rested and healthy to make a deep playoff run. I think all other concerns are secondary. Many sports writers say the Cup is the hardest trophy to win in pro sports. You need contributions from ALL 19 players.
As much as the Prez trophy would be a nice piece of hardware, It really doesnt mean anything if you dont win the cup. Just ask Vancouver… They RAN AWAY with the trophy in 2011 (if memory serves me right it was like 10+ points) … and all it got them was a shutout loss in Game 7 vs Boston and another riot.
That injury to Bolland worries me… not for bolland sake, but for the fact of injuries in general. I would think we would try to sit guys in Edmonton, come back home and give our Game 1 line up a go, then rest again for the St. Louis game. If we take the Prez trophy in the process, Great! If not, oh well. Pittsburg is resting up too. Letang, Malkin and Bennett all sat last night. There is no need to get someone hurt. If they wanted the trophy, those guys play, but its not a priority. It’s simply a “if it happens, it happens”.
Who cares about the President’s trophy. These last three games they should be playing the young guys just encase someone gets hurt and they need one of them.
Why is 2 skating 27 min in Vancouver?
RyanDale, “Why is 2 skating 27 min in Vancouver?” – GOOD QUESTION.
Coach Q…?
He’s skating 27 to get into playoff shape. Pretty sure that is what you will see from him if the score is anywhere close. 2008-2009 was the last time he skated less than 27/game in the postseason.
I dont know, I thought it was odd. Maybe you’re right stinky but geez….he’s already Public Enemy #1 in Vancouver…i would not risk his being run by those loons in a meaningless game!! His mins were WAY more than others. i had to go to 2 sources of stats to make sure it was legit!
Ryan thats a GREAT question…bizarre approach from Q last night…he fielded a team that didn’t want to play, and looked out for big hits all night (Kane’s a great example at -2)…and was grumpy and angry on the bench throughout the game? I hated that game…I didn’t whether the Hawks won or lost but the team that lined up should have been ready to play…no Toews, no Kane, no Hoss and it cost us. If they have been told to protect themselves then DON’T PLAY THEM. This is a great opportunity to throw in the kids from Rockford and let them roll.
I played sports all my life, and when you play soft, or slow, you get hurt. This is what I am worried about…and if the Hawks don’t come out ready to play in Edmonton they might lose 10-2 again. How well will that sit with the playoffs a week away?
As for Bolland, this is why you go out and get a rental #2 centre at the deadline…now we see that Handzus is injured as well…surprised? He’s 120!
Bowman’s done a great job in many ways, but he’s taken a big risk by chancing the #2 centre situation until Pirri next year.
I don’t know what Q is doing – they have Sharp, Rosival, and now Bolland and Handzus out with injuries. Plus Kruger was out a few shifts after taking some big hits. Why he’s not playing the kids and giving the guys some rest makes no sense. I hope he’s not trying to win that stupid President’s Trophy.
Well now that Pittsburgh lost today, the Hawks only need to win 1/3 games to clinch the President’s trophy. They should be able to do that resting whoever they want and trying out whoever the want.
Stinky, if he’s not in “playoff shape” now he never will be(?).
After 24 hours to simmer and find some perspective, it’s not just the Hawks, other top teams that have already clinched are not playing their best down the stretch either. Pittsburgh just lost to Buffalo. Boston and Montreal have both been struggling and trying to hand the division to the other. Anaheim hasn’t played their best since beating the Hawks a few weeks ago. The teams that have been playing well are the teams with their playoff hopes on the line.
So the Hawks had a stinker. It’s human nature given the circumstances. The only thing that makes it hard to take is that it came against those jerks from Vancouver. Moving on.
Hey all,
I honestly don’t know – Is the President’s Trophy a big deal or not? Or, will it be a big deal if the Hawks are in game 7 of the finals?
As far as resting/playing any “kids”, too – is it a necessary move? (– has “Hobey Baker” even practiced with the team? Is it realistic to expect him to play? I kind of think somebody from Rockford would be a better choice.) Related to that, somewhat, I still don’t understand Keith playing 27 miuntes Monday. And, Sr. Brad, “…when you play soft, or slow, you get hurt” – I believe this is true in almost all cases. I hope that it was just one bad (“the worst game of the season”) game – it happens – and the Hawks show up at Edmonton.
GO HAWKS!!
ER – good points, good perspective.
Vancouver BLOWS.
It doesn’t really matter about winning or losing tonight, but whatever lineup is presented, has to take it to the Oilers…a team FAR out of the playoffs.
People get way too dramatic after a Hawks loss. At least Crawford was good enough to keep the hate off for one night. That’s the Hawks second lopsided loss of the season. Two bad losses in 45 games. The latest of which coming when the Hawks had nothing left to play for.
Handzus, Sharp, Rozi all could have played on Monday, Q was smart enough to hold them out. I’m hoping for a full lineup today and on Friday so they can rest some people on Saturday. Although, I wouldn’t mind seeing them do whatever it takes to make sure the Blues play the Canucks in the first round.
Hawks will be fine.
Te President’s trophy has only one redeeming value. Should that team make it to the finals, they have home ice advantage.
I would love to see Rockfords top line as the Hawks 3d or 4th line for a game
That was a facetious comment regarding Keith.
Handzus was a coaches decision from what Q said. Bolland sucks when on the ice anyways so I don’t see him being out as a disadvantage. Still confused as to what second line center was available to the Hawks that is better than Sharp or Kane.
One bad bed wetting after going on another nice no real losses streak is not the end of the world.
Hope Keith gets his act together before the playoffs, it would be a shame to see his talent wasted on taking cheap shots on opposing players when they get the best of him. It is obvious his head is not in the game, maybe the coach needs to give him a break before the games get serious.
Hawks have had problems with Vancouver since last year, as this is now 2 years straight they’ve taken it to us both physically and in W/L. (FYI- Vanc’s record against us this season: 2-0-1, over the last two seasons: 3-1-2.) Sorry, not going for the “what do you have to play for” apologists explaination. How about 1. The top record in the league means HOME ICE in the finals if you get there. (So what if the Sedins lost in game-7 to Boston last year, not relevant.) 2. If you can’t get ready for the Nucks then something is wrong. You can’t just turn it on/off. It’s a shortened season boys, man up and go into the playoffs strong or you’re more likely to get upset by one of the teams scratching and clawing to get in. As for injury- they happen, it’s hockey. Incidentally, the way he’s played this season (and last), Bolland’s loss is no big deal.
As an aforementioned Crawford skeptic, my view is he was fine last nite (not great.) Fortunately, and in context, he was definitely better than the last few weeks where he has obviously been BAD. The issue is the Hawks can often dominate a game and get stoned by the better, opposing goaltenders in the league (Schneider, Renne, Smith, Quick, etc), and then Crow let’s one squeek past him at the post, bounce past him at center ice, flops around like a king salmon after misplaying an angle, etc. It’s deflating to the team and picks up the opponent. Stat guys- why does he have impressive stats this season? Because the Hawks have DOMINATED the opposition much of the year and played incredible D in front of their goalies. To illustrate this point statistically, the Hawks are #4 in the NHL re: fewest shots allowed w/1182, or 26.3/game. On the front end, we are #2 in shots taken and total goals scored (2nd to Pit), and have the #1 goals scored when 5 on 5 / 4 on 4 (even strength). We are strong on both offense and defense. Bottom line, in view of dominant team play, our weak link is goaltending as most objective NHL analysts will tell you.. Not hating, just saying..
DD,You dont need to play for the PrezTrophy. If we were to lose out to Pitt, it’s not that big of deal. We have home ice in 3 rounds. There are 7 other East teams we would have home ice over in the Final if we’re lucky enough to advance. We are an excellent road team to date, the best. All that said, you’d think we could eke out one more W and end the argument. I would be shocked if we did not win it given the circumstances and schedules involved.
The only advantage of the President’s Trophy is that the Hawks would have home ice advantage if they played the Penguins in the finals. They’ve already clinched home ice against every other team in the league.
If the Hawks are 4th in the league in shots allowed (I’ll take your word for this), and they are also 1st in the league in goals allowed, then that means their goaltenders are playing well. If the goaltenders weren’t at least better than average, the Hawks would be 4th or worse in allowed goals. Emery and Crawford are also tied for 9th in the league in save percentage at 92.3%. While GAA is heavily influenced by the defenses ability, SV% says more about the goalie’s ability. Most people also single out Crawford as the weak link, when Crawford and Emery have been almost the same in terms of performance this season.
For anyone who hasn’t seen… LeBlanc will play tonight according to the Hawks official Twitter feed.
And if that wasn’t enough.. they just posted he will Center 10/88.
Good Luck young man!
The Hawks website also has Sharp returning tonight
Hey Hockey Fans and Bimbo Vancouver New Guru
Vancouver is one the biggest head hunters and have no room to talk .
How many Hawks have been injured by the Canucks ??????
They checked us heavily and tried to hurt Hossa and the boys
Red Norman Baron
Leblanc playing doesn’t matter since he can’t play in the playoffs.
The Canucks are not head hunters. Not sure what gives you that impression. They do dive a lot and they do cry a lot… but Hawks are pretty big divers themselves and Toews probably cries more than anyone in the league (it’s his job).
Once again, defensive prowess can help GAA, it can’t really help S%. One goalie you mentioned has a ring, Negzz. EVERY GOALIE HAS BAD STRETCHES. There are fans in LA crying that Bernier should be the starter over Quick. People in Vancouver have been back and forth all year because both Luongo and Schnieder have had horrible stretches. Mike Smith has been chased from 3 games I’ve watched this season. Pekka Rinne gave up 3 goals on 18 shots to the CALGARY FLAMES last night, in fact, he gives up more goals per shot than either of the Blackhawks goalies!
Crawford is in Vezina talks for a reason. We as a fandom hold him in some higher standard that no goalie can achieve. Every goalie has bad stretches and it’s just silly that we have to act like the Hawks can’t win a cup because he’s in net. It’s the same damn conversation we were having 3 years ago and how did that work out?
And Negzz, the Hawks didn’t have anything to play for and it was 3 games in 4 nights after traveling 6 hours. They played poorly, but if they meet Vancouver in the playoffs, the games won’t look like that.
Negzz– well said!!!
This Team will not win a cup with 16 as your #2 center… Sorry!
As weak as 36 has been- at least he can finish a pass… 10/36/shaw/Pirri but not 16!!!
and Crow is not better than any of the mentioned Goalies!!!
Wow, in what universe is CC a Vezina candidate!? He’s not ranked in the top-5 goalies in GVT, he’s not “won” a game on his shoulders perhaps ever (ala Emery in Calgary), and the buzz most of the year has been about Bubrovsky, Niemi, Andersen and others (Lundquist, Rask, etc.) And guys like Quick, Renne and Smith may be having a bad year by their standards, but these guys can all SHUT DOWN an opponent and steal a series. No so with Crow and you’d have to be the homer of all time to not get that. Look I was as thrilled/shocked as anyone to see CC play well to start the year, and there is no trade that’s going to happen. Q is going to play him plenty and all we can do now is pray he finds some of that again before it’s too late. Let’s get on with the playoffs already.
If Bolland is out for the start of the playoffs and Sharp is healthy I’d like to see Shaw center the 2nd line and Sharp take faceoffs with Handzus back on the 3rd line
Crawford IS in the Vezina discussion, as is Emery. Neither of them will get enough attention to be one of the three finalists, but they’ll both get votes. I’m of the opinion that people here don’t respect Crawford’s abilities enough simply because they are homers, and they expect too much (rather than thinking to much of him because they are homers as was previously claimed).
That is EXACTLY what it is Tails. People will see a good goalie performance against the Hawks and suddenly think they never let in a soft goal. It happens to every damn goalie out there. The Hawks have two very capable goalies and people need to watch more hockey if they think none of these goalies ever have a bad game.
And once again. The Hawks have the same top 3 centers they had when they won the Stanley Cup.
wall- is Niemi better than any of the goalies he mentioned?
“in what universe is Crawford a Vezina candidate?”
In the universe where the following are true:
Crawford ranks 4th in the NHL w/ a 1.98 GAA
Crawford is tied for 6th with a .925 save pct… w/ NIEMI
Crawford is tied for 10th in the NHL w/ 3 shutouts
I agree with the statement that Bobrovsky should (and likely will) win the Vezina this year, and that Niemi is a finalist as well. But to write off Crawford just because you don’t like the guy is as bad as using his goals against to determine that he’s a franchise netminder; this has been a down year for the guys between the pipes all over the league, but Crawford has had a very good year. While GVT certainly doesn’t put Crawford among the league’s top-five, he’s consistently among the top 4-7 in most of the major statistical categories in the league. I wouldn’t vote for Crawford, but I’m not going to dismiss a very good regular season performance either.