Sharp, Glass Beat The King At MSG
The Chicago Blackhawks played their first game of the calendar year at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, and they were in last place in the division before the puck dropped.
We’ll say it again: the Blackhawks were in last place in the Central Division entering play on Wednesday.
They didn’t have Artem Anisimov or Corey Crawford and were facing a Rangers team that had won two of their previous three games.
So of course the final score wouldn’t reflect the game itself.
Chicago came out shooting and took a 1-0 lead when Vinnie Hinostroza – skating on a line with Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad – scored his second of the season.
Toews and Jordan Oesterle picked up assists on the Hinostroza goal, which game at 16:09 into the first. The assist was nice early redemption for Toews who had already spent four minutes in the penalty box in the first period when Hinostroza scored.
Chicago held the lead for exactly two minutes until Nick Holden tied the game. The first period would come to a close with the Hawks holding a 14-6 shot advantage but the scoreboard was even at one.
A crazy play almost nine minutes into the second period resulted in Nick Schmaltz being credited with his eighth of the season.
Here’s the NHL’s explanation of why the goal was good:
The Hawks were short-handed three times in the second period. Brent Seabrook spent a couple minutes alone early in the period and the Hawks successfully killed off the penalty. Jeff Glass, making his third straight start, cleared a puck directly into the stands and was caught for delay of game. New York wouldn’t waste this opportunity; Mika Zibanejad tied the game at two only 18 seconds into the Glass minor.
Chicago’s third penalty, Lance Bouma was called for tripping, was also successfully killed; the penalty carried over for 38 seconds to start the third period.
Even with six short-handed minutes in the second, Chicago had a 12-8 shot advantage. But the score remained tied.
Then it happened.
At 2:24 into the third period, the clouds disappeared, the seas were parted and Patrick f***ing Sharp scored a f***ing goal.
In his previous 12 appearances, Sharp had put up only three assists; his last goal came on Nov. 27. His fourth of the season gave the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead and this time they wouldn’t allow an equalizer.
Toews scored into an empty net with 55 seconds left in regulation and Patrick Kane added a second empty-net goal within the final five seconds of the game to make the final score 5-2, but the game was really much, much closer than a three-goal blowout.
The final shot totals were 35-25 in favor of the Blackhawks, but Glass made big saves when needed.
After his two early penalties made it look like Toews was in for a rough night, he rebounded with an exceptional performance. He won 17 of 23 faceoffs and was credited with a takeaway in addition to his two points. Schmaltz and Kane had one goal and one assist each and Ryan Hartman had two assists to lead the offensive attack. Kane had a team-high five shots on net.
David Kampf picked up the primary assist on Sharp’s goal, marking the first point of his NHL career.
Oesterle had another good night, skating heavy minutes as coach Joel Quenneville shows increasing faith in the defenseman. He had an assist and put four shots on net in 23:23:27. He was also credited with two blocked shots and one hit. Duncan Keith blocked three shots to lead Chicago.
John Hayden was credited with a team-leading three hits.
The Blackhawks return home to host the red-hot Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night.
2-0-1 after the first or second game after a long break inbetween games. Were back up to speed. Proud of the team. Baby.
Great win.
Jeff Glass in 2018, reminds me of Alain Chevrier in 1989, hot journeyman goalie, completely unexpected. Keep riding him.
Connor Murphy is turning into a fantastic physical defenseman. This is a recording ! And the power move to the net offensively in the 3rd period nearly sealed the victory.
Schmaltz is just oozing talent every time he touches the puck.
Saad getting multiple “in-alone” chances, he just cannot finish.
Forsling has lost his confidence. That turnover to Vesey at the offensive blue line was absolutely horrendous.
Oesterle is playing stellar hockey for the most part, but pleeeeezzzzz, no more backhand flippers up the middle of the ice in the last 2 minutes of a one goal game.
A very strong road victory. We hit three posts (I think), the shaft of the King’s stick and his mask, got 5 penalties to the Rangers’ 1, and STILL won the game. In terms of possession, we won decisively.
Active, aggressive D who were simply brilliant at stopping Ranger entries all night. Very balanced attack on all 4 lines; 5-on-5 goals from the top 3 and excellent pressure from the 4th. A top line that played like a top line (thanks Hino!). Keith looked like Keith. Toews looked like Toews. Schmaltz and Hartman are dangerous. Connor Murphy is quickly developing into a freaking stud. Stick tap to Kampf on his first NHL point, and Oesterle for a third straight appearance on the scoresheet.
When this team takes care of the puck, we are very hard to beat. When we don’t, we’re a .500 beer league team.
P.S. Pierre McGuire + Joe Micheletti = mute button.
Well, being last in a really good division is ok by me, I have had no illusions of this being a playoff team. I appreciate how hard this team plays, and the youngsters are really getting some honest to goodness experience. There is a lot of talent bubbling under the surface, but they’re streaky as all get out (as are a few of the veterans for that matter). I feel like the Hawks will be sellers at the deadline this season, and will get some similar young and just about ready talent. I’m not up on contracts and all that so I could be wrong but I feel like Anisimov could bring in a lot of return, I’d assume Debrincat might have been untouchable in years past… but he and Anisimov in a package could return a complete line and a Dman for next season IME. It doesn’t feel like the time is right to go all in this year, but the young Dmen, Hartman, Schmaltz, Hayden, and Hino all feel like they’re on the brink of being more than role players.
The win was tough and solid tonight, well done keeping their shots down.
Very mixed feelings tonight. On the one hand I thought we should have been comfortably ahead by the middle of the 3rd period due to the number of high end chances and solid defensive play. On the other hand I don’t know how we won with all the bone head plays – 6 penalties, numerous examples of over-passing and many terrible turnovers. Very impressed with Kampf who looks to be a classic 3rd line shutdown defender. Cheers to Sharpie, top shelf for the game winner against the King has to feel good.
This night was absolutely bitter sweet. This was the latest the Hawks have been in last place since the 06-07 season! Darren Dreger said during intermission. “Stan Bownman was happy with the way this roster was constructed and didn’t see the Hawks making changes. The team just needed to mesh.” I never thought the One Goal Hawks under Rocky would think such a thing…Sad. As for on ice, all the Hawks money players showed up, Sharp showed up and Glass did enough. Now do it against a Western foe! I’m expecting Anton Forsberg to be send down any day now. Considering Glass has matched Forsberg career wins in 20 less games!
Amother game where John Hayden gets the most out of every shift. This guy is always making the right play which is really impressive for a rookie. He may not have all the physical tools but he is a very intelligent player – which he could share some smarts with a few teammates.
Pretty good 60 minute effort. Great to see them get the two points!
Glass is Hard to break!
Unbreakable Glass!
Raise your Glass!
If 15 gets traded its because were adding a player like 91 in ufa with 81 cap space and no player bonuses. 12 isint going anywhere anytime sooner.
How is 64 faceoffs Ian Ernie. Was good first game. Can he be the center we were talking about the other wk.
Travis, awesome post. Completely agree. If our team D can play agressive on their entries while getting back checks and pressure from smart defensively-able forwards like toews, kampf, hayden, and schmaltz learning too (but man he is great at take-aways already and then 2 steps and he’s gone opening up space for Kane) then you can see how much it opens the offensive chances floodgates. Serious high danger quality chances and even when Saad (or cough cough poor something wrong with Panik) keeps missing them, the super aggressive d men pinch and we have the opponent helpless on the ropes praying while Kane and Schmaltz skate literal circles around their entire team. Talk about deflating to the other team and creating momentum that was next to unstoppable tonight save the king doing his best vintage king henrik impression.
Also, amazing it took so long for toews, kane, saad, seabrook, keith, schmaltz, and hot damn murphy (getting better every game) to show up in the same game. Add sharp too if you like. Franson was ok, Oesterle was very good again, and Forsling not surprisingly looked tentative and really rusty. He will get his mojo back at some pt after q gives him a few games in a row. With Rutta and Kempny on deck too, liking our D now what a turnaround from a few weeks ago even. Yes only one game but a 60 min (maybe 55min) very strong effort has my deep playoff run hopes relit. Not ignited maybe but sparked at least. More gelling and more of the vets showing up like tonight and no one will want to play US…f the oilers.
Finally a complete game and team effort. Cut down on dumb penalties and keep that kind of effort and rewards will be there. Mo here is fo stats; AA won 248 lost 279 47.1%, Hino won 27 lost 34 44.3%, Wingels won 131 lost 168 43.6% , Schmaltz won 113 lost 168 40.2% Kampf won 25 lost 34 42.4% and Hartman won 54 lost 76 41.8%. So he is pretty much running about the same in a small sample.
Just to compare Toews won 473 l9st 346 57.8%. The rest won 485 at just over 40% rate.
Craig: agree as to Forsling, he’s been on a downward slope. If Kempny had made that turnover, he would be back in the press box the very next game. Oh wait, Kempny is already back in the press box.
Travis: agree as to the two announcers you mentioned. The play-by-play guy is actually decent.
This begins Sharp’s push for 20 goals, let’s think positively.
Dan Rosen said pretty much the same thing, Southside.
Iceman lets hope for 10, unless the season unexpectedly expands to baseball length.
Nice shot though.
I agree Forsling looks different, but wonder who doesn’t like Kempny on the Hawk staff? He deserves to play somewhere in the NHL.
Can they beat the mighty Knights?-
didn’t expect to be saying that?
Noonan, if Sharp stays healthy, he’ll score @ least six more goals to make ten. Let’s compromise at 15 and everyone will be pleased.
@ DAVE,
Its flat out unacceptable. NHLN Dan Rosen is a bit of a Hawks “homer” himself. That 06-07 team roster was very weak with a few cornerstones in the lineup. Pre Toews/Kane their captain was the great Adrian Aucoin W/ Alternates; Martin Havlat, Martin Lapointe, and Bryan Smolinski. That’s a team that was expected to lose. This team is spending 79 million real dollars, 2nd highest behind Toronto for a last place team? Perhaps I am being negative but in my world but in my world there is no reason the Hawks should be battling Colorado for the basement.
I’ve slowly moved to the trade Toews camp. Not because I hate Toews, not because I don’t value his leadership, not because he doesn’t score enough, not because I don’t value what he brings. Because his skills are declining and I don’t think is viable to have (2) 10.5 million players on a roster. Unfortunately, NOBODY will take Seabroke and Kane is dynamic so that leaves Johnny it’s literally that simple! Horrible contract extensions have left the Hawks battling Colorado for the Central Basement (SMH).
Solid road performance and the Hawks skated hard for 3 periods. They had some real jump last night. Over the years the Hawks seem to get up for games at MSG. Excellent forecheck and forwards put their heads down and skated back on defense too. Hawks could have scored 6 plus in this one as they had some really good chances. Good for Sharpy to bury that shot top shelf to put the Hawks up 1.
Kampf is really coming along. Yes, Forsling has fallen off his upward trajectory, but given where we are in the schedule he might be hitting the physical wall of fatigue that is common in younger players. Sit the kid down and give Kempny a shot for a game or two. Oesterle continues to efficiently go about his business. Hawks D corp that looked so suspect to start the year, is pleasantly deep. Murphy is making steady progress as well. How can one not be happy for Jeff Glass? Good for him!
It feels like all these games are must wins and here we are only just at mid season. This 2017-2018 season is going to be a wild scramble last few weeks. Hawks have to get better within their division and Western Conference.
The team really seemed determined last night top to bottom to play their asses off. That determination and desperation is hopefully evident on home ice the next few games. Come out hard and take it to the opposition. Would love to see the Hawks smoke Vegas at the UC tomorrow night. Hopefully the ice will be better than usual given the cold snap we have been in for so long.
Keep it up boys and
Lets Go Hawks!
Sharp is not going to come close to sniffing 15 goals, let alone 20. Solid win, but wonder how much of a Winter Classic hangover affected the Rangers. Hawks need to have a solid stretch of over several weeks to impress me, not the occasional little spurt followed by a week of crap. Their recent 5 game win streak was hardly impressive. 3 wins against bad teams that came down to the wire, followed by wins against the Jets and Wild, who were both on the second of a back to back, and the Wild having injury problems. Hawks need a stretch where they take 15 of 20 points, 22 of 30, or something of that nature.
re SSHM – I’m not sure I’ll ever be on the “trade Toews” bandwagon. He should wear the Indian head for his entire career.
You can absolutely get away w/ $21M committed to 2 players on your roster *IF* you draft & develop well. The hardest part will be fans finding a place in our soul to accept a really, really good prospect is going to be dealt to move Seabrook at some point (see Teravainen/Bickell). The good thing is the Hawks have a strong group of blue line pieces coming who could make the Hawks defensive corps good for the next generation. But there needs to be a spot for them on the NHL roster at some point in the next couple years.
Also, if you’re going to have 2 guys making north of $10M you CANNOT have guys like Panik making over $2M.
Good game last night. Looked fast. Very happy for Jeff glass.
@ Tab
I get it! I really do, Johnny Toews will always sit at the table with the best Blackhawks of all time! We both remember pre-Toews, Kane and what that looked like; the dark ages of Blackhawks Hockey. You make an excellent point, with the bad contract/good prospect trades, but it doesn’t need to be that way. A 2 million dollar contract shouldn’t hamstring a club. However, it does when you pay for past performances and overpay players.
Look no further than Tampa Bay. Ben Bishop out; replaced by Vasilevskiy picked 1 before Tuevo. Drouin-problem character/problem contract out; replace by ELC Sergachev. They have 1 forward over the age 28. Not to mention 2 superstar players! 1 took way less money to stay , the other another is a RFA in 2 yrs.
Last point, it’s hard to draft well when you stupidly trade your picks for fools gold. I will say with confidence the Hawks will draft the highest they have since that 06-07 season. That good right well the problem is no 2nd round pick (also moved for Danault) and no 4th round pick(moved for Oduya). I just lack confidence in the organization making good moves. Especially when your good moves are needed to cover up your bad moves….that is all
Speaking of D prospects…any news on Snuggerud?
Southside-you’re right-
I think the tide has turned and teams will be very reluctant to pay for what was and currently is and now they need to focus on what they will be paying for-
Chicago was on that cusp a few years ago and did overpay-but it’s done and hopefully they can manage around it (And you can argue 10.5 vs. 9 but it’s hard to fault the Hawks too much-other than Seabrook)
The Hawks we’re lucky to have two 10 million dollar players-it helped them get 3 Cups (you can argue Keith was there to and he got underpaid) but the downside is 21 million/per year.
Edmonton will be feeling the pinch, and we’ll see what T.O does–but teams will want to lock up their 10 million dollar players through their prime, not 29 to 34
Baseball, and they don’t have a cap, is trying to go in that direction–analytics will help determine future worth based on similar numbers projected to that age.
re: SSHM – while I appreciate the point on trading picks for “fool’s gold” and prospects for quick-fixes, there’s the other side of the ledger that we’ve been over here time and time again. Andrew Shaw got the Hawks DeBrincat + Chad Krys. Adam Clendening was flipped into Forsling.
re: Ernie – haven’t heard anything new on Snuggerud, which isn’t great.
re: noonan – baseball didn’t have a cap. Now they have a soft cap w/ a penalty system in place that frankly I wouldn’t be against the NHL exploring.
Seabrook if bought out his cap hit would be more than covered when Hossa s comes off, which could be option in a couple if years. His nmc doesn’t apply to buyouts. Don’t see Toees going anywhere anytime soon, although he probably could be traded just he has control where.
Very soft-
197 million payroll threshold for Dodgers and some teams 100+ million or so away from that
Bowman took out hit all at once in 2011 and stock piled draft picks when we couldnt keep everybody after 2010. TB still has the rest of their hit coming. Their only going to be as good and deep as they are until their contracts are up for big raises. By doing that we reloaded with that many prospects and were deep again in 2013. As well as having an excess of players that wernt good enough for our team but that could play in league somewhere for however long. We used some picks to aquire good players we wanted. It was worth it we won a Cup by doing that.
Using up a lot of our stocked assets means we have to find another way to keep getting players that can play until young prospects are ready and then more then role players. We got 70 64 52 57 6 44 and 72 for free which in return got us 15 for free and Saader back. Thats sounds good to me as the young guys get to their 2nd and 3rd full yrs and are good players.
Sure we needed those guys or we wouldnt bridge gap. Can see us adding more young fast players as we go along and trading who we need to to keep getting younger and faster. Next thing you know well be deep again and fast.
Another thing to think about is were approaching a new cba. The NHL can decide to opt out in September 1,2019. The players association can opt out September 19,2019.
Perhaps they allow the no cap buyouts…even if its just for teams that didnt use it last go around.
The MLB system is incredibly flawed. The NHL system is probably the simplest and allows for the most parity.
Mlb has no salary cap floor. Jake Arrieta turns 33 in March and this will be his first opportunity to test free agency and having never signed an extension. Instead being forced into 1 year arbitration deals. In the NHL UFA status is mandatory at a maximum age of 27, unless the player is under contract. This allows teams way more bargaining power and if a player gets injured has no security whatsoever.
Yes Tampa has a great team now but they have yet to win anything and Edmonton and TO the jury is still out and Buffalo giving Eichel $10 million for what exactly?
@ Morrison,
I couldn’t disagree more. Tampa is in fine shape with their cap for the next 2 seasons and will remain a legit contender during that time. https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/lightning . Kucherov will cost them after his deal is up, no doubt, but he is the only one that needs new paper.
Let me put it this way, the Hawks will be paying 4 forwards (Toews, Kane, Anisimov and Saad) 35.5 million dollars for this season plus the next three seasons. 3 of the 4 players turn 30 after this season. Even worse, concurrently over the next 4 seasons not including this season, the Hawks will be 16.1 million dollars for Keith( 34), Seabroke(32), and Murphy(24). That’s 51.6 million dollars for 7 players, and 5 of the 7 are over 30. How the heck is that a recipe for success?
Compare that with the back to back champs who are paying 28 million for Sid, Geno, Kessel and Conor Sheary. That’s 7.5 million LESS!
@Tab To your point. I’ll be curious to see how Edmonton fares. 21 million Draisaitl & McDavid. Some really bad money on their books too
Ok now I’m done ranting and raving sorry! Go Hawks prove me wrong PLEASE!
Ernie that would work well if it happens. Even one compliance instead of 2 this time not counting against cap would offer some nice relief.
I am not going to argue with anyone. Cap goes way up this yr then that helps those youngest core teams. We didnt get that kind of help in 10 or 13 or 15. That could be huge difference.
Be nice for us to catch a break like those teams might with a free buyout/s again. At a time we need it. We deserve a break.
With where the league is heading skill speed wise. What would be an ideal roster for us. We put up a 1 or 2 seed season with that kind of roster and it wasnt good for playoff style hockey. We made moves to have more playoff style guys. What else do we need to make adjustments for these coming yrs to tailor our roster to play with anyone. Figuring the younger guys become good and really good players each yr going forward.
What dpo we need most and then after that. I am looking at the 5 coming yrs to have as good a roster as possible.
faceoffs guys
PK guys
quality scoring depth
Once again the argument compared to the Pens has been done already here. Crosby and Malkin have cost the Pens more for 3 Cups then the Blackhawks paid Toews and Kane for 3 cups. Also Tampa can brag all they want about their current team. They have won nothing with that team to date and it will be curious what Kucherov will get ( he already has given Tampa a sweetheart bridge deal and is going to want to be paid). Curious to hear what anyone thinks Karlsson is going to get despite having a tough season and his health. You think he is getting paid less than Subban?
golden did panerin accept a bridge deal also for 2 years to stay with b hawks and was traded anyway
Not sure what you are asking Rich. Yes Panarin signed a 2 year deal with market value not a discount like Kucherov did and Panarin would probably want an increase hence why he was traded. I can’t say what Kucherov thoughts are but assume he wants to get paid what a top 5/10 player is getting as that’s where he is
Good game to watch. It’s always fun to win one in MSG.
However I have doubts about this team and how they perform night in and night out. The cap and NMC being what they are, we need coaches to get the most out of what is here. I have been having my doubts about Q. The team has not performed, and been very inconsistent. How does a PP continue to be one of the worst in the league (29th) with Kane on the team? Did Forsling deserve to be in the lineup this soon? Did they bring back Crow from IR too soon?
With the parity in the NHL, you cannot afford many mistakes and remain on top. When Crow came off his first stint on the IR, he played in 7 games over a 15 day period. However the last 2 games he allowed 8 goals which is very uncharacteristic of his performance this year. Was he fully healed or was it a desperation move by the coaching staff. Crow is a warrior, if he was asked to answer the bell, he would. Forsling looked timid last night. Is he playing better than Kempny or Ruuta. The PP sucks because there is minimal screening of the goalie. Toews mostly stands off to the side of the net. Last 2 games he has been more active but you can bet that the coaches talk about net front presence all the time.
Q must improve his coaching and personal decision if this team is going to do anything. The team has to respond to him and if not it’s time for him to go. The team cannot afford Q to be just background noise and master of the line blender. He has to make a positive difference.
I hope I am dead wrong. Go Hawks.
Panarin said he wanted 6m a year in his next contract, his agent got him a 2 yr. deal for 6m per. He becomes an ufa at same time its up so it was really a very good deal for him. Bowman only needed him signed for 2 yrs. to do what wanted, so a good deal for both sides.
Mo some good prospects at all positions but so few live up to potential need more everywhere. The next 5 years will tell how good their heavy on European scouting pays off.
This team is too up and down to know what’s coming next. Last night they were passing well which allows them to play with speed which means they play well. There were a number of positives to draw from last night but more likely than not they will have a lackluster stinker next game or the game after.
So, let’s parlay some of the lineup changes and keep the good play rolling for as long as possible. I like Hino up with Toews and Saad using his speed to open things up for them. Kampf is doing OK although I would imagine he will be the odd man out whenever Anisimov returns.
And I agree – Murphy has been playing very well. Good to see.
Ian and Ernie thanks for good info. I do think we have been up and down about 5 times in first 40. I blame sch. for 2 of them. The other 3 is on not showing up or playing good and not being consistent enough then whats normal for that.
Ian other then Krugs 19 and maybe 36 every good faceoff center we have had we traded for or ufa. 11 26 80 who do we get next. Remember 16 was just like these other guys his first yr at the dot like 42.5 or 45 I forget and after a yr with P he then was 57.5 holy improvement. What was Bollys faceoff numbers when he was here.
ER I like Vinny with those guys for now to. Funny thing is everyone was worryed about D when season started. Now look at how deep we are with time to adjust to team system. Most of the D should get better as well with more games played. Its the faceoffs and roles of the FW to get each guy in his most ideal position and role.
Having to battle score wise on some of these games that we should win by a lot based on play could be good for team to not get into any bad habits. Just becaseu we didnt blow out BUF ARI and FLR doesnt mean were not good. I go by how we do agasint top 10 or the better teams like out playing WIN and MIN by a lot and NYR. Like that good stretch NYR PIT TB FLR ANA NAS.
ER I think you might be right when we play that breakfast game at 11am coming up. Thats one that might not be good so I going to look past that one if we donot play or do good in that one. Then get rolling again.
Mo would love to see them pick up Jay Beagle. Top 5 in league in fos at 58.2% winning 309 losing 228. He’s 32 and a ufa with a low cap hit for rest of year. Could resign him cheap and be a good faceoff guy for a year or 2 until find someone and wouldn’ t have to play against him. Is he available is big question and how much.
I don’t see a lot of Capitaks games but the ones I have seen Beagle is always noticeable. He is a very good PKer as well
Southside, regarding this – Darren Dreger said during intermission. “Stan Bowman was happy with the way this roster was constructed and didn’t see the Hawks making changes. The team just needed to mesh.”
One of the problems on the trade market for both Stan Bowman and Jim Rutherford in Pittsburgh is that none of their fellow GMs want to “help” them get back to that Stanley Cup level. Elliot Friedman in his 30 Thoughts this week said that an executive told him that, directly, about Pitts.
Also, when you think about it, straight up hockey trades are very difficult to make in-season if you do not have currency. Nobody wants Panik at $2.8 Million, what are they going to get for Kempny or Franson ? a 5th round draft pick ? And with so little cap wiggle room, any trade Stan makes would almost have to be dollar for dollar. Trevor Daley for Rob Scuderi comes to mind. What an awful deal just free up a bit of room. Add in the no movement clauses and Bowman is pretty much tethered to this group.
If you are an opposing GM talking with the Hawks, you probably are bringing up names like Hartman, Schmaltz, Forsling, Jokiharju, Hayden, deBrincat and Chicago’s #1 pick in 2018 ( roughly between 13 and 18th overall right now). No thanks to any of that.
So for now call-ups like Kampf, Hinostroza and now Glass are going to be the CHANGE Hawks fans are clamoring for. The Saad trade and Connor Murphy acquisition were the big moves. Wingels and Bouma were the tinker moves.
Yea Beagle is really good at faceoffs. Hes like those other big guys people here talk about getting. Plus Beagle a little faster then those other bug guys as well. Being a ufa we could get him for free in summer and not use assets. Doesnt help this season. Option though with a decent caphit. Hes good though not that good so we prob could trade for him without using any younger guys in trade or wait until summer for free. We got Hands for a 4th.
For the draft we moved up and got Schmaltz. What a move by Bowman. We could do that again.
There is a lot I can say about this team…I do not have numbers to support this…but I’m under the impression a team with a good power play in the regular season doesn’t mean squat in the playoffs; meaning they could play against a team that knows (and does) stay out of the box, or said teams power play could stop functioning so well. What a team really needs is a good penalty kill and even strength play.
A power play merely gets a team to the playoffs. Let’s pretend the Black Hawks powerplay isn’t third to last; I couldn’t quickly look up power play stats, but let’s assume they weren’t third to last and were …middle of the pack. Let’s say that’s another 15 powerplay goals and lets say that translated to …..heck let’s say 4 more wins….NO, NO, wait let’s get crazy let’s say it translates to ONLY two more wins,….that would put them in the first wild card spot with games in hand and three points short of 3rd in the division(in points wins would still have them in wild card spot) and 5 points short of tied for first in the division (in points they would be in 2nd due to wins); again with games in hand.
I have a lot more to say about this team, there is much to like and dislike but I’ll leave my comments as they are for the moment.
The Hawks pp sucks bc a lack of net front presence. The games they lose they lack shots in front of the net…bc of a lack of net front presence.
The problem shows on the powerplay. But its game wide. The guys that should score the goals in the crease, arent going there. Anisimov peads the team i PP goals…why? Parks his butt up front. When they win posession batrle yet still struggle to score they lack the shot volume in those high % areas. Perhaps not coincidentally the point shots arent going in either…because a lack of traffic.
re: noonan on MLB’s “soft salary cap” – the biggest difference between baseball and hockey isn’t the ceiling. MLB doesn’t have a floor; the NHL does.
to Ernie’s point about net front on PP – maybe it’s time Mr. Hayden gets some special teams work? Esp w/ Anisimov on the shelf?
@ CRAIG NIGRELLI,
All that comment tells me is SB is expecting to make the playoffs and isn’t thinking about selling off players, and I think that’s silly! A couple of follow up thoughts, Of course, other GMs aren’t going to “help”. That’s Stan job to work the deal what does that say about the Hawks roster when you have very little tradable assets. None of those guys you list are “untouchable” I like all those guys too but the Hawks haven’t won a DAMN thing with any of those guys. Those guys have guided the Hawks to last place, I’m not saying it because of those players but that’s where they are. Wake up people,…the Hawks have more wins than Edmonton, Vancouver and Arizona in the West. YES read it again! BUT hey at least Sharp scored and is on his way to 15-20 goals LOL…SMH
This from the outside perspective, interesting points made here;
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/trending-topics-losing-room-look-like-155303954.html
Tab i was thinking about a bigger role for 38 and 40 on pp. Since back on crazy 8 line Hartman looking good and playing smart by staying out the box , net front presence and blocking shots, strong defensive play. Also thought 40 look good with 15 and 12 on 3rd line with Kampf or Panik or new blood on 4th.
Quick Rant-
it’s hard to understand these 15/20 minute lapses in effort-execution-
And Franson playing over Kempny is absurd-also watch Keith in the 2-0 goal-where is he going?
Soderlund had a nice goal (short handed) in the gold medal game in the 2nd period.
And Seabrook on the winner-watch what he does in a tie game-
totally lets his team and Glass down-# 7 you are playing DEFENSE, not beer-league rover
Oh but maybe it was just the 3rd game after a full moon with a day off in between those last few games divided by two? We’ll get them in games 40-49.
OK, now I can go to sleep.
Were going to do good and have a good record in these 29 games. If we donot then were screwed.
5-0
3 hits
2-0-1
1 hit
7-3-1
1 hit
Thats plus 3 at 12 games. Not good enough.
We need to be plus 6 then go 7-2 to get to 11 over .500
We have 17 games to get to 11 over .500
31-20
Before we go 19-9-1 in these 29 games to get to 31-20.
Thats games 25-54.
Were going to get them in games 41-57.
Before we go 19-9-1 in these 29 games to get to 31-20.
Its games 29-57.
Were going to get them in games 41-57.
If we dont I ll buy you a beer.