Re: 2009 Chicago Blackhawks

[kujay]

WTG Buff. He's been kicking some ass tonight and he didn't take any [expletive] there. Like it. Jackman's pissed. I understand. But there was no reason for any funny stuff after that hit. That said, if it was my team I would hope they wouldn't take that stuff.

[kujay]

Nice job, Sopel. Way to stand up for the goalie. Respect.

[brinoch]

Nice job, Sopel. Way to stand up for the goalie. Respect.

 

Agreed. Good game all around.

[17 Seconds]

remember when this team actually scored a lot of goals?

[UMFan83]

Couple of good goals off of deflections for the Hawks give them a 2-1 lead 2/3 of the way through the period. Fun game to watch so far.

[UMFan83]

Dammit, a defensive breakdown ends with the equalizer for the Bruins. The Hawks had the puck but couldnt clear it and the Bruins took advantage.

 

And then literally 2 game seconds later, Hossa commits a penalty and the Bruins are on the power play. Luckily the Bruins suck on the PP.

[UMFan83]

Hawks kill the PP and then get a very nice goal with less than a minute left in the period.

 

I love the Hawks strategy of getting the puck near the net and then cleaning up the garbage.

[UMFan83]

Versteeg has had a really nice game, and it goes beyond the goal he scored. He's set up some nice shots and had pretty good puck control when on the ice.

[UMFan83]

Bruins tie it with under 3 left dammit. Niemi giving up way too many rebounds. Not his best game.

[bcl412]

Stupid overtime.

[bcl412]

The overtime was pretty entertaining. I hate shootouts though.

[bcl412]

Good. Now beat Detroit.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Missed this one, but it's nice to see a win in a hard-fought, back-and-forth game. Beat Detroit.

[NewUserName]

Good. Now beat Detroit.

 

U mean Grand Rapids Griffens....Wings will be missing Zetterburg, Franzen, Fillpula, Cleary, Williams and Kronvall.

[UMFan83]

The preds are beginning to be a thorn in my side. They keep winning and are tied with us in points.

[gflore34]

How good is Nashville? Will they really be able to hang with the Hawks or are they playing a little over their heads?

[brinoch]

The preds are beginning to be a thorn in my side. They keep winning and are tied with us in points.

 

The Blackhawks have three games in hand and they are winning 71% of potential points. Ignoring strength of schedule, that equates to more than 4 points, or an equivalent of 51 points to 47 points.

[brinoch]

How good is Nashville? Will they really be able to hang with the Hawks or are they playing a little over their heads?

 

Sagarin's rankings have them at 9th in the NHL with the Blackhawks being first. On the other hand, Puck Prospectus has them a surprising 25th.

 

Personally, I think they are playing above their ability and will come back to the pack, similar to the Avalanche. It is tough to be a very good team in the NHL when your GS/GA ratio is almost one-to-one. For comparison (playoff ranking 1-15 in the Western Conference):

 

1. Blackhawks -- 100/71, +29

2. Sharks -- 115/93, +22

3. Avalanche -- 109/107, +2

4. Predators -- 106/101, +5

5. Kings -- 111/108, +3

6. Flames -- 101/87, +14

7. Coyotes -- 91/83, +8

8. Red Wings -- 98/93, +5

9. Stars -- 105/108, -3

10. Canucks -- 109/90, +19

11. Wild -- 90/99, -9

12. Ducks -- 99/111, -12

13. Blue Jackets -- 103/126, -23

14. Oilers -- 105/113, -8

15. Blues -- 81/94, -13

 

Obviously, this is an interesting tool, but it doesn't tell the whole story of course. Injuries, strength of schedule, and empty netters (for and against) need to modify it. In the post-strike OTL/shootout world, teams are a lot closer in points. I tend to think the playoffs will shake out as such:

 

1. Blackhawks

2. Sharks

3. Flames

4. Red Wings

5. Canucks

6. Kings

7. Predators

8. Coyotes

[kujay]

Notwithstanding the games at hand, I can't believe the Hawks are just 7 points from being out of the playoffs right now. And four teams tied with 47 points. Amazing.

 

I know Detroit is playing well despite all the injuries, and kudos to them and their coaches for that. But finally being ahead of them in the standings, we can finally say (and be correct in doing so) that "Detroit sucks!"

[kujay]

Wings are just another team getting dominated early on.

[Burtonbell]

Great goal by Duncan Keith there!

1-0 Hawks.

[gflore34]

Can't follow it on TV, anyone know of an internet feed, free of course?

[kujay]

Can't follow it on TV, anyone know of an internet feed, free of course?

 

Maybe on adthe.net. I think that's the address. The feeds usually suck though.

 

Detroit picked it up well and carried the last five minutes of the period.

[cubsfan]

Can't follow it on TV, anyone know of an internet feed, free of course?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/hockeynight/2009122004;_ylt=Aq8ajNL6RsbnaQ.Ag0Ke6Ug5nYcB

[kujay]

These teams are mirror images of each other in terms of style of play. It's weird to watch. The Wings do a great job of clearing the zone and limiting the pressure the Hawks are usually able to put on.

 

Abdelkader should get an extra minor for causing a fracas after a clean hit.