Chicago Blackhawks 2012 Playoffs

[jersey cubs fan]

While all you said is true, is it worth the diminished play of Duncan Keith? He clearly feels he needs to be more responsible in the defensive end to help cover up for Leddy's shortcomings at this point. He was a top 3 all around defensemen in the league two years ago.. Last year he was average at best and while off to a slightly better start this season, still a shade of himself two years ago.

 

4 years ago I would have worried about needing more offense, but the Blackhawks aren't exactly hurting for scoring punch. They were 2nd last year and are 4th this year. I think it's the right thing to do to have Keith get a little more responsible on the defensive end, considering that's where his noticeable struggles were last year.

[brinoch]

While all you said is true, is it worth the diminished play of Duncan Keith? He clearly feels he needs to be more responsible in the defensive end to help cover up for Leddy's shortcomings at this point. He was a top 3 all around defensemen in the league two years ago.. Last year he was average at best and while off to a slightly better start this season, still a shade of himself two years ago.

 

I think Keith is playing fine. He's had a few miscues, but nothing terrible. Sometimes Keith looks like he's making a mistake when he covers for Leddy or a forward, but in reality, Keith has made very few mistakes.

[NewUserName]

I prefer the tie.

 

But I understand that is not the popular opinion

 

Just because of tradition? Or hate shootouts that much? Going back to the tie wouldn't be a horrible option but obviously its less appealing to the casual fan the NHL wants so hard to entice.

 

I think over the course of a season a lessor team can benefit more by forcing a game to a SO. I understand that lessor teams used to force a tie, but then they only received 1 point. Now they can force it to a SO and possibly pick up an extra point. Basically the whole system rewards lessor teams for playing neutral zone traps. 5 mins and a SO are not enough to take away too much randomness and adding time would not be a good idea over the long haul of a season. Personally I would rather the NHL went back to just ties and then get serious about calling interference. That would make the game much more open and exciting. Then you wouldn't need to manufacture excitement with SO's.

[bcl412]

I prefer the tie.

 

But I understand that is not the popular opinion

 

Just because of tradition? Or hate shootouts that much? Going back to the tie wouldn't be a horrible option but obviously its less appealing to the casual fan the NHL wants so hard to entice.

 

I think over the course of a season a lessor team can benefit more by forcing a game to a SO. I understand that lessor teams used to force a tie, but then they only received 1 point. Now they can force it to a SO and possibly pick up an extra point. Basically the whole system rewards lessor teams for playing neutral zone traps. 5 mins and a SO are not enough to take away too much randomness and adding time would not be a good idea over the long haul of a season. Personally I would rather the NHL went back to just ties and then get serious about calling interference. That would make the game much more open and exciting. Then you wouldn't need to manufacture excitement with SO's.

 

I kind of liked the Olympics when they had a 10 minute OT in the gold medal game. I bet a lot of games would be decided in 10 minutes and if not I have no problem with going back to a tie. I don't like a coin flip deciding games and that's kind of what a shootout is.

 

I was also thinking, and I don't like penalties that occur at the end of a game not being meaningful (like someone penalizes a team with 10 seconds left and they are down 1. I wouldn't mind seeing the game extended until the power play ends or something like that.

[Brian707]

I would assume Emery is starting one of the games this weekend.

 

Check out his new mask. One of the coolest goalie masks I have seen

 

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/305791_10150427045767915_183763742914_10073874_931238130_n.jpg

[UMFan83]

Cam Ward owns us dammit.

[Mark_R]

Is there a place to watch them online? I have literally seen zero minutes of the Hawks this year and its killing me!@

[UMFan83]

What a horrible call...the refs give Staal a penalty shot when there was absolutely NO CONTACT.

[brinoch]

What a horrible call...the refs give Staal a penalty shot when there was absolutely NO CONTACT.

 

That was a shameful call.

[UMFan83]

Cam Ward lifetime against the Hawks: 4 goals allowed in 136 SOG (.971 save %) in 4 games.

[Flames24Rulz]

This one's probably done. Very sleepy effort tonight.

[UMFan83]

This one's probably done. Very sleepy effort tonight.

 

Maybe a sloppy effort but Cam Ward is stonewalling us and its really frustrating.

[17 Seconds]

worst sports night in a while. hawks lose, cards win the WS, and the NBA cockteases us with hope of resolution and then reminds us all that they're a bunch of greedy scumbags.

[UMFan83]

Hawks have now lost 6 straight in Carolina, all in regulation. Their last win down there was in 1998, their first year after moving from Hartford.

 

Carolina for the Hawks = New Jersey for the Bulls

[Guest]

Hawks have now lost 6 straight in Carolina, all in regulation. Their last win down there was in 1998, their first year after moving from Hartford.

 

Carolina for the Hawks = New Jersey for the Bulls

Fortunately, it's once a year at most.

[kujay]

This is one of those games where two points should be a given. C-bus is terrible.

[JockJones]

I love listening to Hawks games on the radio when they are playing well.

[Butterscup1679666578]

awesome Stalberg

[kujay]

Didn't figure Stalberg would take over a game and get us a win. Good deal.

[MWV]

I think that was the most "no goal" calls I have ever seen in one game. Good win for the Hawks, taking care of business against a pretty hapless CBJ squad.

[17 Seconds]

to make it even better.... the wings lost their 4th in a row (all in regulation). from 5-0-0 to 5-4-0.

 

CORE

[kujay]

I think that was the most "no goal" calls I have ever seen in one game. Good win for the Hawks, taking care of business against a pretty hapless CBJ squad.

 

Has to be the most ever. And thing is, I think they ultimately got all of the calls right.

 

Things are shaping up well. I thought Detroit was overachieving early on. Hope it turns out they were.

[NewUserName]

to make it even better.... the wings lost their 4th in a row (all in regulation). from 5-0-0 to 5-4-0.

 

CORE

 

yeap...I have said that the Wings will struggle to make the playoffs this year. The 4 losses haven't even been that competitive. They needed a top 6 forward this off-season, didn't get one and it is showing.

[Prizefight]

The Columbus game was much too close. Please put back together Keith and Seabrook. Splitting your puck moving defensmen up is a good thing.

 

On the exciting front, Rusty Olesz and his 3 million dollar look like they'll be gracing the 4th line tonight. Thank God. Hopefully he can replace John Scotts 1 minute of ice time against one of the worst teams int he league.

[brinoch]

The Columbus game was much too close. Please put back together Keith and Seabrook. Splitting your puck moving defensmen up is a good thing.

 

On the exciting front, Rusty Olesz and his 3 million dollar look like they'll be gracing the 4th line tonight. Thank God. Hopefully he can replace John Scotts 1 minute of ice time against one of the worst teams int he league.

 

I have to think that his knee must be giving him a problem. There's no other reason to play Scott in a game against Columbus -- there's no history of goonery like there is with St. Louis. Maybe Olesz can show us something, because looking at the team and looking ahead, I think there's a need for another effective LW. There's really one good one on the team (Sharp). Otherwise you have Carcillo, Bickell and Stalberg. I'm fine with Bickell on the 3rd line and Stalberg or Carcillo on the 4th. Sharp-Kane-Hossa is really an awesome line. Stalberg-Toews-Brunette is less awesome. Not bad, but really nothing spectacular. Frankly, Stalberg-Kruger-Mayers is a really good 4th line and I don't want to break it up.

 

Luckily, we do have Jeremy Morin in Rockford. I think once he gets himself back in great shape and playing well, he'll be with the Hawks. I look for him around the New Year as his play starts improving and becoming more consistent.