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You Still Watching Hockey? |
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The playoffs are 2-3 games per series in so far and there have been some exciting storylines so far. Have you been watching? Or just casually checking out the headlines now that the Hawks are done for the year?
I have been able to catch a little bit of each series; this is probably because it's the easiest thing to watch on mute when a baby is crying in your ear.
I've been honing in on the 2x Canadian teams in it, as well as interested in the WAS/CLB and VGK/LA series.
I'm looking for a few things as I watch unbiasedly from my couch.
I'm looking for winners! I'm looking for teams that turn it up during this time of the year and what makes them successful. Right now, the Boston Bruins, Winnipeg Jets (sans last night's performance), Pittsburgh Penguins and Vegas Golden Knights are doing a bang-up job and have caught my eye.
I'm keeping a close eye on their style, the strategy they are implementing and how their special teams are performing.
I'm also looking for individual winners. Every year there are players that step up and prove to be big-time stars and unsung heroes. Sometimes it gets them a big contract in the off-season or bumps them up the depth chart with a team, making other players expendable.
After each round, I will break down these elements and, of course, how it relates to the Blackhawks.
On the Hawks front, not much is going on other than a couple notes on prospects. Henri Jokiharju is heading to the World Championships with Finland. This is a great opportunity for the young defender to play against men at a World stage.
Also, Dennis Gilbert inked a 3-year deal with the Hawks. He's an underrated defenceman in the Hawks system because he's not as flashy as some others. Guys like Gilbert and Blake Hillman possess the skillset that the Hawks will need as much as the Ian Mitchell's and Jokiharju's.
See ya out there!
JL
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