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12 Thoughts on 4 New Lines |
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The Blackhawks take on the all mighty Washington Capitals tonight, who are winners of 6 of their last 8 games. The Hawks head to D.C., where the Caps are 10-5.
Of course, Coach Q knew how difficult this matchup was going to be and was acutely aware of how inconsistent his Hawks team has been all year. So, what does he do? He picks names out of a hat to formulate the 4 new forward lines for tonight's game.
We've seen Q do this numerous times and his thinking, as crazy as it is, just may make sense this time. So far, we've seen more consistent linemates out of lines 1-4 than year's past. With so many new faces and an attempt to be a more efficient team with their style, Quenneville has done right by his players by allowing them to get comfortable.
Well, that all goes out the window when you're losing. Not only is Q looking to get his team back in the winning column, but when he implements these dramatic line changes that makes a loud bang through the beat reporters twitter feeds, he's also sending a message to Stan Bowman.
My sources have been telling me that Stan was going to take a longer evaluation to this team at the start of this season as every move is so much more critical with this Hawks team in 2017-18. No longer can they make a mistake, just to have the luxury of overflowing talent to be used as a cover-up.
Stan is now at a crossroad and he and his scouts/management have a better read on what Alex Debrincat is and how much of an impact Gustav Forsling and Jan Rutta are (as well as some other youngsters/new guys). This now gives him options.
Also, I'm hearing that the Ryan Hartman at centre experiment might have been to see if his play in the middle can allow them to send Tanner Kero back to Rockford to get playing time. The risk there is that they lose Kero to the waiver wire. They may be more prepared to do that now that Hartman is an adequate fill-in at centre.
Enter Vinnie Hinostroza if that happens. Whether it's to benefit the team to win (I think his speed would really be a boost right now) or to showcase him for a trade, it's believed Stan wants him playing in the NHL. Keep an eye on there.
Ok, now, here are your 12 thoughts no the 4 new lines:
LN1: Hartman-Toews-Hayden
1) Hartman returns back to the wing where he belongs as Q looks to ignite #38's play. After training with Kane and Schmaltz in the summer, he seemed to have a serious jump offensively coming into this season. After exploding for 5 points in that season opener, his production seemed to go away once Schmaltz was hurt and that line split. He's only had 9 points in his last 25 games and the Hawks will be looking for more from him. He played a lot with Toews last year, so let's see if they can re-kindle that chemistry.
2) Hayden deserved a promotion and he got one in a big way. He leads the team in hits with 71 and along with Hartman, will provide some nice grit on this line.
3) For years, Toews has done a lot of heavy lifting in the corners and dominating with his strength. It's been well documented that he doesn't look to possess that same strength now at 29 and after a lot of hard miles. So, what does Q do, he puts 2 guys on his line that have no issues tossing themselves into bodies, walls, pucks. This could be a good combination if they can retrieve the puck and possess it down low.
LN2: Saad-Anisimov-Kane
4) Saad needs to get going and I think being with Kane is where he needs to be right now. He was brought in to be Jonathan Toews sidekick, but in short periods, he's looked even better with Kane (I mean, so would I). Saad appears to be trying to do too much with his game right now. He is not a "deke through the entire team" kind of guy, even though that's what he's trying to show you. He needs to be a North-South, keep your stick on the ice and go to the net type player for the Hawks right now.
5) Kane needs another grinder on his line with speed. He's seen success with Saad in the past and while #20 isn't a true grinder, he's stronger on the puck than Schmaltz and isn't afraid to go to the tough areas. I can see this Saad/Anisimov/Kane staying together for a while.
6) Hawks are 0-2 since Anisimov shaved his moustache.
LN3: Bouma-Schmaltz-DeBrincat
7) I like Debrincat playing alongside as much creativity as possible. He can play and think the game at a high level, so having Schmaltz on his line could really help. They've connected on a few plays already this year in brief stints when they've been on the ice together.
8) Schmaltz gets another try at centre. He started the year and pre-season absolutely flying. I started to get a glimmer of hope that if he became this much of a difference maker, the Hawks could be in really good shape this year. Then he got hurt and he's had up and down games since.
9) Bouma enters onto this line to protect and create space. I honestly think Hayden is a better fit as he possesses the puck better down low, but I get the need for a veteran presence on this line.
LN4: Sharp-Wingels-Panik
10) Poor Tommy Wingels. He landed in detention with Sharp and Panik by doing nothing other than playing his ass off. He's been a bright spot for this team so far this season, playing a position that he's only briefly played in the NHL. He's at 42% on his faceoffs for the year but has shown the ability to dominate at the dot at times. 9 out of 24 games, he's been 50%+ (a few were 70%+). Let's see if he can continue to work on that skill set.
11) I've said it a few times lately; Sharp is really close to taking a seat in the press box for a game. He is being used more on the PP though, so maybe Q will use him in a specialty role to see if that elevates his overall game, like it did for Brent Seabrook.
12) Panik, dude, just relax. He's gripping the stick too tight and needs to simplify his game. On this line, he needs to play his physical style and create some chances for himself.
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I'm very interested to see how these lines shake out tonight. Due to the success and relentless forecheck of that 4th line, I'm actually in favour of these new combinations. I can get behind that rationale that you split up that line and insert them across 3 separate lines. Bouma, Wingels and Hayden are infectious and will hopefully rub off on their new lines mates.
Then again, these lines may last ½ period as Q turns the blender on full blast after a slow start.
Let's hope not and looking forward to seeing if this is the sparkplug they need to get going. They're going to need it vs. this Capitals team.
See ya out there.
JL
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Who we got tonight: Washington Capitals
Season Matchup: 1st matchup of the year
16-11-1 = 33 points
4th in Metropolitan
Last game: WON vs. Sharks (4-1) on December 4th
GF: 82 / GA: 84
PP% = 21.7% (7th in NHL)
PK% = 78.0% (22nd in NHL)
Sniper: Ovechkin – 20 goals
Producer: Kuznetsov - 30 points
Tough Guys: – Tom Wilson - 67 PIMs & Brooks Orpik - 88 hits
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Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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