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Can They Make It 3?

November 22, 2017, 8:43 AM ET [222 Comments]
Tyler Cameron
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


So, let me get this straight, the Tampa Bay Lightning missed the playoffs last year but were still ranked out of Vegas top 3 at 11-1 to win the Stanley Cup in 2018.

Did anyone else think that was strange? Yeah, me neither.

This was a good team last year but unfortunately ran into injury issues. The biggest blow was to their captain, Steven Stamkos, who was only able to dress for 17 games. Between him and Ryan Callahan, they missed 129 games alone.

Even with all of their injury woes, the Lightning were still able to score 230 goals, good for 3rd in the Atlantic in that category. However, their efforts came up just short and they battled their way 1 point shy of getting into the post-season.

Now, with a healthy Stamkos, look at them. They are playing like the Stanley Cup favouites that Vegas pegged them as in October.

I heard from a source in the summer of 2016 that Steven Stamkos was really close to signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His reasoning for signing back with the Lightning was primarily due to health reasons and he wanted to win a Stanley Cup before he was no longer able to play.

Remember, he had surgery in April 2016 to treat a blood clot. This was obviously a really big scare for Steven and his family.

Steve Yzerman did a great job to lock in his captain at 8 years / $64M; if not, his team may look quite a bit different.

The Lightning pace the Eastern Conference with 32 points through 20 games. They are 1st in GF (80) and 3rd in GA (3rd). Bishop, who?

Stamkos and Kucherov are 1-2 in the league in points.

Steve Yzerman stayed the course and banked on a healthier team this year. Aaaand it's working, way to go Steve.

He tweaked the lineup by adding veterans like Kunitz and Girardi which is paying off as well to help balance off this young team.

That Sergachev for Drouin trade is looking great for both sides as well. The young Russian defender has 14 points, playing in all 20 games so far this year.

If I haven't scared you enough yet as to the team that the Hawks look to knock off their pedestal tonight, here is the projected lineup:

Namestnikov-Stamkos-Kucherov
Palat-Point-Gourde
Killorn-Johnson- Brown
Kunitz-Paquette-Callahan

Hedman-Dotchin
Sergachev-Stralman
Coburn-Girardi

Vasilevskiy


Scary stuff, huh?

So I will ask a question that I posted on the message boards a couple weeks ago: would it be the worst thing in the world if the Blackhawks missed the playoffs this year?

I'm not suggesting the Hawks would miss the playoffs and then hit the ground running in 2018-19, there are more factors that would play out.

I'm also not suggesting that I think the Hawks will be golfing on April 15th, but from what I've seen so far, this team looks to be a 5-8 seed in the West.

It just seems like there is an identity crisis in Chicago right now, and it may take some time to work itself out. John McDonough wouldn't be happy to see his team miss the playoffs, but right now his younger players getting a real good look this year, to potentially help this Hawks team in the near-future (if they haven't started to already).

Look no further on how beneficial it was for TB's young guys who were able to play (a lot) in the absence of some regulars and now they have Brayden Point, Vladislav Namestnikov and Jake Dotchin playing huge roles for this team.

In the same aspect, I see massive benefits to the Hawks with the likes of Forsling, Hayden, Debrincat logging important minutes.

In today's NHL, to stay relevant for as long as a team like the Blackhawks, Lightning, Sharks, Ducks, etc. you need that second wave of cost-efficient, productive players inserted into your lineup annually.

The Hawks are searching for their first 3 game winning streak of the year. They need a a few of these streaks to put themselves in a good position as they round the bend into 2018.

This is a huge test tonight and I'm excited to see how the Blackhawks respond to this high-flying Lightning team.

See ya out there!

JL


--
Who we got tonight: Tampa Bay Lightning


Season Matchup: 1st meeting of the year

15-3-2 = 32 points
1st in the East
Last game: LOST vs. Islanders (5-3) on Nov 18th
GF: 63 / GA: 50
PP% = 28% (1st in NHL)
PK% = 83.8% (9th in NHL)
Sniper(s): Kucherov – 17 goals
Producer: Stamkos - 35 points
Tough Guys: Callahan – 19 PIMs & 41 hits


--
ICYMI:


* Just when you think the Hawks have some bad contracts, stop and look up Brent Burns’ situation in San Jose. His 8 year / $64 million contract kicked in this year and he STILL doesn’t have a goal. A guy who had 29 goals last year is off to a monumentally slow start. I think he’s a great player, but that’s a lot of money tied up in a guy who’s not producing.

* Vinne Hinostroza is still in Rockford.

* The St. Louis Blue took over the top spot in the league last night. Who would have thought dumping Shattenkirk, Backes and Elliott over the last couple years would put these guys in this position. They have a great combination of exciting young talent, along with the steady vets.

On the opposite end, the Edmonton Oilers lost again last night. Is this team cursed? I think they’ll turn it around, but keep an eye out for Peter Chiarelli to pull the trigger soon on a trade for a defenceman if things don’t change in the next couple of weeks.
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