Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

This Time, Score More Goals than the Other Guys

November 15, 2017, 8:37 AM ET [322 Comments]
Tyler Cameron
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


The Blackhawks take on the red-hot Rangers. They started, oh-so-slow, but have rattled off 8 wins in their last 10 games.

This has been led by a 25% power play success rate, so the Hawks killers have to be on their best behaviour.

Both teams have had a lot of R & R with the Hawks coming off a 3-day hiatus, while the Rangers on a 4-day break. Usually, games with teams this rested start a little slow, being out of game action, let's see who can strike first.

The Hawks started extremely strong last game and were very close to turning the corner on Sunday. After 18 minutes, it appeared they have found a spark getting up 4-1 on the Devils. Well, we all know how that finished.

I saw a glimmer of hope though during that collapse. We covered some positive signs in the last blog and I'm optimistic that a defence-first mentality was talked about in length by Coach Q and his staff during the on and off-ice workouts.

Speaking of on-ice workouts, Q opted for a full team scrimmage and shootout drills at practice (among some other basics). This was followed but a final salute to Johnny's IceHouse with the players grabbing a team photo, huddled around the Zamboni.

This has been their home since the memorable 2009-10 season. The Hawks will now practice at the beautiful, new facility that is MB Ice Arena.

Will we look back this move as an iconic revitalization of a struggling team that was able to band together to turn their 2017-18 season around? Or will we remember it as the change that signaled a new chapter of mediocrity? Or… will we even remember?

Hard to say, but these Hawks should welcome a nice change right now. You may not think anything of it, however, practicing to hone your skills and prepare for battle with your fellow teammates is a huge part of success. It's where they bond and most importantly have some fun on the ice when the team is winning, as well as when the times get tough.

When practice was all finished up, Coach Q’s projected lines shook out like this:

Saad-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp-Wingels-Debrincat
Hartman-Kero-Hayden

Keith-Franson
Murphy-Seabrook
Forsling-Rutta


We know Q could throw a wrench into everything (like he did last game), but whomever he has lined up tomorrow night must work as a cohesive unit to get this team on track. Q is running out of options and is praying the above combinations will start to take the form of consistency.

Consistency being a key word here as we’re all too familiar with Q’s blender mode he is accustomed too. Too many times have I watched players taking inefficient routes to pucks due to not reading their linemate/partner properly.

The Hawks are best when they are supporting each other in all zones and guys are moving well before the puck is moved. I trust this will come in time once the lines are a little more settled. Q and the players don’t have that much time though.

I like Schmaltz more on the wing right now. He had serious jump to his game on Sunday and he and Kane will aim to possess the puck as much as possible.

Possession is a word that has become synonymous with Blackhawks hockey over the years and they would like it to define them once again in 2017. To do that, I will be looking for two main factors: 1) the defence's first pass/breakout to the forwards resulting in more speed through the neutral zone and 2) getting a strong cycle game going again (line 1 and 4 are set up with the personnel to succeed there).

It will be a great challenge tonight and let's see if the Good Guys can put a full 60-minute performance together.

See ya out there!


JL - @JustinLoweHB


---
Who we got tonight: New York Rangers

Season Matchup: 1st game of the season

9-7-2 = 20 points
6th in Metropolitan
Last game: WON vs. Oilers (4-2) on November 11th
GF: 60 / GA: 59
PP% = 25.8% (3rd in NHL)
PK% = 81.3% (13th in NHL)
Sniper(s): Zibanejad, Buchnevich, Grabner – 8 goals
Producer: Zibanejad – 18 points
Tough Guys: Shettenkirk– 22 PIMs / Kreider – 44 hits

---
ICYMI:

* TRADE - The LA Kings sent Mike Cammalleri to Edmonton for Jussi Jokinen. A couple of vets switch teams and in hopes a change of scenery helps. The Oilers are in need of some scoring and a change of fortune. Does Cammalleri end up on McDavid’s wing? He sure hopes so.

* Rockford IceHogs take on the Iowa Wild this morning(?), yes, this morning at 10:30 (CT). The Wild are 6th in the Central Division with 14 points, looking up at the IceHogs who are 3rd, just 2 points ahead.

The Wild come in on a 3 game winning streak with Zack Mitchell with 12 points in just 9 games.

The more I hear him, the more I’m impressed with Jeremy Colliton. He is well spoken and transparent about his team. I was never overly pleased with Ted Dent, but with Colliton, it almost feels like he's a prospect in the system that I'm excited to see progress over the years.

* Blackhawks’ prospect Andrey Altybarmakyan (the future AA), scored again last night in the CHL – Canada vs. Russia Series. He now has 3 G and 1 A in 5 games in the tournament.
Join the Discussion: » 322 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Tyler Cameron
» Farewell
» My Favourite Blackhawks Team
» What's the future in net for the Blackhawks?
» What could the Blackhawks look like next year?
» Mailbag - Blackhawks Postmortem Edition