Perhaps I've grown gunshy over the past two seasons, but last night was the first night this season that I thought it was inevitable that the Hawks lose the game. The defense really seemed to fail the Hawks in the third. Lots of times where they just couldn't get it out of their zone or couldn't clear it far enough to get a line change.

I also was really disappointed in the effort that Kane gave in the 3rd and OT. Too many missed blades or not capturing a pass he should have or the really, really bad TO on the Ducks tying goal. Overall, it looked too much like 2011-12 Kaner and not the one we had seen over the first 12 games. I hope it was just a bad game and not symptomatic of something else. [NOTE: I have steadfastly defended Kane here and elsewhere for the past few years, so I'm not someone who blasts Kane regularly or quickly.]

Second, I saw some really nice things throughout the game. Some great stick pokes by Keith and Seabrook where ANA had odd man rushes. Some fantastic hits by Bickell (why that wasn't an instigator and why Bickell got a 5 min for fighting is just a travesty by the officials). And, as JJ mentioned, the play of Kruger and Frolik on the PK. I'd even go so far as to say that those two would have been my Hawks stars of the game. The effort they gave was fantastic.

Frankly, though, the guys who needed to step up last night (Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp) just didn't. And, at the end of the day, rolling 4 lines is great, but you still need your 4 top forwards to produce and they didn't; especially on the PP.

Lucky to get a point, but frustrated that the Hawks couldn't capitalize on their momentum and win that one in regulation.

I don't know what has gotten in to Bickell lately but I like it. Man keeps playing like this he will force Stan's hands in having to pay him.
- droe411

He's been great. Love the way he's playing. That LINE has been great.

Perhaps I've grown gunshy over the past two seasons, but last night was the first night this season that I thought it was inevitable that the Hawks lose the game. The defense really seemed to fail the Hawks in the third. Lots of times where they just couldn't get it out of their zone or couldn't clear it far enough to get a line change.

I also was really disappointed in the effort that Kane gave in the 3rd and OT. Too many missed blades or not capturing a pass he should have or the really, really bad TO on the Ducks tying goal. Overall, it looked too much like 2011-12 Kaner and not the one we had seen over the first 12 games. I hope it was just a bad game and not symptomatic of something else.
- QStache[NOTE: I have steadfastly defended Kane here and elsewhere for the past few years, so I'm not someone who blasts Kane regularly or quickly.]

Second, I saw some really nice things throughout the game. Some great stick pokes by Keith and Seabrook where ANA had odd man rushes. Some fantastic hits by Bickell (why that wasn't an instigator and why Bickell got a 5 min for fighting is just a travesty by the officials). And, as JJ mentioned, the play of Kruger and Frolik on the PK. I'd even go so far as to say that those two would have been my Hawks stars of the game. The effort they gave was fantastic.

Frankly, though, the guys who needed to step up last night (Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp) just didn't. And, at the end of the day, rolling 4 lines is great, but you still need your 4 top forwards to produce and they didn't; especially on the PP.

Lucky to get a point, but frustrated that the Hawks couldn't capitalize on their momentum and win that one in regulation.

As KingB said on the thread last night. Hossa does look a little off. His passes going into skates, etc., Not sure what that's all about, because he doesn't look hurt to me.

Plusses from last night:

Crawford was awesome (except in the shoot out)

Kruger was awesome. Winning faceoffs (?!) and relentless backchecking.

Roszival > Brookbank

Minuses:

Q: can you please not play rope a dope and keep away trying to nurse a one goal lead with twelve minutes left in the game?? IMO, the single biggest reason why this game went to OT in the first place.

Power play non-existent - same team, same coaching, same results.

Bickell's scrum with Getzlaf aside, the Hawks were beaten physically, and won very few board battles.

2 and 7 - the alarm bell went off about fifteen games ago. It's OK to get out of bed now and freaking WAKE UP!

Show me. Why are ALL the Chicago announcers looking at the same tape you did and saying it wasn't a goal?

And don't get me wrong, it was a great play. But . . . a goal is a goal, and a save is save. I thought Sbisa made a helluva play, too.
- John Jaeckel

I thought I saw from the front replay while Edzo was talking it showed the puck crossing the line in slow-mo. I was wondering why they didn't comment on it. I think Foley did later, but it was one of the overhead shots later like intermission that I saw it was over and then the net lifted off

Plusses from last night:

Crawford was awesome (except in the shoot out)

Kruger was awesome. Winning faceoffs (?!) and relentless backchecking.

Roszival > Brookbank

Minuses:

Q: can you please not play rope a dope and keep away trying to nurse a one goal lead with twelve minutes left in the game?? IMO, the single biggest reason why this game went to OT in the first place.

Power play non-existent - same team, same coaching, same results.

Bickell's scrum with Getzlaf aside, the Hawks were beaten physically, and won very few board battles.

2 and 7 - the alarm bell went off about fifteen games ago. It's OK to get out of bed now and freaking WAKE UP!
- Return of the Roar

Anaheim is a tough team down low. But games like these will be the rule, rather than the exception come playoff time. Hawks are a much better team on the break or around the perimter than they are griding out goals, at this point.

I thought Rozsival was kinda rocky last night, FWIW.

A point is a point.

Visual evidence suggests neither Leddy nor Saad is the "best"choice, based on their demonstrated skills and the moves they made when called upon.

If the third shooter converts—the SO is even at that point. If not, game over, the opposition gets the extra point. You don't.
- John Jaeckel

I agree that we should be looking at the factors that lead to the Hawks missing out on a 2nd point last night. I just don't think a discussion of the 3rd shooter of a skills competition is the place we should be focusing our attention. There are a number of issues that would seem to outweigh that, IMO.

I thought I saw from the front replay while Edzo was talking it showed the puck crossing the line in slow-mo. I was wondering why they didn't comment on it. I think Foley did later, but it was one of the overhead shots later like intermission that I saw it was over and then the net lifted off
- tomcat24

Could be. Honestly, I watched it over and over and didn't see it. I might also have ASSUMED the whistle blew once Sbisa started moving the puck back. If not then maybe it did cross the line. Just didn't seem that way.

Anaheim is a tough team down low. But games like these will be the rule, rather than the exception come playoff time.
- John Jaeckel

Bingo. And folks, this is all that matters.

I agree that we should be looking at the factors that lead to the Hawks missing out on a 2nd point last night. I just don't think a discussion of the 3rd shooter of a skills competition is the place we should be focusing our attention. There are a number of issues that would seem to outweigh that, IMO.
- Holes02

Power play is one.

And still no discussion of the lopsided TOI for the "1a and 1b" defensive pair. Especially when the 1a pair on the PP suck the moon out of the sky not knowing how to bring the puck out of our zone or knowing what to do when it DOES get in the zone.

And yes, someone mentioned the only PP goal came on unit 2's TOI, with Leddy's blast from the point.

Yet, no Leddy on the almost 4 min of PP time in the OT.

THIS is what your Tampon and Q braintrust can come up with?

I don't want to hear any more about what they are practicing -- it really doesn't matter since they practice against one another and not another club. If you have facocked up coaching to begin with, they have the rose colored glasses on because they've got both sides of the puck in practice. We can see what they do against another club. They suck. Just like last year.

Right now, there is only 1 point man that knows what to do on the PP and that's Leddy. You need someone else besides him and you need to get 1 of either Keith or Seabrook off the point on PP to keep down their minutes AND give yourself some chance of doing SOMETHING other than the same tired old act we see.

Perhaps I've grown gunshy over the past two seasons, but last night was the first night this season that I thought it was inevitable that the Hawks lose the game. The defense really seemed to fail the Hawks in the third. Lots of times where they just couldn't get it out of their zone or couldn't clear it far enough to get a line change.

I also was really disappointed in the effort that Kane gave in the 3rd and OT. Too many missed blades or not capturing a pass he should have or the really, really bad TO on the Ducks tying goal. Overall, it looked too much like 2011-12 Kaner and not the one we had seen over the first 12 games. I hope it was just a bad game and not symptomatic of something else.
- QStache[NOTE: I have steadfastly defended Kane here and elsewhere for the past few years, so I'm not someone who blasts Kane regularly or quickly.]

Second, I saw some really nice things throughout the game. Some great stick pokes by Keith and Seabrook where ANA had odd man rushes. Some fantastic hits by Bickell (why that wasn't an instigator and why Bickell got a 5 min for fighting is just a travesty by the officials). And, as JJ mentioned, the play of Kruger and Frolik on the PK. I'd even go so far as to say that those two would have been my Hawks stars of the game. The effort they gave was fantastic.

Frankly, though, the guys who needed to step up last night (Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp) just didn't. And, at the end of the day, rolling 4 lines is great, but you still need your 4 top forwards to produce and they didn't; especially on the PP.

Lucky to get a point, but frustrated that the Hawks couldn't capitalize on their momentum and win that one in regulation.

It was an Instigator, and the Hawks rightly got a PP (and ultimately a PPG) for it.
Bickell got 5 for Fighting, because that's what the rule is...

Power play is one.
- John Jaeckel

Yes. And, probably my greatest concern right now, the 2nd lines inability to possess the puck and dictate play.

1) True.
2) Not true. They suck.
- John Jaeckel

JJ - do you think the goal came off of the posts and the posts out of the ice before the puck crossed the line? To me eyes, it clearly didn't.

Was it the ref, announcing the goal at the time, who mentioned some rule - don't know the rule but got the impression that it had to do with when the net is officially out and play must stop.

Plusses from last night:

Crawford was awesome (except in the shoot out)

Kruger was awesome. Winning faceoffs (?!) and relentless backchecking.

Roszival > Brookbank

Minuses:

Q: can you please not play rope a dope and keep away trying to nurse a one goal lead with twelve minutes left in the game?? IMO, the single biggest reason why this game went to OT in the first place.

Power play non-existent - same team, same coaching, same results.

Bickell's scrum with Getzlaf aside, the Hawks were beaten physically, and won very few board battles.

2 and 7 - the alarm bell went off about fifteen games ago. It's OK to get out of bed now and freaking WAKE UP!
- Return of the Roar

Hawks were dictating play to start the 3rd period. Once the glass came out of the stantions, they seemed to start coasting. I don't think I'd agree that Q suddenly told his guys to hold back.

I disagree, re: physicality. The Hawks are very rarely, if ever, going to outhit a team, it's just not their game. That said, I thought they were plenty physical.

C'mon Q, WTF? You have MARION HOSSA on the bench during the SO.

And still no discussion of the lopsided TOI for the "1a and 1b" defensive pair. Especially when the 1a pair on the PP suck the moon out of the sky not knowing how to bring the puck out of our zone or knowing what to do when it DOES get in the zone.

And yes, someone mentioned the only PP goal came on unit 2's TOI, with Leddy's blast from the point.

Yet, no Leddy on the almost 4 min of PP time in the OT.

THIS is what your Tampon and Q braintrust can come up with?

I don't want to hear any more about what they are practicing -- it really doesn't matter since they practice against one another and not another club. If you have facocked up coaching to begin with, they have the rose colored glasses on because they've got both sides of the puck in practice. We can see what they do against another club. They suck. Just like last year.

Right now, there is only 1 point man that knows what to do on the PP and that's Leddy. You need someone else besides him and you need to get 1 of either Keith or Seabrook off the point on PP to keep down their minutes AND give yourself some chance of doing SOMETHING other than the same tired old act we see.
- savvyone-1

Ahh Dennis.

I kinda agree with you. Leddy is earning it (through actually doing it).

I think that is part of the issue, the other part is too much puck movement around the perimeter and not enough player movement, and not enough net front presence.

PP was pretty good briefly last year when—yes—Clown Shoes was sent out to park in front of the net. I think Shaw and Toews are gamely trying. Stalberg some too. But none feel like a real intuitive guy there.

Not sure why you're slamming the TOI of "1b", assuming that's 4 and 27. #4's been Rock Frickin' Hollywood all year.

JJ - do you think the goal came off of the posts and the posts out of the ice before the puck crossed the line? To me eyes, it clearly didn't.

Was it the ref, announcing the goal at the time, who mentioned some rule - don't know the rule but got the impression that it had to do with when the net is officially out and play must stop.
- StLBravesFan

Didn't appear that way to me. Maybe I was influenced by the announcers. Heard tv AND RADIO say they didn't think it crossed the line and the Hawks got a gift.

C'mon Q, WTF? You have MARION HOSSA on the bench during the SO.
- rnewman291

On the face off for the PP with 7 seconds left in regulation - why was Bolland taking the draw instead of the league leader (I think) in FO %?

Show me that long list of trades happening each day.

And for once, please lay me out a realistic trade. Something that helps the team. .....
- TrueGrit

Who said there is a ‘long list’ of trades? Wiz said no trades will be made, I disagreed. We have both seen trades happen early in the season and we have both seen few or no trades happen early in the season. I certainly didn’t suggest anything is imminent as Wiz has suggested unequivocally nothing would happen.

As for suggesting a trade, I can speculate till the cows come home but I have no real insight into what SB thinks we need, what he is willing to give up and when he wants to pull the trigger. Unlike many I don’t see the Hawks needing or being able to afford a star player. I believe the Hawks need bottom 6 players who have relatively low cap hits and are more obtainable in terms of what we have to give up. What I would like to see is the daring Tallon showed by picking up a player who wasn’t deemed as important in Andrew Ladd and giving up a player some fans viewed as close to untouchable Ruttu. I don’t know who these guys are, or could be, but I hope that the scouting staff would have the insight and knowledge to identify the upside and potential of a guy who isn’t cutting it in their current organization.

And If I thought you would have constructive dialogue regarding some trade ideas I may just throw one or two your way, but seeing as how you dismiss anything and belittle any and everyone who does I’ll refrain.

The longer this streak continues, the more it ensures Bowman stands idly by. This team has made strides, but the hawks were nearly drowning by the trade deadline last year and made a relatively small move at the time that never addressed the teams most glaring needs.

Now that the team is doing well, you have to think there is a less likely chance that happens. Granted the 2C and goalie situation isnt as dire right now and a faceoff guy and someone with size seems more prudent, seems like Bowman just is always waiting for other GMs to come running into his office offering players at steal prices.

Brian Boyle has been a healthy scratch 3 games now for NYR and they are playing better without him. Knock on the door. There is your 4C, with size, physical, great on faceoffs.

The most frustrating thing for most hawks fans at this point is they see this team and know are playing well, and arent too far off from being the real deal as cup contenders. It is just incredibly frustrating waiting on that missing piece that solidifies it all.

Should just learn to wait for JJ's wrap. Feel like I'm writing a post twice.

Saad was the best player on the ice. Sorry Saad haters. But it's true.

Patrick Kane has some of the best hands in the league. He missed too. This argument that Hossa, 0 for 9 last year, is a better choice is futile. Shootouts are luck. Again, if you're arguing about who should be the THIRD shooter in a shootout, you're probably missing the reason they lost the game....

Here comes the mockery from JJ again but takeaways were 17-6 in favor of Anaheim. While this stat doesn't trump everything else, I'd say the fact that Anaheim was allowed to have the puck that much more than the Hawks, especially in the third when Joel ( way too often this year.) decided to "sit" on a shaky 2-1 lead.

Crawford made huge saves last night. Maybe his best game.

While there are trouble spots on the Hawks, And in no way should they be glossed over, take a look at what's goin on with "contenders" St. Louis and San Jose...... Those are problems. The hawks simply have some things that need fixing.
- yahoodi

Ugh...it's not "sitting" on a lead. It's a system. Every team has one, and when you are up in the 3rd period, you send in 1 aggressive forechecker, and have two forwards force the opponent to dump it back in, which in turn should give your D plenty of time to get it out.

This has been evident all year long, as Sharp and Kane have peeled off on chances in the 3rd to stick to this system. If they were sending 3 guys in, people would be blowing up this board asking why the hell they are pushing for more goals when they have a lead?

The reason they lost a point, is because Kane didn't want to take a hit and throw it off the boards. Instead he tried to stick handle, got his pocket picked, and Anaheim quickly reversed the attack and got a clear shot to the net and an easy tap in.

C'mon Q, WTF? You have MARION HOSSA on the bench during the SO.
- rnewman291

I screamed that poop at the TV too. WTF , but I know Ive read somewhere that Hossa doesn't like participating in the shoot out . I have no idea why or if thats even true.

C'mon Q, WTF? You have MARION HOSSA on the bench during the SO.
- rnewman291

Much as I love Hossa, I get why Q is trying other guys than him (and Sharp for that matter). Just not sure about the guys he's trying.

Hawks were dictating play to start the 3rd period. Once the glass came out of the stantions, they seemed to start coasting. I don't think I'd agree that Q suddenly told his guys to hold back.

I disagree, re: physicality. The Hawks are very rarely, if ever, going to outhit a team, it's just not their game. That said, I thought they were plenty physical.
- Holes02

I don't think an entire team simultaneously coasts without there being a directive from the bench. Far too reminiscent of the last two years. Nurse slim leads in the third period.

It is not necessarily about outhitting on a stat sheet. It is about being effective on the boards in critical situations - like keeping it in the zone when on offense and regaining possession in the D zone. Sharp versus Staubitz for example. Going to be a LOT more of that kind of play come the post-season, and this Hawks team still lacks that element to their game.