Game will mean more to Roy/Avs - probably treat it like a playoff game. Should be fun to watch.

Landeskog needs to keep his elbows and stick down. Plays too much like Kesler - needs to play more like Toews. You have some potential greats on your roster. Let's hope some of that young leadership OReilly, Mac, Duchesne can steer your team identity away from the Canuck style garbage.

Unfortunately, it looks like Roy may be more like Vigneault than Quennville.
- tredbrta

Landy is a great captain but this is Duchenes team, hes the horse that powers them.

Seems that the coach has demanded this and is getting it because the players respect him and his system. Sounds like a simple thing, but not as common as is often thought. For me, watching a team that goes balls-to-the-wall is what it's all about. Enjoy the season.
- mohel

The AV's are deep down the middle but the question for me will be how they will respond if they hit a 4 game losing streak...but it might not happen.

Also the goaltending has been unreal...28 goals against is 11 better than the next team... I don't think that same pace can be sustained.

That said I thought they were a real playoff team before last season began so it is good to see them turn it around.

Blackhawks overcome slow start and outlast Oilers 5-4: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/19Wcf6e

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

I really doubt it would be much of a PO series. The Hawks like to open it up with the Oilers for some reason in the RS. Oilers would have a very difficult time if the Hawks played that tight D we saw/see against the Bruins/Wings/Kings et al...

Not sure what the hype on Eakins was all about. Maybe they should have moved MacTavish behind the bench???
- tredbrta

You mean last year's "tight D," right? That D was present in the RS and the playoffs. Not near as tight this year to date, imo.

Saw the Landeskog goal - Ovechkin looking for the big hit instead of actually playing some defense.
- StLBravesFan

that had to be the slowest hip check attempt of all time, you saw him trying to line that up a mile away.

I am excited for it too, Johnson is finally playing well, good start to the season for him. Shatty is just a point producing machine though, i miss that creepy mustache guy.
- DDM-Coga

Just throwin this out there. The east is currently 40-57-16 against the west.

Although Q likes to stay with a lineup until it fails - could be one reason Brookbank is still playing at wing. Wonder if the back-to-backs affected him a bit?
- mohel

Could be......I thought they looked tired in the 3rd and I think Crawford needed the rest. Phoenix will be a tough opponent. Tippett has them playing well so hopefully the three day lay off will benefit CC. I wonder if BBank will be back at wing with Rosi getting hurt on the bench....good opportunity for Morin to get back out there perhaps. Just like any rookie Pirri will have some growing pains and yesterdays game seemed to be one of them.

Just throwin this out there. The east is currently 40-57-16 against the west.
- waitforawhistle

Where do you find that info? Not distrusting your info, just wanna watch that myself.

Just throwin this out there. The east is currently 40-57-16 against the west.
- waitforawhistle

One of the reason's you guys have as good of a record to date.

Where do you find that info? Not distrusting your info, just wanna watch that myself.
- mohel

http://www.nhl.com/ice/st...e=xvw#&navid=nav-stn-west

http://www.nhl.com/ice/st...e=xve#&navid=nav-stn-east

Wow, Edmonton is bad! They are 4-9-1 against the East.

Wow, Edmonton is bad! They are 4-9-1 against the East.
- carcus

way to rub it in...

Could be......I thought they looked tired in the 3rd and I think Crawford needed the rest. Phoenix will be a tough opponent. Tippett has them playing well so hopefully the three day lay off will benefit CC. I wonder if BBank will be back at wing with Rosi getting hurt on the bench....good opportunity for Morin to get back out there perhaps. Just like any rookie Pirri will have some growing pains and yesterdays game seemed to be one of them.
- UnnamedSource

It is a good opportunity for Morin. I think the fact they haven't sent him down makes it more likely they are just sending a message; if they thought he needed to work on something they'd send him down. Heard over the weekend that Kostka has 2-4 more weeks.

One of the reason's you guys have as good of a record to date.
- carcus

Your right, we have played
Min twice
Fla once
Buf once
Nyi once
Edm once
Wpg twice
Cgy once

That's eight games against some of the weaker teams in the league. I am concerned how things will go when we visit murderers row..SJ, LA, ANA

http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=xvw#&navid=nav-stn-west

http://www.nhl.com/ice/st...e=xve#&navid=nav-stn-east
- carcus

Thanks for the info, now farg off! Just messin' - looking forward to the Blues and Av's. Seems the Central standings has divided itself sharply already. There's been some thought that Hitch would start to wear on the players and would lose them eventually. Doesn't seem to be happening; do you see any of that?

Your right, we have played
Min twice
Fla once
Buf once
Nyi once
Edm once
Wpg twice
Cgy once

That's eight games against some of the weaker teams in the league. I am concerned how things will go when we visit murderers row..SJ, LA, ANA
- waitforawhistle

You play the teams on the schedule...everyone does....you still have to play those games...even the Blues played NAshville twice,Flarida twice, and the Jets twice...poop happens...good teams lose to bad teams, that is the nature of hockey and the long season in general....I could care less what is gonna happen against SJ,LA and Anaheim until the playoffs come along

You play the teams on the schedule...everyone does....you still have to play those games...even the Blues played NAshville twice,Flarida twice, and the Jets twice...poop happens...good teams lose to bad teams, that is the nature of hockey and the long season in general....I could care less what is gonna happen against SJ,LA and Anaheim until the playoffs come along
- captainserious

Well said..

Wow, Larsen was a minus 3 while picking up 3 assists in the game. (2 on the power play)

So he was out on the ice for 7 goals then?

Your right, we have played
Min twice
Fla once
Buf once
Nyi once
Edm once
Wpg twice
Cgy once

That's eight games against some of the weaker teams in the league. I am concerned how things will go when we visit murderers row..SJ, LA, ANA
- waitforawhistle

I would think "murderers row" would be just as concerned - if not more - about playing the Hawks.

Defending SC Champs.

Still, player for player, a legitimate contender for a SC this year.

Thanks for the info, now farg off! Just messin' - looking forward to the Blues and Av's. Seems the Central standings has divided itself sharply already. There's been some thought that Hitch would start to wear on the players and would lose them eventually. Doesn't seem to be happening; do you see any of that?
- mohel

No, Hitch is not wearing on this team. If anything, they are playing his system to a tee, and reaping the rewards. This team is buying in, and it shows.

He will only wear on players if they are selfish. The Blues just don't have those guys.

I would think "murderers row" would be just as concerned - if not more - about playing the Hawks.

Defending SC Champs.

Still, player for player, a legitimate contender for a SC this year.
- StLBravesFan

I agree....Saad,Shaw,Kruger,Leddy are all better players this year than last....and with Toew,Kane,Sharp and Hossa 4 of your top 6, you will be giving problems to everyone...Not to mention Hammer being your number 3 d-man, while he could be a 1 or a 2 on most NHL teams

I agree....Saad,Shaw,Kruger,Leddy are all better players this year than last....and with Toew,Kane,Sharp and Hossa 4 of your top 6, you will be giving problems to everyone...Not to mention Hammer being your number 3 d-man, while he could be a 1 or a 2 on most NHL teams
- captainserious

It may not seem right to say at first but I feel Hossa is better as well..

Blackhawks overcome slow start and outlast Oilers 5-4: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/19Wcf6e

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Your right, we have played
Min twice
Fla once
Buf once
Nyi once
Edm once
Wpg twice
Cgy once

That's eight games against some of the weaker teams in the league. I am concerned how things will go when we visit murderers row..SJ, LA, ANA
- waitforawhistle

But we also have not come up with 2 points versus the Blues twice and Tampa Bay twice, two of the better teams at the beginning of the season. Also we have not encountered any injury to a top line player, KNOCK on wood! Anaheim and Sharks have gotten hit by the injury bug - Anaheim still doing ok.

And i would not say Minnesota is a weak team.

But we also have not come up with 2 points versus the Blues twice and Tampa Bay twice, two of the better teams at the beginning of the season. Also we have not encountered any injury to a top line player, KNOCK on wood! Anaheim and Sharks have gotten hit by the injury bug - Anaheim still doing ok.

And i would not say Minnesota is a weak team.
- Topshelf2010

Minnesota if healthy will be heard from...

I think the Hawks are playing much better now than when they played the Blues.

Blackhawks overcome slow start and outlast Oilers 5-4: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/19Wcf6e

It may not seem right to say at first but I feel Hossa is better as well..

Blackhawks overcome slow start and outlast Oilers 5-4: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/19Wcf6e

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Hi Al!
Nice article, well done!

And yes....I do agree....especially after the first 4 or 5 games....Hossa has been a beast....and better than last year...STAMKOS is down!!!!