Today's article...

Part-time effort earns Hawks another loss:http://bit.ly/IHBr68: My Fox Chicago: On The Blackhawks

in case anyone noticed jimmy hayes had a goal and dylan olsen had a goal and an assist last night for fla. they also combined for 6 hits--as many as entire Blackhawk team. Versteeg zero hits.
- georgem

Versteeg had an assist and was one of the more noticeable players last night.

Hayes had a couple of chances here and won't use his body. Olsen wasn't going to get a shot with the depth the Hawks have on D. We'll see how they do when the Panthers come in on Sunday.

No question the PK is killing this team...
hope Raanta gets the nod tonight and CC gets a night off.

Today's article...

Part-time effort earns Hawks another loss:http://bit.ly/IHBr68: My Fox Chicago: On The Blackhawks
- Al

Good morning, Al. I also think the effort against Dallas on Tuesday didn't begin until they were down 3-0. After playing solid defensive hockey during the circus trip, the team has reverted to the form displayed earlier in the season. They have allowed four goals two games in a row - only two games, but as Barney Fife once said to Andy, "you got to nip it in the bud, nip it, nip it, nip it."

Versteeg had an assist and was one of the more noticeable players last night.

Hayes had a couple of chances here and won't use his body. Olsen wasn't going to get a shot with the depth the Hawks have on D. We'll see how they do when the Panthers come in on Sunday.

No question the PK is killing this team...
hope Raanta gets the nod tonight and CC gets a night off.
- DK002

Also, Hayes and Olsen are yesterday's news; how they played last night has nothing to do with the Hawks.

Goalies sometimes play better when there is pressure on them in the form or another goalies. Is it possible that Emery's great season motivated Crawford?

I feel like this is a bit of SSDD here, but the continual shortening of the bench this early in the season, and the continuous riding of Crawford is going to start wearing this team down. We may have seen a bit of this during the past two losses - in particular the loss last night.

Injuries made the roster a bit jumbled last night - but I'm sick to death of watching kids called up and then play 5 minutes a night. Or watching Brookbank play the wing if he's only going to play part time and have Kane double-shifted. I get that Q manages every game as if it's the only 2 points that matter, and I like the fire, and he's entitled to some good faith. I have to think that this short-sighted strategy is eventually going to catch-up, especially in a year that's going to see most - if not all - of the team's top players play in the Olympics.


If you look back at both championship teams - there was line juggling - but there was also the habitual roll of 4 lines. Not so this season, even when guys are healthy. Have to mitigate the minutes AND give the young guys time and freedom to grow into their game.

And Raanta should have started last night.

Part of the issue is who is getting penalized. If Seabrook or Keith goes to the sin bin, the PK obviously will suffer.

Free Frolik


- philco28

I feel like this is a bit of SSDD here, but the continual shortening of the bench this early in the season, and the continuous riding of Crawford is going to start wearing this team down. We may have seen a bit of this during the past two losses - in particular the loss last night.

Injuries made the roster a bit jumbled last night - but I'm sick to death of watching kids called up and then play 5 minutes a night. Or watching Brookbank play the wing if he's only going to play part time and have Kane double-shifted. I get that Q manages every game as if it's the only 2 points that matter, and I like the fire, and he's entitled to some good faith. I have to think that this short-sighted strategy is eventually going to catch-up, especially in a year that's going to see most - if not all - of the team's top players play in the Olympics.


If you look back at both championship teams - there was line juggling - but there was also the habitual roll of 4 lines. Not so this season, even when guys are healthy. Have to mitigate the minutes AND give the young guys time and freedom to grow into their game.

And Raanta should have started last night.
- FredoXV

I understand people wanna see Raanta, and want CC to get a rest, but how much rest does CC need? Seemed like he was playing much better when he was playing more. If hes the number 1 guy (which he is obviously) he should have no problem starting Tuesday night, having Wednesday off (because of no game) and start again Thursday. That shouldnt be a problem. Back-to-backs should be when Raanta shows up or if Crawford starts to faulter, play the hot hand.

I wrote this in the other post last night...while the PK is still an issue, they need to focus on not taking dumb penalties. Sharp's penalty was out of frustration. Seabrook got a little tired/lazy.

When this team stop moving their feet, they lose. Go back to the most recent Winnipeg game. The 2nd period of that game was a joke. Flat footed, standing around, lazy. The Hawks come out in the 3rd and separated themselves because they went back to playing D.

But to the point, everyone needs to be better. Morin should know what's expected of him now. Same for Brookbank. Crawford has to be better. Just to name a few

I wrote this in the other post last night...while the PK is still an issue, they need to focus on not taking dumb penalties. Sharp's penalty was out of frustration. Seabrook got a little tired/lazy.

When this team stop moving their feet, they lose. Go back to the most recent Winnipeg game. The 2nd period of that game was a joke. Flat footed, standing around, lazy. The Hawks come out in the 3rd and separated themselves because they went back to playing D.

But to the point, everyone needs to be better. Morin should know what's expected of him now. Same for Brookbank. Crawford has to be better. Just to name a few
- eburgio

YUP

The whole Corey Crawford argument should be put to rest. He was the goalie for a Stanley Cup winning team who should have won the Conn Smythe trophy. Even Kane said CC should have won it. Yes, the guy has an off night and gives up a softie once in a while but what goalie doesn't. This team while not perfect is not far off the pace that they set last year. There's bound to be bumps along the way it's a long season. If they lose six in a row I'll be worried too but until then I'm not going to be on the ledge.

The whole Corey Crawford argument should be put to rest. He was the goalie for a Stanley Cup winning team who should have won the Conn Smythe trophy. Even Kane said CC should have won it. Yes, the guy has an off night and gives up a softie once in a while but what goalie doesn't. This team while not perfect is not far off the pace that they set last year. There's bound to be bumps along the way it's a long season. If they lose six in a row I'll be worried too but until then I'm not going to be on the ledge.
- jhawk159

It's hard for him to stop the puck when it pinballs in front of him. His D needs to help him out and clear bodies (or pucks). The Parise PP goal is a prime example of that. I don't even know what happened on that 4th goal. WTF

This has been a problem for a couple years.

Frustrating to watch the Hawks cough up 2 goals in the last 6 minutes there. Crawford needs to be better, but he also probably needs a break. Give Raanta the start tonight and get the boys fired up against one of the stronger teams in the conference, Anaheim was killing us last season and we need to bounce back with a strong game tonight. That said, San Jose and Colorado both got smoked last night. St. Louis however continues to roll and the team can't afford to take nights off like the last two games, they need to play 60 minutes. Toews also needs to pick his game up.

Good morning, Al. I also think the effort against Dallas on Tuesday didn't begin until they were down 3-0. After playing solid defensive hockey during the circus trip, the team has reverted to the form displayed earlier in the season. They have allowed four goals two games in a row - only two games, but as Barney Fife once said to Andy, "you got to nip it in the bud, nip it, nip it, nip it."
- mohel

As you can tell by my article I agree...

Disappointing considering coming off the loss to Dallas.

Missing both Shaw and Brickell matters and when there is only 1 hit in total by forwards that should bring some physicality ...The effort be it checking or otherwise wasn't there.

Frustrating to watch the Hawks cough up 2 goals in the last 6 minutes there. Crawford needs to be better, but he also probably needs a break. Give Raanta the start tonight and get the boys fired up against one of the stronger teams in the conference, Anaheim was killing us last season and we need to bounce back with a strong game tonight. That said, San Jose and Colorado both got smoked last night. St. Louis however continues to roll and the team can't afford to take nights off like the last two games, they need to play 60 minutes. Toews also needs to pick his game up.
- Ballam

He needs a break: he's played two games in 11 or 12 days - don't forget, Raanta started two games.

After 1/3 of a season, and only 2 starts in 11 days - he shouldn't be that winded.

He needs a break: he's played two games in 11 or 12 days - don't forget, Raanta started two games.

After 1/3 of a season, and only 2 starts in 11 days - he shouldn't be that winded.
- StLBravesFan

THIS!! Thank you, he was playing better when he was playing alot. Let him carry the load like a $6m goalie should be able to. Hes a big boy, he can handle it.

It's hard for him to stop the puck when it pinballs in front of him. His D needs to help him out and clear bodies (or pucks). The Parise PP goal is a prime example of that. I don't even know what happened on that 4th goal. WTF

This has been a problem for a couple years.
- eburgio

I've been criticized here for being down on CC, but the fact is his play has been sub par vs. what it was LY (not even including the playoffs). You can't give up 3 goals in 8 shots (COL) or 2 goals in 6 shots (DAL) to start a game. He's better than he's playing, but he is not an elite, top 10 goalie in this league.

Q came out and said it today, "CC needs to be better".

I've been criticized here for being down on CC, but the fact is his play has been sub par vs. what it was LY (not even including the playoffs). You can't give up 3 goals in 8 shots (COL) or 2 goals in 6 shots (DAL) to start a game. He's better than he's playing, but he is not an elite, top 10 goalie in this league.

Q came out and said it today, "CC needs to be better".
- scottak

Crawford needs to play better and he will. That being said I have no issue with Q giving Raanta the starts on Friday and Sunday to send Corey a message.

Bring in Huet at league minimum.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Tough loss last night. The PK seems to be this team's kryptonite. No confidence, and everything that can go wrong, has. Guys not in lanes. Guys too passive. D men losing guys for easy goals. Crawford not being the team's best PK and making the huge, timely stop. They really need to figure this out, and quick.

I really hope that people aren't questioning a Kris Versteeg at half the price in salary by giving up Dylan Olsen and Jimmy Hayes, because both scored a goal last night. That is just not necessary.

Not really concerned at all. Team has tons of talent, has shown the late 90s Redwings gear where they play disinterested for 30 minutes, wake up, and storm back and dominate. That should strike fear in every opponent.

The only thing I am concerned about is Toews. he looks off. He looks either hurt or ill. Very similar to how he looked in late 2011 after Thornton concussed him and he tried to play through it. He's falling down a lot against the boards in battles, and I really wonder if he's trying to play through some cob webs. Unlike Toews to look very sluggish for a 3-4 game stretch.

Crawford needs to play better and he will. That being said I have no issue with Q giving Raanta the starts on Friday and Sunday to send Corey a message.
- DarthKane

Crawford looks fatigued. He needs a break which he didn't get when Bowman's idiotic signing of Bulin blew up in his face. Now that Raanta has show up for back to back games....I think C2 needs a little break to refocus, look over some tape, and fine tune his game...which he hasn't been able to early on this season.

His glove hand looks very slow to react, and the opposition is firing at will on him. Giving up 4 and 3 goals on under 20 shots, is not acceptable. He needs to better and will....but Q can't ride him into the ground.

Every time a coach or player gets an in-game interview the same words get mouthed -- we have to get more pucks to the net.
But each time they go out, they dish the extra pass and get no shots on net or they skate into a high percentage areas and dish the puck to someone in a low percentage area.

Look at the goals scored against us yesterday --players directing the puck towards the net and getting lucky bounces/deflections. We don't put ourselves into situations like that --our goals have to come off perfect plays.

Powerplay is a nice to have. Penalty killing is an absolute must. I knew the Hawks would lose something on the penalty kill with Frolik gone but was he THAT important? What I don't understand, and contrary to what other anti Q posters harp on, is why Quenneville sticks with the group of penalty killers that so clearly isn't getting the job done? The Hawks have forwards who have shown to be good on the PK in the past but we're not seeing them, like Sharp or Versteeg, or using Toews and Hossa more often or why not try Kane with his new found defensive responsibility?

No the sky isn't falling but without a good to great PK and with average goals against a repeat ain't gonna happen this year. On the other hand Hawk Management may have a similar strategy as they did after the 2010 cup win, to build up to the next cup win in a methodical manner and allow the team to gel together without making panic moves for a serious run in the next year or two?
- paulr

I dont get how so many of u can be saying this definitively. U cant expect us to be 100% perfect. Our GA in 2010 wasnt anything special, and it didnt stop us. Our PP was dead last last year, so were our face offs, ...that didnt stop us. Chances are that our PK isnt gonna get much better, thats just the way it is....But im not willing to sit here in early December and say theres no chance we win the Cup cuz ONE facet of our game happens to be bad. People need to chiiiiillllll. We're the best team in the league dammit!

Hope everyone is doing well.

Tough loss last night. The PK seems to be this team's kryptonite. No confidence, and everything that can go wrong, has. Guys not in lanes. Guys too passive. D men losing guys for easy goals. Crawford not being the team's best PK and making the huge, timely stop. They really need to figure this out, and quick.

I really hope that people aren't questioning a Kris Versteeg at half the price in salary by giving up Dylan Olsen and Jimmy Hayes, because both scored a goal last night. That is just not necessary.

Not really concerned at all. Team has tons of talent, has shown the late 90s Redwings gear where they play disinterested for 30 minutes, wake up, and storm back and dominate. That should strike fear in every opponent.

The only thing I am concerned about is Toews. he looks off. He looks either hurt or ill. Very similar to how he looked in late 2011 after Thornton concussed him and he tried to play through it. He's falling down a lot against the boards in battles, and I really wonder if he's trying to play through some cob webs. Unlike Toews to look very sluggish for a 3-4 game stretch.
- SteveRain

Good observation on Toews . It seems when he's going through a period when he's struggling in the past it's as much to do with him playing hurt as much as anything else. I do hope that they would not let him play if he is exhibiting concussion like symptoms.