Toews with 2 shots on goal last night, actually 2 for each game played, Motte with 4 SOG last night? I know I'm beating a dead horse but Toews has got to shoot more, out of Panik, Motte and Toews who has the heaviest shot, Toews hands down, he's always looking to set someone up, put it on net and let Panik and Motte get the rebound since both are willing to go to the front of the net.
- BetweenTheDots

Toews is second on the team in shots and within 3 shots of being in the top 20 of the NHL. Sure, it would be nice if he had 15-20 shots, but he isn't exactly playing with anyone that can set him up off the rush,and his positioning on the ice when they are set up isn't always going to get him a ton of shots. For example, on an offensive zone draw, if he wins the faceoff the puck is going to the wingers or D for a shot attempt while he is going to the front of the net.

Maybe he could have gotten a couple more shots, for example instead of trying to setup Panik for a wide open net last night, he could have just taken a chance to shoot it past the goalie, but it isn't like he is dramatically low in shots on goal.

Agreed. I wouldn't mind Toews getting the longer offensive leash because goal scoring 5v5, one of toews specialties, is where this team has been lacking.

Among the vets that are part of the problem is Corey Crawford:

1-2, .884 3.41

He's also been part of the PK issues. Your goalie often needs to be your best penalty killer.

Had an easy workload last night through 37 minutes, and couldn't stop much when the Flyers finally got a few shots on goal. Really slow on the PP goal at the end of the 2nd.

Hopefully Darling gets the start in TOR.
- scottak

Guys been rock solid at 5v5 with a 0.968 Sv%, but abysmal on the PK. 0.625sv% which is 0.202 sv% notches lower than his career PK. PK needs to get better from the net out thats for damn sure.

Folks - CC is NOT a part of the problem.

Anyone who has actually played the position understands a few things very quickly about what ails during the Hawks PK (where the vast majority of the GA have come from)

1. Playing with one less guy has its own inherent issues keeping the puck out of the net.

2. If your defenders challenge shooters and deny time and space, the ice ahead is more open, it is easier to track the puck, and the point men cannot set screens through traffic.

3. If your PK scheme is to collapse, block lanes and block shots, the goalie's view is MUCH more obstructed, and the combination of O and D in a confined area makes the areas in front of the crease a series of visual obstructions and pinball bumpers that impede tracking the puck and increases redirects. You also risk injury to players whose role is to block shots, and you grant possession to the opposition by default due to a lack of pursuit. AND - the point man has ALL DAY to hold and line up shots through screens.

The Hawks' choice to adopt the turtle scheme is the true reason why the PK blows. It is also the lazy way to play the PK.

Sorry if this does not fit the narrative of the video game crowd, but I speak truth.

One thing I noticed was Motte shooting for a rebound with Toews barreling in. Which is what he should do. One time a Philly d-man had the body on Toews and the other, that I remember, the shot was too soft, I think Motte had his stick tied up. But, it'll come. Toews should like Panik, but not sure about Motte on his left side.

The broadcast had a shot of the three of them and Motte was intently listening to Toews and Panik talk. That's only going to pay dividends down the road.

Folks - CC is NOT a part of the problem.

Anyone who has actually played the position understands a few things very quickly about what ails during the Hawks PK (where the vast majority of the GA have come from)

1. Playing with one less guy has its own inherent issues keeping the puck out of the net.

2. If your defenders challenge shooters and deny time and space, the ice ahead is more open, it is easier to track the puck, and the point men cannot set screens through traffic.

3. If your PK scheme is to collapse, block lanes and block shots, the goalie's view is MUCH more obstructed, and the combination of O and D in a confined area makes the areas in front of the crease a series of visual obstructions and pinball bumpers that impede tracking the puck and increases redirects. You also risk injury to players whose role is to block shots, and you grant possession to the opposition by default due to a lack of pursuit. AND - the point man has ALL DAY to hold and line up shots through screens.

The Hawks' choice to adopt the turtle scheme is the true reason why the PK blows. It is also the lazy way to play the PK.

Sorry if this does not fit the narrative of the video game crowd, but I speak truth.
- Return of the Roar

Do you think that's to protect players for the long season? PK takes a lot out of players when chasing. And come April, it can take its toll. Of course, it's not working right now, so, something has to change.

Folks - CC is NOT a part of the problem.

Anyone who has actually played the position understands a few things very quickly about what ails during the Hawks PK (where the vast majority of the GA have come from)

1. Playing with one less guy has its own inherent issues keeping the puck out of the net.

2. If your defenders challenge shooters and deny time and space, the ice ahead is more open, it is easier to track the puck, and the point men cannot set screens through traffic.

3. If your PK scheme is to collapse, block lanes and block shots, the goalie's view is MUCH more obstructed, and the combination of O and D in a confined area makes the areas in front of the crease a series of visual obstructions and pinball bumpers that impede tracking the puck and increases redirects. You also risk injury to players whose role is to block shots, and you grant possession to the opposition by default due to a lack of pursuit. AND - the point man has ALL DAY to hold and line up shots through screens.

The Hawks' choice to adopt the turtle scheme is the true reason why the PK blows. It is also the lazy way to play the PK.

Sorry if this does not fit the narrative of the video game crowd, but I speak truth.
- Return of the Roar

Aside from the things I have said about the goaltending in the past, I agree that Crawford is not part of the problem. The penalty kill in general just seems too passive. Also seems as if some are still learning and playing with players they have never played with before. PK has not been good, but it might need a little time.

Do you think that's to protect players for the long season? PK takes a lot out of players when chasing. And come April, it can take its toll. Of course, it's not working right now, so, something has to change.
- CanOCorn

Nothing like the toll of a live in-game bag skate to tighten up the marches to the penalty box.

I also think more guys are at risk of worse injury being shot blockers.

One thing I noticed was Motte shooting for a rebound with Toews barreling in. Which is what he should do. One time a Philly d-man had the body on Toews and the other, that I remember, the shot was too soft, I think Motte had his stick tied up. But, it'll come. Toews should like Panik, but not sure about Motte on his left side.

The broadcast had a shot of the three of them and Motte was intently listening to Toews and Panik talk. That's only going to pay dividends down the road.
- CanOCorn

Good point on the last part. But Toews needs a top 6 winger to play with him. If they want to keep Panik there, fine, but better on a lower line. He still needs a top 6 LW. He will be fine, but he needs some help.

Agreed. Reminded me of when he undressed OEL down to his panties. He should bring that around more often. Anytime he wants dust off some other moves would be great too.

Maybe getting Hossa and Toews separated is a good thing. Hossa scored on his backhand. When was the last time we saw that?

They need to figure out the pk and the cubs need to hit.

Aside from the things I have said about the goaltending in the past, I agree that Crawford is not part of the problem. The penalty kill in general just seems too passive. Also seems as if some are still learning and playing with players they have never played with before. PK has not been good, but it might need a little time.
- 93Joe

The only problem that Corey Crawford is a part of is the Salary Cap space problem the Blackhawks have. He has been off his game but the structure of the PK is a joke. You cannot give skilled NHL dmen 15 feet of open ice inside the blue line and pray you get in the shooting lane. NHL dmen are skilled at missing the first guys shin-pads and Crow has been screened or had no chance on almost every PP goal against so far. My only point regarding Crow has been, and will continue to be, that he is the easiest solution to the Cap problem and Panarin's extension. 72+88 are magic together and where will the offense come from without 72? Debrincat has nice potential but 72 has proven he can create and finish offense in the NHL.

They need to figure out the pk and the cubs need to hit.
- vandymeer23

the hawks had more hits last night that the cubs

The Flyers played a poor game both decision wise, and structure wise. The Flyers defense, while certainly not among the tops of the league, is much better than it played last night.

I think the HAWKS have shown improvement every game so far ,even very slightly on the PK LAST NIGHT .They killed a big one in the 3rd . Hard to fault Crow on the goals last night . I felt Darling made some amazing saves the other night , but also though he was weak on goal 1 and 3 . To his credit he plays better when the work load is increases .

I understand were the feeling that Crow needs to go for Cap reasons , but I believe his contract is right in line for a two time Cup winning goalie ,who could have easily been MVP in 13 .He may even be a bargain .But someone will need to go to bring back Bread man .Is Darling capable to carry this team like Crow has at times ,unfortunately we may have to go down that road to find out .. But with his contract and track record he should bring back nothing less then a quality player and pick .

Scott Powers ‏@ByScottPowers 1m1 minute ago
Marian Hossa is not practicing today

the hawks had more hits last night that the cubs
- hawkss81

Maddon needs to get his head dislodged and tell his team to wake the frank up. Cubs slept walk through that game. If I ever see Coughlin and Heyward pinch hit back to back again I might lose it.

Scott Powers ‏@ByScottPowers 1m1 minute ago
Marian Hossa is not practicing today
- DarthKane

I expect to see Hossa skipping more practices as father time marches on.

Defense pairings:

Hjalmarsson-Keith
Kempny-Seabrook
Forsling-TVR
Campbell-Rozsival

Soupy out for TVR?

EDIT - Maybe not, Hedger posted this

Not sure it means anything, but on defensemen lines during rushes, Forsling is skating with Roszival (& Kitchen filling a wing) #Blackhawks

EDIT again - Now Hedger posted the same lines as the others.

I expect to see Hossa skipping more practices as father time marches on.
- Beaver-Warrior

Hopefully he went out last night and celebrated #500.

#Blackhawks lines w/names: Motte-Toews-Panik, Panarin-Anisimov-Kane, Hinostroza-Schmaltz-Hartman, Rasmussen-Kruger-Tootoo

An all rookie third line.

My guess is that Hossa would take a spot on the 3rd line and either Hinostroza or Hartman is bumped to the 4th line with Tootoo being the odd man out. Then again, Rasmussen has played well so Q will likely bench him.

Scott Powers ‏@ByScottPowers · 6m6 minutes ago

Blackhawks practice lines:
Motte-Toews-Panik
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Hinostroza-Schmaltz-Hartman
Rasmussen-Kruger-Tootoo

I'm assuming Hartman is filling in for Hossa during practice today. If Hartman is in fact ready to go on Friday, where does he fit in? I'm liking Moose on that 4th line (Nice finish last night!), so a Moose-Kruger-Hartman line would work for me, but I know Q & the guys like to have "an enforcer" in the lineup.

I guess you could consider that to be Hartman?

Or maybe pull Hinostroza out and slide Hartman there?

Defense pairings:

Hjalmarsson-Keith
Kempny-Seabrook
Forsling-TVR
Campbell-Rozsival

Soupy out for TVR?

EDIT - Maybe not, Hedger posted this

Not sure it means anything, but on defensemen lines during rushes, Forsling is skating with Roszival (& Kitchen filling a wing) #Blackhawks

EDIT again - Now Hedger posted the same lines as the others.
- JRoenick97

Could be Campbell out or could be Forsling out and Rosy playing too.

The Flyers played a poor game both decision wise, and structure wise. The Flyers defense, while certainly not among the tops of the league, is much better than it played last night.
- MJL

I think also it didn't help that they had to gamble a bit to try and push back to tie the game. Any D can look bad when they are being aggressive and trying to get back into a game.

One thing I noticed was Motte shooting for a rebound with Toews barreling in. Which is what he should do. One time a Philly d-man had the body on Toews and the other, that I remember, the shot was too soft, I think Motte had his stick tied up. But, it'll come. Toews should like Panik, but not sure about Motte on his left side.

The broadcast had a shot of the three of them and Motte was intently listening to Toews and Panik talk. That's only going to pay dividends down the road.
- CanOCorn

That's exactly what Schmaltz didn't do when he had - I think - Hino rushing the net. Another example of his hesitancy. I think he'll get it, eventually. Hopefully in the next 10 games.