Better yet. But as much of a fan as I am, and have always been, Hanzal doesn't solve the LW problem on Toews' line.

Again would love to see Hanzal in a 3C slot, on any team, and feast on those defensive pairings.
- Mr Ricochet

Honestly unless we trade for someone like Benn, Hall, Saad comes back, Parise I just don't see the Toews line getting better in regards to scoring

Hartman is a RW, the lack of LWs has him playing there
- John Jaeckel

Well look at that, ya learn something new everyday. I totally thought he was a LW.

Dominos





Tracy:


Minor-league deal for the #Blackhawks: they acquire F Michael Latta for D Cameron Schilling.
- mrpaulish

LOL....only a matter of time now.

5 takeaways from Hawk win: http://www.csnchicago.com...s-shutout-win-over-bruins


Your que LBR:

The Blackhawks' third line of Vinnie Hinostroza, Marian Hossa and Tanner Kero had the worst possession numbers among all skaters, each registering a 24 percent Corsi or below. But when their team needed them the most, they stepped up.
- Mr Ricochet

My cue for what? Those numbers are right - that line got pinned a lot while facing the Nash line most of the night, but they took advantage of the Bruins not being able to make a full change. Nash got on but neither Spooner or Backes did, so it left Vatrano, Belesky, and McQuaid out there. Vatrano never even makes it into the play and McQuaid fails to notice Hossa until it was too late. Credit to the Kero line that once they had the opening, they capitalized.




That line also wasn't that bad in terms of possession in the 3rd - they were -1/-2 CF in the 3rd, which is alright considering their deep DZ deployment. The Hawks as a whole had a very good 3rd period, highlighted by the goal - played smart hockey and won. Wish they'd done it the first half of the game too, but still, that was a brightside.

Nash-Spooner have been some of the best possession driving players on the Bruins, I'm not surprised they held that Kero line pined. That line doesn't score much but they shutdown player. I was actually surprised the Bruins didn't have Nash on the PAK line - Bergeron's line had trouble with PAK all night (Kane/Panarin were +16, Seabrook-Kempny were +19/20).

Blues lose yet again...

...looking more and more like the departure of Backes and Brouwer hurt that club.
- ArlingtonRob

Allen and Hutton having the 2nd worst sv% at 5v5 and worst in all situations has probably hurt more.

so how many do the caps score tonight vs the leaky fins...

Blues lose yet again...

...looking more and more like the departure of Backes and Brouwer hurt that club.
- ArlingtonRob

when will they finally trade shatty...

the blues implosion is a thing a beauty...may it continue...

it appears it is now the wild/hawks for the divsion...and lets be honest either team is capable of death spiral

when will they finally trade shatty...

the blues implosion is a thing a beauty...may it continue...

it appears it is now the wild/hawks for the divsion...and lets be honest either team is capable of death spiral
- bogiedoc

My cue for what? Those numbers are right - that line got pinned a lot while facing the Nash line most of the night, but they took advantage of the Bruins not being able to make a full change. Nash got on but neither Spooner or Backes did, so it left Vatrano, Belesky, and McQuaid out there. Vatrano never even makes it into the play and McQuaid fails to notice Hossa until it was too late. Credit to the Kero line that once they had the opening, they capitalized.




That line also wasn't that bad in terms of possession in the 3rd - they were -1/-2 CF in the 3rd, which is alright considering their deep DZ deployment. The Hawks as a whole had a very good 3rd period, highlighted by the goal - played smart hockey and won. Wish they'd done it the first half of the game too, but still, that was a brightside.

Nash-Spooner have been some of the best possession driving players on the Bruins, I'm not surprised they held that Kero line pined. That line doesn't score much but they shutdown player. I was actually surprised the Bruins didn't have Nash on the PAK line - Bergeron's line had trouble with PAK all night (Kane/Panarin were +16, Seabrook-Kempny were +19/20).
- L_B_R

The cue for you to school him. Again.

Dominos





Tracy:


Minor-league deal for the #Blackhawks: they acquire F Michael Latta for D Cameron Schilling.
- mrpaulish

I remember him being an agitator like a Shaw lite in Washington. I wanted the Hawks to sign him as a FA. Question is does he come up to replace tootoo?

Dominos





Tracy:


Minor-league deal for the #Blackhawks: they acquire F Michael Latta for D Cameron Schilling.
- mrpaulish

when will they finally trade shatty...

the blues implosion is a thing a beauty...may it continue...

it appears it is now the wild/hawks for the divsion...and lets be honest either team is capable of death spiral
- bogiedoc

It's always been my thought that once Backus and Hitch are gone, the blows will be a team to be reckoned with. Might be wrong. At least about Backus. Maybe should have added Elliott too. They really are a dumpster fire right now! The blows will fire Hitch before they get rid of Shattenkirk. They have too much talent to be this crappy. I think we will see the Yeo era sooner than later.

Hate to say it, but living on the Ill side of StL, I'm loving watching this "death spiral"! Well, actually, no I don't hate saying it.

It's always been my thought that once Backus and Hitch are gone, the blows will be a team to be reckoned with. Might be wrong. At least about Backus. Maybe should have added Elliott too. They really are a dumpster fire right now! The blows will fire Hitch before they get rid of Shattenkirk. They have too much talent to be this crappy. I think we will see the Yeo era sooner than later.

Hate to say it, but living on the Ill side of StL, I'm loving watching this "death spiral"! Well, actually, no I don't hate saying it.
- Matt_Foleys_bro

They're essentially the same team that knocked us out of the playoffs last year. The key is Allen is in a bad place, and they don't have a legitimate backup.

I don't see them as grinders. Lot of quality players. Last spring I didn't feel like the hawks had their number for more than 1 game. Don't underestimate them.

They're essentially the same team that knocked us out of the playoffs last year. The key is Allen is in a bad place, and they don't have a legitimate backup.

I don't see them as grinders. Lot of quality players. Last spring I didn't feel like the hawks had their number for more than 1 game. Don't underestimate them.
- kinigitt

I'm not really underestimating them. I'm just worried once they get rid of Hitch, they might actually turn the corner. To me, the Hitch era was over a year and a half ago. And I'll just say that a lot of things went the blows way last year in playoffs...lucky bounce off D skate, poor (IMO) lineup choices, not winning at least one of our first two home games, what looked like a tired team, no luck bouncing pucks off pipes, etc. We were probably due to get ousted early. Just hated it being them. Hope we got rejuvenated in that off-season...and hungrier!!!

They're essentially the same team that knocked us out of the playoffs last year. The key is Allen is in a bad place, and they don't have a legitimate backup.

I don't see them as grinders. Lot of quality players. Last spring I didn't feel like the hawks had their number for more than 1 game. Don't underestimate them.
- kinigitt

Minus Backus and Brouwer lot less net presence and I'm not sold on Allen

I'm not really underestimating them. I'm just worried once they get rid of Hitch, they might actually turn the corner. To me, the Hitch era was over a year and a half ago. And I'll just say that a lot of things went the blows way last year in playoffs...lucky bounce off D skate, poor (IMO) lineup choices, not winning at least one of our first two home games, what looked like a tired team, no luck bouncing pucks off pipes, etc. We were probably due to get ousted early. Just hated it being them. Hope we got rejuvenated in that off-season...and hungrier!!!
- Matt_Foleys_bro

Isn't Yeo the heir apparent for Hitch though? Yeo lead some decent Wild teams to mostly meh results. Dubnyk saved Yeo's job for half a season.

Or to replace TVR if he is dealt to Detroit.

Here is the detroit story: Report: Blackhawks have 'sniffed around' Red Wings' Nyquist, Tatar
http://www.thescore.com/news/1214006
(via http://thesco.re/theScore_app )

Tatar looked good with Hossa, just saying. RFA at the end of the season
- ikeane

I wouldn't be all that surprised to see TVR moved in a trade, especially if it betters the team. It looks like he's going to be exposed at the expansion draft, it so looks like he'll be gone next year anyway.

Minus Backus and Brouwet lot less net presence and I'm not sold on Allen
- BetweenTheDots

Can't win on the road, goaltending is minor league level - have given up as many goals this year as Colorado. Without Brouwer and Backes they aren't as physical and those 2 guys were lost as UFA's. Armstrong going to let Shattenkirk walk for nothing too?

And who hires an assistant to work with an outgoing coach a year ahead of time - when things are going badly who's going to listen to Fatso reaming them out?

If the slide they are on continues they could miss the postseason - I think Nashville is going to pass them. Next 2 games are on the road in Pittsburgh and Minny.

Isn't Yeo the heir apparent for Hitch though? Yeo lead some decent Wild teams to mostly meh results. Dubnyk saved Yeo's job for half a season.
- L_B_R

Yeah he's their coach in waiting. I thought that could become awkward when I first heard about it.

I wouldn't be all that surprised to see TVR moved in a trade, especially if it betters the team. It looks like he's going to be exposed at the expansion draft, it so looks like he'll be gone next year anyway.
- walleyeb1

If TVR goes, they'll have to look at getting a d-man back and/or signed before the expansion draft that mets the 40/70 games played rule. TVR is currently the only one in the org that fits in that category.

Isn't Yeo the heir apparent for Hitch though? Yeo lead some decent Wild teams to mostly meh results. Dubnyk saved Yeo's job for half a season.
- L_B_R

He is. He's also knocked out the blues in the playoffs if I remember right. I guess I'm of the thought that a change might benefit Yeo and the blues. Out from the Hitchcock whip so to speak...actually I hope they do nothing and continue to wallow in mediocrity.

so how many do the caps score tonight vs the leaky fins...
- bogiedoc

ok once again WRONG...stars up 3-1 after 2....however the caps could still blow the doors off of the stars in the 3rd...

ok once again WRONG...stars up 3-1 after 2....however the caps could still blow the doors off of the stars in the 3rd...
- bogiedoc

Stars doing something the Hawks and Blues had trouble with - keeping shots away from their goalies to start the game. Stars only had 12 shots against at 5v5 through the first two periods (though Lehtonen did get scored on one of the first ones). Facing Grubauer instead of Holtby helps too, but Stars are bringing it in terms of possession that they just haven't pretty much all year. I'm betting the Caps will turn it on in the 3rd and the pressure could pop on Lehtonen.

And Caps tie it.

And Caps tie it.
- L_B_R

and there ya go...was not aware holtby out...