Yes Rob YES! Come see the light! A fine compliment indeed. Keep up the positivity!!!
- SimpleJack

What, you missed the part when Rob lamented Toews' terrible play and how we deserved to lose the game 6-0.

Just heard Laine got 2 more tonight for the Jets.

That puts him at 30 for the year.

He's 18

I think the Jets have a good one there.

What, you missed the part when Rob lamented Toews' terrible play and how we deserved to lose the game 6-0.


- busmaster

Tonight?!? No need to make shyt up...my normal cynicism should be enough.

Did you miss me complaining about the absurdly awful Hawk special teams?

i personally have a hard time believing that he has any regrets at all..this is 100% just my opinion...but he gets to play with PK, he gets to play for the Chicago Blackhawks- arguably the face of the NHL, he lives in Chicago which is a very diverse city and probably one of the best for him to migrate to from Russia, he just got a guaranteed $12M over the next two seasons, and is going to get paid fat again when that contract is up! I think he just needs to start shooting the puck more! he will get it going.
- frafra

So then could it be that its just another StanBo wink wink nudge nudge where he's simply letting up to avoid triggering those incentives...

Just a thought.

Just heard Laine got 2 more tonight for the Jets.

That puts him at 30 for the year.

He's 18

I think the Jets have a good one there.
- ArlingtonRob

Wow... Didn't he have like 16 two weeks ago?

Tonight?!? No need to make shyt up...my normal cynicism should be enough.

Did you miss me complaining about the absurdly awful Hawk special teams?
- ArlingtonRob

It was pretty pitiful... Especially in the third.

If your Coach and Captain are providing encouragement and what you are doing gets you plenty of ice time, anybody's confidence would go up. That's what you are seeing with both Panik and Schmaltz. And I'd say Hossa is probably behind the scenes helping with Panik's game.

More scoring help - how about Panarin doing some of that.
- RickJ

Love Hossa.

I think Panarin will get it going. im not worried about him. every year the hawks have won the cup, they have have four deep lines in the playoffs. they are so close. IMO I feel they are missing one more piece. whether that's a player who is a bottom six guy who can put the puck in, or it's a 1LW who you can put next to Toews and drop Panik down to another line.

i am not saying these guys havent played well, but in a seven game series I still don't know how I feel about the potential of the Hawks fourth line being 3 rookies with hartman kero and hino. I know there is a lot of time between now and the start of the playoffs to improve- these are just things I think about.

either way, I really love how this team is gelling and coming together when it's mattering the most.

It was pretty pitiful... Especially in the third.
- busmaster

The Hawks of late have me feeling better, but the special teams is a real problem.

When was the last time a club with one of the worst PK's and at best a marginal PP gone on a run in the post season? Unless, they magically find special team success in the post season it'll likely be their demise.

People can say what they want about the Captain's physical issues but he's the definition of a leader. On the CSN after-game interview with Edzo and Foley; even though he gets his 2nd career 5-point game, all he wants to talk about is the strides Panik and Schmaltz have made. The whole package may not be worth $10.5M but he's worth a lot.
- ILGolfer

Hey Golf...extended interview with the Captain after the game and all he wanted to do was talk about his linemates.

So how much do they tweak this lineup...? I'm thrilled that Toews is feeling better from the bad back that has plagued his season. Impressed with Schmaltz's game. The kid has played well...especially his defense. Beauty of a pass Toews there from behind the net.

Panik another goal...Hossa pushed them getting this kid and its paid off. This might end up being Stan's best move...when you consider the deal.

So what do they do here? Palat/Boyle/Hazal remain interesting...at the same time we saw last spring that an overload of forwards can interfere with chemistry. The kids are playing well right now...but does an add or two help this team later on in the spring?

Also thought the defense played well...especially TVR...and a stellar effort by Crawford.

The Hawks of late have me feeling better, but the special teams is a real problem.

When was the last time a club with one of the worst PK's and at best a marginal PP gone on a run in the post season? Unless, they magically find special team success in the post season it'll likely be their demise.
- ArlingtonRob

In fairness the first PPG allowed was when Hammer was in the box. He is the most important cog in the PK, period. As for the PP, look on the bright side. The Hawks got 5 even strength goals. Wasn't long ago when we were all talking about how they couldn't score 5 on 5.

The Hawks of late have me feeling better, but the special teams is a real problem.

When was the last time a club with one of the worst PK's and at best a marginal PP gone on a run in the post season? Unless, they magically find special team success in the post season it'll likely be their demise.
- ArlingtonRob

Hey Rob, have to agree on the special teams. As soon as the Wild got that PP I knew they were in trouble. Hawks meanwhile 0-2 on the powerplay and Minni 2 for 2. That's a 4 goal swing.

In fairness the first PPG allowed was when Hammer was in the box. He is the most important cog in the PK, period. As for the PP, look on the bright side. The Hawks got 5 even strength goals. Wasn't long ago when we were all talking about how they couldn't score 5 on 5.
- 333inthe3rd

I agree with all of this...as it pertains to tonight"s game. But for the remainder of the season, and playoffs, the Hawks MUST find a penalty kill.

In the playoff grind the PK is...IMO...absurdly important. I'd rather have a lock down PK and a garbage PP any day of the week.

Great game. A major test game and they aced it.

It got me thinking. I'm guessing Q wants to keep Kruger for the playoffs. If that is the case, I'm not sure how they get one of these more expensive LWs with extra term on their contracts like Duchene, Palat, JVR, etc.

Schmaltz and Hartman are both playing solidly and are on their ELCs. I could see one of them added to a deal for one of those more expensive LWs, but I don't see them being traded for a rental. I kind of think they both are staying.

So, maybe a lower cost rental LW. I like the Tatar option since he's an RFA after this year and might be re-signable or might bring back an asset if he signs elsewhere. Vanek? Why not? He'd need to beat out Schmaltz or Ras or Hartman for playing time. It'd be nice to have him for the playoffs in a better than nothing kind of way.

But the defense. Maybe it is getting more likely that the Blackhawks add a depth defender than a LW?

Gotta like how the team is playing right now; especially after tonight. I think they're going to win the division.

One last thing - how about 19 perfectly bisecting the net on the ENG under duress from 200 feet away?

Amazing!

I am totally drinking the Kool-aid...

Hey Rob, have to agree on the special teams. As soon as the Wild got that PP I knew they were in trouble. Hawks meanwhile 0-2 on the powerplay and Minni 2 for 2. That's a 4 goal swing.
- DK002

Yep...with a solid kill the Hawks win tonights game in a rout, even with zip on the PP. They dominated 5 on 5...

Kid line did well. Vinny showed some good energy and pace and Hartman was forechecking and played a solid two way game. His stick placement and utilization is a little underrated and it seems to be improving. The hockey IQ is there.

And.... would also like to see Panarin shoot the puck more.

Why was Gionta being discussed earlier. Hopefully Stan isn't considering acquiring him. We don't need to trade for a small winger.

Kid line did well. Vinny showed some good energy and pace and Hartman was forechecking and played a solid two way game. His stick placement and utilization is a little underrated and it seems to be improving. The hockey IQ is there.

And.... would also like to see Panarin shoot the puck more.
- 93Joe

I noticed Kero was out on the ice again shortly after his penalty. Nice vote of confidence there by Q.

I agree with all of this...as it pertains to tonight"s game. But for the remainder of the season, and playoffs, the Hawks MUST find a penalty kill.

In the playoff grind the PK is...IMO...absurdly important. I'd rather have a lock down PK and a garbage PP any day of the week.
- ArlingtonRob

Another reason they miss Oduya at his best. He and Hammer were so good as a shutdown pair.

Two scoring lines. You take one away you have to worry about the other one. One shutdown line with a little scoring (Hossa). One young energy line with a little offense. Pretty good combination.

Why was Gionta being discussed earlier. Hopefully Stan isn't considering acquiring him. We don't need to trade for a small RIGHT winger.
- EbonyRaptor

Fixed.

So the Hawks really don't need him.

Or was it Stephen Gionta? ...I think he can play the left side.
Just looked him up...looks like he's just about done. Doing little for the Isles this year, and hadn't fully realized how little he did for NJ. Marginal player always in the east.

Nice game, but still need a top six LW for the team to carry the mail through a playoff run.
- Return of the Roar

You got one. Schmaltz. Are you oblivious to talent? Glad you're not a Hawks scout.

Wow...this assessment of Panik is...interesting.

Completely wrong, but interesting. I'd say Panik is one of the best acquisitions SB has made. Complete steal. I hope Richard is a Hawks for many years to come.
- ArlingtonRob

See, Rob, it can be fun to focus on the positive!

You got one. Schmaltz. Are you oblivious to talent? Glad you're not a Hawks scout.
- BMWChiFan

Respectfully B, how many NHL playoff games has Schmaltz played, where the speed is amped up, space and maneuvering gets smaller, and where the smallest mistake can cost you a game? We can revisit this discussion another time when we have more empirical data and observations, but for now... solid game by Schmaltz who is getting more confident. If the Bowman's are out talking to GMs who have good amounts of young forwards who can play in the Top 6, and these are guys who have been in the league for a few years and most know what playoff hockey is like. I also wouldn't take what Toews said a couple weeks ago about acquiring another top 6 guy off the table. There is a reason, and right now, a top 6 C/W can create matchup issues and make the team more formidable.

Hey Golf...extended interview with the Captain after the game and all he wanted to do was talk about his linemates.

So how much do they tweak this lineup...? I'm thrilled that Toews is feeling better from the bad back that has plagued his season. Impressed with Schmaltz's game. The kid has played well...especially his defense. Beauty of a pass Toews there from behind the net.

Panik another goal...Hossa pushed them getting this kid and its paid off. This might end up being Stan's best move...when you consider the deal.

So what do they do here? Palat/Boyle/Hazal remain interesting...at the same time we saw last spring that an overload of forwards can interfere with chemistry. The kids are playing well right now...but does an add or two help this team later on in the spring?

Also thought the defense played well...especially TVR...and a stellar effort by Crawford.
- DK002

No. Let the team as it is continue to grow more confident as they play together and improve. Everyone is contributing (except perhaps Kruger.) Don't mess with it.