Looks like the remainder of the regular will be aggravating, unwatchable hockey.

But I'm sure they'll flip the switch in the playoffs.

Charlie Roumeliotis‏
@CRoumeliotis
#Blackhawks finished with 44 shot attempts (37 at even strength, 32 on goal total). Lightning had 74 attempts (52 at EV, 30 on goal).

I know it's on the whole team, but sure seems like a defensive breakdown.
- pdx2ord

That's basically what Troy said in the post game.

Hey, why is everybody panicking? The Hawks are in a little mini slump , but still getting points. It's a long season my friends and the last time I looked the Hawks will finish first in the West. Past history will tell you the Hawks seem to always play possum toward the end of the season... However when it's playoff time the Hawks will put the foot down on the pedal and Kick ass.

P.S Seabrook and Panarin should be on the bench for a game... Their game was atrocious

Panarin cherry picking then turning it over all game long. Where's the back checking ? Toews looked good. Overall not a bad game.

One of the worst games I've ever seen from Panarin.
- TommyHawk

Maybe need to watch more games - he's a very weak forward outside the offensive zone and off the puck. And without AA, the flaws are more magnified.

I was going to ask why Hayden played only 9:21 and I just saw the answer - on Tampa's 2nd goal Hayden came into the middle and left his man wide open to receive a pass from Drouin and then get a clean shot that Drouin deflected in. Hayden totally misplayed that and Q stapled him to the bench for most of the rest of the game.
- EbonyRaptor

Lots of pressure on lots of young'uns...but I'm sure they'll be flawless in the playoffs.

Great experience, but that's a big burden to place of young players. Trial by fire.

Maybe need to watch more games - he's a very weak forward outside the offensive zone and off the puck. And without AA, the flaws are more magnified.
- RickJ

Could 72 be the surprise guy JJ was talking about at the end of the season?

Charlie Roumeliotis‏
@CRoumeliotis
#Blackhawks finished with 44 shot attempts (37 at even strength, 32 on goal total). Lightning had 74 attempts (52 at EV, 30 on goal).

I know it's on the whole team, but sure seems like a defensive breakdown.
- pdx2ord

They gave up too many SATs, but not many got thrunto the net: only 30 of the 74, only 20 (not 30) of the 52.

Lots of blocks (23).

So - 52 SAT 5x5 isn't awful, but a mixed bag overall.

Lots of pressure on lots of young'uns...but I'm sure they'll be flawless in the playoffs.

Great experience, but that's a big burden to place of young players. Trial by fire.
- ArlingtonRob

I just wish Q would tamp down on his temper during these games that don't matter THAT much to let them make mistakes and learn now v. in the playoffs. We can't win in the playoffs without them taking fairly normal workload so we have four lines going. And, they are our speed.

Hey, why is everybody panicking? The Hawks are in a little mini slump , but still getting points. It's a long season my friends and the last time I looked the Hawks will finish first in the West. Past history will tell you the Hawks seem to always play possum toward the end of the season... However when it's playoff time the Hawks will put the foot down on the pedal and Kick ass.

P.S Seabrook and Panarin should be on the bench for a game... Their game was atrocious
- spanky

Not buying it.

Past history shows that awful special teams generally don't improve in the playoffs...and bad special team play in the playoffs will not yield success.

Looks like the remainder of the regular will be aggravating, unwatchable hockey.

But I'm sure they'll flip the switch in the playoffs.
- ArlingtonRob

You're probably right, Q will be trying out different combinations and players to see who's most ready for then playoffs.

Getting Anisimov back will certainly help. Kero looked decent tonight, better than Hartman between 72 and 88. Granted, it's just one game and I know he's not the next 2C. It's just nice to see Kero play well.

Not buying it.

Awful special teams generally don't improve in the playoffs.
- ArlingtonRob

Too late in the season to hope their special teams will drastically improve. Need to stay out of the box and rely on a hot goalie with this messy PK scheme in place.

the hawks the last 6-7 games have been like gumps box of chocalates: you never know what you are going get

but whole lota shots against with grade A chances...

will they or can they tighten things up...cuz when craw or darling don't stand on head...things get very ugly

Hey, why is everybody panicking? The Hawks are in a little mini slump , but still getting points. It's a long season my friends and the last time I looked the Hawks will finish first in the West. Past history will tell you the Hawks seem to always play possum toward the end of the season... However when it's playoff time the Hawks will put the foot down on the pedal and Kick ass.

P.S Seabrook and Panarin should be on the bench for a game... Their game was atrocious
- spanky

Hossa's offensive skills are being wasted plying with Kruger.

Panarin needs to learn sometimes it's ok to dump the puck.

Seabrook had a forgetable game.

Once again, the NHL proves their officiating sucks.

Not trying to preach doom n gloom but Flames Preds Blues Ducks and Oilers trending up and Hawks , Sharks Wild trending down. West wide open. The Hawks have to right this ship these last few games. Just like the beginning of the year the penalty kill is a disaster.

Hossa's offensive skills are being wasted plying with Kruger.

Panarin needs to learn sometimes it's ok to dump the puck.

Seabrook had a forgetable game.

Once again, the NHL proves their officiating sucks.
- tompo1015

Not in OT - need to maintain possession.

Which is why Hjalmarsson should not have been carrying the puck into the o-zone on the first possession.

Yep...bad special teams will likely kill this club.
- ArlingtonRob

Again.......let's not play Kempny at all and just wear out 2,7,4 and 51.
Wouldn't this be a good time to see if Kempny can play ?
In this situation, at this time of the year, with nothing to lose, try him on the PP in place of 2.....and use him in OT when he can skate freely. He certainly couldn't be any worse than Seabrook or Hammer tonight.

[quote=spanky]Hey, why is everybody panicking? The Hawks are in a little mini slump , but still getting points. It's a long season my friends and the last time I looked the Hawks will finish first in the West. Past history will tell you the Hawks seem to always play possum toward the end of the season... However when it's playoff time the Hawks will put the foot down on the pedal and Kick ass.
You mean like last year.

But your right can't panic they have been the best in the west for the most part , but that PK , and there has been some bad goaltending and defence.

Not in OT - need to maintain possession.

Which is why Hjalmarsson should not have been carrying the puck into the o-zone on the first possession.
- StLBravesFan

For sure, because without the puck #72 is a dangerous liability.

But had he scored on his partial breakaway in OT, all of his sh$tty play in the game would have been forgotten.

Duncan with 28:29 min
Hammer with 25:39 min
Kane with 24 min

They all looked tired. Know he doesn't want to, but Q may want to sit them before the playoffs. Keith proved he wasn't a cyborg when his knee gave out.

Q's stopped trying to roll four lines. Feeling like the period leading up to the playoffs last year.

Good news is that it sounds like Anisimov is expected to be back for 1-2 games before the playoffs.
- pdx2ord

Very good news - where did you see that?

Much like every other team the Blackhawks go through ups and downs. The difference is that they have the talent and experience to turn things around when it matters most.

Is this team perfect? No.
Does this team need to tighten up a few things? Absolutely.
Have we seen cold streaks like this before? Yes.
Have the Hawks turned things around after these previous cold streaks? Yes.
Is there any reason to believe the boys won't get things straightened out when the playoffs start? Absolutely not.

Maybe need to watch more games - he's a very weak forward outside the offensive zone and off the puck. And without AA, the flaws are more magnified.
- RickJ

I think Panarin isn't bad in the d-zone - he battles and seems to be in the proper position. Panarin's problem is in the neutral zone where he still hasn't learned NHL d-men use their sticks effectively and trying to deke at the blue line is a bad play.

Hey, DK -- sorry to hear about your family's loss. Hope the game gives you a break from that stuff and you can bring home a Blackhawk winner!

I feel the boys will get their act together after getting embarrassed on Saturday.
- Hank_Greenberg

Hey Hank thanks for your thoughts...meanwhile just back from the game down here in Tampa. Another ET phone home game for the Hawks. Despite the start and the 4-1 lead they looked like crap most of the evening.

Special teams were brutal...2 delay of game penalties that within seconds were in the back of our net. And the power play was absolutely horrid. Panarin with the dreaded turnover in overtime and it was over.

So that's 12 goals in two games. Can't blame the netminders the squad in front of them hasn't been up to snuff of late especially team defense. Some disturbing trends of late. Sure you can say this game doesn't mean much to the Hawks as the close in on the #1 seed in the West but...as someone mentioned you have to have real concerns about this team moving forward as they face their first real adversity since January.

Having Hartman and hopefully Anisimov back will make a difference

I'm interested to see how they come out Wednesday evening against the Pens in a game they might actually care about.

Aside from the blown defensive coverage on Tampa's 2nd goal, I thought Hayden played well. He had 5 hits in his 9:21 and he made several good plays either chasing the puck down in the o-zone or bulling the puck out of the d-zone. If he can learn from the mistake in the d-zone tonight, then I think he is certainly a better option for the 4th line than Desjardins, Rasmussen or Tootoo.

Likewise Jurco played well. His speed and high energy is noticeable. scoring that greasy goal tonight hopefully takes some of the pressure off and he can play with more confidence and maybe more goals come.

When Anisimov is back:

Schmaltz-Toews-Panik
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Hartman-Kruger-Hossa
Hayden-Kero-Jurco