Can we put Pitt into the western conf?

Good game, they looked like a team, although
can't see the love for Bouma.
- gazza53

Pitt is a cheap shot team - we already have the Blues. Someone needs to knock Crosby into next season. Both he and Malkin intent to injure.

Good and entertaining game. Glad the Hawks challenged that goal and the refs didn't mess it up. The powerplay was powerful enough (was due to bounce back over time here) and most of the Hawks core looked decent. Toews/Kane/Sharp/AA with 18 shots between them. Still think they should swap #14 and #12 in the lineup.
- breadbag

I'll put a ticket into the Q

See what I did there?

Shut up, my dad is cooler than your dad

Dept of player safety, should be busy tomorrow, Habs
Weber, Benn, Pacioretty, went wild on the Leafs, plus
Malkin.

I'll put a ticket into the Q

See what I did there?

Shut up, my dad is cooler than your dad
- Stan_Bowman

He wasn't cool when he was coaching Pitt to your cup vs. the Blackhawks.

Dept of player safety, should be busy tomorrow, Habs
Weber, Benn, Pacioretty, went wild on the Leafs, plus
Malkin.
- gazza53

I'm sure they are taking the week off for the holiday.

I'm sure they are taking the week off for the holiday.
- powerenforcer

Nice game tonight for the good guys.

They need to continue to squeeze out wins like this to put themselves in a good spot.

John Dietz‏
@johndietzdh

Jonathan Toews' numbers:
Through 20 games this season: 5G, 8A, +4, 58 shots
Through 20 games last season: 4G, 8A, +3, 52 shots

Patrick Kane's numbers:
Through 20 games this season: 6G, 13A, -1, 68 shots
Through 20 games last season: 6G, 14A, +3, 69 shots

Artem Anisimov averaged 1.8 shots on goal the first 16 games.
Last 4 games (since he moved up to 2nd-line center), he's averaged 4.8 SOG.
And he has 5 goals.

John Dietz‏
@johndietzdh

Jonathan Toews' numbers:
Through 20 games this season: 5G, 8A, +4, 58 shots
Through 20 games last season: 4G, 8A, +3, 52 shots

Patrick Kane's numbers:
Through 20 games this season: 6G, 13A, -1, 68 shots
Through 20 games last season: 6G, 14A, +3, 69 shots

Artem Anisimov averaged 1.8 shots on goal the first 16 games.
Last 4 games (since he moved up to 2nd-line center), he's averaged 4.8 SOG.
And he has 5 goals.
- pdx2ord

A somewhat minor thing I noticed, tonight was Toews 1st secondary assist of the year, all his previous were primary assists up until now. He and Kane share the team lead in primary assists at 7 each.

I'd really like to see the Hawks find a legit 3C if AA is gonna stay at 2C. If Chicago can land someone with defensive ability or a decent 2 way game, it would really solidify the forward lines in my books. At this point, I'd sit Sharp (which sucks because I thought he had a good camp and was looking like he'd still be effective on the 3rd line.)

For example, if the Hawks find a solid 3C.

Saad - Toews - DeBrincat
Schmaltz - AA - Kane
Hartman - 3C - Panik
Bouma - Wingels - Hayden

Nice game tonight for the good guys.

They need to continue to squeeze out wins like this to put themselves in a good spot.
- Justin Lowe

just caught up on replay....both goalies were outstanding...murray and crossbar kept this from hawks getting 4 or 5. hawks d was very good...nice tip by keith on pitts only goal...

would like to know why malkin doesn't get 5 and a game misconduct for the head shot to crawford....oh well

forsling was excellent again...toews looked better

as jl said the type of game low scoring games hawks need to win..

Back from game, quick thoughts then I'm out.

-Toews was awesome. It's really only a matter of time before that line breaks out. Toews was really playing a fast paced game, lots of nice passes.

-Defense was decent. Forsling continues to impress

-AA is a handful down low

-Crow and Murray were great

-I don't know the numbers, but faceoffs had to be good

-The PowerPlay generated some great looks. Much better

-Rutta and Forsling carried heavy minutes...on ice in key situations.

-If not for G/I that took away Pens 2nd goal, Bouma is goat a he got in his own teammates way on clear.

-I didn't see much of Hayden, but when I did he was noticable

-I did not think the Malkin hit on Crawford was a head shot. The point of contact was more with Crow's stick. I did see Crosby punch a guy in the face early in the game. Game was very nasty early. I thought it was gonna get ugly. But they cleaned it up.

I'd really like to see the Hawks find a legit 3C if AA is gonna stay at 2C. If Chicago can land someone with defensive ability or a decent 2 way game, it would really solidify the forward lines in my books. At this point, I'd sit Sharp (which sucks because I thought he had a good camp and was looking like he'd still be effective on the 3rd line.)

For example, if the Hawks find a solid 3C.

Saad - Toews - DeBrincat
Schmaltz - AA - Kane
Hartman - 3C - Panik
Bouma - Wingels - Hayden
- breadbag

Hinostroza should get a shot at the 3C role.

Back from game, quick thoughts then I'm out.

-I did not think the Malkin hit on Crawford was a head shot. The point of contact was more with Crow's stick. I did see Crosby punch a guy in the face early in the game. Game was very nasty early. I thought it was gonna get ugly. But they cleaned it up.
- kwolf68

It looked to me like Malkin went out of his way to make sure his hip made contact with Crow. He could have easily avoided the contact but he seemingly chose not to. I would hope that gets a hearing.

Hinostroza should get a shot at the 3C role.
- DarthKane

His "celly" after this goal says, "WHY AM I HERE?"

https://twitter.com/TheAH...status/932078814053699584

Back from game, quick thoughts then I'm out.

-Toews was awesome. It's really only a matter of time before that line breaks out. Toews was really playing a fast paced game, lots of nice passes.

-Defense was decent. Forsling continues to impress

-AA is a handful down low

-Crow and Murray were great

-I don't know the numbers, but faceoffs had to be good

-The PowerPlay generated some great looks. Much better



-Rutta and Forsling carried heavy minutes...on ice in key situations.

-If not for G/I that took away Pens 2nd goal, Bouma is goat a he got in his own teammates way on clear.

-I didn't see much of Hayden, but when I did he was noticable

-I did not think the Malkin hit on Crawford was a head shot. The point of contact was more with Crow's stick. I did see Crosby punch a guy in the face early in the game. Game was very nasty early. I thought it was gonna get ugly. But they cleaned it up.
- kwolf68

agree with all your points...but malkin hit him in the end; his skate kicked craws stick...was it malicious or intentional? probably not...still deserved a 5 min major

https://twitter.com/twitt...atuses/932058234092998656

Hinostroza should get a shot at the 3C role.
- DarthKane

By default?

we are already plugging hartman in a unnatural position, how about i get a natural 3C, Hino isnt it

you need size down the middle and going from Hartman (which is already questionable) to Hino is asking for trouble come playoff time

I'd really like to see the Hawks find a legit 3C if AA is gonna stay at 2C. If Chicago can land someone with defensive ability or a decent 2 way game, it would really solidify the forward lines in my books. At this point, I'd sit Sharp (which sucks because I thought he had a good camp and was looking like he'd still be effective on the 3rd line.)

For example, if the Hawks find a solid 3C.

Saad - Toews - DeBrincat
Schmaltz - AA - Kane
Hartman - 3C - Panik
Bouma - Wingels - Hayden
- breadbag

We have the perfect 3C on this team if he would agree to play it like the team needs him to. .....Patrick Sharp !!

I know he's played center before and he's pretty good at the dot, always has been. He's still fast, smart hockey IQ, and could be a real defensive pest, ...IF..... he could accept this role.

This is where Q and management needs to step in. Sharp is no longer the offensive threat on the wing. Accepting this role would help solidify the team's defensive strengths and open the spot to use the Hossa cap space to aquire a power forward for the top 6.

Think of how good he could be as a Dave Boland type 3C where his sole responsibility would be to stick to the top centers on the other team ?? He could be great at it, if he accepted it as a challenge......and a HUGE plus for our Blackhawks at 1M a year......AND....extend his career if he would turn out to be a great shut down defensive center.

We have the perfect 3C on this team if he would agree to play it like the team needs him to. .....Patrick Sharp !!

I know he's played center before and he's pretty good at the dot, always has been. He's still fast, smart hockey IQ, and could be a real defensive pest, ...IF..... he could accept this role.

This is where Q and management needs to step in. Sharp is no longer the offensive threat on the wing. Accepting this role would help solidify the team's defensive strengths and open the spot to use the Hossa cap space to aquire a power forward for the top 6.

Think of how good he could be as a Dave Boland type 3C where his sole responsibility would be to stick to the top centers on the other team ?? He could be great at it, if he accepted it as a challenge......and a HUGE plus for our Blackhawks at 1M a year......AND....extend his career if he would turn out to be a great shut down defensive center.
- Hawkytalk

Sharpie at 3C in a shutdown roles works for me, bigtime. He would have to be careful to not let himself get beat up, though. His speed and tenaciousness could make it work.

That Toews Interview above say's it all .We are so F__king lucky to have this guy on our side .He is was and always will be a great Captain . And to those that think we should move him Ever Fu_k U !!!


Nobody doubts his desire to play. Yes the guy has been a huge factor in the re-birth of this franchise and the 3 Cups. But he has done something in how he trains and that has affected his ability out there. He looks too thin to me. He no longer has that core strength to anchor out there and win pucks. The guy could cycle, win the puck drive to the net and score. Now he is getting tossed off the puck like nothing. He is touting this new health/diet thing and he just does not look the same.

Yes he is a leader, but he needs to go back to a training style that will put the strength/power back on his frame. Everyone in here agrees. He is not and has not been the same since 2015. Whether its the training/diet change, wear and tear from being beat on or something else. He made a comment in the off season that he was going to change his training to make him faster. NO!! We dont need that. 19 was never known for speed. He made his mark as a tough as nails down low player that could hunt the puck. Win it. Cycle and then score. Again whatever he did he looks too thin and no longer has the strength that made him a force down low.
- z1990z

Totally agree
Hes in great shape for marathons but he is not a marathon runner
Put 20 pounds back on with ten going back on his ass and be the power player he was
With the added weight he just might find that lost burst he had when he was more powerful. Start eating red meat and forget the tofu

Did we see the start of the transition of Keith as the number one d to Forsling.
Forsling TOI is going up and with his continued improvement he will be the number one defenseman

Did we see the start of the transition of Keith as the number one d to Forsling.
Forsling TOI is going up and with his continued improvement he will be the number one defenseman
- molly2522

It would be great to see Forsling continue to impress and needs to play at this level consistantly.

I personally don't think he's #1 D material, however, if he remains a top 4 for the rest of the year, that helps this Hawks team immensely moving forward.

Did we see the start of the transition of Keith as the number one d to Forsling.
Forsling TOI is going up and with his continued improvement he will be the number one defenseman
- molly2522

It'd be nice if we could get and keep Kempny on the ice so he could develop as well.

The biggest difference i see in the past 4 games are 3 things.

Hawks are playing much faster in transition, offensively and defensively.

Defenseman getting pucks to the net without pausing

Net front presence, lots of it and players with the puck just throwing it to the front of the net in hopes that a play can be made.

Who would of ever guessed

AA 10 goals
Panarin 4 goals