Hawks are 6 - 7 in the 13 shoot outs this year - this is an important part of the game and should be an emphasis in practice.

Not sure how much they do, but apparently not enough - until a couple of games ago, only Toews and Kane had scored this year.

But even Kane - can't someone coach him to not get in so deep before shooting that he can't lift the puck over the sprawled goalie? That's how he and Sharp usually miss.
- StLBravesFan

no kidding ask the Flames about that...they have lost 16 in OT and shootouts this year...

Let me rant for a moment...

I watch because I luv the game. I watch because I've been a Hawks fan since 1970. I watch because it's a compulsion. I watch because I hope for the best and luv to be surprised.

And I get pissed when my expectations do not match results, and knowing the Hawks post season chances will almost assuredly depend on quality D and goaltending, combined with good special teams play...I am skeptical of advancing past the first round.

...and the last time I checked there is no rule at HockeyBuzz that I must be a meatball fan full of optimism when a quick look at the stats tells me otherwise.

I'll be the first to admit I'm an idiot if the Hawks pull it all together and make a deep run...I just don't expect it this year, despite 99 points and the 6th seed.

Heck, I'm thrilled I was completely wrong about the Hawks following their horrid streak. I thought they were toast, they proved me wrong. Players I didn't expect much from showed me they have skill and onions.

I also tend to post more entries when I'm pissed and disappointed...like after tonight.

That is all...
- ArlingtonRob

I like your posts and don't deny your passion for the Hawks, but you are a debbie downer! Do I think the Hawks will win the cup? No. But I'm looking forward to watching them try.

I know you were guaranteeing the Hawks wouldn't make the playoffs, but here's some guarantees for ya: The Hawks will NOT go 16-0 in the playoffs. The Hawks will have games where they go 0fer on the PP. The Hawks will give up some goals on the PK. Crawford will let in some goals, some of it might even be considered soft. Hawks will look really good for stretches in a game.

Those are my expectations. Hope they go far. But if they lose, at least you can tell me you told me so. Like you did when the Hawks didn't make the playoffs

talk about throwing games because you don't want to play the preds ??
now, do you risk toews getting hurt even more against the kings or sharks?
powerplay terrible!!! ='s a big huge KITCHEN GONE!!!! after the season!!
- wonthecup10

My new pet peeve guys...

"risk Toews getting hurt" are you freaking kidding me. Last time I checked, we are all listed "day to day". Toews is a pro hockey player, also a citizen. Waking up in the morning, if we are lucky, exposes us all to immeasurable risk.

Like all other guys with concussions, he will be back when he is ready. Please stop this nonsense about being more at risk versus one team to another!

Is that a challenge? Remember what crowd hangs here.
- NewToHockey

+1 Priceless!

My new pet peeve guys...

"risk Toews getting hurt" are you freaking kidding me. Last time I checked, we are all listed "day to day". Toews is a pro hockey player, also a citizen. Waking up in the morning, if we are lucky, exposes us all to immeasurable risk.

Like all other guys with concussions, he will be back when he is ready. Please stop this nonsense about being more at risk versus one team to another!
- TrueGrit

Say what? Last time I check my work doesn't release a DL report...

I never saw the washout sign from the back ref on Bicks deflection or the shootout goal.
- bogiedoc

Me neither, but apparently he did.

Me neither, but apparently he did.
- StLBravesFan

I have story coming out this morning....

Hawks probably got what they deserved but the the ref closest to the play signaled it was a good goal and then changed.

The on ice call would not have been reversed.

So I'm just going to do an "I told you so" to everyone who said 96-98-100 points to make the WC play-offs - I said (and stuck with) 91 or 92:

If Dallas wins its last game, 92 points would have done it.

With Kane's lackadaisical (sp?) attempt, Sharpie's fumbling and bumbling with the puck, and Stalberg's wide right by 5 feet with 2 ft. of open net...makes me wonder if the Hawks didn't want the extra point last night! I'd rather let Detoilet deal with Nashville in round 1...

I gotta laugh every time they interview Kitchen between periods. Simply reinforces my disdain for that useless pile of poop!!!
- nelli312

Kaner's try was pretty good. He's handed Harding his jock the last 2 times and nearly did it again. Still, can't believe he didn't bury that.

But your point about maybe tanking in the s/o is interesting. I'm not afraid of ANY team but if we could avoid the Preds in round 1...all the better. Just hope we get by the first round ourselves.

As for Kitch ? Eff him and his sh!tty power play.

Hawks are 6 - 7 in the 13 shoot outs this year - this is an important part of the game and should be an emphasis in practice.

Not sure how much they do, but apparently not enough - until a couple of games ago, only Toews and Kane had scored this year.

But even Kane - can't someone coach him to not get in so deep before shooting that he can't lift the puck over the sprawled goalie? That's how he and Sharp usually miss.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed our lack of prowess in the s/o is a real downer. Hawks sorely need to improve in this area come next season. And Q's selections need not be so automatic. Spread it around, give some others guys a shot, but only if they've been showing good trickery in practice.

Thought Kaner did a real good job in his attempt to avoid Harding's poke check, but he got lazy and didn't finish with authority.

Anyone know what time the Hawks practice today? Johnny's east or west? Thinking of heading down there for a gander, and to possible heckle Kitchen! (until I get booted)

Thinking of heading down there for a gander, and to possible heckle Kitchen! (until I get booted)
- nelli312

+1000

New blog up.

Reality check!!

The fewer penalties called on both teams...the better for the Hawks!!

Seriously another 0 for 4 with 11 minutes and they were all weak with the same damn issues: playing with the puck around the perimeter, nobody hitting the net, no point set-ups, entries were awful with more offsides than shots. The 6-5 delayed call on the first wild penalty was outstanding and it took Harding flying across the crease intersect Sharps one timer.

A game situation worth tracking: 3rd period special teams play tied or down a goal vs Kings, Nucks, Preds, Blues or Yotes...all of whom are top 10 PK's!

On PP...Kings, Yotes and Blues no so good either.
- bogiedoc

OK, fine. You go with all of your game in and game out observations related to the performance of special teams, total goals against etc. I'm not going to argue against that except to say had they been better the Hawks may have 110 points in the standings right now. And I'm not going to dispute how lovely the numbers look when building a case for teams like Nashville and St. Louis going into the playoffs. If their stats were in the Daily Racing Form and they were horses, naturally I would bet them. But they aren't.

What I am going to tell you is "beware the team with a lot of talent and winning experience that nobody expects much of in the playoffs". That is the Chicago Blackhawks sir.

Naturally much depends on the health and ability of Toews to perform at a high level and even more importantly good enough goaltending. The latter is the real question mark for me.

But people annointing Nashville as the team to avoid most is ridiculous - who the hell have they ever beaten in a playoff series other than the Anaheim Ducks. Big whoop, they need to provide more proof than that. See Radulov last night? Giveaways all over the ice, floating in the neutral zone. The Preds had a hard time putting an offensively challenged Dallas team away.

Watch Quick last night? - the goalie the Hawks will never be able to score on? Gave up 5 big ones and didn't look real invincilble doing it. You know why - because the 18 plodders in front of him are too slow to keep up when the pace gets ramped up and the Sharks aren't the fastest team on blades either.

Once the matchups are finalized, the Hawks opponent will be broken down on video so that every tendency, strength and weakness will be known. The regular season stats become newspaper to wrap fish and chips in - they don't matter anymore. If I saw Radulov floating on TV last night, you can be sure Q and Mike Babcock have seen it from every angle possible and will burn this guy if he keeps playing that way.

My guess is that Barry Trotz doesn't really want any part of the Hawks in Round 1 - he knows their speed can burn his 3 thru 6 defenceman. Darryl Sutter knows for sure he has a problem with team speed too.

It should be very interesting and thats why they play the games.