John Jaeckel: Playoff picture(s) emerging

on my way to florida... FIRST

That couple seasons in the AHL looks to be paying off for Hartman. He has segued in nicely as a + NHL player.

I like the distribution of speed across the lines it helps on the defensive coverage. I still don't like the fact that they do not check very much . If they did they would slow down that player getting back into the play

As much as I've enjoyed watching the debut of Hayden, he is a bit slow to make a decision with the puck sometimes, which results in being surrounded by opposing skaters and losing the puck. I guess that would be part of the college to NHL adjustment in progress. Otherwise, he seems to play a pretty smart game, and I loved his first goal.

Do the current top four pairings of 2/4 and 7/27 make sense to anybody? Is it to provide balance in terms of having an offensive option on each pair?

Crow redeemed himself last night. I wonder if he was a bit under the weather against Vancouver.

As much fun as it is to speculate about lines, we all know that no matter how good or bad the idea is, the halflife of the given line is often about the same as that of the most unstable isotopes. I was a bit slow to get back to the TV from my desk for the 3rd period, and my wife called out "The blender is on again!" when Q put out 40/19/88. Did that line even get a second shift together?

I'm not getting the connection between the experiment of Hartman at 2C and the idea that Anisimov may be out longer than 3-4 weeks. It seems more likely the Hartman and Schmaltz switch was due to the lackluster play of the past few games and Q's penchant to use his blender in those circumstances.

JJ

The Hawks could also face one of Anaheim, Edmonton or SJ assuming they win the division and Nashville picks up its play a bit.

Hawks need what 9 points to ensure the #1 west seed? Their probability has to be in the 90+%

Only 5 points separate Calgary (last pacific wildcard) from San Jose (current division leader).

Hope all are doing well. Hope to be around the JJ comment section more in the coming months.

J

from Ken Campbell's article today in the excellent Canadian publication The Hockey News (thehockeynews.com):

"...raise your hand and take a bow if you predicted Tortorella would even have a job by this time. And he could be working overtime if the Blue Jackets can parlay their surprising success into a long playoff run. With their latest run, the Blue Jackets find themselves on top of THN.com’s weekly Power Rankings. (Last week’s rankings in parentheses.):"

THE CREAM OF THE CROP
1. Columbus Blue Jackets (8)
2. Chicago Blackhawks (2)
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (7)
4. Washington Capitals (6)
5. Edmonton Oilers (16)
6. St. Louis Blues (4)
7. Montreal Canadiens (13)
8. Ottawa Senators (3)
9. Calgary Flames (1)
10. Anaheim Ducks (15)

The Hawks ran into 3 teams this week hopelessly out of the playoffs. Every game they play against a playoff-bound team is the playoffs to them, so they play harder. The good teams are tired.

Florida will probably fall into this category as well. Then, the Hawks play a series of teams fighting for playoff positioning. @TB, @Pit, CLB, Bos. I will be interested to see how those games play out. The Hawks need 11 points won or Minnesota lost to clinch the division now. Hopefully, they can give some regulars the last couple games off.

I was not a fan of Schmaltz centering Kane and Panarin simply because his style is too similar to theirs. Kane and Panarin need a center who can go to the net and Hartman (Hayden?) can do that. Schmaltz was a good fit for Toews and Panik in that he is more of a playmaker. I haven't seen Hayden play enough to determine his playing style. He seems more like a Hartman type. Maybe put Hayden on Hossa's line and Schmaltz back with Toews and Panik?

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RE this: Do the current top four pairings of 2/4 and 7/27 make sense to anybody? Is it to provide balance in terms of having an offensive option on each pair?


I initially preferred 2/7 and 4/27 but I believe with 2 and 4 being the primary PK defenders it makes sense to pair them throughout the entire game (i.e. defense wins championships) while also giving each pair an offensive option.

I also have to give kudos to the 57/51 pairing. Not as nervous when they're on the ice but I'm sure my ulcers will reactivate come playoff time when some heavy forwards will try to invoke their will on the 3rd pairing.

In about 11 weeks, Crow wins the Conn Smythe....

I always find Elliotte Friedman enlightening (courtesy of sportsnet.ca). Some nice insights about the Blackhawks that he obtained during their swing through Ottawa and Toronto.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...-mvp-vote-go-brent-burns/

Glad to see CROW was dialed in as the game went on. This Hawks team is getting HOT at the right time. And if CROW can get back to his early season form prior to his surgery. This Team will be a BEAST to knock out in a seven game series. Cant wait till the Playoff's start.

GO HAWKS!!!

Wild can have the Blues in Round 1
Blues 9 wins in the last 10

I think Hawks play Calgary

Trade with Dallas
Crawford Seabrook for Jamie Benn

Wild can have the Blues in Round 1
Blues 9 wins in the last 10

I think Hawks play Calgary

Trade with Dallas
Crawford Seabrook for Jamie Benn
- Colbyboy

Lol.

JJ-

Each game that Hayden is in, I like him more.

He seems to know his role and go to the front of the net and not play around or get too cute when the puck's on his stick. He also has some nice skill that looks like he'll be able to develop at the NHL level.

Do you think he'll see some ice time come playoffs?

JJ-

Each game that Hayden is in, I like him more.

He seems to know his role and go to the front of the net and not play around or get too cute when the puck's on his stick. He also has some nice skill that looks like he'll be able to develop at the NHL level.

Do you think he'll see some ice time come playoffs?
- Hank3Henshaw

Looks promising at this point, he hasn't done anything to make us think otherwise.We need that grit he brings.

TT with career highs in goals, assists, points.

Should hit 40+ points easily.

TT with career highs in goals, assists, points.

Should hit 40+ points easily.
- BINGO!

His offensive production/potential was never in question. It was about getting the proper/consistent opportunity, which Carolina was able to give him.

TT with career highs in goals, assists, points.

Should hit 40+ points easily.
- BINGO!

You must be thrilled. Shouldn't he be doing that at this point?
What are you going to pay for that next year?

JJ-

Each game that Hayden is in, I like him more.

He seems to know his role and go to the front of the net and not play around or get too cute when the puck's on his stick. He also has some nice skill that looks like he'll be able to develop at the NHL level.

Do you think he'll see some ice time come playoffs?
- Hank3Henshaw

Dunno, I actually thought he sort of turned into a pumpkin last night, looked a step behind at times, possession wise Panik and Toews better than him (I think). Just one game and expecting him to rip it up every night at this point is not fair, gotta wait and see a bit more.

You must be thrilled. Shouldn't he be doing that at this point?
What are you going to pay for that next year?
- Yikes726

It's exactly what was expected. I figure he'll likely get around $3.5 mill. Kid's only 22 years old, after all.

TT with career highs in goals, assists, points.

Should hit 40+ points easily.
- BINGO!

So? Really not missing him here. Schmaltz, Hartmann, Panik and others have more than adequately made up for him.

TT with career highs in goals, assists, points.

Should hit 40+ points easily.
- BINGO!

That's awesome, thanks for sharing! TT is a small and soft perimeter player that has still not hit 40 points yet, even though offense is his primary contribution on the ice. Hawks appear to be doing just fine without him so thanks for taking Bickell's dead $4mil ($3mil if he was in the AHL) off the Hawks salary cap. Seems to have worked out for both teams and I certainly don't miss Tuevo's bull fighter impression for every puck battle along the boards.

Tuevo's biography written by J. Carter-Ball