Justin Lowe: Toews Puts Penguins and Critics on Ice A recap of the Blackhawks vs. Penguins on Saturday night.


Also, some IceHogs tidbits included.

First...paging Pat Shart...anything to say

Call me old school but when Malkin ran/bumped/touched (your choice) Crawford and NOT ONE Hawk did anything to stand up for him tells me this team lacks toughness and respect. You can say this is a new generation of hockey, but to me ANYONE gets near my tender at least gets a stick or glove or a whack. SOMETHING

Call me old school but when Malkin ran/bumped/touched (your choice) Crawford and NOT ONE Hawk did anything to stand up for him tells me this team lacks toughness and respect. You can say this is a new generation of hockey, but to me ANYONE gets near my tender at least gets a stick or glove or a whack. SOMETHING
- hockey nut 28

I think that is all Quenville. They have been like that for years. How about Shmaltz getting absolutely buried at the final horn. Nobody did anything. Big surprise. They never do. Turn the other cheek. Plus the only line with balls is the 4th.

I think that is all Quenville. They have been like that for years. How about Shmaltz getting absolutely buried at the final horn. Nobody did anything. Big surprise. They never do. Turn the other cheek. Plus the only line with balls is the 4th.
- Thoroldbhawks

There were 3 plays where someone should have kicked some a$$ (if the refs are going to allow cheap-shots in the game).

The 2 mentioned already, plus early in the game Sid took Murphy's head and just smashed it against the glass.

I'm still not convinced the Hawks have turned any corner but, there are positive signs.

Lines and skill sets are getting a little more defined, Toews had a nice game and hopefully he keeps it going, Anisimov is on a good run, someone mentioned in the previous blog that they can't see Forsling as a #1 D but, perhaps on this team with this D-core he is.

It's interesting that Q is not using the usual suspects in key situations. Example is the players on the ice in the last seconds of a one-goal game. You're seeing a little less of Keith and Seabrook on the PP and I think this is good. I was skeptical of Dinky but he seems to be adapting and making a difference. Would like to see Schmaltz shoot more but he does thread some terrific passes.

Even with the last 8-10 years of recent success this team has still broken my heart many times in the last 50 years. I remain cautiously optimistic.

Hmmmm - I think one game is a bit much. I still think he looked pretty listless but Saad and Panik were all over the place. Pretty sloppy game defensively by both teams and both teams bailed out by incredible goaltending. Crow happened to be a hair better the other night.

I still think they sit way too passively in that 1-2-2 and aside from the power play and mashing shots, I don't know that Franson is any kind of long term option. I'd think you'd want more guys with speed in the line up, not fewer.

Also think its about time to sit Sharp or Wingles and see what you have with some of the pivots in Rockford.

The game Wednesday is going to be a better test.

One good game and this man silenced his critics? Haha 3/4 of the season to go, critics silenced....

Call me old school but when Malkin ran/bumped/touched (your choice) Crawford and NOT ONE Hawk did anything to stand up for him tells me this team lacks toughness and respect. You can say this is a new generation of hockey, but to me ANYONE gets near my tender at least gets a stick or glove or a whack. SOMETHING
- hockey nut 28

When you need points in a close game like that, its stupid to take a 5 minute major, probably get tossed and let one of the best power plays in the league run rampant for an extended period of time.

The NHL should have issued a suspension for probably 2 games and sent a message. That would have been a good opportunity.

Good road win..against defending cup champs...with Kane, Toews, Keith all not playing their best yet. They show the same effort against the bolts..then I'll say they've turned the corner.

One good game does not eliminate 2 years of lackluster effort. The day he accepted to be paid like the top player in the league then he knew he would be under the microscope plain and simple. Not sure why everybody took so long to be critical and why so quick to be forgiving. JT was instrumental in turning around this franchise no doubt and nobody is taking that away from him but I think overall people have been soft on him due to the fact that he's our poster boy, yeah I'm talking about JJ.....and I get it as its a business so no one really wants to crap on the Golden boy but it's a business and trust me that boy would of walked had he not gotten his 10.5 millions....do you think he's still be a Hawk had they only offered 9 million? I don't think so......let's not kid ourselves loyalty only goes so far and that goes both ways. He played one decent game, not sure it was worthy of a blog but it's encouraging to see him play better because when your top salary guy plays like he should then everyone benefits.....that being said call me cold but I still think the money could be better spent elsewhere especially long term but that's just my opinion.

If I am not mistaken Luke Johnson is outstanding at draws. I had no idea he was a legitimate prospect otherwise. But it'd be nice if he could develop into a bottom line/PK type guy who can win faceoffs.

One good game does not eliminate 2 years of lackluster effort. The day he accepted to be paid like the top player in the league then he knew he would be under the microscope plain and simple. Not sure why everybody took so long to be critical and why so quick to be forgiving. JT was instrumental in turning around this franchise no doubt and nobody is taking that away from him but I think overall people have been soft on him due to the fact that he's our poster boy, yeah I'm talking about JJ.....and I get it as its a business so no one really wants to crap on the Golden boy but it's a business and trust me that boy would of walked had he not gotten his 10.5 millions....do you think he's still be a Hawk had they only offered 9 million? I don't think so......let's not kid ourselves loyalty only goes so far and that goes both ways. He played one decent game, not sure it was worthy of a blog but it's encouraging to see him play better because when your top salary guy plays like he should then everyone benefits.....that being said call me cold but I still think the money could be better spent elsewhere especially long term but that's just my opinion.
- Hawkster

He was also fantastic the second half of last season, so it's not really 2 years of lackluster play. His problem now is consistency. Maybe it's due to age. I know 29 isn't old, but it is in hockey years, especially after 5 very long seasons with playoffs. Toews played a heavy game for a long time.

If you look back at every game the Hawks have played Pittsburgh, Toews has been a beast. I know he relishes playing against and shutting down Crosby. Now if he would just sustain that compete level on a consistent basis.

It is my very string belief - as nd I wish wiz would chip in oin this - that perhaps the biggest boost this team can receive in the next two years is for one, ideally two of at least three defensemen, drafted already, to make the parent roster and to develop with Samuelson tutelage helping them out.

In the NHL today a team needs dmen who can really skate, and if they can skate the puck out, this is a decided advantage over other dmen lacking this ability. Now if one if those prospect guys can carry the mail (Krys) this is what all teams are looking for.

Heck, even a team with strong defense (Minny) takes a flyer in R Murphy, a former early #1 by Carolina, because if his offensive skating, etc.

I am most hopeful that Carlsson and Tuulola are the newcomers, soon, say possibly next season. C Murphy, Franson, Snuggerud are strictly long term usage on third pair. I like Murphy there as the muscle and let the others compete to complete that pair.

A WILD CARD is Kempny. I am just about at the point if accepting that Q is not going to allow him a stretch if go and therefore no real opportunity to win a job. Is it his tendency to have brain farts with or without the puck OCCASIONALLY which upsets Q? Thus us a player who us big, has some experience, skates well and us willing to show a nasty side. In short, a player you want to see make it in the NHL. I will surmise that he has a clause preventing AHL assignment. I hate to loose Kempny and see him develop elsewhere.

In your AHL notes, Justin, Raydish is not listed. He has played often. There nay be an odd man out rotation among dmen. Press is apparently not good enough to force someone out of lineup; he is in the ECHL - Indy.

Call me old school but when Malkin ran/bumped/touched (your choice) Crawford and NOT ONE Hawk did anything to stand up for him tells me this team lacks toughness and respect. You can say this is a new generation of hockey, but to me ANYONE gets near my tender at least gets a stick or glove or a whack. SOMETHING
- hockey nut 28

" target=_blank>" style="max-width:425px;" border=0>

If I am not mistaken Luke Johnson is outstanding at draws. I had no idea he was a legitimate prospect otherwise. But it'd be nice if he could develop into a bottom line/PK type guy who can win faceoffs.
- kwolf68

What do Luke Johnson and John Hayden have in common?

One good game and this man silenced his critics? Haha 3/4 of the season to go, critics silenced....
- ClaudeFather

Let's see if he can keep it up.

And yes... it would nice to see him get on a roll here for a longer period. I'll take solid play from him for the next 3/4 of the season, please!

I have been a big Toews booster (some, like my buddy Shart, might say a "Toews apologist").

All that said, he looks better this year consistently than he has the last couple of years, but I would still say he's like 85-90% of the "Old Toews" versus say 65-70% the last couple of years.

I like Saad-Toews-Panik as a line and I think, IF the Hawks make the playoffs, that line becomes all the more valuable because they play big boy hockey as a style.

Also, you have to love what AA is bringing on L2.

Keep up the good work, Justin.

What do Luke Johnson and John Hayden have in common?
- DarthKane

Great hair?

When you need points in a close game like that, its stupid to take a 5 minute major, probably get tossed and let one of the best power plays in the league run rampant for an extended period of time.

The NHL should have issued a suspension for probably 2 games and sent a message. That would have been a good opportunity.
- fattybeef

FB, your correct. Maybe I'm still fuming that nobody even remotely put a hand on him.

FB, your correct. Maybe I'm still fuming that nobody even remotely put a hand on him.
- hockey nut 28

Malkin isn't know n for being dirty and he did make a legit effort to get out of the way. It was just a bad circumstance.

What do Luke Johnson and John Hayden have in common?
- DarthKane

They both have 4 letters in their 1st name.

Great hair?
- Justin Lowe

I was going with Skate Size

Malkin isn't know n for being dirty and he did make a legit effort to get out of the way. It was just a bad circumstance.
- JRoenick97

I respectfully disagree, however, we will never know.