John Jaeckel: Blues/Hawks Preview

Wow...first....

Blues no doubt solid team, playing great. Can only wonder if they are peaking right now?

Like to see same workman like effort from Hawks tonight. Keep it close and plug away. I have been encouraged by the persistence of late.

Lots of great hockey being played out there. The NHL season and playoffs are such a grind. Here is hoping our guys are up for some battle.

I'd like to see Hayes with Hossa and Kane to have a big body on that line and Bruno moved to the fourth line with Bollig and Mayers.

I'd like to see Hayes with Hossa and Kane to have a big body on that line and Bruno moved to the fourth line with Bollig and Mayers.
- jhawk159

I say make that big body Mayers right off the bat and see what happens.

I'd like to see Hayes with Hossa and Kane to have a big body on that line and Bruno moved to the fourth line with Bollig and Mayers.
- jhawk159

Or Hayes with Hossa and Kane and Bruno shipped to Singapore because im on the verge of vomiting every time he touches the ice.

I say make that big body Mayers right off the bat and see what happens.
- blackhawk24

I wouldn't mind that either.

Or Hayes with Hossa and Kane and Bruno shipped to Singapore because im on the verge of vomiting every time he touches the ice.
- nickmo2699

brunette should ship out on a steam ship since that is the era he belongs in

he has no business on the ice and its like playing a man down
brunette=scott

brunette should ship out on a steam ship since that is the era he belongs in

he has no business on the ice and its like playing a man down
brunette=scott
- molly2522

Blues no doubt solid team, playing great. Can only wonder if they are peaking right now?

Like to see same workman like effort from Hawks tonight. Keep it close and plug away. I have been encouraged by the persistence of late.

Lots of great hockey being played out there. The NHL season and playoffs are such a grind. Here is hoping our guys are up for some battle.
- TrueGrit

That would be one hell of a peak. I think they've been peaking since about November.

Lets see if the Hawks will adapt their game at all to the Blues style of play. Teams like the Blues, Preds, Yotes give the Hawks more trouble than Det, SJ, Van because of the style they play.

When possesion changes to the Hawks, the Blues send two forecheckers hard at the defensemen. They tend to try and take the D-to-D pass away by jumping those passing lanes. They also cover the long stretch pass by sending their d to the boards to cover the wings at the far blueline. The stretch pass most times leads to a Hawk forward tipping the puck into the zone, but with no forward going hard into the zone it leads to a turnover of possesion. To break it the Hawks have to do one of a couple of things consistently, something they have not always shown the willingness to do. First, you need the defenseman to beat the initial pressure by skating. This is what Campbell did well and what Leddy, Keith and Oduya are all capable of doing. Instead of the d-to-d or behind the net pass, or afer the first one, the D needs to beat the first man by skating, not by continually using cross ice passes to the D partner (or center dropping deep). By moving the puck quickly up ice, they are able to hit the far blueline with speed. That allows them to either beat the defenseman by chipping it past them, or drive them back allowing them to carry the puck into the zone. When they go d-to-d multiple times it means the forwards are standing still at the far blueline, and limits the entry possibilities.

Lets see if the Hawks will adapt their game at all to the Blues style of play. Teams like the Blues, Preds, Yotes give the Hawks more trouble than Det, SJ, Van because of the style they play.

When possesion changes to the Hawks, the Blues send two forecheckers hard at the defensemen. They tend to try and take the D-to-D pass away by jumping those passing lanes. They also cover the long stretch pass by sending their d to the boards to cover the wings at the far blueline. The stretch pass most times leads to a Hawk forward tipping the puck into the zone, but with no forward going hard into the zone it leads to a turnover of possesion. To break it the Hawks have to do one of a couple of things consistently, something they have not always shown the willingness to do. First, you need the defenseman to beat the initial pressure by skating. This is what Campbell did well and what Leddy, Keith and Oduya are all capable of doing. Instead of the d-to-d or behind the net pass, or afer the first one, the D needs to beat the first man by skating, not by continually using cross ice passes to the D partner (or center dropping deep). By moving the puck quickly up ice, they are able to hit the far blueline with speed. That allows them to either beat the defenseman by chipping it past them, or drive them back allowing them to carry the puck into the zone. When they go d-to-d multiple times it means the forwards are standing still at the far blueline, and limits the entry possibilities.
- TheTrob

Solid Analysis! I like your break down and think that trap style St. Louis plays makes it difficult. They are a bigger team and the Hawks need to do two things in my opinion. Utilize speed and finish checks. If this happens I think the Hawks win.

That would be one hell of a peak. I think they've been peaking since about November.
- Ogilthorpe2

no question...they have been playing outstanding...how could that be without $50 million core???

They have it all going...disciplined, great in all 3 zones, few mistakes and when they do their goaltending shuts the door.

Hawks may need that first shutout of the year to get a win.

no question...they have been playing outstanding...how could that be without $50 million core???

They have it all going...disciplined, great in all 3 zones, few mistakes and when they do their goaltending shuts the door.

Hawks may need that first shutout of the year to get a win.
- bogiedoc

Speaking of shutouts...

I was trying (unsuccessfully) the other day to figure out when the last time was that the Hawks went an entire season without a shutout. Anyone know the answer to that one?

They have it all going...disciplined, great in all 3 zones, few mistakes and when they do their goaltending shuts the door.
- bogiedoc

And they finish EVERY check...

Speaking of shutouts...

I was trying (unsuccessfully) the other day to figure out when the last time was that the Hawks went an entire season without a shutout. Anyone know the answer to that one?
- Ogilthorpe2

From the Hawks site archives back to the 05-06 season @ least 2 shutouts per year.

Speaking of shutouts...

I was trying (unsuccessfully) the other day to figure out when the last time was that the Hawks went an entire season without a shutout. Anyone know the answer to that one?
- Ogilthorpe2

'88-'89

how long will it take till bollig & BJ dorp the mits .....

no question...they have been playing outstanding...how could that be without $50 million core???

They have it all going...disciplined, great in all 3 zones, few mistakes and when they do their goaltending shuts the door.

Hawks may need that first shutout of the year to get a win.
- bogiedoc

I bet if they win the cup they will have an expensive core. Oshie, Perron, Stewart, Jackman, Coliachavo are all free agents. To go along with Backes, Mcdonald, Steen. But they are fortunate to have Halak and Elliot locked up for a few more years at pretty sweet contracts.

It won't be quite as top heavy as the Hawks, but the Hawks didn't have a "core" until the cup year when they had to start deciding who to keep long-term knowing they couldn't keep everyone.

'88-'89
- Hal9000y2k

Panger???

Panger???
- southernhawk

Alain Chevrier?

EDIT: I looked it up, it was both. Panger and Chevrier and Belfour and Waite.

For those who listen to SiriusXM radio I will be on today with Jamie Shalley at 2:05 CST.

And they finish EVERY check...
- Anaarkey

Unlike the Chicago Fly By's.

how long will it take till bollig & BJ dorp the mits .....
- southernhawk

Or Reaves v Bollig 3.0 ? Sometime in the first i'll say.

Or Reaves v Bollig 3.0 ? Sometime in the first i'll say.
- philco28

First, I'd like to see Bollig run someone like Oshie through the glass...then answer the bell when the Blues respond.