The title of yesterday’s blog, following the Blackhawks’ 3-0 shutout loss to the Flyers was: “It’s Gonna Be Like This.…
Hence, the title of today’s blog, following a 4-1 loss to the Capitals.
It’s gonna be like this—until the Blackhawks get some things worked out. The blogs and the radio shows are going to question if the right guys were traded this past offseason for the right return. Who should be playing and who shouldn’t.
I can list about 20 things that are problems right now. This is not a gloom and doom blog.But clearly, there is work to be done.
The big problems are a lack of continuity and chemistry, especially on defense. This, in turn, leads to inconsistency as far as how the Hawks transition out of their end and enter the offensive zone. The last two games, the Flyers and Capitals have clogged up the neutral zone and forced the Hawks—as always, slowly and grudgingly—to adjust to more of a dump and chase style of play. On top of that, the Hawks are typically providing better screens on their own goalie than they are the opponent.
Teuvo Teravainen, of whom probably too much is being asked right now, appears to be regressing. Trevor Daley, while he wasn’t bad last night, is clearly “learning the system… as he goes. Viktor Svedberg scored his first NHL goals last night, but was completely lost at other critical moments.
On the ice, what the Hawks need is some success to build on. The 0-4 Blue Jackets come to the UC tomorrow night and maybe that will help in that department. Off the ice, the Hawks may need to make some moves.
If Michal Rozsival isn’t ready to play, then maybe the recently signed Kyle Cumiskey could add a little stability and speed—and familiarity with Quenneville’s system—in place of Svedberg, who clearly has some promise, but probably also needs to work on some things in the AHL.
The revolving door audition at first line left wing continued last night, with Bryan Bickell replacing Viktor Tikhonov. There would be a positive domino effect throughout the forward lines if Quenneville could find at least a semi-permanent solution there.
I don’t know if he was injured, but Teravainen was stapled to the bench much of the third period and only the willing, but largely lost Kyle Baun played less minutes overall
More than anything, the Hawks seem to need to get back to basics—put the players where they can succeed (which probably means putting Teravainen at right wing) and then work at what they do, without being too cute. This team is coughing up way too many pucks, often trying to make the pretty play or a drop pass at the worst possible moment (I’m looking at you, #7).
The Hawks are 2-3 and looked no closer to any answers when the final horn sounded last night. Q and Stan Bowman have their work cut out for them.
I’ll have a Jackets preview tomorrow.
JJ