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At some point, you have to take off the rose colored glasses and see it for what it is.
The Hawks are going to make the playoffs. They might make the second round. But unless they turn their play around and achieve a 25-game consistency they have yet to reach this year, that's about as far as they're going to go.
You could definitely see the tired legs last night, in the second of two back to back road games (Boston, then Ottawa). But the truth is, this year's Hawks seem to lack the energy and cohesion on the lower lines that they had last year.
Again last night, although the loss can largely be pinned on terrible blue line play (including especially now former Norris Trophy candidate Duncan Keith, with a -3), the Hawks' goals came from two top 6 forwards and a defenseman.
Andrew Shaw was -2, Brandon Saad was -3 (which could easily have been -4 after a terrible giveaway late in the first period). Brandon Bollig was not great with the gloves on or off.
I want to hear your thoughts. Who is still banging the One Goal Drum this year? Tell me on the message board how far you think this team goes?
All for now,
JJ