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There are some excuses floating out there in Blackhawk Nation this morning for the Hawks’ 3-2 loss in a big game last night at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
But the truth is, there are no excuses. Rusty goalie? Please. Antti Raanta was fine, and more than fine at times, especially in a first period where he was often under siege. Injured players? Well, there will be injuries come playoff time.
What I saw last night was a Hawk team that got lackadaisical at times with defensive and neutral zone coverage and got burned by a fast, young, hungry Av team—that also passed them in the standings with the win.
It’s time for many of the Hawks, the organization, and some of their fans, to stop resting on last year’s laurels.
If Bryan Bickell is playing hurt, then shame on Stan Bowman for not making the move necessary to add some physicality upfront. If he isn’t, then we all understand why the rumors of Bickell and his $4 million annual salary being on the trading block have been out there.
Kris Versteeg needs a wake up call.
Andrew Shaw needs to get his emotions under control and find his game.
Let’s assume for a minute that a healthy Marian Hossa—who has looked like the Hossa of ten years ago for much of this season—played last night. Would it have mattered? Or are the Avs too fast, too confident, too much for this year's Hawk team? And, for that matter, are the Blues?
I floated this question earlier this year and got back alot of angry dismissals from Hawk fans. How ya feeling now?
I await your comments on the now third place (in the Central) Chicago Blackhawks.
All for now,
JJ