Like many of you, I have been wondering when will this team start to perform the way we expected them to this past off season? They are already showing signs of it after losing to Carolina 3-0 and St. Louis 5-2, but longer term I wanted to see what’s to be expected for the rest of 2022 and let me tell you, its not pretty.
As of posting time for the rest of November, they face zero teams below .500. Pittsburg and Montreal are both at the .500 mark, and then Boston, Dallas, Winnipeg, and Edmonton all have winning records. You could make an argument that they could get wins against Montreal and Pittsburgh, so you are looking at a 2-4 record for the rest of November.
Then switch your calendar to December and it's just scary. Opening up on the road against the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils. Follow that up with a home stand of Winnipeg, Washington, and Vegas. Then Minnesota, Rangers again, Nashville (who seems to be waking up and figuring out their game) Columbus, Carolina, St. Louis, and ending 2022 in Columbus. On paper you are looking at a potential December record of 2-11. The only two games I can confidently say the Hawks should win are the two against Lumbus who keep getting wrecked by injuries.
Finishing 2022 4-15 in the grand scheme of things is ideal if you are talking about draft lottery positioning. I for one, just hope that this team can keep building on Coach Richardson system and ideology of making every team work and have to earn everything against the Hawks. As long as they can stay competitive I am ok with racking up the Ls
Next Up
The Hawks are back at it tonight for the first of back to back games. First up is the wagon that is the Boston Bruins. Currently sitting at 15-2 overall and 10-0 at home, to say this team is feeling it is a gross understatement. How will the Hawks respond facing an elite team? I guess we will just have to wait and find out.
Players to Watch
David Pastrnak 9 goals and 17 assists 26 points
Hampus Lindholm 4 goals 14 assists 18 points
Patrice Bergeron 8 goals 7 assists 15 points
Projected Starter
Jeremy Swayman 2-1 3.45 GAA .878 SV%
After an embarrassing performance against St. Louis, expect to see changes for the Hawks when it comes to defense. After going -3, Regula had been sent down to Rockford and Ian Mitchell was recalled, for the sanity of this team I hope Caleb Jones is a healthy scratch after going -5 in just over 14:30 minutes of play and just overall being a defensive liability. Mrazek will be in the net once again for this one.
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