speaking of whoda thunk it: start dec 0-6...looking like their was no bottom in sight and now finish the month 6-2-1

outstanding net play, special teams improvement, the unforced errors TO's have decreased but the goaltending or great dman play has snuffed those chances...

yet still only 3 pts off the bottom
- bogiedoc

HAWKS 9 4 2 against the central

Gave it some thought and came to the conclusion that I think JC should give Ward the WC game.

He’s a vet near the end of his career, never experienced an outdoor game (to my knowledge), and he’s done exactly what’s asked of him this season. He deserves it from a feel-good standpoint.

Only a matter of time before Delia will have his turn.
- TommyHawk

I respect your opinion but disagree with it. The coach’s only concern should be fielding the best team, and I feel that means putting Delia in net. I could agree with your concept of ward being rewarded as a vet near the end of his career if that career had him playing for the hawks for the majority of his career. Ward is a one or two year rental not owed anything beyond what’s written into his contract. I would rather see the start go to Delia because I believe he has earned it.

HAWKS 9 4 2 against the central
- oldduffman

I think we're the toughest division.
Delia has blown me away with his play. He can only go up from here.
Kane just does Kane things. Great set-up by the captain.

speaking of whoda thunk it: start dec 0-6...looking like their was no bottom in sight and now finish the month 6-2-1

outstanding net play, special teams improvement, the unforced errors TO's have decreased but the goaltending or great dman play has snuffed those chances...
yet still only 3 pts off the bottom
- bogiedoc

For once I am glad your predictions were wrong. I actually thought you were being too optimistic when you made your December prediction.

Looking forward to the WClassuc & January
- no playoff expectations

A “bookended” first half season:

First ten and last nine games - 12-4-3=27 points.

Middle 22 games - 3-16-3=9 points.
- StLBravesFan

Extrapolating out the last nine (6-2-1) over 81 games would put us at 54-18-9.....throw in a loss in the 82nd game to make it a full season would yield a 54-19-9 record. There might be some hope to get back to decent record by year-end and maybe squeak into the playoffs.

I think we're the toughest division.
Delia has blown me away with his play. He can only go up from here.
Kane just does Kane things. Great set-up by the captain.
- I Am The Breadman

Delia has really been a pleasant surprise. There is always the possibility of going downhill at any time — injury, teams becoming aware of his tendencies, the 5 guys in front of him not playing as well, etc. I would be more than happy if he just maintains what he’s done.

For once I am glad your predictions were wrong. I actually thought you were being too optimistic when you made your December prediction.
- Spec41971

yep..i thought 8 pts would be their high water mark for those 15 dec games...they got 13...esp with those central div games looming and what did they do go but go 5-0-1


and looked very good doing it...

HAWKS 9 4 2 against the central
- oldduffman

6-16-4 vs the rest of the league...very odd

I think we're the toughest division.
Delia has blown me away with his play. He can only go up from here.
Kane just does Kane things. Great set-up by the captain.
- I Am The Breadman

Oh I agree on the division ,so the HAWKS should be able to get it going against the Pacific and east . And I believe HAWKS could get in the playoffs, if they continue to get the goaltending .Delia seem to have a very unique calm style ,may not be very easy for foe to figure out .

Looking forward to the WClassuc & January
- no playoff expectations
- Colbyboy

Looking forward to it way much more than I was about two weeks ago.

yep..i thought 8 pts would be their high water mark for those 15 dec games...they got 13...esp with those central div games looming and what did they do go but go 5-0-1


and looked very good doing it...
- bogiedoc

To paraphrase the Toews/Kane Gatorade commercial: “good....good....very gooood!”

Oh I agree on the division ,so the HAWKS should be able to get it going against the Pacific and east . And I believe HAWKS could get in the playoffs, if they continue to get the goaltending .Delia seem to have a very unique calm style ,may not be very easy for foe to figure out .
- oldduffman

7 pts behind chasing 4 teams with 41 to play and 3 pt games...not happening...

i can't see this team going on 28-7-6 type run to finish the season to even have a chance of leapfrogging 4 teams...

Oh I agree on the division ,so the HAWKS should be able to get it going against the Pacific and east . And I believe HAWKS could get in the playoffs, if they continue to get the goaltending .Delia seem to have a very unique calm style ,may not be very easy for foe to figure out .
- oldduffman

Considering games in hand (the Hawks are the first team to 41 this season) - Hawks are effectively 9 points out of the last spot - with 4 teams to pass.

And - Blues and Coyotes behind them with 5 and 4 games in hand.

A very distant chance, I think.

Some excellent goaltending the last 9 games still leaves them with some serious flaws - defensive lapses, lack of depth scoring....can’t expect to allow less than three goals in 5 of 6 the rest of the season.

6-16-4 vs the rest of the league...very odd

- bogiedoc

The last 9 games (6-2-1) had them at 5-0-1 against the Central and 1-2-0 against the rest of the league. So the nine game sample is heavily weighted by games against the central when they finally started good. One of the “other” losses was the stinker against SJ.

Off topic... Doesn't Coach Colliton look like Tom Keen from the Blacklist 🤔
- BGKarras

Maybe that’s why I am so wishy-washy with Coach C..... I was wishy-washy with the Tom Keen character; liked him in one episode and then hated him in the next

For once I am glad your predictions were wrong. I actually thought you were being too optimistic when you made your December prediction.
- Spec41971

Tom Petty sings about Free Fallin' but Blackhawks not there NOW

Oh I agree on the division ,so the HAWKS should be able to get it going against the Pacific and east . And I believe HAWKS could get in the playoffs, if they continue to get the goaltending .Delia seem to have a very unique calm style ,may not be very easy for foe to figure out .
- oldduffman

It will be really tough, really, but to go on hot streaks and stay on them, maybe sneak in the playoffs. They can make it tough for teams in contention.

Maybe that’s why I am so wishy-washy with Coach C..... I was wishy-washy with the Tom Keen character; liked him in one episode and then hated him in the next
- Spec41971

About "wish washy:"

Could be a good thing to have Kane double shift occasionally with Sikura

Might like to see Martinsen shift or two with Toews depending on how game is going. Both players ould make you pay- on different ways.

After Friday's game Icehogs Carlsson had six goals. He gets some from his shot; is on pp.

Delia has really been a pleasant surprise. There is always the possibility of going downhill at any time — injury, teams becoming aware of his tendencies, the 5 guys in front of him not playing as well, etc. I would be more than happy if he just maintains what he’s done.
- Spec41971

Agreed.

Boqvist with a breakaway in OT for Sweden and just misses.

It will be really tough, really, but to go on hot streaks and stay on them, maybe sneak in the playoffs. They can make it tough for teams in contention.
- I Am The Breadman

I know but there is always a chance ,that's why they play the games on ice not paper .. GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

Boqvist with the OT winner

I know but there is always a chance ,that's why they play the games on ice not paper .. GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
- oldduffman

Hahaha, I can get behind that.

Boqvist with the OT winner
- DarthKane

Very nice!