A loss is a loss, I know. But for the first time in a long time I saw progress. When they were on the runs they had the puck most of the time. But in the last few years they needed to step up the grit, and last night I thought they deserved the win because they worked hard for it. They challenged for the puck all night and they won it most of the time. When a team doesn't have the horses like they used to they have to step up the effort. And that's what i saw last night, and I loved it. And I love to see it continue.
- 6628

They looked much better than the stats showed - I was very surprised - when I saw the stats this morning - that 5x5, they were at:

40% CF%, 38% SCF%.

A loss is a loss, I know. But for the first time in a long time I saw progress. When they were on the runs they had the puck most of the time. But in the last few years they needed to step up the grit, and last night I thought they deserved the win because they worked hard for it. They challenged for the puck all night and they won it most of the time. When a team doesn't have the horses like they used to they have to step up the effort. And that's what i saw last night, and I loved it. And I love to see it continue.
- 6628

This was only the second game I have seen this year but I liked the team game the Hawks played, they took the middle of the ice away and worked hard as you say. The big boys, Toews, Kane, ADB etc. need to pick it up and lead the way. I thought Lehner looked good. I'd love to see the hawks somehow acquire a top 4 defenceman, I really think if the Hawks get stronger on the backend it would benefit the whole lineup including the forwards.

If you can catch Lehner's post-game interview, it's definitely worth a watch

He's making some insightful comments about the team and its progress

ETA


Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Robin Lehner just gave by far the most passionate, heartfelt scrum so far this season. I’ll have his full comments posted shortly.
- pdx2ord

NBC Sports has it on their site.

I enjoy reading your guys’ insights. If I may off some of my own, let me know what you think?

1. By the eye test so far, the team has played better in front of Lehner. Why?

2. ADB is playing a different game this year. He’s engaging a lot more on the boards and the forecheck, which is great, but it also means he’s not drifting to the soft spots for open shots. Think about all the goals he got last year middle ice of his opponents zone, in and between the circles. He’s nowhere to be found there this year. I think this has to do with C’s system and who he is playing with.

3. Strome needs to get stronger. For a bigger guy, he’s way too easy to shed off the puck. He also doesn’t have an active stick, needs to keep that sucker on the ice.

They looked much better than the stats showed - I was very surprised - when I saw the stats this morning - that 5x5, they were at:

40% CF%, 38% SCF%.
- StLBravesFan

Third period was very much tilted towards Vegas. Kind of jobbed the stats.

I enjoy reading your guys’ insights. If I may off some of my own, let me know what you think?

1. By the eye test so far, the team has played better in front of Lehner. Why?

2. ADB is playing a different game this year. He’s engaging a lot more on the boards and the forecheck, which is great, but it also means he’s not drifting to the soft spots for open shots. Think about all the goals he got last year middle ice of his opponents zone, in and between the circles. He’s nowhere to be found there this year. I think this has to do with C’s system and who he is playing with.

3. Strome needs to get stronger. For a bigger guy, he’s way too easy to shed off the puck. He also doesn’t have an active stick, needs to keep that sucker on the ice.
- Bjm84

“Yes” on AdB....

I enjoy reading your guys’ insights. If I may off some of my own, let me know what you think?

1. By the eye test so far, the team has played better in front of Lehner. Why?

2. ADB is playing a different game this year. He’s engaging a lot more on the boards and the forecheck, which is great, but it also means he’s not drifting to the soft spots for open shots. Think about all the goals he got last year middle ice of his opponents zone, in and between the circles. He’s nowhere to be found there this year. I think this has to do with C’s system and who he is playing with.

3. Strome needs to get stronger. For a bigger guy, he’s way too easy to shed off the puck. He also doesn’t have an active stick, needs to keep that sucker on the ice.
- Bjm84

He uses a uses a really short one which has him hunched over which I think is part of the problem. But, he's a set up guy who does better with the puck on his blade playing with two other set up guys (Dach and Kane) who do better with the puck on their blades and there's only so much to go round.

Edit: and Strome isn't that big. He's tall and lanky. The Hawks have him listed as a generous 200lbs. Maybe in skates and equipment and wet. But there was a lot of improvement in his skating and he has been very raw since his draft year. I really don't have a lot of complaints about that player. Obvious improvement and things haven't clicked yet. whatareyagonnado

While Toews and Debrincat are guys you just want banging in rebounds or tap ins (in Toews case) or bombs from the circles (el gatos).

Anyway, they played good enough to win. Fluery really stole that in the first half of the game with some preposterous saves. RL had a few gems of his own but if its 3 or 4 nill going into the back 9 its a better result.

Matta played very well and so did Keith. The D in the first half was very good at breaking up plays in the neutral zone and picking up loose pucks and the Hawks forwards did a good job picking up the loose change.

Not a lot to complain about and an entertaining game.

Lehner's post game comments were great... he's right. This team is playing a lot better and they are way more competitive this year than last. Their point totals won't show it right now, but they are coming.

Lehner was a beast last night, especially in the third. Vegas brought it and he was outstanding. Hopefully Hawks can find a way to get two wins coming up to finish the home stand.

Third period was very much tilted towards Vegas. Kind of jobbed the stats.
- fattybeef

Yes, but they were still “under water” for the first two periods, although the numbers were much more even.

A loss is a loss, I know. But for the first time in a long time I saw progress. When they were on the runs they had the puck most of the time. But in the last few years they needed to step up the grit, and last night I thought they deserved the win because they worked hard for it. They challenged for the puck all night and they won it most of the time. When a team doesn't have the horses like they used to they have to step up the effort. And that's what i saw last night, and I loved it. And I love to see it continue.
- 6628

Good morning, 66, hope you're well. Not directed at you, but to me what you posted is a positive reflection on the coach. There are some all-or-nothing types here unable to see such things, but for now the team brings it a pretty high percentage of the time.

I enjoy reading your guys’ insights. If I may off some of my own, let me know what you think?

1. By the eye test so far, the team has played better in front of Lehner. Why?

2. ADB is playing a different game this year. He’s engaging a lot more on the boards and the forecheck, which is great, but it also means he’s not drifting to the soft spots for open shots. Think about all the goals he got last year middle ice of his opponents zone, in and between the circles. He’s nowhere to be found there this year. I think this has to do with C’s system and who he is playing with.

3. Strome needs to get stronger. For a bigger guy, he’s way too easy to shed off the puck. He also doesn’t have an active stick, needs to keep that sucker on the ice.
- Bjm84

Strome may be regressing. Good thing they drafted a Top Six center, imo.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=102179

Hawks toss a point away but have something going on. Just ask Robin Lehner.

Yes, but they were still “under water” for the first two periods, although the numbers were much more even.
- StLBravesFan

Stats I know, advanced stats I do not. If the corsi numbers were not kind to the hawks last night I would think it has to do with an experienced coach's team playing a less experienced coach's team. But if anyone or anything suggestes to me that the hawks were not the better team last night I would respectfully disagree. But I would also have to acknowledge that the visitors were on a road trip playing the second game of a back to back. I'm not sure if the advanced stats pick up on things like that.

Strome may be regressing. Good thing they drafted a Top Six center, imo.
- mohel

Hey good morning back. Strome using a shorter stick as Fatty said has him bent over most of the time. And as you point out he seems to be regressing. I know from experience having used a shorter stick myself that it helps with having better control of the puck in traffic. But the idea is to bend the knees more and not the back. The more a guy bends his back the more his head is down. And he just might find more spring in his legs if he bends his knees more. That would help with more speed, balance, and leverage making him tougher to knock off the puck. Someone mentioned earlier that he is easily knocked off the puck and I tend to agree.

I doubt it. Koekkoek will play in the next game, like it or not. But I don’t think Boqvist gets his cup of coffee yet. Plus, he’s missed a couple games after taking a pick to the mouth (I think). I could see Gilbert getting the call to get some time practicing with the big club and earning an NHL pay cheque.
- DarthKane

Sorry, Darth, for my sentence structuring. Agree with you that Special K will get the call, and that's who I meant originally. Fine and dandy if he gets the nod, but he would be on a short leash. It's not like he's walking into a new situation. If he can't cut it, bring up a Rockford guy not named Boqvist.

Good morning, 66, hope you're well. Not directed at you, but to me what you posted is a positive reflection on the coach. There are some all-or-nothing types here unable to see such things, but for now the team brings it a pretty high percentage of the time.
- mohel

It's one thing to play hard, but it's another thing to do it strategically. Last night for the first time in a long time they were in the face of every opposing player as that player recieved the puck on most of the plays. That very well could be attributed to a system. And if so it worked very well last night. I haven't studied any system in a while so I couldn't make comments on Collitons. These days I just watch as a fan. But last night was beautiful and hopefully the turning of a corner.

Hawks played a great game last night. Like another poster stated, if their top six guys start finding the net, "LOOK OUT!!!"

Hawks played a great game last night. Like another poster stated, if their top six guys start finding the net, "LOOK OUT!!!"
- gabriel

they have some grade A chances the last two games: holtby and fleury got the better of them...