Rinne, how sweet is that?
- VopatsRash

Rinne needs to bring some offense, because with the 61st best save % in the NHL he surely is not providing stellar goaltending.

We complain about Crow and he has the 39th best save %, with a much weaker defense and overall team in front of him.

Rinne always wanted to score a goal, talked openly of doing it. Great to do it against an original 6 team with a long and storied history (cough) that never had a goalie score against them. Big win after a Coach was fired. Would have been good to see live. Hope those there didn't leave early.

I like Kubalik, I really do, but please stop with the ridiculous Hossa comparisons.
- Angotti

Compare definition - measure the similarity or dissimilarity between.

Hossa maybe be one of the best Hawks all time. Saying Kubalik is as good as Hossa is ridiculous. Comparing Kubalik to Hossa is not ridiculous.

You can compare Gus to Josi and that is not saying Gus is as good as Josi.

But here is the comparisons between Hossa and Kubalik:
1) wicked shot
2) high hockey IQ
3) plays a 200' game
4) finds open spaces in the offensive zone
5) can cycle the puck
6) willing to play physical in both ends of the ice and can win board battles
7) strong on his skates
8) soft hands
9) can stick handle very well

If Hossa was a "10" in all of these areas maybe Kubalike is a "7"+/- depending on the area. That is a cmparison.

Side note. Kubalik has the 2nd most goals on the Hawks playing only 13 minutes per night, with virtually no power play time, and for most of the season playing on the 3rd line with such offensive stalwarts as Kampf, Smith, and the likes.

If he played 18 minutes per night with Toews and Saad and got some PP time he probably would have closer to 20 goals and 40 points roughly 1/2 way through the season. Not bad for someone adjusting to the NHL.

Rinne always wanted to score a goal, talked openly of doing it. Great to do it against an original 6 team with a long and storied history (cough) that never had a goalie score against them. Big win after a Coach was fired. Would have been good to see live. Hope those there didn't leave early.
- VopatsRash

Rinne wanted to score a goal on an empty net. Crow wanted to win multiple Stanley Cups. I guess they both accomplished their goals. Enough said.

I love Kane. But he is not going to block shots or win board battles in the defensive zone. He is going to float.

The opponents match their most offensive minded LD with the Kane line.

It is very obvious that the opposition is telling their LD to activate, come down to the half boards or go to the net in the offensive zone when Kane is on the ice. Josi last night was a good example.

But is seems like the Hawks make no adjustment for Kane's defensive liability. He sags so far in the D zone that it gives the LD on the other team a lot of room to operate. Instead of Kane playing far off the defender I would rather have Kane play up tight on the LD and make it more difficult for him to receive the puck and then skate and stick check him after he gets the puck. Also if I am the center on Kane's line or the Hawks RD I would be very aware that I have to be ready for the opponents LD.
- -Doh-

good observation doh...kane is the first outlet option so he tends to either sag as you point out or hang around the blue line...usually first to flee the zone..now nothing wrong with to give your most dynamic offensive weapon the freedom to be create and counter quickly but with that comes risk...the kane line with strome and/or adb were a disaster if they got pinned in the dzone..

*NEW* blog up: http://bit.ly/2Nh38Ho

Up and down we go... right now we're on the down.

Fun, isn't it #blackhawks fans?

Rinne always wanted to score a goal, talked openly of doing it. Great to do it against an original 6 team with a long and storied history (cough) that never had a goalie score against them. Big win after a Coach was fired. Would have been good to see live. Hope those there didn't leave early.
- VopatsRash

i am sure they gave him the puck and will award him with a trophy for scoring that enetter...


in reality it means NOTHING...the game was over 4-2...

he is not very good anymore...one more year left and he can return to finland and reflect on his two playoff losses to the hawks and his crappy play in the 7 game series vs pens....