SV% is .960 since King took over. Today they played better defensively but a team giving up close to 35 shots a game could hardly be said to be much better defensively.

Plus, its boring hockey.
- Elbows15

I think it's 32, 11th worst in the league. Fwiw, the Oil give up 2nd worst SOG slightly over 34 a game, i will always stand by this concept, a SOG with a guy challenging it is a much more difficult shot to make, then a SOG with no one between the goalie and the forward. The Blackhawks are challenging the shots now down the middle of the ice. Clearing out the crease a big reason the goalies coincidentally are playing better.

I think it's 32, 11th worst in the league. Fwiw, the Oil give up 2nd worst SOG slightly over 34 a game, i will always stand by this concept, a SOG with a guy challenging it is a much more difficult shot to make, then a SOG with no one between the goalie and the forward. The Blackhawks are challenging the shots now down the middle of the ice. Clearing out the crease a big reason the goalies coincidentally are playing better.
- BetweenTheDots

You came up with that all by yourself? Profound!

New York declared a state of emergency because of the new strain of The Vid. Some countries are closing borders to/from some other countries. Hopefully the US/Canada border stays open, although keeping Paulie out has some benefits.... Right, Dots?
- mohel

If I were Edzo I’d be curled up in the fetal position, thumb in my mouth crying for my Mama.

If I were Edzo I’d be curled up in the fetal position, thumb in my mouth crying for my Mama.
- paulr

If you were Edzo, your thumb would not be in your mouth.

Not a streamer so I didn't see the game. Thanks for the recap and nice to see the win. Hopefully another one versus SJS Sunday.

I checked the boxscore and Kalybuk only had 9 minutes TOI. Anybody know if he committed any gaffes leading to his reduced ice time or did King rely on his vets in a close game?
- boilermaker100

Do you have a computer? If so you're a streamer able to get every NHL game for free: http://onhockey.tv/index....place=sawlive&channel=tvh

If you were Edzo, your thumb would not be in your mouth.
- mohel

Might explain the fetal position.

If I were Edzo I’d be curled up in the fetal position, thumb in my mouth crying for my Mama.
- paulr

You think Edzo has opposable thumbs.

I think it's 32, 11th worst in the league. Fwiw, the Oil give up 2nd worst SOG slightly over 34 a game, i will always stand by this concept, a SOG with a guy challenging it is a much more difficult shot to make, then a SOG with no one between the goalie and the forward. The Blackhawks are challenging the shots now down the middle of the ice. Clearing out the crease a big reason the goalies coincidentally are playing better.
- BetweenTheDots

Your eyes are not deceiving you, Dots. No doubt the Hawks are taking time and space away in their zone, have bodies between the shooter and their net and the stats are bearing that out. Not a defensive juggernaut that's for sure but a marked improvement under King........ From Laz's last column.



"In fact, aside from the occasional disastrous period like the second in Vancouver on Sunday night, the Blackhawks seem to pass the eye test more often than they did under Colliton. There seems to be less confusion, less chasing, and less abandonment of the net front. Tuesday’s second period was a good example of that. The Blackhawks looked in control of themselves and of their structure.

McCabe said that’s no coincidence, noting that the Blackhawks are doing a better job of sending the center, or the first winger back, into the corner in the defensive zone while the defenseman maintains his position in front of the crease, clearing out opposing forwards and making it more difficult for them to get their sticks on loose pucks and rebounds in the goalmouth.

“I think us defensemen are a little bit better in front of our net than our forwards are,” McCabe said. “And that’s a good situation for us to be in, to send forwards. But that all comes down to talking, communicating, and understanding each other.”"

Your eyes are not deceiving you, Dots. No doubt the Hawks are taking time and space away in their zone, have bodies between the shooter and their net and the stats are bearing that out. Not a defensive juggernaut that's for sure but a marked improvement under King........ From Laz's last column.



"In fact, aside from the occasional disastrous period like the second in Vancouver on Sunday night, the Blackhawks seem to pass the eye test more often than they did under Colliton. There seems to be less confusion, less chasing, and less abandonment of the net front. Tuesday’s second period was a good example of that. The Blackhawks looked in control of themselves and of their structure.

McCabe said that’s no coincidence, noting that the Blackhawks are doing a better job of sending the center, or the first winger back, into the corner in the defensive zone while the defenseman maintains his position in front of the crease, clearing out opposing forwards and making it more difficult for them to get their sticks on loose pucks and rebounds in the goalmouth.

“I think us defensemen are a little bit better in front of our net than our forwards are,” McCabe said. “And that’s a good situation for us to be in, to send forwards. But that all comes down to talking, communicating, and understanding each other.”"
- Mr Ricochet

I'm not a religious man but, AMEN!

Unlike Elbows i love me some boring hockey if that means the Blackhawks are in the game. This team is built to play boring hockey.

Wonder how much playing for the Habs last year helped Gusto, he's been, dare i say it, solid in his own end lately.

Now if i were King I'd tell Kubalik screw your shot just go to the front of the net, you've got great hands, screen the goalie and deflect the shot

I believe it also builds confidence, vs Oil, when Murphy and I believe Caleb Jones were stuck in their own end for 5 minutes and the opponent couldn't score.

I'm not a religious man but, AMEN!

Unlike Elbows i love me some boring hockey if that means the Blackhawks are in the game. This team is built to play boring hockey.

Wonder how much playing for the Habs last year helped Gusto, he's been, dare i say it, solid in his own end lately.

Now if i were King I'd tell Kubalik screw your shot just go to the front of the net, you've got great hands, screen the goalie and deflect the shot
- BetweenTheDots

You won’t find a poster who is a bigger proponent of defensive hockey than Elbows. But he wants to see smart hockey, starting with a GM who is smart in his acquisition of players.

This team isn’t really built to play any style of hockey and certainly not defensive hockey. There are only one or two good defensive players the rest are average or are learning. And the forwards aren’t particularly good at playing defensively except for three or four.

Theo, about Taige Harding, I think Ricco brought this up before but he’s playing in a Tier 2 Junior league in Alberta. Not sure why? Unless he’s looking to get into College? If not him playing in a second rate Junior leage makes no sense. He should be playing Major Junior or College.

Gus was a plus 2? Extension time, baby......
- mohel

6 years $6 million AAV?

Theo, about Taige Harding, I think Ricco brought this up before but he’s playing in a Tier 2 Junior league in Alberta. Not sure why? Unless he’s looking to get into College? If not him playing in a second rate Junior leage makes no sense. He should be playing Major Junior or College.
- paulr

He is committed to Providence for next year. That is why he stayed in the AJHL to preserve his eligibilty.

I thought McCabe and Borgstrum had nice games.

But biggest difference is goaltending. If we let in a softie we probably will not win. We just don’t have enough offense.

Tyler Johnson, if he is healthy, could be a good add to the 3rd line.

I hate using the drop pass on the power play with Kurashev and Dach bringing the puck up. If we do that drop pass Borgstrum should be one of the players.
- Ztra

Great play by Kane and DeBrincat in OT, but the play all started with Toews making the best decision of the night.

6 years $6 million AAV?
- DarthKane

Maybe he’ll accept 5 @ $5M if he’s offered a full NMC?

I'm not a religious man but, AMEN!

Unlike Elbows i love me some boring hockey if that means the Blackhawks are in the game. This team is built to play boring hockey.

Wonder how much playing for the Habs last year helped Gusto, he's been, dare i say it, solid in his own end lately.

Now if i were King I'd tell Kubalik screw your shot just go to the front of the net, you've got great hands, screen the goalie and deflect the shot

I believe it also builds confidence, vs Oil, when Murphy and I believe Caleb Jones were stuck in their own end for 5 minutes and the opponent couldn't score.
- BetweenTheDots

And when their SV% returns to normal, they will be back giving up 4 goals a game UNLESS they can move in the right direction and limit SATs. Today was a good example.

Great play by Kane and DeBrincat in OT, but the play all started with Toews making the best decision of the night.
- DarthKane

After Jones made a terrible play he got away with because the Blues (frank)ed up. Jones did redeem himself by sending Kane and Cat off to the races.

Maybe he’ll accept 5 @ $5M if he’s offered a full NMC?
- paulr

The NMC was implied, even at 6 x $6.

Also, it looks like the Sens are putting Murray on waivers. CLAIM HIM KD!!!

BTW, Dots, if Edmonton's PP falls to below 30%, we will see how flawed they are as a team.

The NMC was implied, even at 6 x $6.

Also, it looks like the Sens are putting Murray on waivers. CLAIM HIM KD!!!
- DarthKane

6.25M for this and another 2 seasons. Don't you even put that out in the universe.

And when their SV% returns to normal, they will be back giving up 4 goals a game UNLESS they can move in the right direction and limit SATs. Today was a good example.
- Elbows15

Technically if MAF performs at his plus 900 save %, like he did almost his entire career, and they give up their 32 SOG per game, looking at about 3 goals given up a game. 4 was JCs absence of any kind of structure in the dzone.

Blues only got so many shots because they were up 2-0 and sat on the lead. Kind of like how everyone was complaining about the Hawks doing in prior games.

Theo, about Taige Harding, I think Ricco brought this up before but he’s playing in a Tier 2 Junior league in Alberta. Not sure why? Unless he’s looking to get into College? If not him playing in a second rate Junior leage makes no sense. He should be playing Major Junior or College.
- paulr

Thanks, paul. Yes, I remember Rico talking wondering why Harding was staying in a lower junior league but do recall an article I read about his NCAA eligiblity for next year as Elbows pointed out.

Great play by Kane and DeBrincat in OT, but the play all started with Toews making the best decision of the night.
- DarthKane

Seeing who posted this, I assume it's sarcasm. However, I worked a 12 hour day today, and didn't see a minute of the game.

Please elaborate.

6 years $6 million AAV?
- DarthKane

Trade him for a 1st and a middle prospect like Stan was supposed to do.

6 years $6 million AAV?
- DarthKane

It's gonna take 8/8. This is still cheap for Lidstrom 2.0.