Trying to block out last year but this one has a bit of a different feel to it, mostly because Toews has been playing like his old self again.

Haven't checked the Atheltic or Herald but wonder if Crawford is still slated for a Thursday return.
- HawkintheD

And done without Crawford this year.

But - 16 out of 22 goals by 3 skaters - no othe player has more than one.

Ok - only 5 games - but some of the other presumed 20 goal scorers need to start the clock - Schmaltz, Saad, Anisimov (1), Kahun (1 - need more from a top-sixer)....

must be reunion weekend...

philco last night now ogie, paulr, elbows, mohel...all we need is JJ
- bogiedoc

Sorry I missed it, glad to see a lot of old faces back though.

Some of these posts about different guys from the past made me laugh

Sorry I missed it, glad to see a lot of old faces back though.

Some of these posts about different guys from the past made me laugh
- vabeachbear

Too bad everyone wasn't sporting their Mayberry avis, or F Troop as the case may be.

Question for the class would saad and schmaltz be enough to get Nylander and???? From Toronto since most here including myself believe he is a weak center at best

If you told me at the beginning of the season that the Hawks would taken 8 of 10 possible points I would have thought you were delirious from an all night Peppa Pig binge.
- DarthKane

Beat me to the punch, you would've been banned (just seems right this morning) for suggesting this team could take 8 pts this season, let along in the first five games

It started in July, 2014, after several bans (I had one too from Eli - don’t even remember the cause) - things escalated rather quickly in here before that - we were all still friendly with Eli at an Ice Hog game the previous March.

Still going strong.

OHT (obligatory hockey talk) - nice start at 3-0-2=8 but remember- that’s only one point better than last year’s 3-1-1=7.
- StLBravesFan

But think Crow was in a constant "standing on his head mode" in those games, Ward, not so much

Too bad everyone wasn't sporting their Mayberry avis, or F Troop as the case may be.
- HawkintheD

I changed mine back and forth, then got lazy and never changed again.

I changed mine back and forth, then got lazy and never changed again.
- vabeachbear

Agarn would have wanted it that way.

But think Crow was in a constant "standing on his head mode" in those games, Ward, not so much
- vabeachbear

Yes, Crawford was 3-1 with 5 GA in his four games.

Does he come back as THAT Crawford...?

Yes, Crawford was 3-1 with 5 GA in his four games.

Does he come back as THAT Crawford...?
- StLBravesFan

That's the question, if and if so when can he be that guy again. Maybe Justin will have that in his blog later. Nothing on the Athletic yet but still early.

But think Crow was in a constant "standing on his head mode" in those games, Ward, not so much
- vabeachbear

Only 68 more points in 77 games to match last season. We can do this!

All in all, the rebuild is progressing, but we know they can't keep giving up an average of 4 goals per game. On paper the Hawks are a top team in terms of shots on goal, but also giving up shots. (3rd for and tied 5th most against). Some of that is due to playing in OT 5 times which inflates both, but it is safe to say the games haven't been tight checking overall.

Interesting to note, coach Q admitted in the post game the other night that he feels what was lacking (when up 2-0) was the ability to find that 3rd goal. No talk of sitting back and defending that lead, but seems the focus is keep scoring. A big difference so far has been bring back Kruger to take those Dzone draws and Toews line is freed up more to attack.

Yes, Crawford was 3-1 with 5 GA in his four games.

Does he come back as THAT Crawford...?
- StLBravesFan

With the extra time they've given him to get ready, I don't see why he won't be his typical self. He has been a very consistent goaltender in his career and when asked if he was ready last week, Q basically admitted it is pretty much about conditioning at this point.

Any of you guys remember Tim Sassones Daily Herald blog. That one got pretty crazy toward the end. The Jeff Shantz guy was off the wall.


- jhawk159

There was also the Religious guy who wound up on about every Daily Herald blog. Can't remember his name

Only 68 more points in 77 games to match last season. We can do this!

All in all, the rebuild is progressing, but we know they can't keep giving up an average of 4 goals per game. On paper the Hawks are a top team in terms of shots on goal, but also giving up shots. (3rd for and tied 5th most against). Some of that is due to playing in OT 5 times which inflates both, but it is safe to say the games haven't been tight checking overall.

Interesting to note, coach Q admitted in the post game the other night that he feels what was lacking (when up 2-0) was the ability to find that 3rd goal. No talk of sitting back and defending that lead, but seems the focus is keep scoring. A big difference so far has been bring back Kruger to take those Dzone draws and Toews line is freed up more to attack.
- breadbag

On this point, is it me, or is the D much worse since Ulf arrived???

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=95311

On this point, is it me, or is the D much worse since Ulf arrived???
- vabeachbear

Not just you. Never thought people would be asking for Kitchen back huh?

I think it's part Ulf and part the degradation of Keiths game slightly and Seabrook game by a ton, coupled with all the young and/or bad defenseman that paints a less than perfect painting.