Tyler Cameron: Blackhawks still consistently inconsistent The Blackhawks once again had a stinker of a game when they took on the LA Kings on Saturday night.

Chicago was able to get 2 points out of Anaheim on Sunday though and there were some positives from last night's game. Let's look at them.

Per Scott Powers post game article, he said Kirby has been limited because he has been targeted by opposing teams and has been hit hard.
- gifman


Powers excerpt on Dach...

Dach, the third overall pick in the 2019 draft, continues to establish that case, too. He earned a permanent invitation to stay with the Blackhawks with his two-way play through six games and became the first Blackhawks draft pick since Kane to stick in the NHL in his draft year.

Since then, Colliton has shown he’s going to slowly add more onto Dach’s plate. He was placed as a net-front presence on a power-play unit for the first time leading into Saturday’s game and set up a goal for Dominik Kubalik at the net. It’s apparent Dach’s ice time could vary game by game, but he was moved up into a top-nine role Sunday and played 12:37. He’s been north of 12 minutes in five of his eight games.

“He’s shown he can help us and he’s only going to get better,” Colliton told reporters when announcing the organization’s decision to not send Dach back to juniors. “I think the player he is now, there’s likely going to be a huge improvement as the year goes on and the player (he is) in February I’m sure is going to be an impact player for us.”

While it does seem Dach has been a target at times, nowhere in Powers article that I could find was that suggested as a reason for him being eased into the lineup.

Also...

Not pretty in LA tyler...but after the Duck game, 3 of 4 points in a weekend Western trip.

Take the points, and onto the next game. We need a little run to get back in reach of spot #8.

The west is pretty open right now for those two wild cards. Grab 4 of the next 6 points and we should be right in the mix.

Hey Tyler, another great blog and have to agree...

The top 6 is finally looking like a real top 6. It definitely helps that Jonathan Toews is looking more and more like himself (although he had a rough 3rd period last night). He, along with Saad and Nylander is a line that could see great success if Colliton keeps them together.

ADB, Strome, Kane - check
Saad, Toews, Nylander - check
Kubalik on the PP - check (he does so many little things well that remind me of Hossa)
Lehner and Crow playing well - check
new additions Carpenter, Maatta, DeHaan, playing well - check.
Dach - looking a little more comfortable.

I would not mind seeing a 3rd line of Kampf/Dach, Kubalik and a 4th line of Caggiula, Carpenter and Shaw.

Per Scott Powers post game article, he said Kirby has been limited because he has been targeted by opposing teams and has been hit hard.
- gifman


Powers excerpt on Dach...

Dach, the third overall pick in the 2019 draft, continues to establish that case, too. He earned a permanent invitation to stay with the Blackhawks with his two-way play through six games and became the first Blackhawks draft pick since Kane to stick in the NHL in his draft year.

Since then, Colliton has shown he’s going to slowly add more onto Dach’s plate. He was placed as a net-front presence on a power-play unit for the first time leading into Saturday’s game and set up a goal for Dominik Kubalik at the net. It’s apparent Dach’s ice time could vary game by game, but he was moved up into a top-nine role Sunday and played 12:37. He’s been north of 12 minutes in five of his eight games.

“He’s shown he can help us and he’s only going to get better,” Colliton told reporters when announcing the organization’s decision to not send Dach back to juniors. “I think the player he is now, there’s likely going to be a huge improvement as the year goes on and the player (he is) in February I’m sure is going to be an impact player for us.”

While it does seem Dach has been a target at times, nowhere in Powers article that I could find was that suggested as a reason for him being eased into the lineup.

Also...
- HawkintheD

ok...i have noticed guys (like the jagbag gubardson last night) going out of their to take to take some hits on dach...he has handled it.

ADB, Strome, Kane - check
Saad, Toews, Nylander - check
Kubalik on the PP - check (he does so many little things well that remind me of Hossa)
Lehner and Crow playing well - check
new additions Carpenter, Maatta, DeHaan, playing well - check.
Dach - looking a little more comfortable.

I would not mind seeing a 3rd line of Kampf/Dach, Kubalik and a 4th line of Caggiula, Carpenter and Shaw.
- -Doh-

I like your lineup, though I might flip Shaw and Kampf, or Caggiula and Kampf. Either would give you some more offense without sacrificing much if any defense...JMO.

ADB, Strome, Kane - check
Saad, Toews, Nylander - check
Kubalik on the PP - check (he does so many little things well that remind me of Hossa)
Lehner and Crow playing well - check
new additions Carpenter, Maatta, DeHaan, playing well - check.
Dach - looking a little more comfortable.

I would not mind seeing a 3rd line of Kampf/Dach, Kubalik and a 4th line of Caggiula, Carpenter and Shaw.
- -Doh-

ADB, Strome, Kane this line is high risk defensively...they get stuck in the dzone and need a whistle to get unstuck...

they think offense first...

"It was nice to finally see DeBrincat-Strome-Kane reunited from the drop of the puck as well. These guys looked like they were dying to play together. "

This seems to have been the media talking point all year. Not sure why. I don't see the "dying to play together" or see or hear it (from at least Kane) when on the ice or when interviewed about it. He has so far said exactly the same things he said about playing with his other random line mates. Yes, they practice together in the summers and people assume Kane took them to Belfry's camp because he decided they'd be his future line mates, but he has never confirmed that. Toews turned down the invitation to go.

12-17-99 haven't exactly had a whole lot of success together this year because all of them have been just a little (or a lot) "off" in their puck handling and scoring. We'll see if that changes if they continue to stay together.

I like your lineup, though I might flip Shaw and Kampf, or Caggiula and Kampf. Either would give you some more offense without sacrificing much if any defense...JMO.
- HawkintheD

Actually if you wanted more offense on the third line, and I know in advance people will same I crazy, you could go Sikura, Dach, Kubalik. Sikura and Kubalik are decent 200' players. Drop Kampf down to the 4th line with some combination of Caggiula, Shaw, and Carpenter.

I think Smith actually has been ok in his limited playing time. But just from a sheer numbers standpoint he has to go. Too many forwards, blocking Sikura or other Icehog forwards from coming up. If Bowman could move Smith it would help the numbers and the cap, even if there is a "future considerations" return.

dach in front of the net...he looked lost doing that...that's not a crticism of him
given his pedigree that is probably not something he has done much if at all..

net front/screening is an art, skill and alot of courage..

ADB, Strome, Kane this line is high risk defensively...they get stuck in the dzone and need a whistle to get unstuck...

they think offense first...
- bogiedoc

True. But sometimes they get stuck in the offensive zone (in a good way). You just have to hope their offensive strengths compensates for their defensive deficiencies. And I think Strome is playing more of a 200' game, and Dcat is trying to play a more defensive game (though he seems to float and lacks defensive positioning in the dzone). Kane is what he is.

The hawks still have quite a few areas to improve upon. Just a side note going into last night's game Lehner has earned 6 points while Crawford in his starts has earned a meager 3 for a grand total of 9 points after Last night Lehner has 8 Crawford 3.

I'd say Lehner gives this team the best chance to win and should be starting more often on a regular basis.

Albeit toews assisted on the OT goal it was toews again taking 2 back to back penalties 1 of which gave Anaheim the tying goal.

That to me seems to be an area of frustration on the captain's part for his lack of scoring and its just reflected in him taking way to many penalties.

Boqvist happy to see him score he looked good and he almost had a 2nd goal this kid has a wicked shot. Would like to see Stan make a trade for maybe a young Jesse p , either Gus gets moved .

The hawks still have quite a few areas to improve upon. Just a side note going into last night's game Lehner has earned 6 points while Crawford in his starts has earned a meager 3 for a grand total of 9 points after Last night Lehner has 8 Crawford 3.

I'd say Lehner gives this team the best chance to win and should be starting more often on a regular basis.

Albeit toews assisted on the OT goal it was toews again taking 2 back to back penalties 1 of which gave Anaheim the tying goal.

That to me seems to be an area of frustration on the captain's part for his lack of scoring and its just reflected in him taking way to many penalties.

Boqvist happy to see him score he looked good and he almost had a 2nd goal this kid has a wicked shot. Would like to see Stan make a trade for maybe a young Jesse p , either Gus gets moved .
- Taylorst1

Watching his penalties last night, that is a play that happens multiple times a game by everyone on the ice that has a stick in their hands. I hate the term "taking" a penalty, because everyone does it, it's just a matter of when the refs decide to call it.

Watching his penalties last night, that is a play that happens multiple times a game by everyone on the ice that has a stick in their hands. I hate the term "taking" a penalty, because everyone does it, it's just a matter of when the refs decide to call it.
- powerenforcer

they let guys get killed with crosschecks but don't dare get your stick up around the hands or waste...

2nd penalty seemed to be the ref saying screw you...you want to whine and cry...here take another one...both were weak calls but that's the way they call those today

Actually if you wanted more offense on the third line, and I know in advance people will same I crazy, you could go Sikura, Dach, Kubalik. Sikura and Kubalik are decent 200' players. Drop Kampf down to the 4th line with some combination of Caggiula, Shaw, and Carpenter.

I think Smith actually has been ok in his limited playing time. But just from a sheer numbers standpoint he has to go. Too many forwards, blocking Sikura or other Icehog forwards from coming up. If Bowman could move Smith it would help the numbers and the cap, even if there is a "future considerations" return.
- -Doh-

Nobody wants Smith -that is how we got stuck with him. We gave up a useful player for a well paid regular healthy scratch.

they let guys get killed with crosschecks but don't dare get your stick up around the hands or waste...

2nd penalty seemed to be the ref saying screw you...you want to whine and cry...here take another one...both were weak calls but that's the way they call those today
- bogiedoc

Per Powers, Toews was also apparently complaining loudly about Kane and Dach getting dropped away from the puck a few times with no resulting call. Guess they got tired of hearing it.

Murphy eligible to comeback November 16th. 5 more games. Just saying.

Nobody wants Smith -that is how we got stuck with him. We gave up a useful player for a well paid regular healthy scratch.
- 67hawks

Nobody wants Smith -that is how we got stuck with him. Agree.
We gave up a useful player for a well paid regular healthy scratch Agree
I did not say it would be easy.

I wonder if you could move him and Gus as a package. Even then I doubt the return would be much. (b level prospect or career AHL player or mid round draft pick).

they let guys get killed with crosschecks but don't dare get your stick up around the hands or waste...

2nd penalty seemed to be the ref saying screw you...you want to whine and cry...here take another one...both were weak calls but that's the way they call those today
- bogiedoc

Yep. Watched a couple of Rangers, Devils games, now i wouldn't become the NBA, but these refs let the veterans abuse rookies, how do you not tell these refs watch our future stars closely and don't allow any free runs. Both Hughes and Kakko are getting the red carpet treatment as well.

Fun game last night ...RL seems to give you guys best chance to win games ..

RL made 3 massive saves after Ducks tied it ..Also stoned Grant on that breakaway ...

What can ya do 5x3 goal & skating in mud for most of the night ... I’m surprised we even got a pt last night...

Dach and Boqvist are keepers for sure..

Nobody wants Smith -that is how we got stuck with him. Agree.
We gave up a useful player for a well paid regular healthy scratch Agree
I did not say it would be easy.

I wonder if you could move him and Gus as a package. Even then I doubt the return would be much. (b level prospect or career AHL player or mid round draft pick).
- -Doh-

You started with a low value & ended up with less.

You started with a low value & ended up with less.
- I Am The Breadman

Win win

I was just wondering, if we were playing man to man defense wouldn't each player be on the hip pocket of the opponent? Dmen along the blue line are always open? Theoretically i envision man to man to mean you are not covering an area you are shadowing an opponent and i just don't see this.

they let guys get killed with crosschecks but don't dare get your stick up around the hands or waste...

2nd penalty seemed to be the ref saying screw you...you want to whine and cry...here take another one...both were weak calls but that's the way they call those today
- bogiedoc

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that Toews is doing a lot more complaining about everything to officials -much more so than in the past? I do not want him to become that type of captain -one of the reasons why I dislike Crosby.