Theo Fox: Game 24: Hawks 2, Bolts 3
A recap of the Blackhawks loss to the Lightning on an OT goal with 0.1 ticks left despite stronger defensive play, particularly by Keith, Boqvist, and Mitchell.

First. Great blog Theo.

Thought the shorty by TB was totally due to a lack of effort to get the puck back. They looked disinterested to start the third period.

Perspective.

Overall a great game played by the young team.

Tampa are CUP champs. Likely the best team in the entire league. Maybe they took Hawks lightly, but Hawks outplayed them most of the 60 minutes.

You can expect a Championship team to finish strong. Another great learning experience...and a valuable 1 point as far as holding onto 4th.

I liked the game. Overall, good effort. Let's see what they have for tonight....although I wouldn't be surprised with a Tampa 7-1 win....Hoping the guys show they can duplicate that effort and stay in this game until the end. Looking forward to it.

(Can I say, yet again....Man, gotta love that Hagel !!!!!)

Back in our Cup days we stole many many games because teams didn't know how to finish. Boy does it suck when the shoe is on the other foot. Boys played a great game last night i hope it all continues very pleased with how the team performed as a team.

Hawks showed up. Good experience for the young players on the team to see that they can play with the best of them.

It's too bad the Hawks couldn't hold onto the lead, but fun game to watch.

JC saying in his presser how important the 2nd period was. Asked about the 3rd and said you can't stop skating especially against a team like this.

Back in our Cup days we stole many many games because teams didn't know how to finish. Boy does it suck when the shoe is on the other foot. Boys played a great game last night i hope it all continues very pleased with how the team performed as a team.
- BetweenTheDots

Hawks finished well - the gave up the play for the first 10 minutes of the third (including the two goals), but took it back the last 8 or 9 minutes - out shot them 13-1 (SATs) and played them at least even for the first 4:59.9 of the OT.

Pretty good defense for the Hawks most of the game - enough to win most games - they kept TBL shots mainly at / above the tops of the circles. 29 blocks for TBL, so it’s not like the Champs didn’t play hard.

Good to see Lankinen with a second quality game after a couple of bad ones. It would be good for Subban to come back with a good one tonite - assuming they won’t face Vasilevsky.

Perspective.

Overall a great game played by the young team.

Tampa are CUP champs. Likely the best team in the entire league. Maybe they took Hawks lightly, but Hawks outplayed them most of the 60 minutes.

You can expect a Championship team to finish strong. Another great learning experience...and a valuable 1 point as far as holding onto 4th.

I liked the game. Overall, good effort. Let's see what they have for tonight....although I wouldn't be surprised with a Tampa 7-1 win....Hoping the guys show they can duplicate that effort and stay in this game until the end. Looking forward to it.

(Can I say, yet again....Man, gotta love that Hagel !!!!!)
- hawk35

Yes you can! I was calling for more of him after seeing him in that one game last season.

Theo follows the Hogs a lot more than I do (since I don't follow them at all) but he was pretty much what Theo described and I wondered if it was something he could duplicate game in/game out.

There hasn't been a game since he's been in the lineup where you don't notice him. You have to wonder if Dach didn't get hurt and/or Toews was here and he had a center with a bit more O if he'd have a few more goals. I think they'll come but he's had some nice assists and any offense you get from him is gravy.

The Blackhawks need to hold off an expected Dallas charge up the standings if they are to be the fourth seed in their division. Making the playoffs for the second consecutive season comes again as a surprise once you harken back to the early season prognosis of this being a throw away year.

You might be sipping your Starbucks or Tim Horton's coffee this morning and it hits a sweet spot. It is very satisfying much like the feeling of the Blackhawks looking good for a possible playoffs even though we didn't secure the extra point by not holding on against Tampa.

Well truth be told we have been sort of in a holding on state of mind with the performance of our dmen this season.

Overall early this season we could see the potential of this team through the compete and grittiness of a few forwards + Laakinen and Zadorov each provided a measure of confidance via the strength or strong points

Laakinen has taken the reigns and appears legitimate. Zadorov does perform erratically and has fans screaming at him. Smiling, too, are we as are his teamattes when he buries an opponent or at least causes them some trepidation. Shaw's return too although brief.- and now the wonderful Hagel certainly has made the Blackhawks more formidable.

The past few games though has really been even more encouraging. Theo nailed it by giving credit to Keith, Mitchell, and Boqvist

I would like to see Murphy, Carlsson and rotate Zadirov and DeHahn to fill out the defense. The best solid defense is what I want to see. Zadorov is hot and cold with the aggressiveness but otherwise bad judgement, slow reactions, miscues. DeHahn I believe is playing not 100% healthy and his performance reflects that. Meanwhile, I suggest that Carlsson will be ok if he is put in the lineup regularly

I have confidance in this usage of the dmen; perhaps you agree

I think we can agree Toews and Seabrook are not returning this season. But Seguin should boost Dallas' attack upon his return

The Stars have an increasingly difficult task to catch Chicago in this condenced schedule. Dallas is going to be very pressed and always tired...overly tired perhaps really drained making up all those games. So let's not get too giddy because the Blackhawks have to go out and earn it the old fashioned way - with hard work

We certainly do not expect an aversion to that with the character of the team this year, eh

I just want to ask what the board thinks of Darryl Sutter being able to resuscitate the burning Flames. I see some quality players on the roster, an upgrade in goaltending but something isn't right. I know the darn Maple Leafs are beating everyone including the Flames. After Giordano, the blueline appears rather weak.. Johnny Hockey needs to produce more. Monahan is always getting injured. Can Calgary make the playoffs. Vancouver won't. Does Montreal? The "Winn(ing) -peg" Jets are on pace to get in although Dubois doesn't appear to be really on track

Hagel has some offensive skills. I am thinking that maybe he hangs out with Kane an ADB this summer and takes them up a notch.

Remember when (not so long ago btw) when some fans were willing to part with Kampf for nothing? He has been looking pretty good lately, although I have always liked him and am happy for him.

Remember when (not so long ago btw) when some fans were willing to part with Kampf for nothing? He has been looking pretty good lately, although I have always liked him and am happy for him.
- 67hawks

Every team needs versatile worker bees like Kampf. You're probably not going to put him out there for a shoot out but, he does his job pretty good for what he's getting paid.

Someone mentioned that Brandon Hagel is Andrew Shaw-like and I can see that. I did take a look and this season, in 22 games, Hagel has taken one (1) minor penalty. 7 minutes total. I recall many on this board getting frustrated with some of Shaws' ill-timed penalties.

Tough game sometimes, Boqvist plays solid D and ends up a -3. Kid looks so much better since coming back from Covid.

Hawks finished well - the gave up the play for the first 10 minutes of the third (including the two goals), but took it back the last 8 or 9 minutes - out shot them 13-1 (SATs) and played them at least even for the first 4:59.9 of the OT.

Pretty good defense for the Hawks most of the game - enough to win most games - they kept TBL shots mainly at / above the tops of the circles. 29 blocks for TBL, so it’s not like the Champs didn’t play hard.

Good to see Lankinen with a second quality game after a couple of bad ones. It would be good for Subban to come back with a good one tonite - assuming they won’t face Vasilevsky.
- StLBravesFan

Agree with all this. They took the punch to start the 3rd - and got back up. The other team is Stanley Cup champions, they are going to dominate play for parts of any game. Those expecting otherwise (you aren't doing so) are not being realistic.

Very encouraging game in my opinion.

Tough game sometimes, Boqvist plays solid D and ends up a -3. Kid looks so much better since coming back from Covid.
- ChicagoHope

Kid needs to sit a game.

Tough game sometimes, Boqvist plays solid D and ends up a -3. Kid looks so much better since coming back from Covid.
- ChicagoHope

Excellent point. He looks much more comfortable.

Tough game sometimes, Boqvist plays solid D and ends up a -3. Kid looks so much better since coming back from Covid.
- ChicagoHope

I thought he had a really good game last night, seems to me he's getting better at keeping it simple.

Appreciate JC trying to make it 3-0, i was kind of hoping he would have Keith out there on the PP to start the 3rd. Not saying it's Bo's fault just was hoping.

Seabs just announced he is retiring

Brent Seabrook says he’s unable to play and announces the end of his 15-year career due to injury.

Hagel has some offensive skills. I am thinking that maybe he hangs out with Kane an ADB this summer and takes them up a notch.
- -Doh-

and include #16 in that group this summer, next year could be really good

Brent Seabrook says he’s unable to play and announces the end of his 15-year career due to injury.
- ChicagoDave

A sad day. He was my 2nd favorite Hawk (after Hossa) during the run, and even though everything has been about his contract for the past few years, I will always remember him fondly.

That game 7 OT winning goal vs Detroit exorcised a lot of my 90s/2000s demons.

Brent Seabrook says he’s unable to play and announces the end of his 15-year career due to injury.
- ChicagoDave

Dammit! I was so hoping that he would be able to come back and play. Congrats to him on a great career!

There are collections of "All the Blackhawks playoff goals from 2010, 2013, or 2015. It is insane how many huge goals (the OT's!) that he either scored or assisted on.

Dammit! I was so hoping that he would be able to come back and play. Congrats to him on a great career!

There are collections of "All the Blackhawks playoff goals from 2010, 2013, or 2015. It is insane how many huge goals (the OT's!) that he either scored or assisted on.
- Chunk

How many 2 on1s did he lay out and stop - Warrior!!!!

A sad day. He was my 2nd favorite Hawk (after Hossa) during the run, and even though everything has been about his contract for the past few years, I will always remember him fondly.

That game 7 OT winning goal vs Detroit exorcised a lot of my 90s/2000s demons.
- tazer_and_diet

is it not a little bitter sweet for you guys. Seabrook was almost 7 mil for another 3 years (for a guy who's prob not an NHL calibre dman anymore).

sad to see him go, but in terms of cap flexiblity, it's kind of a bless in disguise (especially since he's not a +35 contract.

I'm going to ceremoniously hang by Seabrook jersey on the wall in tribute to a great career. Really hoped he would be able to come back after all those surgeries. Thanks for all the great playoff moments Seabs!