Theo Fox: Game 48: Hawks 1, Preds 3 A recap of the Blackhawks loss to the Predators to close out the season series and drop them further out of the 4th playoff seed.

Plus, a look at the IceHogs loss to the Wild.

Only wish We had a few more games on the schedule against the Hocks
Right Big KarASS?.

Only wish We had a few more games on the schedule against the Hocks
Right Big KarASS?.
- VopatsRash

Definitely had the Hawks number this season. The team in general but Saros for sure.

Your biggest regret will be if the Preds do make the playoffs they won't be playing the Hawks as they'll likely be reserving their tee times the following week.

I WATCHED the game last nite! And once again to my surprise. I saw a defense minded team with very little talent beat the black hawks using hard work, finishing there checks and pure will. This season we played the Preds * times with a possible 16 points on the line ,we gave up 15. Next season we will be moving back in our own central division . Playing the defensive mind Preds, Blues, Wild and Stars, with the multi talent Avs as well as Jets. Somehow i dont see us getting any better. They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. " It is time to to stop letting the lunatics run the nuthouse "

I WATCHED the game last nite! And once again to my surprise. I saw a defense minded team with very little talent beat the black hawks using hard work, finishing there checks and pure will. This season we played the Preds * times with a possible 16 points on the line ,we gave up 15. Next season we will be moving back in our own central division . Playing the defensive mind Preds, Blues, Wild and Stars, with the multi talent Avs as well as Jets. Somehow i dont see us getting any better. They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. " It is time to to stop letting the lunatics run the nuthouse "
- Ging72

While it's no fun losing to the Preds or any division rival with that much regularity, if you didn't see anything you liked this season or any reason for hope next season or beyond...sorry...I can't help ya.

We all know the issues this team has - and the questions that still must be answered - starting with Colliton, going through defensive breakdowns, lack of a transition game, needing both more speed and pushback, better crease play at both ends, winning more puck battles, shooting woes, a reverted to form not very good PP....losing games by having breakdowns and giving up goals in bunches....

But with all of that, while Nashville (15-5-1=31 in 21 games) and Dallas (8-3-2=18 in 13 games) have been burning it up, the Blackhawks have gone 8-8-0=16 in their last 16 games, with wins against Florida (2, yeah, without Barkov, but still), and Carolina.

In only 5 of those 16 did they give up more than 3 (also 5 giving up less than 3) using a first-year Fin and a career backup in net. Scored 40, given up 45 - given up only 15 in the 8 wins. When the defense protected, and the goalies weren’t letting in softies (like last night), they’ve been very competitive - whic has been most of the time this season.

And only 3 goals from Kane.

Not terrible for a rebuild year.

Your team has not accomplished much over the past few seasons. Your team won sometimes in the playoffs but for the most part the Pred's are spinning their wheel but not getting very far.

Against Chicago - a team that was trying to remain competitive but has been in decline after a great run - you have beaten us. Congratulations on beating a wounded animal. You would be roasted if you couldn't beat us. However now Bowman has a promising youth movement. and we are going to become better. Your coach may disguise the fragrant offense of your GM's failure but the Pred's can only go so far in their current configuratiion.

You want the truth. Can you handle the truth. Chicago won three Cups in ten years. No one else in hockey can match that accimplishment. Not in modern hockey the past few decades. Now on our rebuild you beat us. That is the solace you rejoice in and it must feel good to win finally for you in a landscape where a top team eventually has to fall back before they can rise up again.

If you are smart you should direct your pain toward your GM. You have some nice pieces now and a good coach. But this GM has not been able to move the needle for Pred's going farther. Good luck with that.

Have a nice day and may it begin with a cup of coffee with some reality check stirred in. I hope it does not taste too bitter. Good luck for the Pred's to manage correctly as we both would love some intense playoff games down the road. Maybe your team could win sometimes. Who knows exactly how both teams will progress. Just bide our time while both teams hopefully improve. If I make it to Nashville again I hope Shoney's breakfast bar is still around. Ironically Shoney's failed in this Chicagoland market. But enough already for there is no revisionist history. Only hopefully some good matches between two teams we can pray are managed well

Have a nice day and may it begin with a cup of coffee with some reality check stirred in. I hope it does not taste too bitter. Good luck for the Pred's to manage correctly as we both would love some intense playoff games down the road. Maybe your team could win sometimes. Who knows exactly how both teams will progress. Just bide our time while both teams hopefully improve. If I make it to Nashville again I hope Shoney's breakfast bar is still around. Ironically Shoney's failed in this Chicagoland market. But enough already for there is no revisionist history. Only hopefully some good matches between two teams we can pray are managed well
- jhawk59

Nice post J, but if it's all the same to you, I'd be ok if only the Hawks were managed well.

Only wish We had a few more games on the schedule against the Hocks
Right Big KarASS?.
- VopatsRash

No matter. Dallas is going to make the playoffs not the Nashville Shreds.

Nashville will probably hang a banner that they missed the playoffs but they beat the Hawks a few times.

Completely agree w/ Wiz on his assessment of the current crop of young guys. Chock full what would be role/complimentary players on a contender. Fill in the missing talent on offense and I actually think the d-men we have will round out as they as games to their belt w/ Stan using Keith as a mentor the rest of his contract. Good amount of cap space available especially if they move De Haan and/or Murphy for prospects/picks.

Yesterday a poster (too lazy to go back and find out who) said that Subban doesn't give up weak goals. I was going to beg to differ but he's been playing well, better than I saw him play in Vegas. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt. So of course last night he reverts to what I think is more his norm. I really want to like the guy as he has the perfect attitude and work ethic, especially for a backup. But last night was f'n brutal.
I see one big difference between Subban & Lankinen. Lankinen when down gets his pads flat on the ice where Subban's don't stay flat. I hope Jimmy Waite can ultimately make the difference necessary because the puck can't go through the goalie like it did on all three goals last night. The hawks were outplayed and some will say badly. But with solid tending they could have stolen that game. Count me as a guy pulling for Malcomb Subban, but he has to solve the swiss cheese issue sooner than later.

Only wish We had a few more games on the schedule against the Hocks
Right Big KarASS?.
- VopatsRash

Hey VorASS How's your sister?. Crawl back in your trailer you inbred hillrod.

Only wish We had a few more games on the schedule against the Hocks
Right Big KarASS?.
- VopatsRash

Hate to admit but that coach has them playing great without the puck, it was difficult for us just to get through the neutral zone, to me this is a coach who understands geometry and is able to teach it to his players.

When the Preds beat the Hawks 4-0 in that playoffs, didn’t the Hawks coached by Q have the same problem?

How about our supposed #1 center Dach looking like he needs a year in the A to hopefully figure things out?

Also to add in that the hawks are league leaders in lost games due to injury... + JToews will be back next year (and he'll be a productive add regardless of line put on) and Dach will have the full year to get in a rhythm. One major item coming into this year (goalie) seems to at least have been smoothed out so that it's not a major problem, at least seemingly for the next year or two.

I would expect them to vie for the playoffs next year, despite being in the annually toughest division.

Also to add in that the hawks are league leaders in lost games due to injury... + JToews will be back next year (and he'll be a productive add regardless of line put on) and Dach will have the full year to get in a rhythm. One major item coming into this year (goalie) seems to at least have been smoothed out so that it's not a major problem, at least seemingly for the next year or two.

I would expect them to vie for the playoffs next year, despite being in the annually toughest division.
- DontKnowNutin

If you look back at the beginning of the season, and everyone’s prognostications of how many points, and where the Hawks would be, the team has way over performed. Just think, if they had a good coach who had a system, they would be SC contenders SMH.

Can’t wait for the next coach to be criticized after the first exhibition game because Q would of done it differently.

We all know the issues this team has - and the questions that still must be answered - starting with Colliton, going through defensive breakdowns, lack of a transition game, needing both more speed and pushback, better crease play at both ends, winning more puck battles, shooting woes, a reverted to form not very good PP....losing games by having breakdowns and giving up goals in bunches....

But with all of that, while Nashville (15-5-1=31 in 21 games) and Dallas (8-3-2=18 in 13 games) have been burning it up, the Blackhawks have gone 8-8-0=16 in their last 16 games, with wins against Florida (2, yeah, without Barkov, but still), and Carolina.

In only 5 of those 16 did they give up more than 3 (also 5 giving up less than 3) using a first-year Fin and a career backup in net. Scored 40, given up 45 - given up only 15 in the 8 wins. When the defense protected, and the goalies weren’t letting in softies (like last night), they’ve been very competitive - whic has been most of the time this season.

And only 3 goals from Kane.

Not terrible for a rebuild year.
- StLBravesFan

So how does your last paragraph and 2 sentences connect with Colliton being an unanswered question?

If nothing else, his team has stayed in the race for the 4th spot longer than most anybody would have expected - in a division where 5 other teams have far superior roster talent. Isn't that an indication of some fairly decent coaching work?

In fact, Colliton thinks so little of the effectiveness of his roster talent options down the middle of the ice that he healthy scratches both Strome and Gaudette last night because he doesn't think their center play can help him win. That takes having some big ballz at the risk of offending his boss or is a message delivered inside the dressing room that the efforts of both players don't meet minimum expectations.

I'm not saying JC is Scotty Bowman or Al Arbour behind the bench, but a coach needs talent to win. The Hawks don't have anywhere near enough given their current talent pool.

How about our supposed #1 center Dach looking like he needs a year in the A to hopefully figure things out?
- LAHawk

Idk, I think it's more like he needs an injury free offseason and the ability to join the team in camp and go from there.

If you look back at the beginning of the season, and everyone’s prognostications of how many points, and where the Hawks would be, the team has way over performed. Just think, if they had a good coach who had a system, they would be SC contenders SMH.

Can’t wait for the next coach to be criticized after the first exhibition game because Q would of done it differently.
- LAHawk

For sure the Hawks played way better than expected, lot of it had to do with the great play of our goalie, can't wait till Bowman can find players to fit this defensive system, looks like he has 3 so far, hopefully we can find forwards who can cover the guys going to the net

And find forwards who make it very difficult to get through the neutral zone

For sure the Hawks played way better than expected, lot of it had to do with the great play of our goalie, can't wait till Bowman can find players to fit this defensive system, looks like he has 3 so far, hopefully we can find forwards who can cover the guys going to the net

And find forwards who make it very difficult to get through the neutral zone
- BetweenTheDots

Didn’t 2 of the Hawks cups, a lot of it had to do with the great play of our goalie? Bowman needs to find NHL defenseman that are league average, and the defense will improve. When the 2 rookies you play are by far your best D, that says volumes.

How about our supposed #1 center Dach looking like he needs a year in the A to hopefully figure things out?
- LAHawk

The same Dach who missed three months coming off an injury? The kid who just turned 20? The biggest problem with this site are the posters who give up on players after a handful of bad games. I’d expect you to know better than to be writing off a player who’s so young. He’s not the Hawk’s supposed number one center, that title belonged to a certain captain who was unable to play this season. Dach was one of the top Hawk players last play offs, now he’s struggling. Did you show patience last season when ADB struggled?

Could he use some time in the minors? Possibly, but now you have to weigh making that move and killing his confidence. Personally I don’t think any 19 year old, unless his name is McDavid or Matthews should forgo his last season in Junior.

Let’s give Dach a summer off, a training camp and 40 games then assess where he belongs. My guess is it will be in the NHL on the Blackhawks.

Completely agree w/ Wiz on his assessment of the current crop of young guys. Chock full what would be role/complimentary players on a contender. Fill in the missing talent on offense and I actually think the d-men we have will round out as they as games to their belt w/ Stan using Keith as a mentor the rest of his contract. Good amount of cap space available especially if they move De Haan and/or Murphy for prospects/picks.
- Assman22

Yes this! To everyone who thinks we're in great shape for the future enjoy your kool-aid.

The same Dach who missed three months coming off an injury? The kid who just turned 20? The biggest problem with this site are the posters who give up on players after a handful of bad games. I’d expect you to know better than to be writing off a player who’s so young. He’s not the Hawk’s supposed number one center, that title belonged to a certain captain who was unable to play this season. Dach was one of the top Hawk players last play offs, now he’s struggling. Did you show patience last season when ADB struggled?

Could he use some time in the minors? Possibly, but now you have to weigh making that move and killing his confidence. Personally I don’t think any 19 year old, unless his name is McDavid or Matthews should forgo his last season in Junior.

Let’s give Dach a summer off, a training camp and 40 games then assess where he belongs. My guess is it will be in the NHL on the Blackhawks.
- paulr

Kid looks like a player but he's still a kid. He won't be close to what he can be for 3 more years when he's an old 23.

If the hawks are to really bottom out let’s hope it’s in the 2022-23 season. There’s a 15 year old tearing up the WHL named Connor Bedard and who just made the team Canada U18 team. Not only that but there is serious talk about him playing in the World Championships against professional men.