Theo Fox: Bring the Rain A summary of the Blackhawks first win of the season powered by Patrick Kane's hat trick and Marc-Andre Fleury's solid goaltending to down the Senators 5-1.

Plus, updates on Marian Hossa Night and the Kyle Beach investigation and lawsuit.

It’s still Patrick Kane’s team - how he goes, so go the Hawks.

When he’s jumping, aggressive, controlling the play, shooting with a purpose - the Hawks can be effective - and he opens things up for other players and lines x especially 5x5. He hasn’t been that since last February.

Maybe this gets him going.

It’s still Patrick Kane’s team - how he goes, so go the Hawks.

When he’s jumping, aggressive, controlling the play, shooting with a purpose - the Hawks can be effective - and he opens things up for other players and lines x especially 5x5. He hasn’t been that since last February.

Maybe this gets him going.
- StLBravesFan

This was the first game this season where he really looked like himself. And yes, agree, hopefully this gets him going.

* When he committed to defense, Erik Gustafsson was actually not too bad as he kept a tight gap, battled for positioning, played the body, and exhibited a mean streak.

* Even though he didn't help himself by getting beat to pucks and outmuscled on plays, it doesn't make sense for Dylan Strome to be playing on the 4th line; his skill set needs to be maximized by playing with other skilled players.

* Similarly, Ryan Carpenter should be on the 4th line with other role players; the simplest solution would be to swap Strome and Carpenter in the lineup.

* Kirby Dach wasn't too dissimilar of Strome in terms of being easy to knock off the puck and having an inability to sustain drives by himself.

Good morning Theo. Good stuff. Didn't post much during the game but had the same thoughts.

Didn't think Dach was Strome bad but also thought it wasn't a great game for him particularly when in Ottawa's zone.

When I saw Strome out on the 4th line, that was my simple solution as well, swap him and Carpenter. Carpenter had a nice battle in front of the net that provided a screen on Hagel's second goal but like you mention, Strome on the 4th line makes zero sense.

Bolded part of that and agree that Strome going back to being Strome after having a pretty good game vs the Blues also helps no one.

And finally, I also thought the Board Whipping Boy, Gusto looked decent last night and loved seeing him lay out a couple Sens.

It was really nice to win two thirds of the face offs. That really helped, the passing out of our own zone just got better and better last night.

When Seth Jones said earlier this year JCs style of play allows you more freedoms then Torts does. I didn't know ending up on the wrong side of the puck in the offensive zone 2 games in a row knowing you have no support in the 1st period is what he meant. 2 games in a row we were almost down 1-0 with a 2 on 1 going the other way. It's a disturbing trend

"And finally, I also thought the Board Whipping Boy, Gusto looked decent last night and loved seeing him lay out a couple Sens."


Hip check the other night and he dummied Brady Tkachuk in front of the net last night and somehow never got his ass kicked.

Toews has strung together 4 really solid games. While he’ll probably never retur to his elite play from the glory years, he’s still a positive difference maker in all zones, and looks like he’s shaking of his long term illness.

Entwistle and Reece Johnson are developing into a really hard to play against 4th line. Rather than Carpenter, I’d like to see JC add another young grinder to that line.

"And finally, I also thought the Board Whipping Boy, Gusto looked decent last night and loved seeing him lay out a couple Sens."


Hip check the other night and he dummied Brady Tkachuk in front of the net last night and somehow never got his ass kicked.
- 6628

Yep, noticed that too and was surprised that was the end of it when it happened.

Great write-up Theo.

Agree with everything said.

Dach played like Strome last night, not strong on the puck at all.

Putting fourth liners on scoring lines inhibits those lines. I feel Hardman and Carpy can't contribute (generally though as Carpy had a decent screen on one of the goals) as much as higher skilled players on those lines. That said, it's a lot due to necessity now and Borgstrom and Johnson will be nice additions once they are cleared from the covid list (edit-injury for Johnson).

Strome is a waste on the 4th line- or any other line the way he is playing now. He can't compete as part of their game and Johnson doesn't have the skills to compliment a Strome. Another lazy penalty and I saw an instance or two where he was positioned behind the goal line on the side instead of being in front of the net. Ugh. I'd love to see the metrics for that line as they appeared to be dominated every shift, happy to get the puck out of the zone.

The Hawks win when their top high end talent win as shown by last night.

Cap Friendly is showing 16 forwards (including Khaira). They need to make some moves soon. Strome needs to be traded. R Johnson needs to be sent to Rockford. Probably one more move needed.

Entwistle & Gaudette - I would like to see more of them
Carpenter - I am not down on him as much as others are. But he should be on the 3rd or 4th line.
Strome - If he would just take that extra stride or two at full speed instead of pulling up or gliding. You see it over and over and over and over. I don't think that can be coached out of him.
R Johnson - He could play on the 4th line, but would better served with more time at Rockford.

ADB - Dach - Kane
Hagel - Toews - Kubalik
Johnson - Borgstrum - Kurashev/Gaudette
4th line pick 3 of Khaira, Carpenter, Hardman, Entwistle

If Fleury played the first few games like he did the last night the Hawks might have a few more points. If he and Lankinen play at a high level the Hawks will be much more competitive.

Phillips looks ok. He probably needs more time at Rockford. But a damn nice 5th round pick.

I am really hoping Caleb Jones returns and plays like he did in the preseason.

Gus is Gus. He makes some good plays (yes even on defense). But he sleep walks and floats on some shifts.

When Stillman, Caleb and Kalynuk come back maybe Kalynuk and Phillips are sent to Rockford and Gus becomes the 7th defender or is traded.

* When he committed to defense, Erik Gustafsson was actually not too bad as he kept a tight gap, battled for positioning, played the body, and exhibited a mean streak.

* Even though he didn't help himself by getting beat to pucks and outmuscled on plays, it doesn't make sense for Dylan Strome to be playing on the 4th line; his skill set needs to be maximized by playing with other skilled players.

* Similarly, Ryan Carpenter should be on the 4th line with other role players; the simplest solution would be to swap Strome and Carpenter in the lineup.

* Kirby Dach wasn't too dissimilar of Strome in terms of being easy to knock off the puck and having an inability to sustain drives by himself.

Good morning Theo. Good stuff. Didn't post much during the game but had the same thoughts.

Didn't think Dach was Strome bad but also thought it wasn't a great game for him particularly when in Ottawa's zone.

When I saw Strome out on the 4th line, that was my simple solution as well, swap him and Carpenter. Carpenter had a nice battle in front of the net that provided a screen on Hagel's second goal but like you mention, Strome on the 4th line makes zero sense.

Bolded part of that and agree that Strome going back to being Strome after having a pretty good game vs the Blues also helps no one.

And finally, I also thought the Board Whipping Boy, Gusto looked decent last night and loved seeing him lay out a couple Sens.
- HawkintheD

Why pick on Carpenter. For a guy that makes league minimum in salary, the guy plays his heart out every play....Do you really think Strome would have been standing in front of net for Hagel's goal......Couldn't care less about Strome...The guy was again nonfactor and liability.

Why pick on Carpenter. For a guy that makes league minimum in salary, the guy plays his heart out every play....Do you really think Strome would have been standing in front of net for Hagel's goal......Couldn't care less about Strome...The guy was again nonfactor and liability.
- shidler

Then i guess face offs don't matter, too me it kind of helps with possession, and he's not one of those guys who struggles getting it out of his own zone when it's on his stick, probably why he's on the 4th line

Why pick on Carpenter. For a guy that makes league minimum in salary, the guy plays his heart out every play....Do you really think Strome would have been standing in front of net for Hagel's goal......Couldn't care less about Strome...The guy was again nonfactor and liability.
- shidler

Playing your heart out is great and all, but I could play my heart out too, it doesn’t mean I belong on the ice with NHL players.

He seems like a good dude, and a good teammate, but the fact is, he’s just not very good. Add to that, there are younger guys that are just as good now, with the potential to be better with experience. Carpenter is what he is at this point, give the ice time to the young guns.

Phillips looks ok. He probably needs more time at Rockford. But a damn nice 5th round pick.

I am really hoping Caleb Jones returns and plays like he did in the preseason.

Gus is Gus. He makes some good plays (yes even on defense). But he sleep walks and floats on some shifts.

When Stillman, Caleb and Kalynuk come back maybe Kalynuk and Phillips are sent to Rockford and Gus becomes the 7th defender or is traded.
- -Doh-

Do they teach this in the ahl to? He took a penalty because he allowed the guy to get inside position on him. To me that's a no no buy a defenseman but they all seem to be guilty of it way too many times.

JC seems to like guys that played for him at the Rock to much. Reese Johnson is a AVG ahl player. I know people dont like Adv stats but he is under 30% for the year in 4 games. he also does not pass the eye test. do you even hear his name? outside of hitting he cant do anything else.

Really don't know why people are getting so excited about Carpenter and Strome anyways, we have a bunch of players in covid protocal. I'm sure they will replace Strome and Carpenter will go back to his 4th line role.

Playing your heart out is great and all, but I could play my heart out too, it doesn’t mean I belong on the ice with NHL players.

He seems like a good dude, and a good teammate, but the fact is, he’s just not very good. Add to that, there are younger guys that are just as good now, with the potential to be better with experience. Carpenter is what he is at this point, give the ice time to the young guns.
- Ogilthorpe2

Carpenter is a placeholder, and his contract ends this year. If only we could get our 12th and 13th forward situation squared away, look out, NHL!

Playing your heart out is great and all, but I could play my heart out too, it doesn’t mean I belong on the ice with NHL players.

He seems like a good dude, and a good teammate, but the fact is, he’s just not very good. Add to that, there are younger guys that are just as good now, with the potential to be better with experience. Carpenter is what he is at this point, give the ice time to the young guns.
- Ogilthorpe2

We do? Like Nylander

JC seems to like guys that played for him at the Rock to much. Reese Johnson is a AVG ahl player. I know people dont like Adv stats but he is under 30% for the year in 4 games. he also does not pass the eye test. do you even hear his name? outside of hitting he cant do anything else.
- kmw4631

Doesn't sound good enough to be "average" to me.

We do? Like Nylander
- BetweenTheDots

I would be careful getting carried away with Nylander's hot start. How many of his goals would be NHL goals? That said, effort is important.

Playing your heart out is great and all, but I could play my heart out too, it doesn’t mean I belong on the ice with NHL players.

He seems like a good dude, and a good teammate, but the fact is, he’s just not very good. Add to that, there are younger guys that are just as good now, with the potential to be better with experience. Carpenter is what he is at this point, give the ice time to the young guns.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yup!

Great write-up Theo.

Agree with everything said.

Dach played like Strome last night, not strong on the puck at all.

Putting fourth liners on scoring lines inhibits those lines. I feel Hardman and Carpy can't contribute (generally though as Carpy had a decent screen on one of the goals) as much as higher skilled players on those lines. That said, it's a lot due to necessity now and Borgstrom and Johnson will be nice additions once they are cleared from the covid list (edit-injury for Johnson).

Strome is a waste on the 4th line- or any other line the way he is playing now. He can't compete as part of their game and Johnson doesn't have the skills to compliment a Strome. Another lazy penalty and I saw an instance or two where he was positioned behind the goal line on the side instead of being in front of the net. Ugh. I'd love to see the metrics for that line as they appeared to be dominated every shift, happy to get the puck out of the zone.

The Hawks win when their top high end talent win as shown by last night.
- Popsghostly

Well, maybe the observers on here can finally understand why Strome has been eating popcorn in the press box most game nights this season. And it isn't because the coach has a personal dislike for him. JC has been watching this lazy ass for a couple of seasons now and if he has any another viable option Strome sits out.

And what entitles Strome to play on a line with more skilled teammates? All he is going to do is drag them down to the effort level and pace he plays at - which is close to reverse minus.