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Blackhawks Survivor: Ben Smith Voted Off
Jan 13th
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America
When you’re stacked with loads of talented youth in your system and under-performing or injured starters in the NHL, in comes the carousel of players going back and forth between the NHL and AHL. Case in the point, the 2011-12 Blackhawks.
With the return of Marcus Kruger from injury this morning Joel Quenneville was forced to make a decision about which of his young studs wouldn’t make the cut.
Marcus Kruger, as a center, will always find a warm welcome on the Hawks, seeing as they need as much help as possible in the middle. With rookies Andrew Shaw and Jimmy Hayes playing lights out and both producing huge last night against Minnesota, Q had a decision to make.
Recap: Hawks Domesticate the Wild
Jan 12th
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
There are few teams better than the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild to use as slumpbusters in the NHL right now. That is precisely what the Blackhawks have done in their last two games. They could have stuck their tails between their legs after Patrick Sharp went down with his injury. Instead, they responded with swagger.
Viktor Stalberg has taken Sharp’s spot, playing with Toews and Kane. He’s taken full advantage of that opportunity with four goals in two games.
Andrew Shaw and Jimmy Hayes are showing that they are here to stay. Sign them up. I have to give Shaw some credit. I was a major doubter when he got called up, not of his potential but whether he was ready for the NHL. He’s shut me up really fast. These two kids have been the spark the Hawks needed on the third and fourth lines. Shaw scored his second NHL goal in tonight’s game and continues to impress me every game with smart and energetic shifts. Both Shaw and Hayes scored goals against the Wild, showing that they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
And We Thought We Had It Bad: Blackhawks Host Wild
Jan 12th
Remember earlier this season, not long ago in fact, when everyone soiled their unmentionables over the headline, “Minnesota Wild First in Western Conference?” Oh, how things change.
For those of us feeling bummed or pissed or confused about the Blackhawks’ latest string of losses, we should thank our snowblowers that we’re not Minnesota Wild fans.
The Wild have two wins — that’s TWO WINS — in their last 13 games. The second one came against San Jose just this past Tuesday, when they blew a 2-goal lead and needed a shootout to finally get the W. They now sit clinging desperately to 7th place in the Western Conference, having dropped from 1st in just over a month. Unbelievable.
Guess they should have held on to Cam Barker, huh?
Hats Off: Boxing with Blackhawks and BJs
Jan 11th
(Credit: US Presswire)
I got home very late tonight, so this will be short before I get to Boxing.
♦ Viktor Stalberg – Good for you, kid.
♦ Jared Boll/Referees – You’re assholes
♦ Marian Hossa – Badass
♦ Corey Crawford – Just gave up another rebound.
That’s it. I’m tired. Here’s Boxing…
Dull Game Without Sharp: Blue Jackets Visit Chicago
Jan 10th
Photo: AP
News Flash: the Columbus Blue Jackets fired their coach.
*Yawn*
Everything else about the team is still the same as the last time we discussed them. Key players are injured; marquee names are trying their damnedest but can’t produce; offense sucks; defense is worse; goaltending is pathetic.
I really wish there was more to go into here, but there really isn’t. I feel like I’m giving Columbus the short end of the stick compared to the other previews I do, but how many different ways can you say, “Columbus sucks?” I ran out months ago.
Sharp Will Miss 3-4 Weeks: Kruger Skating, Smith Recalled
Jan 9th
The chick in the front row does her best Gene Simmons impression, while the guy on the right looks on skeptically. ( Nuccio DiNuzzo-Chicago Tribune)
If you’re a glass half empty person, you think the loss of Patrick Sharp comes at the worst possible time for the Blackhawks. With the PP going down the crapper (again) and the schedule getting a lot tougher, the Hawks can ill-afford to be without a key cog in their top-6 for the next 3 to 4 weeks.If you’re the glass half full sort, you say to yourself that this injury could have been much worse and the kids they have called up from Rockford have been impressive.
When Does it Get Better?: Boxing with Blackhawks and Red Wings
Jan 9th
"A little help?" (Credit: Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune)
It’s not going to get any easier for us. — Jonathan Toews
Somewhere in the depths of hell, a Red Wings fan just hit a slick patch of ice.
Halfway through the season, the St. Louis Blues are tied for first place in the Central Division, while the Blackhawks are mired in a four-game losing streak.
Not exactly what anyone expected, especially since the ‘Hawks scored the first goal in three of those loses. Adding shit luck on top of another loss when the ‘Hawks were in position win, Patrick Sharp has an always vague upper-body injury, suffered during or shortly after his goal put the ‘Hawks up 2-0.
Some quick things before Boxing does the rest…
♦ As Toews said, nothing is going to get easier any time soon. After Columbus and Minnesota this week, here’s how it looks, in order:
at Detroit, vs San Jose, vs Buffalo, vs Florida, at Nashville, vs Nashville, at Vancouver.
Oh, and jaunt to Vancouver is the beginning of a nine-game road trip from Jan. 31-Feb. 18.
♦ There’s evidence of panic among the feather-headed faithful. While most of it is unwarranted and illogical, it’s hard not to blame the overreactions as this losing streak continues. It’s now a matter if Stan Bowman feels the same panic, sees the issues and makes a move quicker than we thought he would as the ‘Hawks seemed to be rolling just a couple weeks ago.
What’s the right move? Make a deal and bring more uncertainty to a locker room already on edge? Or do you ride out the skid and figure it out in a couple week? There might not be a “right time” anymore. And if Sharp is going to miss games, Stan may get edgy himself and spring some people. Time will tell.
♦ Speaking of Sharp, the injury seems to be a bit of a mystery. Before I weigh in, let’s see what the diagnosis is Monday and react from there.
♦ We can bitch about the officiating through our sleep tonight, but the fact remains the Blackhawks didn’t take advantage when they got the calls, and the Red Wings did just that. The ‘Hawks converted their first power play attempt, then shit themselves on the next five. And if that wasn’t enough, Jimmy Hayes couldn’t convert a penalty shot that would’ve put the ‘Hawks up 3-1 and made Detroit’s climb more uphill.
I won’t deny the non-calls on Tomas Holmstrom for tripping Brent Seabrook and the bench for two many men didn’t hurt the Blackhawks’ chances, but there were plenty more opportunities, and that’s where you should direct your anger – especially since the ‘Hawks power play this season largely has resembled an orgy breaking out at the National Federation of the Blind.
♦ Not even Dennis Rodman would know what to do with all the rebounds Corey Crawford is giving up right now. He made some big plays tonight and likely will be back in net Tuesday, but I think it’s safe to say the jury is still out on how much he can be trusted down the stretch.
♦ Of the Blackhawks’ 17 total losses, Marian Hossa has gone scoreless in 14 of them.
♦ Patrick Kane: 2 goals, 4 assists, minus-4 since Dec. 11 (13 games).
Boxing…
Put Up Your Dukes: Union and League Spar Over Re-Alignment
Jan 7th
L: Donald Fehr C: Bill Daly R: Gary Bettman
The NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) and Executive Director Donald Fehr lobbed a hand grenade into what everyone thought was a quite pleasant cocktail party yesterday, informing the NHL that they would not approve the re-alignment plan that was approved by the league’s Board of Governors last month. This shocked the hell out of casual observers of the situation, though the undercurrents monitored by those closest to the situation had pointed firmly in this direction for a while.
What in the name of Virgil Johnson’s jock strap is going on here? Where did all this come from, and why is everyone in the hockey universe going non-linear about this? Sit back, make some popcorn, and buckle up: this is going to take a while…
Here’s a quick timeline. It all really got started when Phoenix started having financial trouble. The assumption was that the days of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman’s south/southwest expansion were all but dead, and one or more teams (including Phoenix) would be moving north/northeast. Foreseeing this, the rumblings of re-alignment began with the league around 2008-09. Something would, eventually, have to be done.
Call the Snow Patrol- Hawks Feel the Whiteout
Jan 6th
Photo- Scott Slingsby
Blackhawks fans are certainly feeling the frustration right now, myself included. Our team is on a roller coaster this season. It’s pretty hard to deny that we are plummeting down the hill right now. Another frustrating loss against the Avalanche tonight has led me to drink my sorrows away yet again. Yes, the Avs are on fire. Let’s give them some credit. However, it’s time to throw the excuses out the window. What the hell is wrong with the Hawks’ ability to play consistent hockey?
Tonight was another prime example of what happens when the superstars can’t score. No one picks up the slack for them and it’s deeply troubling. The Hawks have thrived off their top scoring lines all season, with very little support from those lower on the depth chart. This hurts in nights like tonight when they can’t get it going.
Semyon Varlamov earned a rare shutout in the United Center. Unfortunately, this is the second time the Hawks have been shutout at home in 5 game stretch. This is inexcusable. Erik Johnson dominated the blueline for the Avs, logging two assists and a +3.
Ignore This At Your Peril: Red-Hot Avalanche Visit Chicago
Jan 6th
Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
My fear as we entered January was that the Blackhawks would bring it during the big games and slack off with the so-called “lesser” opponents. I mentioned Colorado as one of the teams we should not look past. I also mentioned Edmonton. Mmm-hmm. Well, it’s time for the Colorado game. And guess what? The Avalanche are on a friggin’ tear.
3 wins in a row, 8 wins in their last 9 games, 3 straight wins on the road, and victories over Detroit, Washington, Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Jose and Tampa Bay — all in the month of December. Colorado is getting solid and occasionally sensational goaltending from what has become its tandem of J.S. Giguere and Semyon Varlamov, and putting up the necessary goals on a night-in, night-out basis to bring home the wins.
This is not the Colorado team that we beat 3-1 out in Denver on October 20. If the Blackhawks treat it that way, this is another Edmonton loss waiting to happen.
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