Highlights
There are games where it's a win on the scoreboard, but in reality, it's really more of a loss. Last night versus LA was one of those games. For two reasons in particular:
- The Hawks were vastly outplayed for most of the game - to the point I was rather disgusted watching them. The opening period was fairly even - the Hawks seemed to have the upper hand the first half while the Kings got stronger as the period went on. The best hockey the Hawks played all night was in the first half of the second period while on two power plays. The puck movement was a sight for sore eyes - they did everything on those man advantages *but* score. I don't know if the Hawks got tired/discouraged on those power plays, or if they lit a fire under LA's ass, but the Blackhawks played like dog doo-doo for the rest of the game. Poor passing, inability to clear the zone. It really was painful to watch and they're lucky Turco had a great performance for them. Sure, Sharpie had a beautiful goal to put the game away at the end of the third, but don't let that fool you. I wasn't happy with the way the guys responded and I'm sure the players and coaches aren't either. At least they better be.
- The bigger and more pressing reason this game was a loss was because Jesus Marian Hossa was injured at some point early in the second. It's a "lower body injury" and "not serious" but he will be out for at least a couple of weeks. Word is it's not a concussion, so that leads me to believe it's perhaps a shoulder or arm issue. I just hope he didn't re-injure the shoulder he had surgery on last year. Luckily it's still early in the season and the next stretch of games are against supposedly "lesser" opponents. Hossa has carried this team in the early going, and if other players don't pick up their games quick, we could be in for a couple of awful weeks.
Other thoughts...
- See, I called out Fernando Pisani in my last post and he actually got an assist on Jake Dowell's goal. That's his first point on the season - let's hope he starts racking up points quicker than the 10 points/season pace he's currently on.
- Due to the team's abysmal performances of late, Q rightfully changed up the lines. Jack Skille got his chance on the top line with Sharpie and Toews. Skille's just not *quite* there yet. I'm patient though and would be willing to try this combination for another game or two, but I'm not sure Q is.
- Tomas Kopecky centered the second line - something he apparently did in juniors and for a bit with the Red Wings. I was surprised at how well TomoKop did at the dot - 63%, better even than Cap'n. He was paired with Hossa and Brouwer, so now this line is scrap for the time being. Wouldn't mind seeing Tomas more at center - I thought he was one of our better players last night.
- In what I call a "teaching moment," Patrick Kane was demoted to the third line with Stalberg and Bolland. When Stalberg was the best player on that line by far, this is a problem. Kane is still loosy-goosy with the puck and Bolland has just been terrible. And explain to me why Stalberg, who scored the winning goal & is getting better with each game had less time than Hossa. Who played less than half a game. WHY?
- Fourth line is still the fourth line. Sure Dowell scored, but that was more luck than anything. I do like Jake and Bickell, but they're not setting the world on fire by any means.
- John Scott was a healthy scratch. Finally. Jordan Hendry was serviceable and even had an impressive end-to-end rush with the puck. Scott couldn't have gone that fast with rockets on his skates. Dunc had two assists but still looked like a shell of his former self. Seabrook was all right. Boynton took another dumb penalty in the third with the Hawks clinging to a one-goal lead. Toftbo took a nasty shot off his flipper. Cullimore was invisible which is a good thing. Your 2010-11 Blackhawks defense. Come back soon Soupy.
- Speaking of Brian Campbell, I wonder if his return will be pushed up a bit with Hossa being out. The Hawks sure could use his speed and his puck handling skills on the PP - not to mention some consistency on the defensive side. I really hope they don't have him out there before he's ready - it's still October, and I'd rather take a couple of losses now than lose him when it counts most. Still, I won't be shocked if I see him in Minnesota on Saturday.
- So, with Hossa out, who replaces him? It was mentioned that Q might just move either Hendry or Scott to forward, but if I have to watch that for two weeks plus, I may just gouge my eyes out with a rusty fork. Jeremy Morin would be the natural fit considering how well he did in camp, but he's just coming off a minor injury so he's out. The other prime candidates would be Kyle Beach, Igor Makarov, Brandon Pirri or Ryan Potulny. I don't know if Beach would fit under the cap, and I don't think he's ready for the big show yet. Igor Makarov has shown flashes, but probably would be better served with more time in the A to get used to the North American game. Pirri performed admirably for his one game call up this season and has 2G & 3A for the Hogs. But my pick is Potulny - he's a center so TomoKop could move back to wing. More importantly he's a veteran (26 is a vet? I feel *so* old), and has done really well in Rockford with 2G and 4A. Whomever is brought up, I'm sure he'll be on a short leash and have a fully charged iPass.
Awards Time...
Marty Turco
While the Hawks were collectively shitting the bed, TK-421 stood tall. Or maybe should I say flopped tall? No difference - Turkey (as my gf likes to call him) bailed the Hawks out repeatedly and won this game for them when they probably shouldn't have. Turco stopped 33 of 34, including all 15 shots in the 3rd (!!) and would have probably had a shutout if not for a crazy bounce off the boards and Duncs skating like it was a Sunday stroll in the park.
I am withholding a Darth Vader award until I find out if it was a bad hit or cheap shot by a King that injured Hossa. Watch out - I'll sic the Dark Lord of the Sith on ya if you hurt Panda.
TOEWS-FACE OF THE GAME
On the Road...
So I'll be heading out tomorrow for what is hopefully not my sole road trip of the season. I will be attending the Hawks-Wild game in the Twin Cities - it'll be my first time at that arena and I'm psyched. We got some sweet seats in the 100 level with a group of fellow fans, and we'll be loud and proud. And probably drunk. I may be able to watch tomorrow's Hawks-Oilers game at a bar depending on when we get into town. If not, don't expect much from me. Sunday we'll be spending time w/my gf's family in southern Minnesota, and Monday we'll be coming home. I've been looking forward to this, so I'm hoping a good game is in store. And that the Wild wear their Xmas jerseys - they crack me up!
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