Highlights
As a fan, there's really only so much you can say. There's very little you can do.
There are 82 games in the NHL regular season. The Blackhawks have 64 games remaining to right the ship and get back to playing the way they should be playing. It's early, it's November. Still, I had the same mantra in October. I don't want to be saying this in December. Or January. The last several weeks the Hawks have had a string of home games against teams, who on paper, looked like they were ripe for the stockpiling of points. That hasn't happened. And I hope against hope in March & April we aren't looking at this string of games and wishing we could have picked up a point here, and a point there. It would suck if the aspiration of defending the Stanley Cup comes down to 49 seconds: 14 seconds vs. the Edmonton Oilers. 35 seconds vs. the Phoenix Coyotes.
There are a hundred theories as to why the Hawks haven't been playing well. I don't have the answers. Hell, I don't know if even the coaching staff does. What I know is this: every player, every coach needs to take a moment and look at themselves in the mirror. Are you playing up to your potential? Are you giving it your all? Do you have confidence in your teammates? Are you making sound decisions? The answers to all of these questions seem to be NO way too often as of late. It would appear to me that the issue with this team is in their heads. I think some of the guys still have too much of a chip on their shoulders that they're the defending champions. This is a whole new season - you're not entitled to *anything.* And you better believe that every single team you play this year is going to bring out their "A" game against you. The Oilers are terrible, and most likely won't make the playoffs again this year. But guess what - they'll be able to toot their horn and crow that they beat the Cup champs *twice* on their home ice. As of late, once the Hawks realize on the ice they can't just show up and win, they seem to shrivel up. No fight, no sense of urgency. Until it's too late.
Much was made about the booing of the Hawks as they left the ice last night at the UC. I'm not a big advocate of booing the home team. Folks booing Huet and Campbell last year irritated me to the point I wanted to stick my shoe in their mouths. And if the Hawks laid one stinker in the midst of a string of good games, I certainly would rail against anyone jeering the team. But the team's play of late really has brought on the ire of the fans, myself included, and I certainly might have joined in last night. I didn't boo the team on Sunday vs. the Oilers, although my groaning and swearing was probably just as bad. But look at it this way - the cheapest seat you can get at the UC with all of the fees included runs about $50. Add $20 for parking - although if you get there early like me you can very easily get free street parking. Add a drink or two, and perhaps some food, and you're looking at close to $200 for two people to sit in the nosebleeds. For some folks, that may be chump change, but for many of us, going to hockey games is an investment and a treat. So, at the very least, you expect the guys waaaaaay down on the ice to give their best efforts. After all, some of them make more money in one game then I'll make in 20 years. And when you see a performance like the Hawks put out there last night, after multiple previous lackadaisical efforts, a little grumbling and booing is to be expected. Don't worry, I'm sure their egos weren't harmed. But maybe it sends a message to them that some of their fanbase no longer thinks they walk on water and fart rainbows.
We have a back-to-back this weekend before the annual circus roadtrip. For all that is holy, the Hawks better get it together. This could very well turn ugly - a November to Dismember.
No awards, but a shout-out to...
JACK "LAA-LAA" SKILLE!
Sure the man hasn't scored yet this year, and his finishing move is dry humping the net and/or the opposing goaltender. But Skillz put his ass on the line every shift last night - which is more than I can say for many of his teammates. I guess the fear of going back to Rockford is a motivator for some people at least. Keep doing what you do Jack - the goals will come. I hope.
TOEWS-FACE OF THE GAME
Thank you Jonathan. Your expression conveys exactly what I was trying to say this entire post.
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