We've Been Through This: Blackhawks November Monthly Preview

by Matthew Dirt on Nov 3, 2009 12:41 PM CST Comment 20 comments

I did these last year and meant to write one up for October but just forgot with the start of the actual season. These will be up hopefully on the final day of every month..

As for October though, there were plenty of ups and downs - the Hawks are off to the best start in a long time, they're coming into November in first place in the central, Kane is playing above where even some of his biggest fans thought he'd be right now and despite a shaky start, Huet has put together 4 solid starts in a row.

Of course there's bad too - injuries are a growing concern, even with a roster we all thought was pretty deep going into the year. The biggest injury obviously being to the Captain... who doesn't seem like he'll be returning anytime soon. The 4th line is patchwork at best without Eager or Burish. We're still figuring out if Tomas Kopecky is worth anything at all and for the record I'm not sold that he's a complete waste yet.

November will be much more of a challenge with the annual circus trip to California and Canada. The Hawks will be facing much harder competition as well with almost every game against a team with a winning record so far and two games against Colorado who have been one of the hottest teams going so far.

Hit the jump for more numbers and discussion.

Home Games: 4

Road Games: 8

Games Against Teams Over .500: 9

Central Division Games: 0

Longest Road Trip: Circus Trip - From Nov. 19th to the end of the month the Hawks will play 6 games on the road, Canada down to Cali

Sets of Back-to-back Games: 3 - Yotes and Avs to start it off this week, Oilers and Canucks on the 21st/22nd, Ducks and Kings to end it all the 27th/28th

Games to look forward to: The two games against the Avalanche should be interesting given how well they're playing right now. The Avs are 10-3-2 but remember - the Hawks are responsible for one of those OTLs.

The annual circus trip got a lot more interesting after last year now that the Hawks get to play the Flames and Canucks again. After the outrageous comeback against the Flames and the tough loss to the Canucks (not to mention Willie Mitchell's hit on Toews) means we're likely to see two hard fought tough games in Canada plus the Oilers thrown in there for good measure.

And on November 13th we get another Original 6 Match-Up when the Leafs come into town, possibly still looking for their 2nd win of the year.

ON PACE FOR

Record Of: 51-25-6 (108 Points)

4 points higher than last year - and just for the record the Hawks historical high in points was only 107 in the 70/71 and 71/72 seasons... 108 points will be insanely difficult and I would never put money on it.. but it would be a shit load of fun.

Most Goals: Patrick Sharp - 38

Sharp is an interesting case - we've all talked about his coasting and lack of production but this would only be 2 goals higher than his career best which shouldn't be out of the question. Sharp has been a pretty streaky player but netting 5 goals in 6 games then going 6 games without is going to drive us all insane.

Most Points: Patrick Kane - 76

With 12 points, Kane is close to finally being the point per game player we've suspected he might be. Add Hossa, Toews or Sharp to his line instead of Buff and Madden then Kane's numbers will only get better. If the power play ever gets off the ground then the numbers go up again - anyone think we could see a 100 point season if things go right?

Most PIM: Andrew Ladd - 145

Yeah - that's not going to happen. Ladd's numbers are obviously inflated due to the misconduct against the Habs. Ladd's never had more than 50 PIM in a year and only had 113 coming into this year. With Eager and Burish both out there isn't a clear leader in PIMs just yet though if Eager can make it back soon and keep his brain in tact I'm sure he'll start to run off with that stat..

Most Hits: Troy Brouwer -246

Brouwer is averaging 3 hits a night - if this pace keeps up I think Madden might have a little competition for newest man-crush in this city.

Most Blocked Shots: Duncan Keith - 183

Sam mentioned in the Indian on Friday that Keith is having an odd year and this is just another example. Keith is facing a lot of shots and is getting in the way of a lot of them too. 183 is extremely high but Keith came close with 148 in the '06/'07 season. Blocking a ton of shots and logging even more ice time is not a welcome sight - Keith's stats need to be watched closely this year.

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108 points, not as difficult as pre-lockout

108 points is still difficult, but with the 3 point system it’s not as hard as it used to be. I think the Hawks are fully capable of hitting that point mark.

by phranchk on Nov 3, 2009 12:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Tough month

I’m more worried that everyone postin on the blog will jump off of the ledge after a loss, even with this tough schedule for this month.

by warrenjm2006 on Nov 3, 2009 12:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

.500?

If we can come out of this Circus trip .500 with the amount of injuries we have, I will be happy.

by redtribe14 on Nov 3, 2009 1:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm actually going to be agreeing with redtribe here.

Once Toews got his brain scrambled, I had allowed myself to acknowledge that winning the Central might not be in the cards this year.

Fortunately for us, the Hawks were granted a few breaks in a relatively easy schedule while missing Seabrook as well, along with no one else in the Central playing particularly great. After the Blues huge start to the season sweeping the Wings, I thought we might see a similar jump in the standings as the Hawks made last year. But they’ve since stalled.

The Wings haven’t looked nearly as good as they were last year. And Columbus? Ha!

So if we can get through Nov playing .500 hockey, I’d say we’re in great, no, phenomenal shape to take the Central.

Got more soul than a sock with a hole.

by chrome on Nov 3, 2009 1:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My 2(0) cent(s)

I really can’t get over how awesome Kane has been this year. I expected him to develop, but I honestly think has been and will continue to be the Hawks best offensive player this year. He is consistently gettting props on SCH and on the comment boards, and rightfully so. As has been mentioned before, I absolutely can’t wait to see this kid settled into a line (and power play line) that will maximize his point production potential.

Let me just sum this up with some Deep Thoughts by John Gruden if John Gruden was a hockey color guy:
“I love Patrick Kane”
“I love how Patrick Kane has developed”
“I love seeing Patrick Kane playing with a new toughness”
“I love Patrick Kane’s hands”
“I love Patrick Kane’s playmaking ability”

"If you're scared, go buy a dog" - Stacey King

by hackerar on Nov 3, 2009 1:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I can’t wait for Hossa to play.

Random notes:
Wiz suspended for this hit.
The Hawks tv ratings are through the roof this year.
I don’t like the new layout of the site. I feel like there’s too much white. Feels less organized.

twitter.com/BlackhawksDL

by Original Six on Nov 3, 2009 1:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

wow @ that hit. Suspension worthy though? Not sure I agree with that unless there was an elbow in there I didn’t see.

another wow @ at those tv ratings. 94,000+ homes watched a Hawks/Oilers game in October? I don’t follow tv ratings at all, but that seems like a shitload of people watching any kind of regular season, locally televised event, doesn’t it?

by K_Dog on Nov 3, 2009 3:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If the Hawks

End up with a .500 record for november,i think you can count that as a success….because Hossa will not be coming back until late november,and its gonna take him a few games to get used to playin hockey again…..Toews is out indefinately,right now it doesn’t look like he is goin to play agains Phoenix or Colorado…So a .500 record for me would be fine…

and for all those people bitchin when the Hawks lost to the preds,the preds are a .500 team,and have won 4 of 5….and to the people poo pooing the win against the Wild,the Wild beat the Pens….a win is a win,and just because you lose a game here and there it isnt’t the end of the world….even a 3 or 4 game losing streak isn’t the end of the season,so chill….i’m pretty sure the Caps have already had a 4 game losing streak this season(counting OTL’s)

Can’t wait for Hossa,hope the Hawks can hang in there….GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

by csm on Nov 3, 2009 2:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I love the schedule this month

None against the Predators, two against Colorado, two against the Kings who are playing well, two against SJ the conference #1 seed last year, an old Norris foe in the Leafs (I will always hate all Norris teams) and a great circus trip which aside from the good teams and rematches with Calgary and Vancouver used to also be the highlight of any regular season because it meant you actually got to watch the Hawks for two weeks. The only downside is they’re playing the Wiz at 3pm on a Friday, why? First weekday day games in Finland, then shitbag Versus and now this, why do they keep making it as hard as possible to watch this team?

See if you can figure out what’s wrong with the first paragraph in this article:

It was just a few moments after Patrick Kane slipped a perfect pass from behind the net out to Patrick Sharp for the winning goal in Chicago’s 3-2 victory against Montreal on Oct. 30.

If you can’t figure it out, watch this and then reread the above.

As for Hossa, I have never actually seen him. I am told that he exists, I am told that there are those who have seen him, I am told that there are those that have spoken to him, I am told that he will one day appear and everything will be better. Until then I will just listen to the words of the true believers and hope. And pray. May the force be with you.

by Scott13 on Nov 3, 2009 3:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That Friday against Anaheim is the day after Thanksgiving if I’m not mistaken.

by Dr. Ice on Nov 3, 2009 5:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for proving

That I’m consistently the dumbest person in any room. Thanks.

by Scott13 on Nov 3, 2009 6:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately

At least right now, the Avs aren’t a sure W anymore. Former hawk Craig (really?) Anderson has them playing above their heads.

by AirTrafficAJ on Nov 4, 2009 4:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Madden > Brouwer

I like what Troy brings to the table, but unless he takes off Willie Mitchell’s scalp during the upcoming Vancouver game, my man crush is staying planted with Madden.

Intangibles, bitch!

by hoorock89 on Nov 3, 2009 4:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Play .500 hockey in November

- That sounds about right given the schedule and key injuries.

- Marian Hossa will change the dynamic of this entire team whenever he debuts in December or January.

- Enough with the Kopecky bashing. The guy is a 4th liner who is actually the only member of the Hawks willing and able to do the shit work in front of the net. He’s decent enough.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Nov 3, 2009 7:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

No, he's not

He’s taking dumb penalties 200 feet away from the net, some times while on the power play. His play at even strength has done nothing to warrant being rewarded with power play time, particularly when Troy Brouwer is skating his balls off and getting to the front of the net. Your statement is flawed in two respects, and consequently, I will continue to bash Kopecky all the fuck I want.

www.secondcityhockey.com

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a goddamn shame.

by McClure on Nov 3, 2009 8:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kopecky a Rockford property taxpayer

When Eager and Burish return down goes Tomas.I think Q will even pitch in for his salary,but you can buy a nice house cheap in Rockford.

by idiot man on Nov 4, 2009 2:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

When is Versteeg getting traded for a goalie?

FifthFeather.com

by El Duque's Raft on Nov 3, 2009 10:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i just punched myself in the face

by illinikc33 on Nov 4, 2009 7:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing lasts forever in the cold November rain

As a Hawks fan looking at the schedule for November I’m filled with delight as every game this month features the Hawks against a formidable foe, even Toronto. It starts with a mini 2-game road trip to Pheonix and Colorado which features the annual father and son trip, which could go incredibly bad or good, and ends with the Hawks having the case of ‘California Love’. Is it just me or does the 4 P.M. EST game in Anahiem just reek of a loss waiting to happen?

The Good: a 4-game homestand which features 2 Californian teams at both ends as it starts with the Kings and end with the Sharks. Looking very forward to the Sharks game as in the past few seasons it has been extremely heated between the two as a rivalry has began to blossom. Just in case the Hawks lacked a little confidence going into the Sharks game the league threw the Hawks a treat and gave them a date with the Leafs and for that I say “thank-you”.

The Bad: the 5-game road trip to end the month which features three games in four nights against all three Western Canadien teams, 2 of which we knocked out of last season’s playoffs and the other the Hawks demolished 9-2 in their own building last season. All in all the Hawks are going to lose at least one out there. Same thing goes for the Californian trip which also features a three games in four nights fiasco with one of them starting in the afternoon. Great. 1-1-1 would be a solid record in Cali.
Also, living in Ottawa all the games will be played around 9-10 P.M. which means my brand new kettle will get some work as I’m sure to be tired as fuck in the morning.

Prediction: 7-3-2 record for the Hawks as other players will step up big time while Toews and Hossa remain out of the lineup. Look out for Vertseeg as he may be the one to have a breakout month in netting 7-8 goals this month. Bolland should have a better month as well.

It's never about the eventual destination, but rather the long journey and its challenging obstacles that are presented and what it takes to overcome them, that makes the taste of success all the more worthwhile!!!

by hawks61 on Nov 4, 2009 10:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs