It's good to be(at) the Kings: Blackhawks 4 - LA 2

by Killion on Mar 1, 2009 5:53 PM CST in Recaps

Who would have guessed that after a first period that included 5 goals off 23 shots, 5 penalties and a fight... we'd be in for such a quiet and boring game?

The Hawks certainly didn't play their sharpest game but they played well enough to beat a team they've struggled against and snap out of slump at home and keep their season-long losing streak at 3 games.

Toews got things started for the Hawks on another redirect from the point. This time it was Big Country Matt Walker (to steal a nickname) providing the initial shot. The young captain now has 14 points in the last 10 games. Speaking of point streaks, the bearded wonder kept his point-streak alive by providing assists on the final two goals on two beautiful passes right to the stick of Buff (who also had a good game) and Bolland who wasn't his normal-self but still managed to ice the game and win everyone in the crowd a free Big Mac. Havlat has 13 points in 8 games now and continues to build support for a new contract among once jaded Hawks fans who couldn't have seen him in another team's sweater soon enough.

Niemi looked good in the net but shakey. He made a few good saves but didn't seem to have the confidence yet needed for a NHL goalie. He gave up Huet-like rebounds occasionally and didn't seem aware of the puck's position after making several saves. It was nothing to be concerned about... yet. From some of the reports during the game it sounded like Khabby was still a fair distance away from returning to the ice so it'd be good to get Niemi more starts to spell Huet. Huet hasn't proven he can be a workhorse for the team so it'd be best to get him as much rest as possible in case Khabby really can't make it back anytime soon.

Shift Charts and CORSI for you to ponder. Skille saw more time on the ice this afternoon and improved his CORSI rating to an even zero. I actually noticed him on the ice tonight and didn't see any major blunders. He played with VERSTEEG! and Buff - for the most part this line didn't produce anything yet again (Buff was skating with Ladd and Marty for his goal). Here's hoping the Hawks can pick up a center at the deadline so we can shift VERSTEEG! over to the wing again because while he's been good on face-offs, he hasn't produced points at the pivot and is in danger of losing his nickname unless something changes. More on that later.

The Second City Player of the Game has to be the man with all the points - Martylark Lemon Havlat... And I'm going to steal a photoshop from one of our commenters - thanks happyhuman

Havlatwizard2_medium

For now it was good to see the Hawks win again, especially on home ice. Enjoy the rest of your sunday.

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Great Win!!!

Congratulations to Niemi on getting his first NHL win!!! Way to shutdown the Kings after a very shaky 1st!!! Number 26 for Jonathan Toews MAN is this kid on fire right now which is much needed after Sharpie’s injury!!! Once Marty Havlat was one of the Hawks top forwards and indeed agree- never thought I’d say this- deserving of a NEW contract!!! Havlat’s pass to Bolland to SEAL THE DEAL was a thing of beauty!!!

by hawks61 on Mar 1, 2009 7:55 PM CST reply actions

Officiating?

What’s up with the JUDGEMENT CALL on the Kings 2nd goal? Usually it’s cut and dry observation that determines a goal!!! 4 games in a row now that the officiating was absolutely terrible, and the 4th game in a row that a quote-unquote judgement call went against the Hawks, at least this time the Hawks regrouped and prevailed!!!

by hawks61 on Mar 1, 2009 7:59 PM CST reply actions

woah, whats with all the exclamation points

Lets Go Hawks!

by CubsBall2202 on Mar 1, 2009 9:52 PM CST reply actions

It appears as though someone replaced his period key with a "!!!" key.

or maybe he’s a big fan of !!!

OKAY NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Mar 2, 2009 6:11 AM CST up reply actions

Boy I'm silly

I kept reading the subject “It’s good to be at the Kings”.

by AngryHack on Mar 1, 2009 10:25 PM CST reply actions

Not to be confused with the Arrested Development quote “It’s great to be back in a Queen!”

Blackhawkey.com (finally up!)

by SeabrookAnd7Up on Mar 1, 2009 10:52 PM CST up reply actions

Passing fancy...

Reading hawks61’s last sentence reminds me of watching Bernie Nicholls back in the mid-90’s, especially on the power play. I think Havlat could easily have 10 more assists if guys would have been able to finish so it was nice to see Bolland find the back of the net. Mike Brown was injured a lot in his Bears career but seems to get a lot of respect from fans regardless of that so why is it so different for Havlat? I always thought the Hawks were a better team with him in the lineup and know the team would have made the playoffs last year if he had played 10 more games. Or if Toews had played 10 more. Look at the combined +/- of Toews, Kane and Brouwer vs. Havlat, Ladd and Bolland and you’ll see that there is a difference of + 24 for our 3rd line forwards vs. the 1st line. Nice to see Niemi get his first win after seeing him get beat by Malkin Friday night. I hope Byfuglien’s goal will give him a little confidence because he hasn’t really played with much the last couple of months. Toews is on fire and it’s great to see, I hope he keeps it up. Go Hawks!

by Slayer24 on Mar 2, 2009 4:34 AM CST reply actions

Mike Brown...

"Mike Brown was injured a lot in his Bears career but seems to get a lot of respect from fans regardless of that so why is it so different for Havlat? "

The difference is/was that Brown performed, then got hurt. Havlat’s finally healthy enough in the final year of his deal to show us what he’s capable of. Unfortunately, while he’s been great, some fans are going to perceive this as Havlat dogging it, then turning it on in his contract year. I don’t think that’s the case, but there are always going to be fans that think that.

by CT II on Mar 2, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions

Who would think such a thing?

Aside from me, of course, who hates all things Bohunk.

Seriously, when he first came to the Hawks, he was electrifying until he first hurt the shoulder. I’m sure the contract is on his mind, but he’s healthy now, and will remain so. It behooves the Hawks to try signing him.

Oh, and this.

HOCKEENIGHT.COM...home of FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS and LEAVE IT TO BETTMAN...now with PODCASTING!!!

by Forklift14 on Mar 2, 2009 11:21 AM CST up reply actions

Re: Mike Brown

I agree, CT II

Although he was a solid performer, I also believe that Mike Brown is some weird exception to the rule, being that Chicago set some sort of positive mental anchor on him, as a result of those OT INTs for TDs back long ago (2001?). That being said, I really don’t think there’s any sort of meta perspective on Havlat that differs too greatly from a spectrum of optimists vs. pessimists in a contract year for any other player.

Blackhawkey.com : Banter and Satire!

by The Nevernude on Mar 2, 2009 7:23 PM CST up reply actions

Reason for Havlat's success

While he is having a good year, I think it bears mentioning that a lot of that probably has to do with him playing on our 3rd line. When he was depended on as a 1st liner the last few years, he didn’t have enough in the tank to produce at that level. Most teams aren’t deep enough to defend the lines we roll. Havlat has benefited from being on a team that has players that can occupy the opponent’s top defenders just like he did when he was with Ottawa.

He does deserve credit for what he’s done this year but I refuse to say he is one of our best players. He’s just a soft Euro dude taking advantage of the situation.

by antbogey on Mar 2, 2009 7:54 AM CST reply actions

He didn’t have enough in the tank? What does that even mean? He’s a “… soft Euro dude taking advantage of the situation.” What situation? Not having to have another shoulder surgery? Not having a wrecked ankle? The shoulder surgeries, then, were an example of Havlat’s softness? And his freak ankle injury was somehow a result of him bagging it on the ice? C’mon.

His role is to play against the other teams’ best lines. Seriously, name me another line combination on our team that could accomplish what Havlat-Bolland-Ladd has done. And Havlat has been the pivotal piece there because it sure hasn’t been the finish ability of Bolland/Ladd, or Bolland’s faceoff wins gaining possession for us. I’m not knocking those two, but without Havlat, that 3rd line success is nowhere.

Havlat took Coach Q’s defensive assignment and ran with it. We’ve waited a decade to have a team that battles hard every night at both ends of the ice—forget the winning for a second—and the only acknowledgment you’re willing to give Havlat, who’s been integral to the success and work ethic … is a sentence you might have easily applied to someone like Yashin.

Crock. Of. Shit.

by ChicoMaki on Mar 2, 2009 11:57 AM CST up reply actions

The situation I referred to

is him not having to play against the opponent’s top defensemen. They’re busy trying to stop Toews, Kane, Sharp, etc.

Over the past few years, he was always had those nagging injuries. Not just the shoulder surgery or the wrecked ankle. It was always something with him. And how much you wanna bet that he’s gritted his teeth just a little bit more this season because it’s his contract year?

In the end, it’s a chicken and the egg argument between us. You say he’s finally had some good luck and put it together – I say he’s finally decided to leave it all on the ice since there’s money to be made.

Either way, I won’t deny that he’s been an important part of this team this season and the team is all the better for it but I’ll wait to see him do it in two consecutive years before I’m ready to give him the benefit of the doubt.

by antbogey on Mar 3, 2009 2:32 PM CST up reply actions

I kinda prefer Walker Texas Ranger as his nickname, but thats just me. I am also a huge chuck norris fan.

by Bad Ass Burish on Mar 2, 2009 10:35 AM CST reply actions

Martin Havlat is amazingly gifted

The more I watch a HEALTHY Havlat, the more I am impressed with his skating and stick work. With all due respect to Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, it is Havlat who is the most skilled offensive force on this team right now. He will prove enormously valuabe come playoff time.

by BLou on Mar 2, 2009 12:41 PM CST reply actions