It's Got To Start Somewhere, It Has To Start Some Time...: Kings at Hawks Preview

by SamFels on Mar 22, 2009 9:43 AM CDT in Game Threads

GAMETIME: 2pm

OPPOSITION BLOGS: LIfe in Hockeywood, Battle of Cali

What better place than here, what better time than now? Quite simply, the Hawks have to win today to have any confidence heading into what looks to be the toughest week of the season. San Jose, New Jersey, and Van-cooter all come in next week, so the two points are vital today.

The Hawks showed enough spirit and effort to win most games on Friday night. They were let down, once again, by shaky goaltending that couldn't bail out the mistakes they made, and the bounces that went against them. Khabby must put an end to that today. If he doesn't, than Q's plan to give him the bulk of starts at the end here may get scrapped, and we'll be back to not knowing who's our #1. The Hawks success early in the year was built on stellar play in net, and they won't get back there without it. Sharp is returning today, and Hendry's been called up. Expect a swooning McClure in section 319. About Sharp, not Hendry. Both Barker and Walker missed practice, but Barker missed practice before Friday's game and was a go. Expect Walker to be "hurt". We'll get to find out if Aaron Johnson is still alive.

When the Kings were last here, they had made a pretty good push to be close to the playoffs. It's all gone wrong since, and they're below .500 and well out of it. Still, this team gives the Hawks fits. They win all the draws, finish their checks, and never give the Hawks any time or space to breathe. We finally managed to beat them last time, but it was a game that didn't feel comfortable until Bolland put the Hawks two up with a minute to go. The Kings still possess Frolov, Kopitar, and Brown, who all murder us. If the Hawks are still defensively shaky, those guys will punish them.

That being said, if the Hawks play as hard as they did Friday, they'll get out of this, and probably this afternoon. God do we need to see it.

UPDATE: Vancouver lost last night, so a win would put the Hawks back in fourth. Also, Eager was suspended 3 games for his hit on Reddox

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vancouver

not only did they lose last night, but this happened:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g27So1RuFWM

we can only hope it happens again in game 1 of the playoffs.

by GreenLantern411 on Mar 22, 2009 2:24 PM CDT reply actions

sharp

so good to have you back. excellent break.
EVERY GIRL CRAZY BOUT A SHARP DRESSED MAN

by GreenLantern411 on Mar 22, 2009 2:25 PM CDT reply actions

anyone have a feed for the game?

Lets Go Hawks!

by CubsBall2202 on Mar 22, 2009 2:25 PM CDT reply actions

Just found this … not a great quality feed, but better than nothing:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hockey-live

by ChicoMaki on Mar 22, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks good find

Lets Go Hawks!

by CubsBall2202 on Mar 22, 2009 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry I wasn't around to provide a feed

I was at the game!

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Mar 22, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Well Goodness Gracious...

…the Hawks are actually leading after a period for once! For those who care the Hawks are 21-3-3 when leading after 1. Love those black jerseys and nice to have Sharpie back and right away deliver a big goal. Wicked shot!!!

by hawks61 on Mar 22, 2009 2:54 PM CDT reply actions

Is it just me...

or are there a TON of missed shots this game?

by HawkVision on Mar 22, 2009 3:24 PM CDT reply actions

No you're right...

…the marksmanship has not been very good today.

by hawks61 on Mar 22, 2009 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow! Back-2-Back Period Wins!!!

Once again the Hawks played an excellent period and are much more deserving than a 2-0 lead. If the Hawks had just capitalized on couple more glorious chances it could easily be 5 or 6 nothing, but oh well a lead is still a lead.
For those who care the Hawks are an outstanding 29-2-3 after 2.
Sharpie to Havlat – a thing of BEAUTY!!!

by hawks61 on Mar 22, 2009 3:50 PM CDT reply actions

Sure is apparent how much help Barker is on the PP … he’s really come a long way this year. I’d give him the Most Improved award this year, for sure.

by ChicoMaki on Mar 22, 2009 4:00 PM CDT reply actions

Eager was suspended?

Still waiting for Bettman Justice to fall on Malkin.

The Litter Box - Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Mar 22, 2009 4:15 PM CDT reply actions

Eager's a repeat offender...

He was already suspended once by the League for swinging his stick at Sean Avery and missing him.

by CT II on Mar 22, 2009 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh, so that's what the problem was.

Got more soul than a sock with a hole.

by chrome on Mar 22, 2009 4:44 PM CDT reply actions

What's this? A lucky break? Nooo couldn't be?

It was! Finally the Hawks catch a break on Sharpie’s empty-netter. Glad to see the puck do a little curling action as it slide into the goal. Always good to have a little english on the rock as it slides into the house. Like to thank the Queens for pulling Quick twice so the Hawks could pad their personal stats and my fantasy pool! All in all a much needed W and in regulation to boot. Unfortunately that’s it for the Queens who have been the only team in March the Hawks have been able to beat in regulation this month. Time for a big effort and W Wednesday against the Sharks and continue, at least this month, their domination over teams from Cali!!!

by hawks61 on Mar 22, 2009 4:58 PM CDT reply actions

This was a good day

Obviously, the best part was the Hawks win. But for the first time I saw someone selling “The Committed Indian” outside the stadium (I honestly never have before). I bought a copy and introduced myself to Sam in a “Hi I post at SCH” kind of way. Then I was shown on TV during the anthem. Also, at the end of the third period Havlat won free Big Macs for all the fans at the game by scoring during the last minute.

Plus the Sox won! Yay!

"He shows up every day to play, he plays hard every day, and he shows up to beat your butt."

by HappyHuman on Mar 22, 2009 6:35 PM CDT reply actions

Did you make the keyboard fingers

as you told him that?

Got more soul than a sock with a hole.

by chrome on Mar 22, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Keyboard fingers?

"He shows up every day to play, he plays hard every day, and he shows up to beat your butt."

by HappyHuman on Mar 22, 2009 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions

You know - 'Hey uh Sam, I uh post at SCH"

said as you imaginary type to reinforce the point.

Got more soul than a sock with a hole.

by chrome on Mar 23, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions

lol

No, I was holding my wallet and some stuff, so my fingers weren’t free to “type”. That doesn’t sound like something I’d do, anyway. I’m not quite that odd.

"He shows up every day to play, he plays hard every day, and he shows up to beat your butt."

by HappyHuman on Mar 23, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions