Re: The late collapse against the Yotes.

I’m inclined to agree that the reason we can’t close out games is not a systemic one, but rather, that the defense is being held together by duct tape and WD-40. However, Keith and Sopel were on the ice for Phoenix goals 3 and 4. Sure, you can argue that Catfish isn’t the regular pairing, and that goes back to a battered defense, but in a vacuum, those two have been around awhile and Keith is said to be considered for the Norris trophy and when combined with the fact that this little trend has been happening with quite a bit of regularity of late even before the rash of injuries, and you got yourself something to be concerned about that goes far beyond a battered defense. Maybe not far beyond a battered defense, but it’s definitely a team wide funk and definitely something we need to get the hell out of. It’s got nothing to do with the goaltending.

To be honest, I’ve been nauseous since Phx tied it up. This HAS TO STOP.

Re: Facing Scum in the first round.

Yes, panic. We’ve got about 3 weeks to get our shit together on defense. The last thing we want to do is face a Detroit team who has PWND our asses in recent playoff history, and knows we’ve been giving up leads late for all the obvious reasons. But, victory here would be sweet… wait, sweet? Try glorious. Euphoric. Really, really, really neat and fun. As much as it scares the shit out of me and as much as I would like to face Calgary or LA, a Hawks- Scum first round match-up needs to happen- come what may.

No one asked for Mrs. Hendry’s answers to those questions?

1) If that Mr. Q would just give my boy Jordan some more ice time, the defense would be the best in the world. But, he thinks that caveman is better than my handsome boy, so what can a mom do?

2) My Jordan will kick those Scum to the end of the Earth and back. No worries. If Mr. Q allows him to play.

3) If I were a guy….

Love,
Mrs. Hendry

I think it’s still to be decided obviously, however do I want to play the wings? No
Do I care if we do? not really.

The playoffs are a different kind of monster. It comes down to who works the hardest, who makes the least mistakes and can keep out of the box (re: Eager).
We have seen what the Hawks can do, and if they apply the intensity and play the full 60 mins, they can make anything happen. Granted the wing still have the experience factor. I do think we can take this in 6 or 7 games w/ a little home ice advantage, there isn’t a team that can skate with the Hawks when they play the full game even without Soupy. The D I think will tighten up when knowing every shift is on the line and they get a little more healthy!

Not to get all philosophical, but if the problem were in a jerry can, I’d say it’s about 2/3rds systemic and 1/3rd battered and abused defensmen. The pattern existed prior to the defensive injuries, but the current situation is doubtless compounding a shitty situation. I can only hope that Q turning purple in the dressing room is enough to scare some serious fucking sense into these guys. We didn’t arrive to where we are right now by playing like this all season, and it’s going to be a quick post-season if a fix isn’t delivered in short order.

No, the sky isn’t falling but perhaps only because Round 1 doesn’t start tomorrow.

If we get back on track defensively, I say bring on the Scum! In fact, if we get back on track I say bring on anybody. Therefore, yes – let’s make it Scum and absolutely OWN them.

they will be out in the first round, doesn’t matter who they play, scum or otherwise.

If the hawks can’t step up in the playoffs and shore up this blowing leads business then by all means, give ’em the boot.

I for one think the hawks are better and when their assess are on the line, I think they will answer.

GO HAWKS

Niemi in goal and Seabrook a possibility. no Johnsson

Per @NHLBlackhawks

…for a team’s sudden propensity to give up lots of goals quickly?

Both guys have had multiple chances to take charge. The last five games are interesting. Huey, Niemi, and Crawford have each had at least one game where they were playing excellent and had a chance to give this team a lift, but it all got pissed away. (Niemi gets some credit in LA, but only 17 SOG, none too tough.)

Once in a while, you’d hope a goalie could come up really big for a full sixty minutes and win a game for you, but we’re 0 for 4 in those chances lately. God knows opposing teams have pulled this off many times against the Hawks this year.

I’m optimistic we’ll get better goaltending down the stretch, and that the defense will pick up, but it’s unrealisic to hope that our defense reverts to the 20 SOG coccoon our goalies enjoyed for so much of the season.

….when all the hand-wringing was about the Hawks’ slow starts?

1) Defense – The problem(s) with the defense go beyond the injuries. While I believe that the injuries are the biggest contribution, the forwards need to step up on the defensive end. I’ve noticed on numerous occasions the wings hanging out on the boards waiting for the puck to come to them. With the defense being banged up, it would be nice for these guys to get more involved with the play.

2) Detroit in the 1st Round – I’d rather not face Scum at all. I think they have enough experience and a mental edge over the Hawks that it can negate the Hawks’ skill. I suggested earlier that the best case scenario would be for the Wings having to win the last game of the season to get to the playoffs, we beat them and send them home.

3) Unless John is a dead ringer for Bar Refaeli he does not get my vote.
(If you don’t know who she is, Google her name and chose a picture.)

I know he is still upper body, but just wondering when we can expect him back. Since Seabs “might” be in the line-up Tuesday night was wondering if anyone read if he would be ready soon

WTF is wrong with Johnsson?

Who are they ready for? Seriously. What’s going to make them any more ready in the second or third round? If they aren’t mentally prepared to play their best hockey from here on out, it probably isn’t going to matter much how healthy they are or who they play.

I know I’m not in the locker room (unfortunatelty ;) but I don’t see a ton of fire. Players like Sharp, Bolland, Versteeg, and others have disappeared for days. It seems like the boys have been kind of complacent since the Olympics. The goal at the beginning of the season was to win the Central, and since they’ve had that locked up, they aren’t really pushing for 1st in the west. The hawks know the Caps already have the President’s Trophy locked up based on the competitiveness in their division (i.e. NONE) and the East in general.

The most energy lately has come when we’re pissed at getting cheap-shotted and fucked by the refs. Even though the Blackhawks have had good periods and games in this span, I think that is more due to the level of talent on the club than players really fighting for wins.

Having said that, I am not worried. We can survive without Campbell (as long as Johnsson and Seabrook really are day-to-day). We saw how the Olympians picked it up when facing the best competition in the world, and I’m confident the rest of the team can follow the intensity of Captain Serious in his extra-intense playoff mode.

he’s had a great year, and he would probably be my 1st half MVP if not for Kaner. I just think we can get by without him for one or two rounds, and hope that his collarbone heals up for the finals!

The main point of my post was to share some ideas that hadn’t really been brought up, and in doing so I glossed over the current defensive situation. It just seems sad to that I laughed at the Scum’s band of cripples early on, and now it seems like we’re catching the injury bug (or being taken out by bush-league plays, call it what you want).

But I feel that tomorrow is a must win for the Hawks, if not only for the fact that it will show that this team can fight through the recent adversity it has faced. I know there arent any numbers to support psychological factors that impact team performance, but after losing in the shootout to the streaking Coyotes, while coughing up a third period two goal lead, I think a dominant performance on home ice against a solid team is something that this team needs right now. Since the Olympic break the Hawks have just been getting by, and have been inconsistent. I think that a solid win on the ice tomorrow will speak volumes, and show how much depth this team has.

Is the season over if we lose tomorrow, absolutely not. Is it over if we dont have home ice, no. Is it over if we face Scum, no. But I think a good solid all around win tomorrow will be good medicine for a great team that has been catching some bad breaks.

but I won’t be able to read the blog or see the game (which is already pissing me off). Has anyone noticed that the Phoenix coach looks like Ethan Zobelle from Sons of Anarchy

so says the beat writers and @NHLBlackhawks!

No Johnsson though. Seriously, that guy must have the plague or something.