Everything Else

Since Ben Got That, He’s a Sociopath: Blackhawks 7, Flyers 4

By 1395

Box Score

HockeyStats.ca

Natural Stat Trick

It seems like it’s an annual rite of passage for the Blackhawks to jump out to a huge lead early and then cough up a giant hairball at least once a year to an Eastern Conference team. Last year, you may recall this Sunday matinee nightmare against the Bruins. The Hawks almost lost a six goal lead in that one, giving up four straight goals to a listless Boston team. The end result was basically the same. Kane, Panarin and Anisimov combined for 11 points in both games. The only real difference was an empty net goal.

So they got this out of their system early this year. On to other things.

Everything Else

Young Ones, Cold Ones: Flyers at Hawks Preview/Aerial Yoga

By 1386

Radio-Flyer-Classic-Red-Wagon-lg vs. Hawk Wrestler

GAMETIME: 7:30pm Central

TV: CSN locally, NBCSN nationally

WOOTER ICE: Broad Street Hockey

Projected Lineups

flyers-lineup-card

blackhawks-lineup-card

POWER PLAY: Flyers – 0% (28th)  Hawks – 27.3% (12th)

PENALTY KILL: Flyers – 88.9% (10th)  Hawks – 46.1% (Dead Ass Last)

SCORE ADJUSTED POSSESSION: Flyers – 52.5% (8th)  Hawks – 47.9% (22nd)

TRENDS: Ghost Bear has seven shots on Saturday against Arizona, Mark Streit had an 83% CF% on Saturday

After battling through perhaps the two best teams in the West for the season’s first three games, the schedule lightens a bit this week for the Hawks. And it starts with a visit from Cold Ones, otherwise known as the Philadelphia Flyers.

Everything Else

Flyera Q&A With Retired Rodeo Clown FGSB

By 1447

We don’t know much about him. He’s just one of those creatures of the internet. We think he might used to have a blog about the Flyers, but if he did it’s only the roadmap to hit complete breakdown. Anyway, you can follow his descent into madness on Twitter @FlyGoalScoredBy.

It was actually a pretty quiet summer for the Flyers, who seem to have a plan? How are Flyers fans dealing with a rational and calculated front office for the first time?

We all are on a huge Hextall high.  We love the direction the team is headed in, albeit it a slower one than we are used to. Last year’s fun but brief playoff run was like playing with house money and this year is another one we approach with tempered expectations.  Our reward for this approach is a younger core, faster team and way more dynamic lines to enjoy.  The Flyers will Make Hockey Fun Again.™

Everything Else

Flyers Spotlight: Jakub Voracek, Emphasis On “Check”

By 1500

It’s a brave new world when the Philadelphia Flyers are acting in a prudent and careful fashion. Gone are the splashy, silly overpayments for goalies or defensemen that eventually turn to dust as soon as they throw on the orange and black. Hell, they even got really good goaltending last year from not one but two goalies. Ron Hextall has found himself a pretty spiffy young core, with Ghost Bear and Provorov at the back and Giroux, Schenn, Bellmare, Couturier, Weal up front.

But as we know in Chicago, it really only takes one or two bad contracts to put yourself in the corner with baby. And the Flyera (intentional) might have one with Jakub Voracek.

Everything Else

You Will Suck The Life Out Of Me: Predators 3, Blackhawks 2

By 1237

Box Score

Hockey Stats

Natural Stat Trick

Let’s have fun with small sample sizes, yeah?

  • Through two games, the Blackhawks have yet to surrender a 5-on-5 goal.
  • Through two games, the Blackhawks have surrendered 6 power play goals.
  • Through two games, Ryan Hartman, Dick Panik, Marcus Kruger and Niklas Hjalmarsson have scored goals.
  • Through two games, Patrick Kane, Artermi Panarin, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa have yet to score.

And through two games, the Blackhawks are 0-2.

Everything Else

Take Me To Another Land: Hawks And Predators Weekend Preview/Iggy Pop Lookalike Contest

By 1164

Hawk Wrestler vs. predator

PUCK DROPS: 7pm Tonight, 7:30pm tomorrow

TV: CSN Tonight, WGN Tomorrow

YELLOW COLLARED TWEEKERS: On The Forecheck

Projected Lineups

blackhawks-lineup-card

predators-lineup-card

POWER PLAY (’15-’16): Hawks 22.6% (2nd)  Predators 19.7% (10th)

PENALTY KILL (’15-’16):  Hawks 80.3% (22nd)  Predators 81.2% (16th)

Predators Possession Stats

Hawks Possession Stats

Trends To Watch: James Neal has 14 goals in 23 career games against the Hawks, Jonathan Toews has 35 points in 41 games against Nashville

With some personal commitments for all of us and Game 1 taking most of our attention anyway tomorrow, let’s just set up this old school divisional home-and-home all at once. After a pretty stinging loss to open the season, it’ll get no easier for the Hawks as they’ll open the Predators season, perhaps the most anticipated in Music City in their entire history.