The big news last night was that the NHL is expanding its outdoor schedule to carry five more outdoor games in larger venues in addition to the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at the Big House in Ann Arbor. In that series, the Hawks are scheduled to take on the Penguins on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Soldier Field. And thus far, most have seemed to agree with Puck Daddy’s Harrison Mooney and his claim that this is a cynical cash grab. But while Mooney is right in that aspect of it, he’s incorrect in stating that it’s a bad thing. In fact, it’s exactly the sort of thing Hawks fans should be glad is happening.
It’s almost comical at this point.
The script is for all intents and purposes set in stone. Every game down in the glorified trailer park west of the Mississippi the Blues will spend the better part of the first period running around looking to decapitate anything with an Indian head on the sweater. The Hawks then weather the storm and use their speed and skill to grab a lead, and then allow the Blues to helplessly flail trying to claw their way back onto the scoreboard before the inevitable dagger, only to resume the extra curricular bullshit.
And we say goodbye, and go underground, Or up towards the sky, up in smoke, burnt down to size. At least we’re still friends, at least we’re still alive.
Remember last April when we saw U.S. Maple?
Take your wings outside, you can’t fly in here.
vs 
Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, NHLN (US), WGN-AM 720
Wicked, Tricksy, False: Winging It In Motown, Abel To Yzerman
And so brings to a close the Third Age of Middle-Earth, as tonight will mark the last game between the Hawks and Scum wherein they will be divisional opponents. And, as usual, the stakes are high.
I wanna be a Warhol displayed on your wall; still hung up on you.
Give me a taste of your misery. Won’t you please come play chemistry?
I wanna be a little piece of history, I wanna be a painting for all to see.
vs 
Game Time: 6:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Smash & Dash: On The Forecheck
With the Hawks’ win at the Tire Fire yesterday, they now stand on the precipice of being the first team in the league to officially clinch a playoff berth. The 9th place Coyotes currently sit at 40 points with 10 games left to play, which would max them out at 60 points. However, if the Coyotes were to win out in regulation and were the Hawks to lose out in regulation, they’d be tied but the Yotes would have more regulation and overtime wins. However, all of that is rendered immaterial today with a single point, and the Hawks will have officially gained entrance to the post season party, despite standing outside and waiting for it to open since mid-February.
