vs. 
FACEOFF: 9pm Central
TV/RADIO: WGN for both here in the 606, various Sportsnets for those in the Provinces
GOTTA FIND A ROOM BUT RUNNIN’ OUTTA MONEY: Anaheim Calling, Battle of California
The Hawks continue their California swing tonight with the first half of a back-to-back in Orange County and then up to Silicon Valley, which is weird because you’d think you’d schedule the back-to-back like they did in November with the two Southern California teams but WHATEVER. At least the Hawks will catch the Ducks on the second half of their back-to-back in the same arenas. Have I said “back-to-back” enough? You want some more? No? Ok then.
You may have missed it last night, happened kind of late, but the Hawks sent Adam Clendening to Vancouver, apparently the official city where the Hawks dump the d-men they don’t have room for, for another blue line prospecting in Gustav Forsling.
You knew something was going to happen as soon as Clendening got three games with the Hawks and then was sent back to whence he came and never heard from again. It’s been well-established that you either break into Quenneville’s Circle of Trust immediately or you never do. That’s why TVR’s return is hotly awaited, that’s why Nordstrom is now a fixture in the lineup, and that’s why Clendening is headed west even though his skill-set looks remarkably like van Riemsdyk’s.
Over the past year or two a few different statisticians have been exploring ways to measure a player’s possession skills independent of his team. Team effects on a player’s possession numbers often have a heavy influence on a player’s stats. For example, early in the season, Dan Carcillo had the highest CF% at 5 on 5 of any other forward in the league. It should be obvious to anyone who has ever watched hockey that Carcillo is not the best player in the league and illustrates how important it is to understand that usage and team strength have a lot to do with these measures.
Not exactly how you want to start a trip that isn’t going to have much margin for error to begin with. And while the downfall was due to a familiar problem (mostly), it’s not one that you fear is going to be a long-lasting one. At least you certainly hope so.
Still, the Hawks once again couldn’t even draw a point out of a game in which they were tied or had the lead in the 3rd, and that is worrisome. You have to close these, especially when Nashville may never lose again. Which is what they did against Washington, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Dallas. I don’t expect it to continue, but a couple more and we can’t label it an anomaly anymore.
Let’s get to it:
Like most of us the Hawks missed the ending: Blackhawks
Pretty much: PHT
I still don’t hate them: ESPN Chicago
Looking to deal: TSN
Finally: PD
vs. 
FACEOFF: 9;30pm Central
TV/RADIO: CSN for the locals, NBCSN for the non, Sportsnet for the Hosers, WGN Radio
THE DEAD PRESIDENTS: The Royal Half, Jewels From The Crown
The post All-Star Break… well you can’t really call it a rush until March or so, so I guess portion? Section? Let’s all agree February kinda sucks and move on. Anyway, there’s no stoppages at least from tonight all the way until the Hawks pack up the bags at some point in the spring. And of course it kicks off with a stop in L.A. to begin the California swing of this six-game roadie. Because why start off easy?
