Farmville: ESPN
Helping StanBow write a shopping list: SCH
The real power plays: SI
More arguing on the rules of the game we just made up: PD
Perry aims high in the 2nd period: PHT
If only there had been a couple of goons who staged fight earlier in the game to dissuade players from such hits. Oh what’s that you say?: HF
To be fair to Torts, that’s a stupid fucking question: NHL (auto play)
Just a quick note. As you’ve probably seen via the Tweets, Jimmy Hayes has been recalled to the Hawks with Steve Montador free and clear to see if he can skate for seven minutes before getting dizzy with the Piggies.
So finally, the Hawks have showed that they do in fact have an internet connection and seen there’s a body that can contribute with the minor league team.
Where does Hayes fit? Hmmm, not sure. He’s been playing center at Rockford, and I suppose I wouldn’t fall on the floor from shock if they stuck him between Kane and Bickell/Stalberg on the 2nd line. But that seems unlikely.
More likely, he goes with Kane and Bolland and keeps the highly functioning 1st line and 3rd line together. Does Hayes solve the Hawks faceoff problems? Nope. Smith would have. But he’s net presence and some size, and hopefully he won’t get knocked around as much as he did in his first go-around.
Holy shit, we can actually legitimately put someone in The Terrifying Lows category and not have it be a stretch! We can bitch again! I feel whole once more!
Right, to it.
Jonny Revelator – The Captain had five points in four games this week, including two beauty goals. As things started to actually crack and chip, Toews’s line was still dominant in every game. It seems like Toews, Hossa, and Saad create a turnover in the offensive zone whenever they want. And they want to all the time.
General Saad – Only topping Toews this week was Brandon Saad’s six-point week. That included his three-point period against Minnesota, where he was so far and away the best player on the ice it was basically laughable. Saad has become such a weapon that we talk about him improving other lines now, not where he can be protected. Should he be clearing space for Bolland and Kane? Can he skate on the 3rd? Were we asking this a couple weeks ago?
Most players ask that you stand. Saad only asks that you kneel….
Once again, our boy at HockeyProspectus.com Robert Vollman has dropped some knowledge on us:
Some quick notes on this. The ones in red(ish) are those in the negative for shot differentials when they’re on the ice. Blue is those in the positive. The size is obviously how big the difference is.
So what do we learn?
Looks like Monty is headed to Rock Vegas: Chicago Tribune Third Man In
Tired?? Comcast
Trading Iggy is delicate: Puck Daddy
Hockey is apparently dangerous: The Globe and Mail
Gretzky wants visors: Sportsnet.Ca
30 Thoughts: CBC
Beer Pong to end real hockey games!PuckDaddy
Best Gifs of the first half: Backhand Shelf
First half awards: TSN
One of the pleasures of a 29 game point streak was the lack of hockey cliches used to describe the Hawks poor play. Flat, lifeless, fatigued, blah, blah, blah. Well no more. After a Edmonton 4 goal first period, all the cliches are back in full force. Luckily, you won’t find that here. Rather, let’s break down the first 4 goals to help show why the Hawks were down four after 20 minutes.
And I keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you’re dead you can’t
But I’d rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave
Well the oppressors are trying to keep me down
Trying to drive me underground
And they think that they have got the battle won
I say forgive them Lord, they know not what they’ve done
Well they tell me of a pie up in the sky
Waiting for me when I die
But between the day you’re born and when you die
They never seem to hear even your cry
