vs. 
Game Time: 7:30PM CST
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Cliché Guevara: Raw Charge
As this stretch of the schedule lurches ever forward like a herd of Fifth Feather John’s beloved zombies, the Hawks welcome a team that is basically walking dead to the United Center for the penultimate game before the All Star break in the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning.
When Steve Yzerman didn’t get the Detroit GM job back in 2010, as Ken Holland got an extension, there were some in Michigan who weren’t too pleased. Not that it’s gone all that well since for the Wings (god that’s so much fun to write), but they may want to come to terms with how it might have gone worse. Stevie Y might have no clothes.
A lot of the shine for Yzerman was generated that he picked the gold medal team for Canada in Vancouver in 2010. Combine that with his playing days and there’s not much more that’s going to turn the Canadian media into a yellow puddle. But let’s be honest here, you kind of have to fuck up royally to not get a great Canadian squad (Rob Zamuner and Kris Draper, anyone?).
In Tampa?
On this week’s edition, John makes his triumphant return while Cieslak is doing god knows what in Vegas. We discuss the Hawks recent goaltending NON-troversy, as well as Artemi Panarin channeling Kris Versteeg and we eventually get around to what the hell is afflicting tonight’s opponent, the visiting ‘Ning, and what it’s symptomatic of league wide. Grab a listen after the jump.
The Rockford IceHogs scored six goals in four games this week. Fortunately, they were able to win two of those games and earn a point in another. This came about through some improved play on the defensive end.
As the AHL’s second half of the season gets rolling, the Hogs welcomed goalie Jeff Glass to the fold. Glass was in net for the first three games of Rockford’s current road trip, which concludes Wednesday night in San Antonio.
Glass isn’t the only new face IceHogs fans will see when the team gets back.
Hola Amigos,
I know it’s been a while since we rapped at ya, but we have been knee deep in some shit over here at TCI-FFUD, Inc.
During this time of year, particularly at home and against the drecks of the league, any points gained in regulation are to be taken happily. And while the parts of the second and the early parts of the third period reeked of a team taking its foot off the gas against a lesser opponent, the Hawks grabbed a win while inching the Canucks and their fans closer to the sweet release of the season ending.
vs. 
RECORDS: Canucks 22-19-6 Hawks 29-14-5
PUCK DROP: 6:30pm
TV: WGN down here, SportsNet up there for Hilljack Hockey
CRYING INTO THEIR VAPORIZER: Nucks Misconduct, Hockey Dipshit
ADJUSTED TEAM CORSI %: Canucks – 47.5 (24th) Hawks – 50.0 (16th)
ADJUSTED TEAM xGF%: Canucks – 46.4 (28th) Hawks – 47.5 (26th)
POWER PLAY %: Canucks – 13.2 (29th) Hawks – 18.1 (16th)
PENALTY KILL %: Canucks – 79.7 (23rd) Hawks – 75.6 (28th)
The Hawks will entertain the Canucks tonight, a half-hour later than normal for a Sunday because it features on SportsNet’s hilariously weird “Hometown Hockey.” For the uninitiated, every Sunday Rogers sends Tara Slone–who must’ve run over someone’s cat/child to be punished in such a way–out to some Canadian outpost/backwater/truck stop/hobo circle jerk where she gets stared at by a bunch of glassy-eyed, slack-jawed locals who are only slightly intimidated by all the blinking lights of the camera. There they talk about how much they love hockey, shocking for a Canadian city I know, while the children have to wear their gear for four hours and wave to the camera when told, which turns out to be a real task for them, because y’know, CANADIAN. Ron MacLean joins the fun to interview some doddering old codger who barely knows where he is because he spent 10 years toiling for the fucking Golden Seals or something and getting beaten about the head. But he’s from whatever ice-fishing hut they’re broadcasting from, so he has talk about how much they love hockey in this particular section of frozen hell. It’s really something.
Meanwhile, George Stroumboulopoulos kicks it at home with his awesome socks and thanks his lucky stars he doesn’t have to put up with any of this shit anymore.
Anyway…
If there’s ever been a time where one game stands as a microcosm for two teams, Friday night’s tilt between the Blackhawks and Boston Bruins would stand as Exhibit A.
The Blackhawks did what they’ve been doing – get lopsided in possession for one period while playing relatively even the rest of the game, take advantage of their limited opportunities and get stellar goaltending.
The Bruins did what they’ve been doing – maintain an edge in possession while throwing a high amount of shots from low percentage scoring areas, give up a backbreaking goal and then lose in the most heartbreaking way conceivable.
Needless to say, it was a fun one.
at 
Game Time: 6:00PM CST
TV/Radio: WGN, NHLN (US), SportsNet (Canada), WGN-AM 720
Who’s Your Favorite New Kid? Call Me Joey: Days of Y’Orr
From one state with legal weed to another, tonight the Hawks find themselves in Boston to take on a B’s team that is once again teetering on the edge of missing the playoffs for a third straight year, and rumors of Claude Julien’s giant bald head being on the chopping block dominate any discussion about the Bruins.
Days of Y’Orr was one of the best hockey blogs around. Then it went away. And then apparently it came back when I wasn’t paying attention. Mostly because Marshall and I are usually arguing about wrestling. Anyway, it’s back, you should read it, and follow Marshall and them on Twitter (@DOYMarshall @DaysOfYorr)
Once again, the Bruins underlying numbers are among the best in the league, and yet they’re jostling for a playoff spot in a pretty piss poor division. Is it all just poor shooting luck? Is there something more at work?
Their shooting percentage has finally started to turn a corner, but things have been pretty mind-boggling so far. To dominate possession the way they do, yet be so woefully inept at burying the puck really puts into question the adage of “good things happen when you put the puck on net.” Opposing teams are having far too easy a time forcing the Bruins to the outside, leading to some pretty poor shot selection. The top line is capable of creating offense from anywhere in the zone, but the others lack the necessary skill set.
