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Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Craig Ludwig’s Shin Pads: Defending Big D
For the third time in less than two weeks, the fourth time so far this season, the Hawks will take on the Stars for the third and final time in Dallas. So if it feels like the Hawks are constantly playing the Stars within this newly christened (or re-christened depending on if they’re still viewed as a descendant of the North Stars) divisional rivalry, it’s because it’s kind of true.
Preview: NHL
Crow-Less:Chicago Tribune
TV Money: TSN
That won’t help attendance in the desert: ESPN
Maple Leaf Projections:TSN
This headline explains so many things: Globe and Mail
From my editorial in last night’s Committed Indian.
I would really prefer it if this game I love being a fan of could like, go a whole week without embarrassing itself.
You’ve probably seen it by now, the travesty that took place last night in Boston. Hey Bruins, maybe you’d like to play a game in which a player doesn’t get taken off on a stretcher? Try it sometime.
The idiocy started when Brooks Orpik crushed Loui Eriksson with what looked to be a legal hit. As it always seems to these days, this caused Boston chapter thug Shawn Thornton to try and fight Orpik, which Orpik justifiably declined.
This is where the idiocy starts, and I’m sick of it. No player should feel like he has to fight after a clean check. There’s nothing wrong with it. But the amount of voices that will come out and blame Orpik for not following the bullshit “code” because he declined a fight is what keeps things like what followed a part of the game. And it shouldn’t be.
slumpbusting: Blackhawks
Raanta is ready: ESPN Chi
I assume Q will try him in goal: CSN
Good news for a capped team: TSN
A story with “filthy,” “between the legs,” and “Penn St.” that isn’t terrible: Deadspin
And by that I sort of mean that Scott Clemmensen happened. Not that he was truly awful, though I’m sure he’d like goals #3 and #4 back. But we all knew that with the Panthers coming in after playing last night and rolling out their backup, journeyman goalie that the Hawks would only have to be locked in for so long to build a lead they couldn’t possibly punt. They kind of tried to, but only half-assed their cough-up effort (in the same way they half-assed some of their breakouts) and when bothered were able to slip away again.
The night was overshadowed by Corey Crawford’s injury, and then the Vaudevillian display that would have come if Antti Raanta hadn’t gotten up from being run by Jimmy Hayes (marking the first time that Hayes aggressively went to the net at the United Center). Whether it ends up being long-term or not, we’ll just have to wait. But we better hope not.
Mary, there is no hope for us. If this GM van don’t make it across the state line we might as well lay down and die. Because if Florida takes us we’re taking everyone down with us. Where we’re coming from will be the death of us.
It was a birthday gift of a Mexican Telecaster; from this day on I will play along to all my Young Pioneers records. And there will be a poetry spoken silently between me and the stereo. I’ll work mornings so you can work through the night.
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Game Time: 6:00PM Central
TV/Radio – WGN Ch. 9, WGN-AM 720
Heaven’s Waiting Room: Litter Box Cats
It’s been nearly two years since the Panthers graced UC ice, and it was a snowy affair that time as well, with the game being postponed due to the Panthers team bus not being able to traverse the snowy Chicago streets in rush hour. And while Mother Nature has blessed us so far today with a picturesque yuletide dusting, it’s unlikely to cause such a snag this time. That game can also be recalled as the Hawks’ last win before going on a nine game losing streak, which hopefully does not repeat itself as well.
I haven’t actually bothered to look up the stats… but if memory serves me right, the Hawks tend to actually be pretty damn great when it comes to the second leg of back-to-backs. Like we saw on recent circus trip, when the Hawks should have been on their last breath, they actually ended up playing one of their most complete games.
So coming on the second game in as many days, I almost expected them to come out with their hair on fire and get close to a DLR. It’s just what happens. Only this time, not so much. We’ve seen some sloppy games but this might have been one of the worst we’ve seen for the year. The fact that it came from two of the top teams in the West, and therefore the top of the league, makes it that much more disappointing. If the Hawks shit the bed against the Oilers, we don’t get too upset. They aren’t really going to be a threat. The Ducks though, they could be a problem. As we wrote in the preview, we expected a back and forth exciting game. We didn’t get it. Both teams were garbage and the Ducks won in the silliest part of the game. Moving on…