Everything Else

Daddy's In The Doldrums: Ducks 2 – Hawks 1

By 1168 0

After seeing it in person tonight, I’m more convinced than I was before that the Hawks are going through nothing more than a midseason malaise, combined with some injuries to key players. While the Hawks can pay lip service to saying that they thought this was an important game because they hadn’t beaten the Ducks, upon evidence on the ice I’m not buying it.

Tonight, it wasn’t so much anything the Ducks did. The Hawks for the first 40 were missing passes by feet instead of inches, they were bobbling whatever passes did actually land on tape, and just generally looked like they’d been at The Houndstooth a little too late last night. It seemed like the Ducks were even more conservative in this one than they had been in the previous two games. Usually, it was only one Duck forward in on the forecheck, which the the Hawks made harder than they had to too often.

Everything Else

One More Time – Ducks vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Russian Bath House

By Fifth Feather 1349 0

                                             at 

Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, NHLN (US), WGN-AM 720
Dawn of the Dead: Anaheim Calling, Battle of California

Since the last time these two teams met, both teams have managed to go a combined 1-5 with Anaheim carrying a four game losing streak into the United Center. The Ducks lost both back-to-back sets with the Red Wings and Sharks, respectively, looking pretty awful in the process.

Everything Else

So That Happened

By Sam Fels 1473 0

On Sunday, when the news first broke that Jarome Iginla was definitely, for the first time and a good year or two after he probably should have been, on the block and the Hawks were on a shortlist, I think a lot of us got a bit carried away. I know I did. It seemed like the Hawks had a real shot at making a big splash, which they haven’t been able to do in a few years due to cap constraints or not having the assets to pull it off.

In the end, we all knew that Iginla was a much wonkier fit here than he was in Pittsburgh or Boston. Those teams have openings on the right wing in the top six. Here, either Kane or Iggy would have had to shift to the left side (though I think it would have worked fine for Iginla, as he’s a right handed shot which would have made him more open to shooting opportunities that Kane or Toews would have fed him by the bathtub-full). Sharp would have had to move to center, and we all know that will never, ever happen (not until the playoffs, which it has the past three seasons). The Hawks are more interested in a center.

Everything Else

Angry At Numbers

By Sam Fels 1583 0

That time again, let’s geek out a bit.

-2.29

This is something we’ve harped on all year, but it’s worth revisiting because it’s so ridiculous. This is Patrick Kane’s CORSI/60. Both his normal linemates at the moment, Jimmy Hayes and Dave Bolland, are below -10. Sharp’s around where Kane is. So even though that line wasn’t good in terms of possession when Sharp was around, it was better than it is now. And yet Kane is in the top five in scoring in the NHL.

How? Well, Kane is shooting 8 points above his career average in shooting percentage, so that helps. But it’s not just goals for Kane, obviously, as he he would be on pace for a career high in assists too. Basically, Kane is getting hits while down 0-2 in the count pretty much every at bat. He doesn’t get a lot of looks in the o-zone as you’d like, and yet he’s making something happen in almost all of them. Kane starts 54% of his shifts in the offensive zone. Only 48% finish there. What if that were higher? Well, Sidney Crosby wouldn’t be running away with the Hart race, I think.

Everything Else

Clockers: Flames 0 – Hawks 2

By Sam Fels 1213 0

When this season-in-a-can started, we heard a lot of who the one plus of it was that every game would mean something, and the players were looking forward to the intensity of each and every game.

Yeah, about that….

This one had the feel of a mid-January or February trudge in a normal season. After the Holiday excitement, with the playoffs too far away, you know how it goes. Just a run of the mill regular season game that both teams looked like the best reason they were there was because they had to be. After all was said and done, the Hawks ended up with a 2-0 win not akin to when your boss comes in and says you did a good job on a project you have no recollection of working on. At least I assume that happens. I wouldn’t know, I’ve never worked in an office.

Everything Else

For All The Cows – Flames vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Sales Pitch

By Matt McClure 1248 0

vs

Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Cover It With Gas And Set It On Fire: Flames Nation

With no time to linger on last night’s see-saw affair with the defending champion and still-terrifying L.A. Kings, the Hawks welcome the dysfunctional Calgary Flames to the West Side for the first time this season. And by all accounts, they’re hoping one of them enjoys the view enough to stay.

Everything Else

It's The Royal We Want: Kings at Hawks Preview/Pregame Thread/Dead Sea Scrolls Interpretation

By 1061 0

vs.

FACEOFF: 7pm Central

TV/RADIO: NBCSN, WGN Radio 720

WHY DID I MOVE TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA?: The Royal Half, Surly and Scribe, Jewels From The Crown

After two weeks, four games, and maybe slightly more teeth-gnashing than there should have been, the Hawks return home to start the sprint to the finish of the season. It begins with the third home back-to-back of the year, kicking off with a visit from the champs, the Los Angeles Kings.

Everything Else

It’s The Royal We Want: Kings at Hawks Preview/Pregame Thread/Dead Sea Scrolls Interpretation

By Sam Fels 1211 0

vs.

FACEOFF: 7pm Central

TV/RADIO: NBCSN, WGN Radio 720

WHY DID I MOVE TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA?: The Royal Half, Surly and Scribe, Jewels From The Crown

After two weeks, four games, and maybe slightly more teeth-gnashing than there should have been, the Hawks return home to start the sprint to the finish of the season. It begins with the third home back-to-back of the year, kicking off with a visit from the champs, the Los Angeles Kings.