Unexpectedly Expected:Cheer The Anthem
Cooling the red hot Kings: Chicago Tribune
The suspension litmus test:The Globe and Mail
I figured “Do you know who I am?” is up next: Tsn
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Game Time: 6:00PM Central
TV/Radio: WGN Ch. 9, WGN-AM 720
Kids Of The Blackhole: The Royal Half, Jewels From The Crown, Battle of California
In the six-ish months since last season’s Western Conference Finalists last met, not a lot has changed. Both teams are in the thick of things in a ridiculously competitive and re-aligned western conference, with the Kings performing their usual puttering act through the first half of the season despite excellent underlying possession metrics. However, the men manning the cages tonight are a far cry from what anyone would have envisioned early last June.
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Game Time: 6:00PM Central
TV/Radio: WGN Ch. 9, WGN-AM 720
Kids Of The Blackhole: The Royal Half, Jewels From The Crown, Battle of California
In the six-ish months since last season’s Western Conference Finalists last met, not a lot has changed. Both teams are in the thick of things in a ridiculously competitive and re-aligned western conference, with the Kings performing their usual puttering act through the first half of the season despite excellent underlying possession metrics. However, the men manning the cages tonight are a far cry from what anyone would have envisioned early last June.
Domination: Chicago Tribune
Gamesheet: NHL
Advanced Metrics: Extra Skater
Boxed out: Cheer the Anthem
Fork’s take: Hockee Night
One of the best plays in your old spot: Sportsnet
at 
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
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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.
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Game Time: 7:00PM
TV/Radio: CSN, NHLN-US, WGN-AM 720
Lords of Dogtown: Anaheim Calling, Battle of California
As Sam pointed out earlier today, even two game losing streaks have been a rarity over the last nearly two years for the Blackhawks. Rarer still are the three gamers, with two of them being at home. But just because the odds are against it happening tonight does not mean that tonight doesn’t pose a real challenge on West Madison, this time in the form of the visiting and sometimes mighty Anaheim Ducks.
First, let me apologize for the delayed wrap. There was a miscommunication between us, and the wrap fell in between like a pop fly between White Sox outfielders and infielders (cue Sox fan insecurity in 3…2…1… ). But I’m here now, and that’s what’s important, to see me.
Here’s a nugget for you: thanks to the lockout, Hawks fans have had to deal with exactly three two-game losing streaks in 20 months. You can make it five if you include combining the three games in a row to Detroit, and the two in a row to Boston in the playoffs. That’s five two-game losing streaks in 102 regular season and playoff games, with none exceeding three. Ok, we’re spoiled.
Not to mean last night’s loss was good.
It came a little sooner than I expected it, but I think we all saw it coming once Brandon Pirri was kicked off the second line as soon as Handzus was removed from his iron lung. Today he was sent down, along with Mike Kostka who will be on a conditioning assignment. In their place Joakim Nordstrom was called up, as was Jeremy Morin.
The call-up of Morin is curious, as this was a player we’d all pretty much figured Q had written off and was never going to warm up to. It’s obvious Morin is too good for the AHL but he may not be good enough yet for a serious Cup contender in the Hawks (though I think he will be one day). Nordstrom has already gotten a few cartoon hearts to float of Q’s chest in preseason, and has played very well in Rock Vegas.
How this shakes out on the roster? I’m not sure I can tell you.
