Everything Else

Confirmation Bias: Blackhawks 2 – Ducks 0

By Matthew Killion 1324 0

Box Score
Event Summary
Extra Skater

There’s something about this team. Even when they’re not very good (the last few weeks) they can still manage to outplay other teams seemingly at will. Few of us would believe that the Hawks are playing at their highest level right now and we’ve got plenty to complain about.. and even if we don’t, we’ll at least make some shit up.. but they still have somehow won 8 out of 10 possible points so far on the road trip with only a single game remaining before the break.

Everything Else

Like A Doll's Eyes: Sharks 2 – Blackhawks 2 (Sharks Win Dance Marathon)

By 1050 0

Box Score
Event Summary
Extra Skater

For the fourth time in a row, the Blackhawks have dropped a game that goes all the way to a shootout. If that really upsets you, sorry. I still just can’t get too worked up about it. The only detriment to this game is that it ruins an otherwise solid performance from Crawford. In the second game of his return to the team, Crow put up a 40 save performance but wasn’t able to stop either shooter in the skills competition. So it goes on this frigid night.

Everything Else

Like A Doll’s Eyes: Sharks 2 – Blackhawks 2 (Sharks Win Dance Marathon)

By Matthew Killion 1273 0

Box Score
Event Summary
Extra Skater

For the fourth time in a row, the Blackhawks have dropped a game that goes all the way to a shootout. If that really upsets you, sorry. I still just can’t get too worked up about it. The only detriment to this game is that it ruins an otherwise solid performance from Crawford. In the second game of his return to the team, Crow put up a 40 save performance but wasn’t able to stop either shooter in the skills competition. So it goes on this frigid night.

Everything Else

Snake Oil Tanker – Canucks vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Pie Sale

By Matt McClure 1171 0

Lumberjack_Song vs oldschool

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, NHLN (US), TSN (Anglo), RDS2 (Franco), WGN-AM 720
Baby, I’m An Anarchist: Nucks Misconduct, Canucks Army

In years past, a matchup like this at the height of the holiday fervor would have been circled and starred on the calendar. But as has been highlighted ad nauseum, whatever juice this rivalry once had has been diluted not only by time but by realignment as well, and the game in Vancouver last month was a decidedly tame affair that reinforced the notion. This will be the Canucks’ only visit to West Madison in the regular season, However that is not to say that this game is meaningless for either side.

Everything Else

Angry At Numbers 12/16

By Sam Fels 1412 0

I know Mondays are usually reserved for Sugar Pile, but I feel like doing this today. Maybe I’m just feeling nerdy. Maybe I don’t like to be confined by rules (evidence: Kills and my latest Twitter fight over a DLR game), maybe I like to keep you all guessing. Anyway, let’s get to it.

24.3, 2.0

That’s Jeremy Morin’s Corsi/60 minutes, and penalties drawn per 60 minutes, and both lead the team. Obviously there are caveats here and it all seems silly now that he’s been sent down. But it’s worth discussing how this roster is being shaped. Morin’s rate is propped up by not playing all that much (especially the penalties drawn number), but it’s obvious that when Morin is out there he’s highly active. He is buoyed by playing mostly with Brandon Saad, who has been a possession-monster from the time he stepped on the ice last year. However, neither’s Corsi % change significantly when they’re apart, and hold right around 60%

Everything Else

Wolves In Wolves’ Clothing – Kings vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Eye-Witness Testimony

By Matt McClure 1071 0

centerpiece-king vs oldschool

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.

Everything Else

Wolves In Wolves' Clothing – Kings vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Eye-Witness Testimony

By 1046 0

centerpiece-king vs oldschool

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.

Everything Else

Outside Southfork – Hawks at Stars Preview, Pregame Thread, Password Reset

By Matt McClure 1108 0

oldschool at star more you know

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.

Everything Else

Atop The Sugar Pile – Post Circus Trip

By Sam Fels 1273 0

Haven’t done one of these in a bit, so we’ll kind of wrap up the past two weeks instead of just the previous one. And boy is there so much to get through.

The Dizzying Highs

Duncan Keith – I mean, what else is there to say? Did you know he’s only taken two minors on the year? As for the absurd amount of assists he’s racking up, I can’t help but feel it’s all a result of his defense. He’s not a playmaker or kickstart my heart rusher like Karlsson or Subban (though he skates as well). Keith’s assists mostly spring from closing down opposing threats quickly and rapidly getting the puck up to the forwards to do their thing. It’s why 17 of his 24 assists are secondary. In his Norris year he put up 69 points. The next two years when his defense definitely slipped, he couldn’t muster more than 45. Last year he was just about on pace for 50 over a full year when his defensive game returned. You know he’s playing his game on the back end when he’s racking up points on the other.