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
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
Great thing about this kind of blowout is that I can start sketching out the wrap throughout the 3rd to have it ready so early. Also tomorrow’s my first day off in forever and I want to make tonight count. Anyway, I know what you all come for but let me actually attempt something of a real wrap before we get to it. Don’t want to deprive you of my genius two nights in a row, obviously.
Great thing about this kind of blowout is that I can start sketching out the wrap throughout the 3rd to have it ready so early. Also tomorrow’s my first day off in forever and I want to make tonight count. Anyway, I know what you all come for but let me actually attempt something of a real wrap before we get to it. Don’t want to deprive you of my genius two nights in a row, obviously.
Antoine Roussel will probably learn that when you’re a team like Dallas, it’s better to stay under the Hawks’ radar than to do anything to get them excited to play you.
Oh, and screw Killion.
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
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.
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.
vs. 
GAMETIME: 7pm Central
TV/RADIO: CSN for the locals, NHLN for the outsiders, WGN 720 for the dead
WAITING FOR THE GOPHERS: Hockey Wilderness
The Hawks embark on a pretty ridiculously packed schedule the next 10 days here. There’s three games in the next four days, five in the next eight, and seven in the next 12. Only after the 17th’s trip to Nashville will the Hawks get as much as three days off. And the roster is looking a bit stretched tonight with both Michal Handzus and Andrew Shaw not making the trip.
Gamesheet: NHL
Advanced Metrics: Extra Skater
I disagree with the lede: Chicago Tribune
Toews and Keith and maybe Crawford to get the Call on January 7th: TSN
Great One gets paid: Sportsnet.ca
