at 
Game Time: 9:00PM CST
TV/Radio: CSN, SportsNet, SportsNet 1, WGN-AM 720
A Literal Statue Of A Coach Bitching At A Ref: Nucks Misconduct, Canucks Army
As the Hawks continue westward to the edge of the continent, tonight they will make their usual first Saturday night stop on the Circus Trip in Vancouver for a late tilt against whatever the hell it is the Canucks are anymore.
And so now we move west, young men and women to the hellhole that is known as the Pacific Division. Once the place where Vancouver collected 100 points by merely having a pulse, the division has seen a bit of a makeover since realignment. The Kings, Ducks and Sharks have all taken turns setting the coast on fire while Canada weeps. Where does this year leave us? Follow the jump, suckas.
Editor’s Note: This ran in last night’s print edition.
Now in year seven of the Joel Quenneville era of Blackhawks Renaissance, the Hawks actually find themselves in slightly uncharted territory. Not only is this the first time that they have been past the first round for three straight years in the post-expansion era, but the Hawks are trying to eliminate the same team three straight years for the first time ever, with their most recent opportunity having been thwarted by Alex Burrows and Chris Campoli.
vs 
Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
I Was A Teenage Anarchist: Nucks Misconduct, Canucks Army
The mantra around these parts has been that for the most part the Hawks regular season is largely immaterial until the calendar shifts to April. And now that it has, the Hawks now find themselves still in a highly actionable position within the context of the Western Conference playoff picture all things considered. There are six key games left, five of which are against teams currently situated within the West’s top 8, starting tonight with a familiar acquaintance in Vancouver.
vs
Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
I Was A Teenage Anarchist: Nucks Misconduct, Canucks Army
The mantra around these parts has been that for the most part the Hawks regular season is largely immaterial until the calendar shifts to April. And now that it has, the Hawks now find themselves still in a highly actionable position within the context of the Western Conference playoff picture all things considered. There are six key games left, five of which are against teams currently situated within the West’s top 8, starting tonight with a familiar acquaintance in Vancouver.
vs
Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, SportsNet, WGN-AM 720
Dude, Is That Thing Cashed?: Nucks Misconduct, Canucks Army
Instead of playing up the blood feud between these two teams as has been customary during pieces like this over the years, what is now hot to do is lament how there is neither any sizzle or any steak to these matchups. Realignment and Mike Gillis torpedoing a perennial contender have made these games now just another date on the calendar for the most part. But that doesn’t mean that this isn’t a critical game for both squads tonight.
vs
Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, SportsNet, WGN-AM 720
Dude, Is That Thing Cashed?: Nucks Misconduct, Canucks Army
Instead of playing up the blood feud between these two teams as has been customary during pieces like this over the years, what is now hot to do is lament how there is neither any sizzle or any steak to these matchups. Realignment and Mike Gillis torpedoing a perennial contender have made these games now just another date on the calendar for the most part. But that doesn’t mean that this isn’t a critical game for both squads tonight.
Box Score
Event Summary
War On Ice
I was thinking this morning that it was shocking how little I cared about tonight’s Canucks/Hawks match up. Then I read Sam’s preview and saw I wasn’t alone. Even worse, the rivalry is so dead that the broadcast crew – generally the biggest hypemen in the game – admitted that this was pretty much over. The Sedins just aren’t enough to carry over the hatred that was once there. Bieksa was pretty much nonexistent. Even on the other side it seemed the Canucks faithful could only remember to boo Keith half the time he had the puck. And to be fair, he’s on the ice a lot and has the puck quite a bit. I would get tired of booing someone that much too. It was fun while it lasted but this rivalry is no more. It has ceased to be.
Shit’s about to get really wacky, if it hasn’t already.
at
Game Time: 9:30PM CDT
TV/Radio: WGN, TSN, WGN-AM 720
The Truth Is Out There: Nucks Misconduct, Canucks Army
With last night’s OT loss to the hapless Flames in Cow Town, the Hawks are officially in the midst of their longest losing streak since the 9-game debacle that nearly completely derailed the 2011-2012 season. And while things aren’t nearly that dire yet, the Blues have already tied the Hawks for first in the Central and have games in hand, and the road trip prior to the Olympics takes a much sharper turn toward icky starting tonight with their old friends the Canucks. Though given the state of things in Vancouver of late, just how icky can be debated.
