Everything Else

Boredom Or Fatigue?

By Sam Fels 1440 0

Well we have our first official blip of the season. Actually the whole month has been something of a blip. But this three game losing streak is clearly the nadir. While the Hawks lost some games earlier in the month due to luck or sterling goalie performances, these past three have certainly been “meh” performances. While the Hawks dominated possession for the first 40 last night, it’s not like Al Montoya had to perform cartwheels to keep the Hawks at bay.

So the question now is whether the Hawks are just bored, or the toll taken from playing until almost July is now coming due. The disheartening thing is that we really won’t have an answer until April.

Everything Else

Sometimes I Don't Mind – Hawks at Scum Preview, Pregame Thread, Renewed Acquaintences

By 1246 0

oldschool @ scum hatchet

Game Time: 7:00PM CDT
TV/Radio: NBCSN, TSN2, WGN-AM 720
I Wanna Be Your Dog: Winging It In Motown, Abel to Yzerman

It’s been nearly eight months since the Hawks last saw the Detroit Red Wings, giving them the finest farewell from the conference and division possible in the form of a Game 7 OT winner courtesy of Brent Seabrook. After which Scum at last got their wish of moving to the eastern conference so that their sleep deprived fans could at least see them at a reasonable hour. How fitting then that tonight the proceedings with their one-time rival won’t even kick off until 8:00PM local time to accomodate the viewership here in Chicago even on home ice. The indignities never cease, do they?

Everything Else

Sometimes I Don’t Mind – Hawks at Scum Preview, Pregame Thread, Renewed Acquaintences

By Matt McClure 1310 0

oldschool @ scum hatchet

Game Time: 7:00PM CDT
TV/Radio: NBCSN, TSN2, WGN-AM 720
I Wanna Be Your Dog: Winging It In Motown, Abel to Yzerman

It’s been nearly eight months since the Hawks last saw the Detroit Red Wings, giving them the finest farewell from the conference and division possible in the form of a Game 7 OT winner courtesy of Brent Seabrook. After which Scum at last got their wish of moving to the eastern conference so that their sleep deprived fans could at least see them at a reasonable hour. How fitting then that tonight the proceedings with their one-time rival won’t even kick off until 8:00PM local time to accomodate the viewership here in Chicago even on home ice. The indignities never cease, do they?

Everything Else

Atop The Sugar Pile 1/21

By Sam Fels 1201 0

Can’t think of much else to do today after a day off for most. So let’s see who’s been naughty and who’s been nice.

The Dizzying Highs

Marian Hossa – Well I’m not sure I quite agree with the Tribune’s assertion today that at 35 he’s better than ever (more people probably needed to see him play in Atlanta), he was certainly vintage stuff this week. Three goals and four points in three games, while firing 16 shots. We’ve talked about what Hossa’s shot totals mean, and it’s always heartening to see him getting his share. Maybe he’s taking some of Toews’s opportunities away, but no one cares at this point. I’m still jumpy about what he’ll look like after the Olympics and in the playoffs, and we know that there will be some nights where he never gets out of third gear. You can also look for him to not be in the lineup for a game or two in March, as that back is always a concern. But for right now, he’s the dominant force we know and love.

Ben Smith – This one might be a bit of a stretch, because there aren’t really any numbers to back this up, and he was a -2 over the week. But watching him play he’s been a badass. Simply everywhere and never stops working, and his PK work has improved. I still don’t know what he is (my heart says 3rd-4th line tweener), but his high rate of work definitely makes up for the lack of mobility on the other side of his line.

Everything Else

Day Of The Deadringers – Avalanche at Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Software License Update

By Matt McClure 1324 0

avalanches vs AltLogo

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
The Stickiest of the Icky: Mile High Hockey

As difficult as it may be to compute, the Hawks tonight will play game 49 tonight of the 2013-2014 season, now surpassing last year’s abbreviated campaign, still four days shy of a year from when that season started . They’re currently only 7 points off their record pace of last year (though Friday’s guests the Ducks are only 2 back), though it feels like it’s been a a bit bumpier ride so far. But with a full 82 on the docket on this go-around, longevity will once again be rewarded, which is something the visiting and upstart Avalanche are beginning to deal with themselves.