Everything Else

Haunting, Familiar Yet: Hawks at Wings Preview/Slam Dance

By 1368

Hawk Wrestler vs. 1202413387

PUCK DROP: 7pm Central

TV/RADIO: NBCSN, WGN Radio

EVERYBODY’S GONNA LEAVE THEIR SEAT: Winging It In Motown

Red Wings Stats

Red Wings War On Ice

It’s the second to last visit to the Joe for the Hawks (no Wings fans I don’t think you’re going to make the Final, why do you ask?). I feel like that should mean more to Hawks fans, because most of our nightmares have taken place in that concrete blister on the river of the damned. The only good one I remember is Game 6 in 2013 when Frolik’s penalty shot caused a primal scream I was certain was going to force the neighbors to call the cops. Other than that… well, I don’t think there’s a Hawks fan anywhere who’ll be sorry to see it go. But that’s probably a discussion for next season.

Everything Else

The Empire Strikes Back: Wings at Hawks Preview/Pregame Thread/Tauntaun Training

By 1489 0

galactic_empire_emblem vs. rebel-small

FACEOFF: 6:30pm Central (The Wings bitched so much about their starting times they’re even changing ours now)

TV/RADIO: NBCSN, WGN Radio 720

CRACK HOUSE DAILY: Winging It In Motown

Now that these only happen twice a year, and once in each city, they’ve become some sort of weird family reunion. They’re certainly an event, a chance to remember how much bile you had for the other side and how quickly it went away once Seabrook’s OT winner dented twine and the Wings were packed off to the East. Though it probably won’t take much more than one Wings fan in your section who won’t shut up to angry up the blood again.

Everything Else

Candy From Babies: Griffins 1 – Hawks 4

By 1187 0

Box Score

Event Summary

Extra Skater

Not prettiest but it’ll do. Kinda like closing time.

While Q and the press made a lot of the “battle level” of the past two games and all the drills in yesterday’s practice, there was a telling remark from Marian Hossa in his postgame interview with Brian Engblom. He talked about improving the Hawks’ gap to each other and not being so spread out. Basically, that’s puck support, and the Hawks haven’t had it in a while. They were much better tonight, building speed through shorter passes and crunching the space the Wings had to play in. They pressed Detroit all over and weren’t afraid of gaps behind. That’s what led to a pretty thorough win.

Of course, having Marian Hossa back helps too.

Let’s get to them:

Everything Else

Keep Your Eyes On The Road: Hawks 4 – Scum 4 (Scum win Pin The Tail)

By Sam Fels 1329 0

Box Score

Event Summary

Extra Skater

After tangling with two of the NHL’s best at home over the weekend, it was kind of obvious the Hawks took the foot off the gas tonight. I can’t say that they were looking past the Wings, or what’s left of them, but it sure looked like that. Whatever it was, the Hawks were just kind of second best all over the ice for most of the game. And all the little blemishes of the Hawks’ game lately were on display once again. They were trying far too much cutesy shit at the blue line, resulting in killer turnovers or just loss of possession. Their puck support was just not there, as too many Hawks without the puck were looking for space for a pass that wasn’t coming from a teammate that was buried in red instead of helping him. And when a team can really pressure the Hawks D below the goal line, they can get yippy especially when the forwards aren’t close enough to help. The Hawks needed to be more straight line, especially against a defense that is simply dying to turn the puck over. They have to. They want to. It’s their oxygen. Thankfully Brendan Smith is still around for the Hawks to grab a point.

Whatever the Wings’ faults, you’ll never find a Babcock team not working hard enough. The Hawks didn’t want to or couldn’t match that level, which is why they were getting caught on the puck and couldn’t make plays tonight. It’s why you’ll see the Wings had the upper hand in Corsi or possession tonight, which really shouldn’t happen with a team this beat up.

Let’s get to it.

Everything Else

Come Together: Scum 3 – Blackhawks 4 (Series Tied 3-3)

By Matthew Killion 1322 0

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Chicago Blackhawks at Detroit Red Wings
So here’s the experiment. Every once in a while I have the idea that a “rally shot” will really help the fortunes of the Blackhawks. At the start of the period where the Hawks are down, usually the third, I will order a shot and not drink it until the Hawks score a goal. As soon as they do, I take the shot and order another. Repeat as necessary until the Hawks win the game (which means another shot) or if the lose, I pass it along to someone else. Very rarely does that seem to happen.

What this really means is that during the last 20 minutes of hockey, I consumed 4 shots along with a few beers. If this recap begins to make less and less sense and becomes riddled with more typos than usual… well, you can blame Fels. He was originally supposed to write this but might be in worst shape than I am right now.