Another week in the books, another round of free-floating hostility.
Despite what the empty talking heads on TSN and NHL Network would have everyone believe every March, the NHL Trade Deadline is no longer the cornucopia of big name player swaps that it once was. That title has been usurped by the draft, and with a major new wrinkle in the CBA, it stands to get even more silly.
@ 
Game Time: 9:30PM CDT
TV/Radio: NHLN, CSN/WGN720
Here’s To Swimmin With Bow-Legged Women: Fear The Fin, Battle of California
While the second period in Wednesday’s game against the Canucks was nice, it’s still not clear that the Hawks are completely out of their funk. It was a better game than we’ve seen the past few weeks but it wasn’t all the way there.. take the two goal deficit they had to climb back from. They had a wonky first but were able to calm down enough to make a return to the game we expect them to play.
In the past few years, a game against the Sharks is a meeting of two of the NHL’s better teams. That’s true this time around only this time we’re seeing two teams that are solidly in the playoff picture but neither team is firing on all cylinders recently.
vs. 
FACEOFF: 7pm Central
TV/RADIO: NBCSN, WGN Radio
NEEDING A BIGGER BOAT: Fear The Fin, Battle Of California
After sort of muddling their way through two games in the Tri-State area but still getting three of four points, the Hawks open the 2014 home portion of the schedule tonight with a tilt against Legends Of The Fall San Jose Sharks. Or what’s left of the Sharks, as they’re extremely beat up. And what isn’t injured may be frozen.
With the Summer Doldrums officially in full effect thanks in no small part to the League taking its sweet ass time to announce an agreement for Olympic participation in Sochi this coming February, and as a result its own regular season schedule, it’s time to take a spin into a couple matters beyond the Blackhawks.
But one local matter needs to be addressed first.
vs 
Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, NHL Network (US), WGN-AM 720
Those Damned Blue Collar Tweekers: Fear The Fin, Battle of California
For the third time in seventeen days and the second in a week, the Hawks and Sharks will square off, once again on suspect United Center ice. In this abbreviated season, this will close out the season series with the Teal in relatively brief fashion. And ordinarily one would think that it still isn’t ending nearly soon enough for the Sharks given how the first two games have gone. But tonight they have an opportunity to be the proverbial turd in the punchbowl while still clawing their way back into contention for a division once again no one but Anaheim seems particularly interested in winning.
at 
Game Time: 9:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, NHL Net (Canada), WGN AM 720
Cage In The Water: Fear The Fin
While ten games into a season might be too soon for a “measuring stick” game in any other year, for this shortened campaign, that’s equal to over 20% of the entire season. Given that circumstance, it’s entirely appropriate for these two teams to use tonight to judge where they’re going for the rest of the year. Tonight features a matchup of the two best teams in the conference, with a grand total of 5 points lost between the two out of a possible combined 36, and a single solitary regulation loss.
