Let the Era of the Dragon commence: Youtube
The anointed hype sponge: CSN
Migratory birds: Chicago Tribune
Toronto Trolls: Sportsnet
Time to step up: CSN
New Blood: Chicago Tribune
Not a new concept to us around these parts: The Score
As the kids say”Filthy” CBC
So this happened: Puckdaddy
On this blog recently, we’ve spent a lot of time debating whether the Hawks are either bored or tired (the answer is probably both, but what fun is that to settle for?) We’ve seen the holes in the game, the dead-ass performances, the spikes of dominance, and wondered what it all meant for when it really counts.
Based on tonight’s and other recent “big” games, I suppose I’m starting to lean towards bored. And it’s not in the glow of this performance only, though the Hawks did completely muzzle the team with the most points in the league. On other occasions where the bright lights are on and the opponent has the Hawks complete attention, we’ve seen it. Detroit was one victim. The Ducks in Anaheim another. Boston’s trip to Chicago saw the Hawks play extremely well and take a shootout. There are a couple others I haven’t mentioned.
Maybe it’s both in that the Hawks can do it when they really want to but can’t bring it every game due to fading legs when they don’t particularly. I guess we won’t know until the season’s over, as you can bet Joel Quenneville is going to demand they snap into gear full-time heading into the postseason.
But for one night, the Hawks brought the game we’ve come to love. It could have been any of the league’s premier teamed that was swallowed whole by the Hawks’ complete game and I’d feel as good (well, maybe not all the way). It’s still there when they need it. Let’s be happy with that.
It burns: Cheer the Anthem
Lackluster:HockeeNight
Lucky to Escape from Philly: SCH
That was clearly not how you felt at the time: TSN
Marian Hossa: Cheer the Anthem
Is good at hockey: Second City Hockey
But you knew that: ESPN
Thoughts from RockVegas: Third Man In
Locking up the kids: Chicago Tribune
Scary situation in Dallas: TSN
This is the antithesis of Stan Bowman: CBS
He will clown Don Cherry: Sportsnet
Knowledge: Reddit
Distraction Free: Chicago Tribune
Lots to Not Lots: Cheer the Anthem
Well I think we have a new nickname for Brandon Saad: Hockeenight
Steamrolled: Second City Hockey
Seguin cleaned up: http: TSN
The Best of Scum: ESPN
Let the overreaction commence! Chicago Tribune
The Hawks get faster: NHL
I can only imagine his tweets and privacy will increase: TSN
Fat Tuesday: Sportsnet
This is fantastic: SCH
I suppose a semi-letdown after the Stadium Series game should have been expected. I’m told that our favorite go-to terms “energy,” “intensity,” and “flat” were being thrown around the postgame show, which is what all the media run to when the Hawks lost a close game. Yeah, maybe the Hawks weren’t in the red but I don’t think they were totally listless either. In fact, I didn’t really have much of a problem with the effort or the way the Hawks played. They got Maple Leafs-ed tonight, as the Avs were ruthless on two big mistakes from the Hawks. One was Keith’s misplay of a pass, and then Oduya’s pretty stupid penalty. And of course, once again Semyon Varlamov is basically the difference.
Sure, when the Hawks are a combined 1- 3-3 against the Avs and Blues — with it looking pretty likely they’ll have to get through both in April — that doesn’t feel good. It can be a little scary, even. But I don’t know if it’s indicative of how things would go in the spring. In a twist, the Blues are 1-10 against the California teams and Vancouver where the Hawks are 6-0-3. Again, I don’t know that means anything.
It’s still early March, and the Hawks showed some signs of tightening up their game. It’s got to get better, but it probably will.
While we were celebrating Hollywood: Chicago Tribune
The Least: Hockeenight
Stan not focused on trades: Chicago Suntimes
Snow Globe moments: Comcast
HA!! Schnieder’s Law: Puckdaddy
