Chicago Blackhawks 2011-2012

[wrangler 157]

The Blackhawks looked to be skating fairly well until Bollig decided he wanted to fight in front of his hometown fans. Afterwards, they seemed to be skating and reacting slower, and less aggressive on defense.

[goliath_2 0]

That was dreadful.

[wrangler 157]

Nuts. Two more years for Carcillo. No way that's going to help with the major problem here -- lack of playing as a team. These guys need coaching on fundamentals, and motivation to stick to them, and play as a team.

[Chadd 916]

Not a fan of his, at least it was relatively cheap.

[goliath_2 0]

Something must change with the PP. Coming off nearly two minutes of a 5 on 3 PP without any shots is inexcusable. All said and done, aside from the first ten minutes and PP, the hawks played well tonight and both goalies had a fantastic game. Thursday and Saturday will be difficult with the current roster. I hope Montador is ok, only played one shift in the third.

[wrangler 157]

The only way you manage all those power plays without one shot on goal is by choice. They haven't figured out how to bring the puck up, get it into the offensive zone, or shoot it. When they manage to get it in and maintain possession, they pass it around the boards and across the ice until they lose it. It's as though they're locked in to trying to force a particular play, and cannot consider openings when they occur. A good example is when a shooting lane is open for the guy around the right half-boards/face-off circle, he'll carry the puck toward the blue line and pass it away, or try to force a pass through the defenders for a back-door play when it isn't there. The last time I saw someone shoot instead, they scored. When they get the puck in their own zone, they help kill the penalty with lots of fooling around and retreating. Here again, they seem locked into a particular play for moving the puck ahead, and circle back if the defenders don't cooperate by being where they want them. They don't seem to want to bypass any defenders, they try to get them all in front of them. And too often the last guy will bring the puck up, forcing his teammates to stop at the blue line. Then when he has to dump it, it's easy for the defenders to get to it first. The strangest thing is that occasionally they get away from playing this way, with better results, but don't switch to what works.

The Blackhawks don't forecheck enough, and often abandon offensive opportunities to change lines. Too many times they zip off, several players together, to change lines as if their leashes were jerked. Last night's goal by the Devils was just one example of not paying attention to where the puck was, when skating off for a change. Paying attention seems basic to me.

All of this seems to follow a common theme. A team that's not allowed to play, but is trained to follow orders religiously and instantly, without initiative and independence, could behave like this. I'm wondering.

[wrangler 157]

The Blackhawks came out skating well last night, and looked like they were going to cruise to a win. Then came the power play opportunities. They managed several decent entries early, and got some shots, but then returned to their usual form, refusing to shoot when they could, in an apparent quest for the perfect play. As usual, this resulted in passing, and action along the boards, sustained until they coughed up the puck. As this continued, the Wild gained momentum, even mustering some action in the Blackhawks zone. This momentum carried through to even strength, and the Blackhawks relaxed somewhat, as the game continued.

The good news is that Crawford played very well, looking like a playoff goalie. The bad news is that the Blackhawks skaters did not look like playoff skaters. The learning disabilities of this team continue to amaze me. They know what they have to do, they reiterate it every interview, they have success when they do it, but they continue to fall into bad habits, on the power play, and easing up on teams. They have to shoot. They have to play 200 feet for 60 minutes. I don't have much hope they can do these things consistently in the playoffs when they haven't done them yet this season.

[wrangler 157]

Looks like it's Phoenix for the first round. Thankfully, Crawford looked as good as ever again today.

[goliath_2 0]

PHO will be a tough opponent, much like anyone else the hawks could have faced. Although, I'd rather they play PHO in the first round than the Preds. That being said, I think the yotes will definitely give the hawks a bit of trouble entering the zone with speed as they're pretty conservative defensively. Dump n' chase may be the name of the game. I agree that Crow looked great in DET. We'll need him to be strong and need at least Bolland to return, and hopefully Tazer. Smith has the capability of stealing the series for the yotes, and he's hot as hell right now (230+ min, 160 shot S/O streak, last week).

This is only the yotes' third trip to the playoffs in ten years, but it's also their third consecutive postseason. It's time for the hawks to put it into that overdrive playoff gear we all know they have and put some jam in their game.

[goliath_2 0]

I should also add that I hope the Kings completely embarrass the Canucks. That is all.

[hunt3rsean 44]

Definitely nervous for drawing Phoenix in the 1st round. The 'Yotes gave the Hawks fits this season, but everyone has seen that post season gear that Chicago has. This will be the 4th consecutive postseason for the core group (not including Hossa who has more). This team seems to have some better depth then last years team supposing Bolland and Toews make it back. Its looking like both will be back in time so here's hoping.

Smith is just on fire right now. And he plays the puck like he's a foward. Obviously backing up Turco paid off a bit. I don't think Phoenix has quite the depth Chicago has, but not to say they don't have some scorers. Looking forward to seeing how Torres handles Shaw/Mayers/Bollig.

I'm also looking forward to having Craw in post season show. The goaltending he gave in the last 4 games vs Vancouver last season was unreal. Especially in game 7. If the Hawks can have that Crawford between the pipes then the Hawks will be in good form.

[wrangler 157]

Maybe you guys missed the playoffs thread?

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/60537-coyotes-vs-blackhawks/

[goliath_2 0]

Noted. Not sure if there's some way to x-fer my post. Oh well

[wrangler 157]

No sweat; didn't want you to miss out on anything that shows up there.

[goliath_2 0]

In other, older news, Emery has accepted a 1-year contract extension worth $1.15 million. I have no problem with this move... assuming Crawford continues to improve and keeps his headcase-related losses to a minimum.

[Chadd 916]

I'm not a big Emery fan but he is a known quantity and can get hot from time to time. I'm not sure there were going to be any better options at that price point over the summer.

[wrangler 157]

They've still got Salak waiting in the wings, don't they? I haven't seen enough of him to have an opinion.

[goliath_2 0]

Big changes need to be made this summer.

[Chadd 916]

Big changes need to be made this summer.

Is Bowman the right man to make those changes? Mayers, Brunette and O'Donnell were pretty ineffective for the team and he was never able to secure a second line center.

[wrangler 157]

Tough call on 2d line center; they were expensive. Whether he'd had good or bad luck with one, he'd have been criticized for paying too much. Oduya wasn't bad, Carcillo (2x) was ridiculous, Hjalmarsson was overpaid, as was Montador, Campoli and Niemi were likely mishandled, etc. I'm not impressed. But I have bigger problems with the coaching: power play entry, chronic lack of motivation, moving the puck backward way too often, failure to play position or cover opponents, refusal to shoot the puck, for starters.

[goliath_2 0]

Q stays, Haviland fired. What the f_ck is wrong with this organization.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2012-05-08/joel-quenneville-canadiens-mike-haviland-fired-chicago-blackhawks-gm-stan-bowman

[wrangler 157]

Havi did OK filling in for Q last year when he was off. It may be the scramble for guys like Q and Bowman hoping to keep their jobs after next year. We'll see who they hire, and if it works. It'll certainly be nice if the skaters all show up for work every game, unlike this past season.

[goliath_2 0]

More Kitchen powerplays - I can hardly wait <shakes head>.

[Chadd 916]

He cited the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals as teams that function in a way he aspires to next season.

If that doesn't scare Hawks fans I don't know what will. You have a team that is top heavy with offensive talent, obviously the smart move to to go into a defensive shell and try to eke out tight games.

[wrangler 157]

But the Blackhawks usually don't play defense. They allow a rush, entry into their zone, then withdraw from the perimeter and stand around.