Chicago Blackhawks 2013

[Chadd 916]

Let's try to keep the suspension talk in the discipline topic. I know it overlaps, but it will keep things a little more organized.

[wrangler 157]

That's where I started it, but folks seemed to want to talk here. Need to move it?

[troy 12]

Is this Crystal?

http://www.barstoolsports.com/m/chicago/super-page/send-out-the-smoke-patrol-find-me-crystal/

http://www.csnchicago.com/sportsnetChicago/search/v/71222523/kasper-shoots-the-puck-at-blackhawks-canucks.htm

That is Crystal.

[carodz 17]

Watching them give up a 2 goal lead late in the game was pretty frustrating. The whole "getting stupid during the third period" thing is getting old. The kinds of mistakes they make seem to stem from issues with either fatigue or lack of conditioning. Maybe the schedule is contributing to fatigue, but given that it doesn't kick in until the end of the game I'm leaning toward conditioning. Should that even be an issue this many games into the season?

It deserved 0 minutes...

Regardless of intent, the end result was a headshot, which should be penalized accordingly (in reference to the 2 minutes, not the suspension; we'll leave that to the other thread). Think of it this way: if a player goes for an innocent stick lift, fails, and ends up high-sticking someone, does he not still deserve a penalty? Yes, obviously, because the onus is on the offending player to maintain control of his stick.

I want to hold a player responsible for what he does with his arms

Exactly.

[Chadd 916]

Moved a number of posts that were more related to the hit/suspension than the team and game.

[SmokinApricot 22]

I agree that the Blackhawks failure to show up in the 3rd is getting alarming (see their most recent games for examples). However 29 points at this point in the season is impressive. I wonder if this almost puts them at a disadvantage though? Every team has a slump and for the teams that suffer through it earlier in the season they are then on a roll for peaking during the playoffs (see last years Kings for example). Teams like the Blackhawks who could slump later on in the year closer to the playoffs could make an early exit even though they are arguably a better team on paper. Just my .02

[wrangler 157]

As always, it's the playoffs that count. The first question is always who won the Cup, not the President's Trophy. We'll see.

According to csnchicago.com:

Crawford is practicing, and has been cleared to play, but Emery will start tomorrow vs. the Sharks.

http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/blackhawks-talk/crawford-excited-be-back-ice

Hossa is practicing, did not have a concussion, and may play against the Sharks.

http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/blackhawks-talk/hossa-decide-friday-whether-hell-face-sharks

[wrangler 157]

Hossa and Seabrook will be back on the ice tonight. Unfortunately, so will Carcillo; he'll be on the fourth line with Frolik and Kruger. Crawford will be on the bench. Apparently Bollig and Mayers will sit out.

Montador returned to practice today, but has no timetable for his return.

[Chadd 916]

Glad to see Seabrook back on the ice. They really struggle in their own end and on the PK without him. Given their roster, I think he may be the guy they can least afford to lose for a long period of time. I am happy to say that I was wrong about Emery too, he has been far better than I expected. I really think I would rather have Bollig on the ice than Carcillo, to be completely honest. Not that I like Bollig that much, he adds some toughness, but he can play a little bit as well.

[hunt3rsean 44]

I'm one of the few Carcillo-as-a-Hawk fans. But, Bollig has been playing better then I would have expected on the 4th line. He hasn't made any glaring mistakes and has thrown his weight around. And Bollig is a better fighter than Carcillo. Bollig also seems to have a relatively decent shot if he can get in position to throw one on net. Will be interesting to see Carcillo on the ice again.

Between Mayers and Bollig who do you prefer to see on the 4th line?

[Chadd 916]

I'm one of the few Carcillo-as-a-Hawk fans. But, Bollig has been playing better then I would have expected on the 4th line. He hasn't made any glaring mistakes and has thrown his weight around. And Bollig is a better fighter than Carcillo. Bollig also seems to have a relatively decent shot if he can get in position to throw one on net. Will be interesting to see Carcillo on the ice again.

Between Mayers and Bollig who do you prefer to see on the 4th line?

I don't like his style of play, even if he is on my favorite team. I understand why they picked him up, but I do not like him or the way he plays.

I think Bollig is the long term replacement for the physical role Mayers plays. I can honestly say that I notice Bollig more than I notice Mayers, but I would rotate them. That said, Frolik, Kreuger and Carcillo have to be the most offensively talented fourth line in the league.

[wrangler 157]

I like to see Mayers out there, rather than Bollig, if only because Bollig starts so many fights, just to have a fight.

Carcillo isn't a bad player, but I don't want him in the league as long as his control circuits are fused.

[wrangler 157]

Blackhawks finally worked until the finish. Great hustle by Saad, good game from Emery, Carcillo looked clumsy. No idea why Q put him back on the first line, but at least he came to his senses, and didn't leave him there. Nice to finally get a short-handed goal.

[SmokinApricot 22]

Blackhawks finally worked until the finish. Great hustle by Saad, good game from Emery, Carcillo looked clumsy. No idea why Q put him back on the first line, but at least he came to his senses, and didn't leave him there. Nice to finally get a short-handed goal.

Agreed they looked good from start to finish. Well deserved W and a great way to break the point streak record. Kings fan here, but can really appreciate what the are accomplishing so far this season. Emery is really taking advantage of Crawford being out and making a case for being a #1 goaltender somewhere.

[Chadd 916]

I really like the way Shaw and Stalberg play, but Bickell doesn't seem to have the same jump or create as much when he is on the ice. I really like Kruger and Frolik together, they are both having a very good start to the season, considering their roles on this team. I think the really dangerous part of this team is that guys from the third or fourth lines could move up and fill in for a top six player for a brief period of time without a problem. A couple of the guys last night seemed to be really slow, especially Duncan Keith. There were a number of times that it looked like he couldn't get to pucks that normally wouldn't be a problem for him. I'm wondering if they burned him out a little bit with Seabrook being out of action or if he was battling through some injury or illness.

[wrangler 157]

Interesting; the times I noticed Keith, he had some jump, getting to the puck ahead of opponents, though I didn't watch him closely. The guy I noticed as slow last night was Carcillo. Hopefully Q agrees, and sits him.

Kruger and Frolik are doing well, and Q's use of them on special teams shows that he thinks so. Shaw has been a hustler since he got here.

[wrangler 157]

Bolland's out, Crawford's starting, Kruger's moving to the second line. I'm guessing Bollig or Carcillo will sit, and Mayers will play.

[wrangler 157]

Bolland's still out, and Emery's starting tonight. When asked why, Q just babbled.

[TeamHonda401 54]

When asked why, Q just babbled.

He is quite good at that.

[wrangler 157]

Q's done a very nice job tonight, putting the brakes on the first line, by moving Carcillo there in Saad's place. Pointless.

[Chadd 916]

Q's done a very nice job tonight, putting the brakes on the first line, by moving Carcillo there in Saad's place. Pointless.

Q is one of those coaches that doesn't usually like to play kids, he always has been.

[wrangler 157]

I find that strange, since he thinks enough of Saad to use him on special teams, and in overtime.

[bolt91 31]

Q is just weird, period.

[IPv6Freely 2092]

[wrangler 157]

I'm getting tired of hearing every day on Chicago TV how big a deal it is how many consecutive games that the Blackhawks have earned a point. It simply doesn't compare to the years when a team had to earn at least a four-period tie to gain a point. Nowadays, 3 periods will do it, and this year, a team plays only half the league, which leaves out some of the best teams.

The Blackhawks record is impressive enough, but it's not the stuff of legends.