Chicago Blackhawks 2013

[Scopes 4]

I hate to see a game win awarded on a skills drill.

But Patty Kane makes it look so nice...

Crawford played well in net.

[wrangler 157]

Both goalies were excellent. Kane's hands are incredible.

[icewalker_bg 126]

What a luck with those 2 delay of game. Just watched the game on NBC, crazy game and the commentator was as excited as they can get lol.

[wrangler 157]

Lucky break, sure, don't know what would have happened without the first one, but everyone knows the rule, and that it's an automatic call.

The two points are a lot more important than a streak with an asterisk.

[wrangler 157]

Bolland's back tonight, and Crawford's in goal. I'm curious to see who sits out. I'd expect Brookbank, and I'd hope (but doubt) Bollig and Carcillo.

[hunt3rsean 44]

What a luck with those 2 delay of game. Just watched the game on NBC, crazy game and the commentator was as excited as they can get lol.

I was more excited than the commentator. A buddy (Wings fan) and I had a 100-push up bet going that the Wings would end the Blackhawk's streak. Lucky to say I was ecstatic when Kane netted the tying goal. And I made him pay up on 30 of the push ups today during our staff meeting. Now....to plan how to best use the remaining 70......

[wrangler 157]

Why does he get a break in between push-ups?

I just heard Frolik's sick.

[hunt3rsean 44]

Because it's more fun for me to find awkward situations to make him do push-ups in. It's not about making him doing a large number of push-ups, it's more fun finding ways to make him embarassed while doing them.

Kind of wondered about Frolik when I saw he wasn't at morning skate.

Glad to see Bolland back. Will be interested to see what his return brings back to the team's overall play. I know they've done well without him but its interesting to see how a team plays when a key piece returns.

[Chadd 916]

Why does he get a break in between push-ups?

I just heard Frolik's sick.

As much as I like the way he has played, that shouldn't be a big deal. Keep Carcillo on the fourth line with Kruger and Mayers/Bollig/etc... The only real impact will be on the PK. Unless they decide to dress seven D again, but I hope they don't make that mistake again.

[wrangler 157]

Well, I still like Carcillo best on the eighth line. I'm not worried about Frolik being out, with the depth they're showing this year.

EDIT: Looks like Brookbank, Mayers, and Frolik are sitting out. Expect Bollig to start one of his pointless fights.

[hunt3rsean 44]

Was glad to see Bollig didn't start a pointless fight. I think it helped that the Hawks went on that 1st period scoring adventure. Although, it was bitter/sweet because they have a tendency to take the foot off the pedal when it happens.

[wrangler 157]

I was happy not to notice Bollig or Carcillo much. I don't get that sinking feeling this year, when the opponents score first, like I often got the last two years. The Blackhawks usually respond well, though last night was something. They sure did let up in the second period, though.

[Chadd 916]

Well, I still like Carcillo best on the eighth line. I'm not worried about Frolik being out, with the depth they're showing this year.

EDIT: Looks like Brookbank, Mayers, and Frolik are sitting out. Expect Bollig to start one of his pointless fights.

I like the idea of Brookbank playing just enough to keep him in game shape and give Roszival a night off here and there to be ready for the playoffs. Maybe even less once Montador can fill that role.

I was happy not to notice Bollig or Carcillo much. I don't get that sinking feeling this year, when the opponents score first, like I often got the last two years. The Blackhawks usually respond well, though last night was something. They sure did let up in the second period, though.

I don't recall ever seeing a team score like Chicago. When they get a goal, you almost expect another one to follow within a minute. They score in bunches more than any team I can remember. How many times in the last couple years do you see a puck in the net and they haven't finished announcing the last goal yet?

[wrangler 157]

They've still had a lot of games decided by one goal, and a lot of those were low-scoring. The GAA for the team is quite low.

So, yeah, it happens, but maybe not that often. Happily, much more often for them than for their opponents.

[hamstercaster 2]

Shortened season or not, this is very impressive. Actually a few teams are impressive so far this year. Anaheim, Boston, Montreal, Chicago...

[Chadd 916]

They've still had a lot of games decided by one goal, and a lot of those were low-scoring. The GAA for the team is quite low.

So, yeah, it happens, but maybe not that often. Happily, much more often for them than for their opponents.

Scotty Bowman said that when Montreal had their run of 28 games with a point, there were only 2 or 3 one goal games.

[wrangler 157]

And points were harder to come by. If you didn't get two, you had to play 80 minutes of 5-on-5 to get one, and not give up a goal in the last 20.

The Chicago media are making a big deal of the 10-game winning streak, calling it a club record. I haven't heard any of the bouncing heads mention the difference in rules. With 2 OT 4-on-4 wins, and two SO wins, give it an asterisk.

[Chadd 916]

And points were harder to come by. If you didn't get two, you had to play 80 minutes of 5-on-5 to get one, and not give up a goal in the last 20.

The Chicago media are making a big deal of the 10-game winning streak, calling it a club record. I haven't heard any of the bouncing heads mention the difference in rules. With 2 OT 4-on-4 wins, and two SO wins, give it an asterisk.

They haven't lost playing hockey either, only in the skills competition at the end. I think they would be doing just fine under the old rules.

[wrangler 157]

They may not have had this streak, but I agree, they'd still be a top team. The 4-on-4 is generally to their advantage.

[wrangler 157]

Bollig has been assigned to Rockford. If they bring someone up, I hope it's Jimmy Hayes.

It wouldn't surprise me if they're making room for Montador, though.

EDIT: My wife heard on the radio that Montador has been cleared to play, but won't play tonight.

[Chadd 916]

You would think Montador would go down for a conditioning stint before getting into the lineup. I guess teams are doing that less and less with veteran players though.

[wrangler 157]

Who knows? I've even seen speculation that they might show him for a few games, hoping for offers.

Frolik's out again, may not travel to Denver for the game Friday.

[hamstercaster 2]

Hossa is also out for tonight's game. Upper body injury

[wrangler 157]

I thought they were going to give it up tonight, when they let up in the first period, instead of the second or third. They sure know how to keep the fans on edge.

Now Sharp and Shaw look to be hurt, on top of Hossa, whose injury Q called "short-term", which doesn't mean a lot without a frame of reference.

[Chadd 916]

well, people have been saying that their streak is due to their health. I guess we will see how much of a factor that has been.