First, I wanted to apologize for the lack of blogs for these weekend games. I had some family events going on, so I wanted to take the time to step back and enjoy those. However, I am back just as the Hawks are back in action tonight as they continue to search for a complete game effort. Friday night’s game against Nashville saw the Hawks start strong but just couldn’t keep the pace up after the midpoint of the game after Nashville got a Hawks powerplay goal overturned and then took a brilliant timeout to just flip the switch on the Hawks. Then the following night against Dallas, they didn’t have the type of start you need against a team like the Stars, and when they did turn it up in the third, it was too little, too late. These are the type of games that this team needs to learn how to avoid and say to themselves enough is enough.
Connor Bedard talking to the media after the game on Saturday showed frustration for the direction the season is going early on. “We’re not going to be happy; we just stayed in this game. We’re NHL players; that’s not the goal. It’s frustrating, we’re what 2-7? We gotta figure it out.” The growing pains are real, and while we have to be honest with ourselves and realize that the team on the ice isn’t going to a team that’s going to the playoffs, they are a hell of a lot better than what we are seeing from them through 9 games. The tone needs to be set that this is a team that is going to fight hard each and every night and send the message to players across the league that the Blackhawks are a team you want to play for. If I’m a pending UFA and I look at the effort this team has put in so far, I don’t know if even the chance to play with Bedard is enough of a reason to come here. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe in the process right now and know this season is meant to stink and still be tough. However, that doesn’t stop the fan in me from expecting more, especially when we see what they do in a period and half against the Preds and half a period against the Stars. The frame work is there; we just need these players to figure it out.
Up Next
With all that being said, things aren’t getting easier for the Hawks as they continue their five-game road trip with a stop in Colorado. Last season, the Hawks went 1-3 against the Avalanche and were just dominated, being outscored 16-3. After a miserable 0-4 start to the season, Colorado has remembered who they are and is riding a five-game winning streak, with their last victory coming last night against the Senators. The good news is the Hawks know what to expect from this team. They are a playoff-caliber team who are looking to climb back up the standings. The bad news is they are a playoff-caliber team with a chip on their shoulder who are ready to feast on a team that they should absolutely destroy.
One thing in the Hawks favor is that it looks like the Avs are going to be turning to Alexandar Georgiev in net. In 5 games this year, he has a 1-3 record with a.810 save percentage and two back-to-back early hooks. Even in his victory, he didn’t look great, letting up 3 goals on 19 shots and finishing with a.842 save percentage. If the Hawks want any chance of ending this team's streak, they will need to get to Georgiev early and often.
Projected Line Up
As of writing, there haven’t been any morning skate updates from any of the usual suspects on social media. I am not even going to speculate what the line combos are going to be as Coach Richardson has been in full-blown line blender mode as of late. I will anticipate the Hawks going back to Petr Mrazek in net for this one as Soderblom is still battling an illness, and I don’t think the team is ready to send Drew Commesso out to the wolves just yet. Mrazek has been the bright spot for this team, and without him, these games could be a hell of a lot worse than what they have been. Currently sporting a 2-5 record and a.893 save percentage, it's been great seeing him turn back the clock and find success once again. Hopefully the team in front of him can turn things up to return the favor and get him some wins.
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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