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Another Almost Win And Another Dissapointing Effort From Huet |
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The Hawks captured only two out of a possible six points in their last three home games and now will be going off on a long road trip. Last night the Hawks were in position to win but failed to close the deal. Once again the Hawks started behind and fought hard to take a lead into the 3rd period, but couldn’t hold on for the win.
At some point taking bad penalties will catch up with a team.
The Hawks sat third in penalty killing before the start of last night’s contest and now their League status will slip. The Sharks scored four times with the man advantage while capturing their 15th win of the season.
Realistically, to be better than 27 other NHL teams in the penalty killing department may have been too lofty at this point. Although I do believe the Hawks can finish the season in the top ten in penalty killing as well as the power play.
Their PK unit can be at the top of the League if Bolland and Fraser stay effective at the faceoff dot. So giving up four goals last night was bad but in total the penalty killing has been very good this year.
In many ways penalty killing can only be as good as the goalie.
Unfortunately Cristobal Huet has not performed consistently well this season. The Hawks were lucky last night as Brian Boucher’s performance was as a bad or worse than Huet’s.
Focusing more on the rest of the season than just last night; Huet has to be better.
Against the Sharks Huet played much in the same way that has been the case in almost all of his starts. He gave up far too many rebounds, went down too early and appeared to not be reactive on many shots. He did make a couple of tough saves last night but they didn’t come until the midpoint of the 3rd period.
As will be the case with their penalty killing unit, goal keeping, as well as NHL rank the Hawks overall performance will be reflective of what they deserve to be. Right now there is still reason for optimism as well as cause for concern in some areas.
Huet in particular is a prime concern.
In fairness to Huet playing about once a week is a difficult challenge for any goalie but especially so for someone who has averaged 47 starts the last two seasons. The numbers don’t lie and his stats so far are more reflective of a backup goalie than a starter.
Throughout the NHL Huet has the least amount of saves of any goalie that has had at least 400 minutes of playing time this year. Huet has had only seven starts, going 3-3-1, so maybe I am being overly concerned too quickly. To be better Huet may have to see more action but that is a tough spot for Joel Quenneville.
Rotating starting goalies in the NHL seldom works out very well. My expectations for Huet may have been too high, but if he is going to be a starter here he will have to be better. If not the Hawks have a very expensive back-up on their books.
I wonder how any more points the Hawks would have if Huet could of have at least equaled Khabibulin’s performances this season?
I also wonder how long Quenneville can stay with rotating his goalies if Huet is no better?
Bolland, Ladd and Byfuglien did a fairly good job of shutting down Thornton, Marleau and Setoguchi. Although the Sharks top line didn’t strike at even strength they did account for two power play scores.
Dan Boyle and Devin Setoguchi both scored power play goals in the 3rd period while Bolland and Byfuglien sat in the sin bin.
Bolland, Ladd and Byfuglien all drew penalties last night as they did have their hands full with the Sharks top gunners.
The Hawks will be off on their annual Circus Road Trip but the results this year could be better than usual.
This trip is split into two parts with games Tuesday in Phoenix, Thursday in Dallas and Saturday in Toronto. After the Maple Leaf game the Hawks get a short break until they face the Sharks a week from Wednesday.
If the Hawks can start off winning two out of the first three contests they could increase the likelihood of a successful tip. Three games in five days in three different time zones is not an easy task. On the flip side the Coyotes, Stars, and Leafs have not had great records in their last ten games. It appears there is a good opportunity to start the trip off with some success.
The Hawks conclude their road journey with three games in four nights on the West Coast. The Sharks and Ducks have been playing well and always are tough. The Kings as well usually pose a problem for the Hawks and have started the season better than most expected. From the way the schedule appears the first few road games could be the best chance for wins.
In their first 16 games the Hawks have performed fairly well as they rank in sixth position in the Western Conference. The next 18 games, which would take them through the end of December, will give a clearer view as to a Playoff possibility for this season.
Of their next 18 games 13 will be played away from the United Center and all except three will be against Western Conference foes.
Al’s Shots
Once again a big hit was delivered by a player who left his feet on the check.
Last night Doug Murray crunched Troy Brouwer near center ice…Murray clearly left his feet but there was no penalty called. What did result was another fight as Burish tangled later in the period with Murray.
Maybe if the NHL could stick with the same Rule Book throughout a season the number of fighting majors could actually decrease.
I don’t mind a good scrap and maybe the NHL is not really trying to discourage fighting.
If that is the case get rid of the Instigator Rule and let the boys discipline themselves.
No matter what there is no need to fly through the air to check an opponent.
Many more players get seriously hurt because of illegal hits than punches….The Murray non call was another example of the ever changing NHL focus.
As has been the case often this season the Hawks are being mentioned in trade rumors.
I can’t see the Hawks making a significant trade unless is it is for a second line center or a top line winger.
Unless the move is made to clear Cap space for a Fee Agent....
I think Dale Tallon and others will not wait too much longer to improve their Clubs.
Maybe the player movement around the NHL will continue to pick up as there have been a coupe of trades in the last week.
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