Let’s start off with the good news.
The Hawks won their game against Atlanta even though they were outplayed for most of the contest. The 4th line and PK unit were very good. Toews and Kane played well as they looked assertive and Sharp also appeared more comfortable. All the worker bees performed well, Eager and Brouwer especially.
Khabibulin was not just good, he was outstanding.
The former Cup winner was the biggest reason the Hawks were able to steal two points from the Thrashers. It has now been reported that Khabby suffered a lower body injury in Atlanta and is listed as day to day. I am guessing it is a minor groin pull as we will see Huet tonight and maybe Antti Niemi in goal on Saturday.
The bad……
This was the second consecutive game the Hawk defense looked….uncomfortable.
Campbell turned the puck over too often and Keith did not have a very good game either. In total the most of the defensive crew appeared frantic at times and lately they have not been passing the puck effectively on breakouts.
There were also too many turnovers in the neutral and offensive zones.
The Hawks were fortunate their poor clock management did not cost them as Ilya Kovalchuk came within a heartbeat of scoring in the closing moments of the 2nd period.
Why were both Hawk defensemen pinching in at that time?
To make matters worse the Hawks almost blew things again in the last 90 second of the 3rd period.
With little time left in a one goal game, all three forwards were caught down low in the offensive zone, below the circles. The result was an Atlanta breakout and a Sharp penalty.
Fortunately for the Hawks the Thrashers couldn’t convert on the subsequent power play.
There was a lot poor judgment exhibited at the end of the contest and throughout the evening, but sometimes good luck prevails.
The ugly……
Faceoffs
Bolland-6 wins, 21 losses=29%
Fraser-1 win, 8 losses=13%
Versteeg-0 wins, 3 losses=0%
This has to change.
Colin Fraser is a tough, heart and soul kid. He also has some skill, is hard on the puck and can skate well but he is a liability at times. Fraser took eight faceoffs in the defensive zone and won only one time for 14%. That is problematic as Frasor is often on the ice taking defensive zone faceoffs because he kills penalties.
Dave Bolland played well once again except at the Dot. Bolland like Frasor is often used on the penalty kill when losing draws can be very costly.
Coach Q. has chosen not to play Toews very often when down a man. Quenneville must feel it would be too taxing for Toews to also have to kill penalties. He may be forced into that role but his overall play would likely suffer.
Now everyone is focused on the faceoff problem... if Bolland and Frasor can’t significantly improve something has to be done.
Both players are relatively inexperienced and they do give a 110% in every contest so it isn’t a question of effort or concentration. Using Toews on the PK unit is not the best option so it is time to find help.
If a phone call hasn’t been made to Toronto or Tampa Bay concerning the availability of centermen Moore or Halpern, it might be a good idea to start dialing.
I have heard the Hawks had three scouts in Philly last night to watch the Flyer-Senator game. I don’t think the Hawk representatives were there to focus on the Flyers.
Antoine Vermette could not have supplied a much better audition.
The young center had a nice goal and assist on 3 shots during 17:24 of playing time. The versatile Vermette also was credited with 4 blocked shots and won 67% of his faceoffs.
The next opportunity to view Vermette’s live work will take place in Minnesota as the Senators play up there on Saturday night.
If Dale Tallon doesn’t have Bryan Murray on speed dial by now he should.
I can’t find any better quick fixes to the faceoff woes than Moore, Halpern and Vermette. All three could contribute to the Hawks in a few ways and I would think all are available. The Ducks Sammy Pauhlsson could be in the mix too but that team is not yet an obvious seller.
Stay tuned.
Big Dustin Byfuglien seems to attract more than his share of frustration from disenchanted Hawk fans. For this season Byfuglien and disappointing have become somewhat synonymous.
Last year Buff had a scoring touch, and I was waiting for a truly great power forward to emerge in this campaign. I might add that I have been waiting decades for a high scoring power winger to arrive in Chicago.
Buff worked out at the UC over the summer and tried to learn his lessons.
It could now be a case of him thinking too much rather than just reacting. How many people take golf lessons and then hit the links to only watch their score skyrocket? Hockey is not golf but there could be too many thoughts going through Buffs head now…that’s my guess and my hope.
It appears that much of the disenchantment with Byfuglien goes hand and hand with the big contract he signed over the summer.
I will say that Buff was richly rewarded for his performance of last season.
Byfuglien’s three year nine million dollar contract appears to be a fortunate windfall for the big guy. I would have thought a two year four million dollar deal would have been more likely, but maybe there was a possible offer sheet Tallon was aware of at the time.
Regardless of why, or if it was a mistake, Byfuglien was identified as a core player for the Hawks. I would have been of the same opinion last summer.
I have seen too many ex-players jump off the back of beer trucks during the off season and after their playing days ended. I don’t begrude whatever high priced contracts they can now command. I don’t like to see a team get hand cuffed because of poor economic planning but in this case Byfyuglien can’t be held responsible.
Buff can’t quickly find pucks at his feet and he often is not in a shooting position when he does get a rebound. It doesn’t take much to be off when shooting, a slight turn or having bad foot work can account for missing the net.
What needs to be understood is Byfuglien has averaged over two shots per game this season. Only three Hawks have taken more shots. He is getting into the correct areas on the ice to get scoring chances. He just can’t finish…yet.
I remember watching Patrick Sharp a couple of years ago get chance after chance and always seem to fire the puck directly into the belly of the opposing goalie or miss the net entirely.
Sharp is still a streak scorer but watch the replay of his Wednesday night goal. Sharp was in perfect position, had time and found the corner of the net. Against Atlanta Sharp looked like a NHL goal scorer but he didn’t often appear that way when he first arrived in Chicago.
I don’t know if Byfuglien will ever become a true NHL goal scoring power forward. I do know that he can’t be knocked off the puck, has a laser beam for a shot and it is too early to give up on him.
I have also heard from some that believe Byfuglien doesn’t have enough drive to be a top NHL hockey player. I can’t fully judge his determination. What I do know is many people with less drive and ability would have never gotten out the small town in Minnesota where Dustin grew up.
He never talks about anything being a hardship, but before someone believes this guy doesn’t have the internal fortitude to succeed, do a little research on his background. I think it would have been much easier for Byfuglien to grow up and run the concession stand that he often frequented at his local rink rather than find a path to the NHL.
Byfuglien has been asked to learn the wing position on the fly, while playing in the NHL and that is not an easy task. Many players would have issues trying to learn a new position, especially the difference between offense and defense, while competing against the best hockey players in the world.
If fans believe Byfuglien is over paid or that he has become too complacent now that he has a new sports car and a fat contract…that’s their prerogative. Byfuglien did sign a big contract but he didn’t hold anyone up.
I am critical when I see a lack of effort or selfish play. I can’t be too down on Byfuglien ….he spoiled all of us last year and now is in a tough spot.
I agree with Byfuglien and Wisniewski not dressing against the Thrashers.
Aaron Johnson was one of the better Hawk defensemen before he got hurt. He has struggled since returning but he probably deserved more of a chance to get his game going. Now he too finds himself in a tough spot. His performance against the Thrashers showed promise and he needed to play.
Wisniewski started out strongly when returning from his off season knee surgery and has since tailed off. An adrenaline rush can only carry a player so far and usually those who have been out of action do experience a drop off after the first few games back. If Wisz returns to action tonight or tomorrow, he will have had about a week off to recharge and should be rested and ready. It could be that his knee needed the time off.
The Byfuglien scratch versus the Thrasher will hopefully help him refocus and continue to battle hard every shift. Big Buff has been starting to look angrier on the ice, which could be the key to consistency. If the big guy could play more frequently with a snarl he would be able to open up more ice to operate.
The Hawks brought in the experienced Quenneville to run the show as he feels necessary. When players are benched it is noticed by everyone. This is especially the case when the players which are scratched are popular with their team mates.
Coach Q. isn’t there to be liked but rather to win. He has a very good group to work with and they have to realize they are in a very competitive situation. For the most part they don’t need to be reminded, the other night they were.
Al’s Shots
Tonight‘s game set ups nicely for the Hawks if they can play better than in their last two outings.
St. Louis will be playing their third game in four nights and have now lost two in a row. The Blues will be desperate as their Playoffs hopes are quickly slipping away and as always will be a tough challenge for the Hawks.
Although having played three more games than the Sharks the Wings are now only 1 point behind them.
Nashville has a lot of games left to play with Detroit and I think Columbus has the best chance of any other Central team of making the Playoffs.
If Khabby is not ready for the Stars game I think we may see Niemi.
The Hawks need to win the 1st period tonight and to avoid taking silly penalties.
Kovalchuk goes unnoticed by many because he plays in Atlanta. Make no mistake he is one of the best forwards in the NHL…an unbelievable talent.
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