I am not sure this game was as bad as the score indicated but the Hawks were outplayed once again. As insignificant as scoring only one goal can be, in this case it was a good the Hawks weren’t held scoreless. It didn’t matter much on the scoreboard but a 4-1 loss is better than being shutout two games in a row.
Montreal got a couple of fortunate goals but they did a fine job of slowing the Hawk offense down. The back pressure by the Canadiens was solid as was the play of Carey Price. Price didn’t have to be fantastic as once again the Hawks failed to mount a consistent attack.
Huet had his typical frustrating type of performance.
If not for some great stops in opening frame, this game would have swung toward Montreal much sooner. Later on the not so good Huet showed up. He had trouble finding pucks in the crease and wound up getting beat for a couple of goals that should have been saved.
The Hawks are just off and this is particularly true for some of their better players.
Huet did his part early and there are very few games won while scoring only one goal. The Hawks offense is sputtering and the defense is slipping and that is a bad combo.
Question for the day…What happens first a Hawk rebound goal or a Pat Kane goal?
It would be best for both to happen ASAP.
I hesitate to place too much blame on Kane.
He is cold now but his point total for this season is still second best on the team. Kane has to start being more active on the power play and to keep driving to the net at every opportunity. His best chance to score last night came from a nice feed from Toews as he went hard to the goal.
For the Hawks to be successful it shouldn’t always depend on Kane scoring goals.
They can’t lose battles in front of their own goal as was the case on the Canadiens 3rd goal.
The offense has been getting very few rebound chances and that has to change also.
The Hawks once again have made their journey to the Playoffs more difficult. A loss tonight against the Blues could send this young Club scrambling into panic mode.
If the Hawks still want to have a solid chance to finish 4th in the Western Conference the next two home games versus the Blues and Predators are must wins. Things can change quickly at this time of the season and after two losses in a row the Hawks have to get back on track tonight.
Vancouver has had a great road trip and won last night in Minnesota. The Canucks are now two points ahead of Chicago and in 3rd place in the Western Conference.
Calgary, who is also struggling, is now the 4th seed only one point ahead of the Blackhawks.
The Blue Jackets won a big game at home versus Nashville and are currently in 6th position only three points behind the Hawks. The Hawks still have to face the Jackets two more times.
The Hawks have played fewer games than the Canucks, Flames and Jackets but that only helps if games in hand turn into points.
It won’t matter if the Hawks finish 4th or 6th in the Conference if they continue to not play a full 60 minutes and to not win most of their battles. Unless they return to top form the Playoff party in Chicago will be brief no matter what seed they gain.
Many fans will be waiting for Kane to catch fire or Campbell to perform to his capabilities. Some members of Hawks nation will want to see the defense look sharper and Khabibulin or Huet regain their form from earlier this season. Others will look to the power play to ignite a Hawk surge into the Post Season.
I wouldn’t mind seeing the same as many fans but my immediate focus is going to be on Coach Q.
The Hawks have not been as consistently sharp, a better total effort is needed especially at this time of the year. I won’t say players are taking games off but it is obvious that the energy hasn’t been there on every shift from all.
The Hawks are not going to beat anyone in the Playoffs if they have only one or two lines each night strongly competing on every shift.
Lately the only group that jumps over the boards and races onto the ice to compete each time is the 4th line. They are the only line that appears to have the same energy level if losing or winning by two goals. After that Boland, Havlat and Ladd have been good at both ends of the ice for the most part.
If not the effort, the results from the other forwards have been scattered. Maybe it has something to do with the mixing and matching of players on the 1st and 2nd lines. The same can be said about different defenders playing together now.
Sometimes it is not a question of showing some effort but rather what type of effort is delivered throughout each game.
That would be reflected by how well a team stays within their system. That appears to be the problem for the Hawks and that is why Quenneville will need to lead this young group out of their funk.
I enjoy listening to Q., he is accommodating to the media and knows how to say just enough. He also knows exactly what he is dealing with here, a very young and inexperienced group.
The Hawks appeared to have a swagger before the last few weeks, maybe too much so at times. Now the boys seem to realize they might not be as good as they once thought as there is a fine line between confident and cocky. There is also not much difference at times between being cautious and hesitant.
That will be the challenge for Q as this team is still learning.
I believe there is enough talent in the Hawk Dressing Room to still enable them to gain the 4th seed and to have a nice Playoff run. That said, talent alone can only carry a team so far.
Not only will the Hawks have to play a full 60 minutes from now on, they will also have to perform the right way to win. Everyone needs to realize their specific role while on the ice, individual efforts help the team to succeed but everyone has to be on the same page.
Quenneville will have to use all his coaching wisdom to push hard on this young group but to not break their confidence.
Q. appears to some on the outside to be coddling the boys rather than cracking the whip. What image he portrays to the media may be far different than what is related to his team behind closed doors.
I think it is safe to say Q. has to somewhat walk a fine line. Being too demanding now could lead this group to doubt themselves. On the other hand bad habits have to be nipped in the bud.
There are only seven games left to what has been a very entertaining season. Now is the time for the Hawks to regain their form from earlier in the year and to surge not hobble into the Playoffs.
Quenneville has done a great job with his new team and he has to rely on all of his coaching wisdom to steer this Club to the Playoffs. Coach Q. was brought in because he had the type of experience which is needed right now.
Many of the Blackhawks will be experiencing pressure like they have never felt before. Quenneville has to know when to give them a kick in the behind or a pat on the back.
It’s a big moment for the Hawks and it’s also showtime for Q.
Al’s shots
Out of all the Clubs currently in a Playoff position the Hawks and Flames have the worse record over the last 10 games. The Canucks and the Blues have the best showing over that same period.
The Hawks don’t catch a breather as St. Louis will be on tap for tonight. The Hawks always seem to have a difficult time with the Blues and tonight shouldn’t be any different.
Khabibulin will be back in goal.
Although he has been solid since returning from injury he can still be better. Tonight would be a great time for a shutout or a one goal only performance from Khabby.
Tonight the Hawks will honor a former great goalie, Glenn Hall. Unfortunately he cancelled and can not be present at the UC because of a family situation.
Hall was one of the best ever and led the Hawks to their last Stanley Cup.
In his later years he almost pulled off the same feat for the Blues. He fell short in St. Louis but he got them closer to Lord Stanley than they have been since.
The soft spot for the Blues in recent times has been their defense and goal keeping. Both are dialed in now and the Hawks will need a top effort to prevail.
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