The Hawks lose last night to the Anaheim Ducks 3-2. A game the Hawks were in and should have won, but found a way to lose.
Burish and Mayers were commenting in the post-game that there is nothing wrong with the compete level the last few games with this team, they just can't close it out for a win.
I agree, compete level is there and that much they can control. However, is the overall skill and strategy there?
The Hawks are 2nd worst in the league in odd man rushes allowed this year. That's, uh, not good and even more reason to highlight the Crawford importance factor.
To me, this is a systematic issue. Too many times this season (and last year), the Hawks forwards were caught too deep in the offensive zone. Couple that with the ill-timed pinch by a dman – you have a recipe for disaster.
I'm on board with playing aggressive and attacking in waves, but to me, you have to do that strategically and at both ends and the Hawks do not seem as dedicated to the backcheck as year's past.
I will chalk some of this up to a lot of new faces and a lot of new linemates. So in time, if this team truly does stay together (as Bowman is promising), then that will improve.
I would toss out there a few other reasons I believe these odd man rushes and high scoring chances have increased for opponents this year:
* Inexperience in the middle – Wingels and Hartman (career wingers), Schmaltz and Kampf (finding their ways as C's in the NHL).
The fix? Acquire an experienced, 200-foot pivot to slide into the top-9; someone who can teach and lead by example on how to play the position the right way. Toews is an incredible asset to young guys like Schmaltz and Kampf, but the more the better IMO.
* Hossa factor – what Hossa did on the defensive side of the ice was remarkable. Not only was it remarkable, but it was infectious. His 26-goals are missed, but his Selke-esque play shift-after-shift is the biggest loss of all.
The fix? Get Hossa new skin ASAP!
* Defence – Ulf Samuelsson was brought in to run the defence this year. In his career as a coach, he's been known to stress the strategy of running an aggressive style, quick puck moving defensive system.
I noticed right away this season that the Hawks were looking to get faster and that was being led by the defence. When it worked… it WORKED! 10 and 8 goal games are nice, but the success rate throughout the year didn't look sustainable. Shockingly enough, it appeared that Quenneville quickly reverted back to his dmen holding on and possessing the puck longer and looking for that stretch pass.
This isn't a Quenneville vs. Samuelsson debate because if you don't think Coach Q has the final say by now, you're crazy. So, Q attempted to change with the help of Samuelsson and it didn't work. The big question I have is, was it style or personnel?
It was evident that the Hawks needed to change up their style to keep up with the speedier NHL, but I personally feel that they just weren't able to execute properly. They looked real close at times, and at others… well, horrendous.
The defence is something that I am very curious to watch over the next 6 months. Who stays and who goes? Also, come October, what are these guys going to be asked to do? Will the younger players and newcomers be challenged to emulate "Blackhawks hockey of the past / just watch what Duncs and Seabs do" or will the core players and ultimately the entire defence rotation be asked to assimilate with a new style?
The fix? Based on the context above, that's an extremely difficult question to answer. My personal belief is that the Hawks executives and coaching staff should get on the same page and land on what this "new Blackhawks hockey" is all about? Then when they determine that, execute with the proper personnel (ie. Please don't put a 21-year old and a Czech import with a combined 120 games in the NHL as your go-to shutdown pair).
Lastly, I will add, when I ask if it was personnel, the forwards are included in there. The ability to accept a pass (difficult and simple) looked to me, as bad as I've seen in years. The forwards have a huge part in moving the play forward.
That's my brief take on the defensive side of the Blackhawks' challenges ad limited those odd man rushes for next year. When players are moved, not resigned, etc. in the coming months, keep in mind that the Hawks need to change and get a lot better defensively (especially, if Crawford has long-term health issues).
But Justin, they have to score goals to win too, right? You are correct. In the last 9 games, goals: 2 2 3 2 2 0 1 2 2 = 16 1.7 goals per game (thanks Bogiedoc for posting that). Thanks to this string of lackluster scoring, the Hawks, which have spent most of the season in the top 10 in the league as a team for GF are now 19th. Woof.
The good news! Duncan Keith finally got one (his 1st goal since before my wife and I were pregnant) and Brandon Saad remembered how to finish on a great Hinostroza pass (#20 breaks a 16-game goal slump with that one) to get back on the scoresheet.
With all of this in mind, I'm hearing the Hawks are having a lot of closed-door meetings lately to figure out their next move. I'm sure there will be some screaming and some tense moments, but in the end, let's just hope that there are some smart decisions made to turn give this team the best chance to succeed moving forward.
See ya out there.
JL
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ICYMI:
* Ville Pokka was traded to the Senators for Chris Didomenico. It was evident that Pokka didn’t fit in the long-term plans for the Hawks. Good for them to move him in hopes for a chance to finally play in the NHL.
Didomenico will be in his 2nd stint with the Rockford IceHogs. He will look to help them in the playoff push.
I reported last week that the Hawks were focusing more on Rockford than they have in the past as they look to create a winning environment in the organization at every level. Don’t be surprised to see another move to help this ‘Hogs team.
* Speaking of the Rockford IceHogs, they are currently in 6th spot in the central. Yes, 6th. It sounds bad, but their division is extremely competitive this year. Between Iowa (who is in 2nd place) to Rockford, there are only 4 points that separate them.
The IceHogs will benefit from getting Jeff Glass back (swapped with J.F. Berube this week) to create some stability between the pipes.
They are similar to the Hawks actually of late with only 1 win in their last 7 games. They look to get back on track as they take on Cleveland (tomorrow) and San Antonio (Saturday)
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Who we got next: Washington Capitals
Season Matchup: 2nd matchup of the year
Chicago
Washington ✓ (Dec 6th: 6-2)
33-17-7 = 73 points
1st in Metro
Last game: WON vs. Minnesota (5-2) on Thursday
GF: 178 (8th in NHL) / GA: 166 (17th in NHL)
PP% = 21.1% (10th in NHL)
PK% =80.0% (17th in NHL)
Sniper: Some guy named “OV” – 34 goals
Producer: OV – 65 points
Tough Guys: – Tom “Dreamboat” Wilson – 133 PIMs & Brooks Orpik - 160 hits
Expected Starter: Holtby
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