It's still 13 years either way you slice it so yeah pretty much a house of horrors!
- BGKarras

7 games in 13 years is not a house horrors. It's a house of playing a team in a building once every couple of years and losing with (and against) completely different players.

One thing I've learned following the Kings these last 3 years is that the regular season means crap. Just get to the playoffs. Forget about division titles or president trophies, those are for the Duck, Sharks and Blues teams of the NHL.
- puckhog

Agreed
Key words

"Get to the playoffs"

Let's see: 10th in the conference with teams ahead of us having played fewer games. Doesn't look to me like any "easy" games on the schedule (Sharks, Lightning, Wings, Dallas then the circus trip). Very little roster flexibility (even if there was talent in Rockford able to step in, no real upgrade to the bottom of the roster as I see it). The team possibly tuning out the coaching staff. A bunch of Radim Verbata shots on goal.

I usually like to reserve judgment on how the season will play out until after the circus trip, but, if they do not get their collective act together before then, it may be a struggle the rest of the way. Who would have thought the Preds, Jets and Flames would be ahead of us in the standings.

7 games in 13 years is not a house horrors. It's a house of playing a team in a building once every couple of years and losing with (and against) completely different players.
- BreakoutHockey

Man 13 years ago I was single without any kids enjoying life as a bachelor. I just can't believe it's been that long I was surprised when I saw/read that fact. Regardless of how many times we played them or who was on the team playing back then. I find it hard to believe that we couldn't win at least once. Not trying to stir the pot just my .02. Agree to disagree. Well here is hoping they win tonight cheers bro!

John Jaeckel: Houston, We Might Have A Problem
- John Jaeckel

Now JJ you know I never criticize your prose. And I was very comfortable reading this one until I read that 'Brad Richards was hot of late'. There is now some puke down the front of an expensive sweater my wife bought me recently.

When the hell did Brad Richards get hot? Was it before or after he fell under Bryan Little immediately after the opening faceoff Sunday night then skated very slowly to the blueline and then picked up the pace back toward our net and when he arrived got a first hand view of Frolik depositing the puck into the net without ever touching anybody.

Seabrook wasn't blameless on the play but if you go back and watch the replay you will see the Brad Richards that just isn't working out for this team because he doesn't fit. Him playing with the Hawks is like asking Marla Hooch to come out and run sprints with Usain Bolt. He can't skate, he doesn't hit, he's slow and he's lax defensively and makes high risk passes that don't work.

The Ducks got Kesler, the Blues got Stastny and we got Richards. I'd say Stan got the short stick on that shopping trip. And I suspect Q isn't liking it very much because there is nothing that can be done with this player. He needs to be waived asap.

Soooooooo not a whole lot of even strength goals. 15 over 12 games. Take away Buffalo \ Philly and wow.

Either very bad luck or a pretty big problem.

The incessant line juggling to start the season seems rather curious. Kind of early to hit the panic button unless the staff thinks there is no other way to send a message... Which really isn't a great explanation.

Shaw has been awful, Bickell worse, Hossa has 5 points over 12 games which is gross (though he's of course immune to criticism cause hes a man and such) -- aside from the whole getting more shots than the other team thing there isn't a lot to like statistically. Though goaltending has been a nice surprise and Keith is playing tremendously. His side has been a black hole.

Only one 60 minute game so far against the Ducks and that's about it. Yikes.

Very true but if coach Q feels that the team isn't playing the way he wants or is capable of playing he is going to start the blender. Can you blame him? That's debatable. I just wish our HAWKS would wake up instead of sleepwalking. That's my GOAL!!!
- BGKarras

Forget who said it awhile back but Q's job is to win games and he's going to do whatever he think he needs to in order to get that done. Once he sees something he likes he'll stick with it. So far nothing has been good except the defensive play of the team.

EDIT: That doesnt mean i dont want him to pick 4 lines and stick with it. Just saying is all. Puck possession and goal tending has been good as well. just to clarify

Be nice to pick up some points here. These are going to count as much as the ones in the spring.

Not impressed with Richards at all. His defensive game seems to be lacking and we've seen him quit on a play after getting tangled with a linesman. I'd rather have Regin up. Plays solid defensively and is a cheaper option.

If Richards doesn't start producing here at some point it'll be interesting to see what they do.

Meanwhile the Hawks continue to play perimeter hockey.
The Habs have been in a bit of a slump themselves, but I'm sure they'll bring their A game this evening.

Forget who said it awhile back but Q's job is to win games and he's going to do whatever he think he needs to in order to get that done. Once he sees something he likes he'll stick with it. So far nothing has been good except the defensive play of the team.

EDIT: That doesnt mean i dont want him to pick 4 lines and stick with it. Just saying is all. Puck possession and goal tending has been good as well. just to clarify
- BlazinMike

Being a successful coach involves a little more than just shuffling lines at will.

Forget who said it awhile back but Q's job is to win games and he's going to do whatever he think he needs to in order to get that done. Once he sees something he likes he'll stick with it. So far nothing has been good except the defensive play of the team.

EDIT: That doesnt mean i dont want him to pick 4 lines and stick with it. Just saying is all. Puck possession and goal tending has been good as well. just to clarify
- BlazinMike

Yeah man I'm with you on that. Coach Q will do whatever is necessary to win and as a fan that is all you can ask for.

Be nice to pick up some points here. These are going to count as much as the ones in the spring.

Not impressed with Richards at all. His defensive game seems to be lacking and we've seen him quit on a play after getting tangled with a linesman. I'd rather have Regin up. Plays solid defensively and is a cheaper option.

If Richards doesn't start producing here at some point it'll be interesting to see what they do.

Meanwhile the Hawks continue to play perimeter hockey.
The Habs have been in a bit of a slump themselves, but I'm sure they'll bring their A game this evening.
- DK002

Habs D is horrible in their zone, put pressure down low and they will cough the puck all night, there is so much Price can do

Habs D is horrible in their zone, put pressure down low and they will cough the puck all night, there is so much Price can do
- Symba007

We've made average goaltenders look like Patrick Roy. We'll probably make Price look like The Second Coming.

have a bad feeling about the game tonight...Hwks in Montreal = bad....so watch them go out and win 5-1....

Crow's uber alert in his hometown

Imagine that. Except for Morin, a little puck luck.

We've made average goaltenders look like Patrick Roy. We'll probably make Price look like The Second Coming.


- teh_HAWKZ

Except that Carey Price is one of the best goalies in hockey.

Except that Carey Price is one of the best goalies in hockey.
- CaptainBlackhawk

No doubt. But those stops on Morin and Hossa were pure luck.

However, if Price steels two points tonight and the Hawks collapse, this place will go bollistic. Too bad the power play remains inept. Again.

Richards is Red Hot!

That didnt look good.....

It's been a while since the Hawks dominated someone like this. Very nice to see.

have a bad feeling about the game tonight...Hwks in Montreal = bad....so watch them go out and win 5-1....
- bogiedoc

genious...pure genious

cherry on the top would be a SO for CC...

Guess the hyperventilation bags can be put aside for a bit. Amazing how good this team can be.

Hope Sharp is ok. Despite the naysayers he has been the most effective forward this team has had this year. We may get a preview of what this team will look like next year without him.

Guess the hyperventilation bags can be put aside for a bit. Amazing how good this team can be.

Hope Sharp is ok. Despite the naysayers he has been the most effective forward this team has had this year. We may get a preview of what this team will look like next year without him.
- TexasFlood

Agreed.

Fantastic game.. Tip in goals with traffic in front of the net. Thats how you do it boyz...




I liked the lines. More balanced and hats off to CC. Throwing the "NO NO" in his old stomping grounds.