I think both have been very good tonight. Ruuta was a bit panicky early, but has settled down and has looked great in this 2nd period. He seems to just be a solid player. Gus was very fun to watch on the early 5v3 PP, nice puck movement and blasted a shot off the bar. Haven't seen Gus much in the D-zone.
- kwolf68

Ruutta is a big boy too. Vinny flying around the ice creating chances and being a pest, per usual. Schmaltz looking fantastic. SNIPPEEEE!!!

Face off penalty is going to be an interesting experiment.
- walleyeb1

I think it ends game 1 RS.

Dauphin is definitely making his case. Samuelsson has the PK clicking.
- walleyeb1

The PK looks awesome.

Dauphin, Hayden and Jurco playing strong. Jurco has made two very impressive passes leading to goals. And I am NOT a fanboy of this player, but credit where it's due. The other kids are playing great....not like last year when many looked like they should just be sent back.

5-0!!!!

Ruutta is a big boy too. Vinny flying around the ice creating chances and being a pest, per usual. Schmaltz looking fantastic. SNIPPEEEE!!!
- EnzoD

Schmaltz looks great, but kudos to Jurco on that neutral zone pass.

LMAO at over turning that goal.

Schmaltz looks great, but kudos to Jurco on that neutral zone pass.

LMAO at over turning that goal.
- kwolf68

Forsberg looking VERY motivated against his former club. WHAT. A. SAVE.

Highmore playing quite well this period and he helps Vinnie Hinostroza with a goal. Q has a HELL of a lot of hard decisions to make. Hawks have some impressive depth.

Defense has tightened up this period...14 shots last period...got the BJs with 5 this period.

How do you do! Jurco hung back when the d man pinched.
That's the way you do it!

Dauphin is definitely making his case. Samuelsson has the PK clicking.
- walleyeb1

There really is no purpose for Bouma. Dauphin can be the PKer and Hayden the big body checker.

How do you do! Jurco hung back when the d man pinched.
That's the way you do it!
- 35Tony0

Jurco has actually been great tonight since he flubbed up the first power play...dude is skating well, back checking, winning battles, vision to make good passes...The list of players that have done well tonight is too numerous to list. Bouma has been completely unnoticeable...I say we just send him out now and let these kids take it over. If Bouma makes the team over Hayden I'm going to lose my mind.

There really is no purpose for Bouma. Dauphin can be the PKer and Hayden the big body checker.
- L_B_R

Zero Purpose.

Highmore playing quite well this period and he helps Vinnie Hinostroza with a goal. Q has a HELL of a lot of hard decisions to make. Hawks have some impressive depth.

Defense has tightened up this period...14 shots last period...got the BJs with 5 this period.
- kwolf68

Less about defense tightening and more about possessing the puck. The Hawks just had it a lot more than the Jackets. Their neutral zone play was startling different between period 1 and 2. Speed to push defenders back on most of the lines is noticeable - Schmaltz, Dauphin, Hino, even Jurco. Like that the defense is exiting the zone well via passes though.

Highmore playing quite well this period and he helps Vinnie Hinostroza with a goal. Q has a HELL of a lot of hard decisions to make. Hawks have some impressive depth.

Defense has tightened up this period...14 shots last period...got the BJs with 5 this period.
- kwolf68

CBJ did have 5 or 6 PPs - including a long 2-man - in the first.

Less about defense tightening and more about possessing the puck. The Hawks just had it a lot more than the Jackets. Their neutral zone play was startling different between period 1 and 2. Speed to push defenders back on most of the lines is noticeable - Schmaltz, Dauphin, Hino, even Jurco. Like that the defense is exiting the zone well via passes though.
- L_B_R

Well yea and not being on the PK, but the defense is better than the first as well as puck possession. They just seem more calm, more patient. I thought early it was a lot of panicky chips.

The players you mention have been great, YES to Jurco. Hayden has also been tremendous tonight and he's giving the Hawks something they really don't have a lot of...a huge net presence and a dude who plays physical. Not sure where he slots (maybe Line 2 if Schmaltz centers Kane??? hhmmm), but he damn well belongs on this hockey team.

I know, I know, its premature, but I think Rockford is going to be much better this year.

Ok, plan the parade

I know, I know, its premature, but I think Rockford is going to be much better this year.
- vabeachbear

Yep...some good players are not making this team.

Wait.....are we good?

Wait.....are we good?
- SimpleJack

Tonight we are

Zero Purpose.
- kwolf68

Like, I get it, it's just a pre-season game against another squad that is still 60% prospects, but that whole line of his has been useless. Shouldn't legit NHLers be stream rolling the kids? Bouma's line is getting more DZS but they're facing the 3rd/4th lines and losing the battle tbh.

Well yea and not being on the PK, but the defense is better than the first as well as puck possession. They just seem more calm, more patient. I thought early it was a lot of panicky chips.

The players you mention have been great, YES to Jurco. Hayden has also been tremendous tonight and he's giving the Hawks something they really don't have a lot of...a huge net presence and a dude who plays physical. Not sure where he slots (maybe Line 2 if Schmaltz centers Kane??? hhmmm), but he damn well belongs on this hockey team.
- kwolf68

The thing I like about the defense in the 2nd was their ability to get out of the zone - they weren't able to do it in the 1st. Forsling has been especially good in this area. Well, he's been good period. Rutta doesn't stand out but he's solidly going about his business.

Schmaltz and Hayden are the two most noticeable guys on the ice for either team imo (though Dubois, Panarin, and Jones have been pretty excellent for the Jackets). Dauphin is next tier down and Jurco playing so well is a bit surprising but who knows if that'll continue. It is just two periods of the first pre-season game against another team not fully loaded. But still, lot of tough choices for Bowman and Q to make is a good thing if guys like Hayden, Jurco, Dauphin, etc keep playing like this.

I've been pretty impressed this evening. Maybe someone with a little more insight on the game. (never having played or really been around it until I was hooked in 17 seconds) I feel like in the D zone the Hawks have been especially good on getting position on players coming down the boards. Also I feel like they've carried the puck in about 90% of the time.

Ok, plan the parade
- 6628

It's okay to enjoy prospects and young players performing well, even if it is in an essentially meaningless game.

Though everyone should remember - the Avs went undefeated in the pre-season last year.

I've been pretty impressed this evening. Maybe someone with a little more insight on the game. (never having played or really been around it until I was hooked in 17 seconds) I feel like in the D zone the Hawks have been especially good on getting position on players coming down the boards. Also I feel like they've carried the puck in about 90% of the time.
- MinneHawks

Exit passing and carry-ins have been extremely successful for the Hawks in period 2. They also did much better at zone prevention.

only a preseason game but the hawks are skating and working hard.

1) I like the way the D is shaping up.
2) Nick Schmaltz is looking more solid. I can see why Q said he looked bigger and faster. The kid is looking like a legit top 6 playmaker.
3) The difference in goaltending tonight seems huge. Good show for the new guy.