bouma and hayden have both been nothing special the last 15 or so games so I'm ok sitting hayden but when AA, is back I would sit both of them.

SAAD-T-HINO
HART-SCH-KANE
Sharp-AA-CAT
Wingels-Kampf-panik

From my un trained Eye that lineup would be putting our 12 best players on the ice plus kampf can win draws. I think its possible that hayden gets sent down for a bit.
- kmw4631

And when Sikura signs and comes up, it will likely be to replace Panik.

bouma and hayden have both been nothing special the last 15 or so games so I'm ok sitting hayden but when AA, is back I would sit both of them.

SAAD-T-HINO
HART-SCH-KANE
Sharp-AA-CAT
Wingels-Kampf-panik

From my un trained Eye that lineup would be putting our 12 best players on the ice plus kampf can win draws. I think its possible that hayden gets sent down for a bit.
- kmw4631

And when Sikura signs and comes up, it will likely be to replace Panik.

And when Sikura signs and comes up, it will likely be to replace Panik.
- onehundredlevel

I'm hoping he can replace Sharp at 3LW or give Q another option to play with 19+20

he might want to retire the no-look pass on the PP back toward the blue line with McDavid lurking. Other than that, he's been just what the doctor ordered.
- matt_ahrens

Ya... that was real bad.

I liked that Q gave him leash for that terrible play. He'll learn.

He'd have a few more Norris Trophies if he got his shot through consistently.
- 333inthe3rd

Keith does have 20 assists and, thus, points - on pace for 40 each - which is about where his career numbers are.

You’d like some goals, especially (if continues at the post) on the PP - but 6/7/8 is about where he usually winds up. It’s not like they’re missing BobbyOrr offensive production.

Hawks have played half of their season. 41 games. Their record 20-15-6 for 46 points. 3 months left in the season. If they are 1 game better per month in the 2nd half then they were in the first half then they will have a record of 23-12-6 for 49 points. 95 points over all. Last year every team with 95 points made the playoffs. Only 2 teams with 95 points have missed the playoffs in the last 20 years. So there is hope. No team with 97 points has missed the playoffs. That is just one more win.

Buckle up it is going to be a bumpy ride.

Keith does have 20 assists and, thus, points - on pace for 40 each - which is about where his career numbers are.

You’d like some goals, especially (if continues at the post) on the PP - but 6/7/8 is about where he usually winds up. It’s not like they’re missing BobbyOrr offensive production.
- StLBravesFan

Some of the things Kempny does drive me crazy. (Probably Q too). But there is something about his game that I really like. A fearlessness, physicality, speed, risk taker. If he could eliminate some of the reckless plays I would like to see him stick around.

Keith does have 20 assists and, thus, points - on pace for 40 each - which is about where his career numbers are.

You’d like some goals, especially (if continues at the post) on the PP - but 6/7/8 is about where he usually winds up. It’s not like they’re missing BobbyOrr offensive production.
- StLBravesFan

He would have even more assists if his shot got through, also. "Keith shoots, it doesn't get through" is a mainstay on the Foley bingo card.

@MarkLazerus
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This was the third win of Anton Forsberg's career, and as he pointed out, the first regulation win of his career. "It does a lot for my confidence. I’ve been waiting for it for a while."

3:04 PM - 7 Jan 2018

how does stuff like this happen, 19 starts and his first regulation win; hawks now playing two goalies who got their 1st regulation wins with in 5 days of each other...

nhl hockey is one helluva strange game

Hawks have played half of their season. 41 games. Their record 20-15-6 for 46 points. 3 months left in the season. If they are 1 game better per month in the 2nd half then they were in the first half then they will have a record of 23-12-6 for 49 points. 95 points over all. Last year every team with 95 points made the playoffs. Only 2 teams with 95 points have missed the playoffs in the last 20 years. So there is hope. No team with 97 points has missed the playoffs. That is just one more win.

Buckle up it is going to be a bumpy ride.
- -Doh-

I think if they fix the Powerplay they will be fine. Since Dec 1st until now they are at the bottom on the league in total PP goals with 4 and have the lowest shooting% with the man advantage. If they can just get the PP to be around league average, they would probably have another few wins in that span.

It is a big surprising to see Kane sitting tied for 69th in PPP as the guy leading the team. I think the Hawks are due to figure it out with the man advantage and it will help them get some traction in the standings.

I'll go glass half full.

The team can only play one game at a time. They did what they needed to do today. Good to see three different lines score. Kane's line looked really good. Toews' line is playing the best as it has all year since Vinnie joined them. DeBrincat has proven he belongs. Kampf is looking good as a bottom six center. Get AA and Crawford back and this team might be able to make a legitimate push for the playoffs.

It is only one game and half of the season remains to be played. They need to prove they've turned the corner. Tonight could be a positive step in that direction if they build on this win and come back even stronger next game.

A few things to think about in terms of the Hawks season so far.

So far in 41 games, they've played 22 games against teams that are currently (as of tonight) sitting in a playoff position.

Of those 22 games they've won 7. Looking month by month...

Oct 2017 - 12 GP (8 vs Playoff teams)
3-4-1 vs playoff teams
2-1-1 vs non-playoff teams

Nov 2017 - 13 GP (6 vs Playoff teams)
2-2-2 vs playoff teams
5-2-0 vs non-playoff teams

Dec 2017 - 13 GP (6 vs Playoff teams)
1-4-1 vs playoff teams
5-1-1 vs non-playoff teams

Jan (to date) - 3 GP ( 2 vs Playoff teams)
1-1-0 vs playoff teams
1-0-0 vs non-playoff teams

Total Record to date
7-11-4 vs playoff teams
13-4-2 vs non-playoff teams

The Hawks clearly have to do better against from of the high end competition and the difference is not really that large. Get the PP going or having a better start to the game and maybe they come out with a 3 more wins against tough opponents.

Of those 11 losses against "playoff bound teams" (again, just based on current standings)

5-2 loss to STL - Hawks didn't do much and Jaden Schwartz killed us
4-2 loss to VGK - This one was fairly close, but Hawks got outworked in the end.
2-1 loss to NSH - Was a bit of a goalie duel and Rinne was outstanding. Was winnable.
6-3 loss to COL - Sloppy start and got down early. Forsberg was pulled and the Hawks rally back fell short.
7-5 loss to NJD - This was an error filled track meet that NJD took advantage of with their speed.
3-2 loss to NSH - Hawks on the second half of a B2B and was another close one where Rinne out dueled Forsberg.
3-1 loss to LAK - Boring LA Kings hockey. Close game with late game collapse while pressing to even the game.
6-2 loss to WSH - Caps destroyed the Hawks second line of Saad-AA-Kane and the Hawks D was horrid. Nothing really good out of this one.
4-0 loss to DAL - Dallas got the early lead and the Stars strangled the life from the Hawks in the neutral zone and didn't give up much.
4-1 loss to NJD - Flat start for the Hawks and the Devils were just better. The Hawks didn't do much.
5-4 loss to VGK - Outworked by a big, fast and disciplined team. Vegas has proved they are for real and I don't think many teams have been able to match them terms of size, athleticism and effort.

All in all, I think the special teams need to be better.

Looking ahead, the Hawks don't have a terrible schedule in terms of the competition they face in the remaining games for Jan/Feb but things get difficult come March and April. The team has its busiest month in March (16 games) and many against teams ahead of them in the standings. The Hawks final 14 games of the year, they only face 3 teams that aren't currently in the playoffs. (VAN, NYI, BUF). They have a back to back home&home with the Bruins (who are crazy hot right now) and face each of St Louis and Winnipeg 3 times. The Hawks need to make hay now while they can, because the end of the season will be difficult and likely playoff style hockey against some real solid teams.

I really wonder how much they can reshuffle in the offseason. Are they really ready to trade Keith or Toews? I can't see it. Seabrook, maybe, but who will take on that contract? Kane and Crawford need to stay.

So who gets traded? AA? Young guys? Hockey trades?

Or maybe they try to add some pieces in free agency? It seems the more likely route. See what can be done with a couple more pieces, continued development of the youth, maybe a high draft pick, and some rejuvenation from some of the older guys. Then if the CBA gets reopened before the 2019-20 season, maybe some of the bigger contracts get bought out and there is more flexibility to rebuild the roster.
- matt_ahrens

Exactly what I would do

A few things to think about in terms of the Hawks season so far.

So far in 41 games, they've played 22 games against teams that are currently (as of tonight) sitting in a playoff position.

Of those 22 games they've won 7. Looking month by month...

Oct 2017 - 12 GP (8 vs Playoff teams)
3-4-1 vs playoff teams
2-1-1 vs non-playoff teams

Nov 2017 - 13 GP (6 vs Playoff teams)
2-2-2 vs playoff teams
5-2-0 vs non-playoff teams

Dec 2017 - 13 GP (6 vs Playoff teams)
1-4-1 vs playoff teams
5-1-1 vs non-playoff teams

Jan (to date) - 3 GP ( 2 vs Playoff teams)
1-1-0 vs playoff teams
1-0-0 vs non-playoff teams

Total Record to date
7-11-4 vs playoff teams
13-4-2 vs non-playoff teams

The Hawks clearly have to do better against from of the high end competition and the difference is not really that large. Get the PP going or having a better start to the game and maybe they come out with a 3 more wins against tough opponents.

Of those 11 losses against "playoff bound teams" (again, just based on current standings)

5-2 loss to STL - Hawks didn't do much and Jaden Schwartz killed us
4-2 loss to VGK - This one was fairly close, but Hawks got outworked in the end.
2-1 loss to NSH - Was a bit of a goalie duel and Rinne was outstanding. Was winnable.
6-3 loss to COL - Sloppy start and got down early. Forsberg was pulled and the Hawks rally back fell short.
7-5 loss to NJD - This was an error filled track meet that NJD took advantage of with their speed.
3-2 loss to NSH - Hawks on the second half of a B2B and was another close one where Rinne out dueled Forsberg.
3-1 loss to LAK - Boring LA Kings hockey. Close game with late game collapse while pressing to even the game.
6-2 loss to WSH - Caps destroyed the Hawks second line of Saad-AA-Kane and the Hawks D was horrid. Nothing really good out of this one.
4-0 loss to DAL - Dallas got the early lead and the Stars strangled the life from the Hawks in the neutral zone and didn't give up much.
4-1 loss to NJD - Flat start for the Hawks and the Devils were just better. The Hawks didn't do much.
5-4 loss to VGK - Outworked by a big, fast and disciplined team. Vegas has proved they are for real and I don't think many teams have been able to match them terms of size, athleticism and effort.

All in all, I think the special teams need to be better.

Looking ahead, the Hawks don't have a terrible schedule in terms of the competition they face in the remaining games for Jan/Feb but things get difficult come March and April. The team has its busiest month in March (16 games) and many against teams ahead of them in the standings. The Hawks final 14 games of the year, they only face 3 teams that aren't currently in the playoffs. (VAN, NYI, BUF). They have a back to back home&home with the Bruins (who are crazy hot right now) and face each of St Louis and Winnipeg 3 times. The Hawks need to make hay now while they can, because the end of the season will be difficult and likely playoff style hockey against some real solid teams.
- breadbag

Thanks for presenting your research. I am sure everyone would like to see this information updated, maybe at the 60 gp or whenever you think.

If in the playoff chase at the trade deadline, what might that sage Scotty Bowman suggest/input. His idea has made a difference for us at least once. Might he surprise us with different pp look, a surprise player who stands in front of net, and Keith off Pp. Aren't Forsling, Oesterle and Ruuta best bet for Pp. If each is in lineup. Perhaps Scotty has some other ideas we do not imagine ourselves. Stan to Scotty down in Tampa: beam me up, Scotty.

As long as the "Toews might have the Bo Jackson injury" nonsense stops then I can keep my sanity
- Stan_Bowman

Gotcha. One game against a horsepoop team and all is well. Ok.

That power move on the goal ws impressive. Haven't seen that all year. But he still wound up on his ass if I recall correctly. Whatever, time will tell.

Gotcha. One game against a horsepoop team and all is well. Ok.

That power move on the goal ws impressive. Haven't seen that all year. But he still wound up on his ass if I recall correctly. Whatever, time will tell.
- 6628

Pretty sure this is why (this time) he ended up on his ass: