Goofy factoid: Four games into the regular season the Blackhawks are the only that’s neither won or lost in regulation.

Honestly surprised no one has brought up the fact that Kane turned over the puck trying to stickhandle too much in the final minute instead of passing off to Joki to cycle the puck around and keep possession while Dub had lost his stick and was trying to get off to get it to 5 on 5. Once Kane lost the puck and Dub got off the Wild controlled the puck and got the GTG
- Savetheembers33

that is correct...with kane its high risk and high reward...most of the time reward..
but at times it bites you...

Q commented on this: they won the draw had control and lost it; in the net it goes after a scramble...spread out and set up 4 corners and make them come to you and pressure...

While the D has its noticeable warts, the lack of forecheck was the root cause for the collapse.

Tell me, where exactly were lines 2-4 last night after the first ten minutes or so?

More specifically, where was the second line all night?

Some were lauding Nick Schmaltz's ability to get the puck back on the back check. OK, great. He can back check. But that line was essentially AWOL all night offensively, and worse than AWOL at the dot, meaning that for most of the night, the line with your most dynamic scorer was chasing instead of dictating play.

Now they become a one line team, where line two is irrelevant, line three is just hard to put into words, and a grinder fourth line that basically is never going to score a goal.

When you put that all together, you now have a game where the ice tilts to the D zone all night, fighting cycles, losing the ability to clear the puck, and essentially playing in the equivalent of quicksand.

So now when gimmick play starts, everyone is toast with no legs left because they were chasing all night during regulation.

Pointing out individual moments in a game has limited value - yes if player X did this instead of this in that moment, then the stink of the overall play can be hidden.

Its not the horses as much as it is the jockey's trip plan for them. And having CC back doesn't make games like this any more winnable. Poor Cam Ward played his heart out last night facing nearly fifty shots surrendered by a lazy team that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Goofy factoid: Four games into the regular season the Blackhawks are the only that’s neither won or lost in regulation.
- walleyeb1

has not happened since 1997-98 season with the New York Rangers

Buying tickets for Nov 18th Sunday night

Want to see Hawks attack twice so looking at

Section 113 or 121

Section 219 0r 231

Any thoughts - pricing about the same @ $220 on VIVIDSeats site??
- Colbyboy

I always felt that the 200 level was the best place to watch in the building. Short Beer lines and bathroom lines as well.

I have faith that Saad will turn things around, but I have no issue with this:

#Blackhawks haven't run lines yet but Fortin is in red and Saad is in black. So looks like Fortin could get a shot in the top six.

— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) October 12, 2018

While the D has its noticeable warts, the lack of forecheck was the root cause for the collapse.

Tell me, where exactly were lines 2-4 last night after the first ten minutes or so?

More specifically, where was the second line all night?

Some were lauding Nick Schmaltz's ability to get the puck back on the back check. OK, great. He can back check. But that line was essentially AWOL all night offensively, and worse than AWOL at the dot, meaning that for most of the night, the line with your most dynamic scorer was chasing instead of dictating play.

Now they become a one line team, where line two is irrelevant, line three is just hard to put into words, and a grinder fourth line that basically is never going to score a goal.

When you put that all together, you now have a game where the ice tilts to the D zone all night, fighting cycles, losing the ability to clear the puck, and essentially playing in the equivalent of quicksand.

So now when gimmick play starts, everyone is toast with no legs left because they were chasing all night during regulation.

Pointing out individual moments in a game has limited value - yes if player X did this instead of this in that moment, then the stink of the overall play can be hidden.

Its not the horses as much as it is the jockey's trip plan for them. And having CC back doesn't make games like this any more winnable. Poor Cam Ward played his heart out last night facing nearly fifty shots surrendered by a lazy team that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
- Return of the Roar

Roar, well said! This is Nick Schmaltz 3rd year in the league. I am waiting to see consistency from him night in and night out. Too many times I see him fly around and coast, fly around and coast instead of just maintaining his speed throughout the shift. He is incredibly talented but I dont know physically if he is the 2C of the future. Very soft on the puck in his own end, has not improved in the faceoff circle, and has not used his skill set to take some of the offensive load off 88. Saad is clearly the blown tire on the line and needs to spend a night in the bottom 6. Fortin looked very impressive in his 12-15 min of ice or whatever it was.

Still very early, but through 4 games...(Small Sample Size)

18 Goals for
18 Goals against

Basically tied for 3rd best goals per game and 3rd worst goals against in the NHL for now.

Powerplay 6.7% - 25th
PK - 69.2% tied for 26th

10th best in shots per game
11th worst in shots against.

We are 20th at the dot.

Funny enough, at 5v5 Hawks are exactly 50% Corsi and 50% shots for and against.

A bit under average at those "high danger" chances for and against.

Top 10 in 5v5 shooting % but bottom 10 terms of save % to balance it out.

The pucks going in at both ends will probably slow down a bit. The Hawks special teams are lacking in effectiveness.

I have faith that Saad will turn things around, but I have no issue with this:

#Blackhawks haven't run lines yet but Fortin is in red and Saad is in black. So looks like Fortin could get a shot in the top six.

— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) October 12, 2018

- DarthKane

Blackhawks lines
DeBrincat-Toews-Kahun
Fortin-Schmaltz-Kane
Kunitz-Anisimov-Hayden
Saad-Kruger-Kampf

Honestly surprised no one has brought up the fact that Kane turned over the puck trying to stickhandle too much in the final minute instead of passing off to Joki to cycle the puck around and keep possession while Dub had lost his stick and was trying to get off to get it to 5 on 5. Once Kane lost the puck and Dub got off the Wild controlled the puck and got the GTG
- Savetheembers33

I brought it up, as have several others.

Defenseman pairings
Keith-Jokiharju
Gustafsson-Seabrook
Manning-Rutta
Davidson-Forsling

PP units:
Fortin, Schmaltz, Kane; Gustafsson, Seabrook
DeBrincat-Kahun, Toews; Keith, Jokiharju
#Blackhawks⁠ ⁠

Blackhawks lines
DeBrincat-Toews-Kahun
Fortin-Schmaltz-Kane
Kunitz-Anisimov-Hayden
Saad-Kruger-Kampf
- walleyeb1

WOW. Super stoked - hope Q sticks with this lineup to start against the Blues on Saturday. And hopefully it's the kick in the pants Saad needs to find himself.

PP units:
Fortin, Schmaltz, Kane; Gustafsson, Seabrook
DeBrincat-Kahun, Toews; Keith, Jokiharju
#Blackhawks⁠ ⁠
- walleyeb1

So ... the Hawks finally score on the 11th attempt and it's from a 1-3-1 configuration with Kane feeding DeBrincat in the middle for a one-timer ... and now it appears we're back to a 2-dman configuration. Really? C'mon!

I have faith that Saad will turn things around, but I have no issue with this:

#Blackhawks haven't run lines yet but Fortin is in red and Saad is in black. So looks like Fortin could get a shot in the top six.

— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) October 12, 2018

- DarthKane

I have to wonder if Saad wants to be here. Just thinking back to when he was traded away, and it was not the best breakup. And when he comes back, he talks about the surprise of it, and how settled in he felt in Columbus, and how he thought maybe he'd finish his career here. Last year had to be a miserable experience for him. Toews wasn't right last year, we all know that, and Saad's production took a hit because of it.

So I have to wonder if trading him is correct here, because I'm not sold on him being a fit right here and right now. It sucks because his trade value has probably taken a hit form being a part of this arrangement, and if/when he gets dealt, we will wonder why we got so little, because he will likely produce like before once he is in a new sweater.

The only other possible theory I have is that it can take a year to recover from Torts shock.

I agree with you on Schmaltz, both sides of his game. I would like to see him, Kane, and Fortin play together.

As far as Ward goes, he's good in different positions and bad in others. He was great in multiple players battling for the puck in front of him. When someone shoots from a distance, he seems to have a harder time. Some times he is screened, I grant that. He seems to have more control with a bunch of bodies in the blue paint with him.

60 minute effort has to be there. They got lucky seasons ago when they played half the game and Crow bailed them out. That isn't a luxury right now.
- I Am The Breadman

Looks like you got your wish.

nhl streams are hit or miss...freeze-ups and lags..

even NHL TV which I use...is a poor quality feed...ya think for a paid service they deliver something that doesn't stutter with true HD...it sucks but I am in Virginia and no other options.

I watched alot of streaming cubs games = outstanding quality and picture...get it together NHL
- bogiedoc

Agreed. This is 2018 and the NHL is way behind the curve on video and quality.

Blackhawks lines
DeBrincat-Toews-Kahun
Fortin-Schmaltz-Kane
Kunitz-Anisimov-Hayden
Saad-Kruger-Kampf
- walleyeb1

I like Schmaltz overall as a player, he is simply just not good enough as your #2 center (an certainly not as a #1). I know it has only been four games this season, but I would hope that we would see some improvement on his lacking traits (faceoffs, boardwork, any contact whatsoever).

I have to wonder if Saad wants to be here. Just thinking back to when he was traded away, and it was not the best breakup. And when he comes back, he talks about the surprise of it, and how settled in he felt in Columbus, and how he thought maybe he'd finish his career here. Last year had to be a miserable experience for him. Toews wasn't right last year, we all know that, and Saad's production took a hit because of it.

So I have to wonder if trading him is correct here, because I'm not sold on him being a fit right here and right now. It sucks because his trade value has probably taken a hit form being a part of this arrangement, and if/when he gets dealt, we will wonder why we got so little, because he will likely produce like before once he is in a new sweater.

The only other possible theory I have is that it can take a year to recover from Torts shock.
- 333inthe3rd

Saad before $6MM contract - excellent player. Saad after $6MM contract - not so much.

His trade value is cap space at this point. So, make him earn his way back up top, and if he doesn't, then they need to get creative to get rid of him.

Arizona??? Need a left winger??

I have faith that Saad will turn things around, but I have no issue with this:

#Blackhawks haven't run lines yet but Fortin is in red and Saad is in black. So looks like Fortin could get a shot in the top six.

— Tracey Myers (@Tramyers_NHL) October 12, 2018

- DarthKane

Cost Certainty, am I right??!!!


Saad at $6mil for 30ish points or Panarin at $9mil for 80 points??

I have to wonder if Saad wants to be here. Just thinking back to when he was traded away, and it was not the best breakup. And when he comes back, he talks about the surprise of it, and how settled in he felt in Columbus, and how he thought maybe he'd finish his career here. Last year had to be a miserable experience for him. Toews wasn't right last year, we all know that, and Saad's production took a hit because of it.

So I have to wonder if trading him is correct here, because I'm not sold on him being a fit right here and right now. It sucks because his trade value has probably taken a hit form being a part of this arrangement, and if/when he gets dealt, we will wonder why we got so little, because he will likely produce like before once he is in a new sweater.

The only other possible theory I have is that it can take a year to recover from Torts shock.
- 333inthe3rd

I thought they had worked things out.

https://youtu.be/TfAcLwOdFS4

WOW. Super stoked - hope Q sticks with this lineup to start against the Blues on Saturday. And hopefully it's the kick in the pants Saad needs to find himself.
- EbonyRaptor

Cat/Toews/Kahun
Fortin/Schmaltz/Kane
Saad/AA/Sikura
Hayden/Kruger/Kampf
Kunitz

Keith/HJ
Gus/Seabs
Forslilng/Murphy
Manning

Crawford
Ward

that is my favorite 22 man roster and lines...although defense could be flexible with some movement. We have to get Sikura up to see what he can do.

Just when I think I’ve seen it all from the Blackhawks, they trot out this dummy:

5-year, $2.5M AAV deal with a NMC for Manne Quinn.

https://twitter.com/johnd.../1050797742069571584?s=21

I think it's time for Stan to look at moving Saad , he is horrible and after 4 games his play is awful.

Ward can't seem to come up big he has given up in the Last 2 games the gwg,..

Cost Certainty, am I right??!!!


Saad at $6mil for 30ish points or Panarin at $9mil for 80 points??
- EnzoD

I'm thinking from now on the Hawks should just keep the best talent on the roster that they can.