2nd game in a row the club was only out hit by 1, 22-21. Of those 21 Martinson,7, Johnson, 4 and Hayden, 3 provided 14 of them.

Agree with Gus not blowing up in his own end. Was that cuz the 3rd and 4th line had a good amount of offensive zone time and the club only committed 1 penalty?

For the most part I thought the structure looked pretty damn good in all 3 zones although they gave up 2 grade A 's that a Blue missed an open net.

Really like the fancy numbers Joki has put up at the 1/4 pole: https://dobberhockey.com/...ju-heiskanen-november-15/
- Mr Ricochet

Hayden was at 3 hits almost immedietely after the game started. Then went the rest of the game without one. He has to be very careful - if he doesn’t hit his value diminishes.

A few grade A chances in front again, but nothing that left Crawford out to dry, and it's been awhile since we could count the odd man rushes on a single hand.

Some great cycle shifts from the 20-15-40 and 14-62-29 lines.

I'd like to see Saad and Hayden kept together for a little while to get some chemistry. They look dangerous in the cycle.

Martinsen was just plain simple again. Love his game.

Toews-Kane-Schmaltz probably isn't going to work out in the long run. I'd like to see Kane and Toews split up, and Schmaltz away from Kane until he gains some selfishness.

Crawford was real solid. Made the saves when chances were given up.

Good win. Build on it and get another one tomorrow night.

The Kane-Toews-Schmaltz line had NO shots on goal.
- BMWChiFan

This is not that surprising when 1/3 of the line - Schmaltz - simply refuses to shoot. His mind seems to make him do anything but shoot at this point. For every pass he chooses to make that is successful, there are two or three that just get easily blocked or intercepted for turnovers. With Schmaltz there are no initial shots so, of course, no chance for rebound shots off of his shots, as their are none. Don’t understand him with Kane and Toews nor as the high slot triggerman on the PP. More ice would be created by playing someone as a screener down low with Toews playing right post as outlet for Kane playing along right boards. Toews could pass or attack net from here.

C obviously has his own strategy with Schmaltz but Schmaltz playing the way he is at present will drag Kane and Toews down, with seemingly impossible results, such as no shots for the line.

WTF, not that it’s earth shattering but is Bowman still asleep at the wheel, Tanner Pearson probably would fit the bill and probably not cost us that much. But he’s on his way to Pittsburgh I guess for a hockey stick and a bag of pucks.
- wonthecup10

As I said before we have enough guys with zero goals.

I saw this on the Blackhawks Talk Twitter feed, and the numbers are from the last 5 years, courtesy of Mark Lazarus & Natural Stat Trick.

Kane & Toews together, last 5 years.

1,113 minutes of 5 v 5 together
Hawks were out scored 60-56 in those minutes

Toews without Kane, his line out scored opponents 211-150

Kane without Toews, his line out scored opponents 246-193.

Kane and Toews are not the ‘nuclear option’. They actually make each other less effective
- scottak

These stats are meaningless as Q only put Kane and Toews together recently when the team fell behind and were pressing. Hard to produce in these high pressure circumstances.

When left together to build/re-build chemistry they are very successful together - see play-offs.

I dont think Schmaltz wants to score goals. I think he's happy passing and getting assists.
- tompo1015

Problem is he doesn’t get assists either as his passes normally become easy turnovers. No rebounds, no nothing. If you play with Kane you must shoot. Schmaltz dragging this line down.

These stats are meaningless as Q only put Kane and Toews together recently when the team fell behind and were pressing. Hard to produce in these high pressure circumstances.

When left together to build/re-build chemistry they are very successful together - see play-offs.
- Z3Hawk

Guess context is everything but from memory as you say Q went nuclear when the Hawks needed a goal uniting Toews and Kane. When a team needs a goal they activate Dmen, take chances and go all out to score The stat said 1,000+ minutes which is a huge sample.

IMO opinion the stat and observation is gold unless disproven by other fancy stats.

How come Darth gets away with sarcasm but I can’t buy a chuckle?


- StLBravesFan

Reputation. Just like in the NBA, rookies don't get the calls.

You're going up against the Micheal Jordan of sarcasm.

Keep it up though, in a year or two it'll start going your way

Problem is he doesn’t get assists either as his passes normally become easy turnovers. No rebounds, no nothing. If you play with Kane you must shoot. Schmaltz dragging this line down.
- Z3Hawk

And the turnovers are often failed east-west attempts, the most dangerous kind as they activate quick odd man transition against.

About every team in the NHL would love to have Schmaltz and Hawk fans want to trade him.....
- TrueGrit

Well if that’s true then trade him while his value is so high for a nice big return. But it actually isn’t true.

A few grade A chances in front again, but nothing that left Crawford out to dry, and it's been awhile since we could count the odd man rushes on a single hand.

Some great cycle shifts from the 20-15-40 and 14-62-29 lines.

I'd like to see Saad and Hayden kept together for a little while to get some chemistry. They look dangerous in the cycle.

Martinsen was just plain simple again. Love his game.

Toews-Kane-Schmaltz probably isn't going to work out in the long run. I'd like to see Kane and Toews split up, and Schmaltz away from Kane until he gains some selfishness.

Crawford was real solid. Made the saves when chances were given up.

Good win. Build on it and get another one tomorrow night.
- Hawks_49

Indeed the 3rd and 4th line cycle was fantastic and showed chemistry, structure, preparation and purpose.

Maybe I've been missing this but Martinson showed some solid feet and hands especially with space.

Pat can be funny, but a little bit of him goes a long way. I really like Doc. He brings a different and more respectable side out of Eddie.
- I Am The Breadman

Eddie’s wife was right. Doc is ridiculous with his players’ “sashaying” and “shuffleboarding” and whatever other awkward, ill-fitting descrptions he wishes to throw in. Never been a Doc’ fan. Give me Foley anyday.

Hayden was at 3 hits almost immedietely after the game started. Then went the rest of the game without one. He has to be very careful - if he doesn’t hit his value diminishes.
- Z3Hawk

Count me as one who loves hits but not just for the sake of hitting. Hayden needs to play a heavy game to be effective. Work the boards, slot and dirty areas. Being part of an effective cycle like he was last night makes him effective. ........ But yea man when the big guy has a chance to lay the body in the context of a sequence he needs to do so every time.

A lot to like in Hayden's game. Slotted correctly, coached up to a role and executing that role this guy is helpful.

No mention of the scoring chance opportunities he provides on a regular basis.


No doubt a big net positive when he is on the ice.
- TrueGrit

You are clearly watching a different game or are Schmaltz’s brother.

Eddie’s wife was right. Doc is ridiculous with his players’ “sashaying” and “shuffleboarding” and whatever other awkward, ill-fitting descrptions he wishes to throw in. Never been a Doc’ fan. Give me Foley anyday.
- Z3Hawk

Good to hear I'm not alone. Doc calls a game like he's doing radio and IMO thinks people are there to hear him more than see the game but it's night and day as far as preparation between him and Foley..... Simply said Foley steals money every time he cashes a check. I just don't hear another PBP guy from jrs to the bigs who knows less about the opponent than Foley.

But yes, IMO Doc has a very high opinion of himself but no doubt he comes prepared.

And the turnovers are often failed east-west attempts, the most dangerous kind as they activate quick odd man transition against.
- Mr Ricochet

MrR so true. Usually his easy turnovers are east-west. Seems to pass blind or to simple ignore the traffic, trapping his own players.

So, are we still in tank mode? This season is so confusing to me.
Now that JC has a win, can we please go back to losing so we can get the #1 pick, please.

And, if tanking is the "goal" what about this trade with the Blues: Crow and Smaltz for Allen and Bouwmeester.

Guess context is everything but from memory as you say Q went nuclear when the Hawks needed a goal uniting Toews and Kane. When a team needs a goal they activate Dmen, take chances and go all out to score The stat said 1,000+ minutes which is a huge sample.

IMO opinion the stat and observation is gold unless disproven by other fancy stats.
- Mr Ricochet

Another issue that comes into it is the LW slot. It is not just Kane and Toews who have been asked often to have immediete production and chemistry but the two of them are then expected to have immediete chemistry with whoever the LW is. We have seen Kane and Toews be dominant with Sharp, Buff, Bickel as their LW. Right now Kane and Toews are together but Schmaltz is weighing them down like an anvil.

1,100 minutes is also not a huge sample size. If you estimate they play 18 minutes together 5X5 per game that is about 61 games. As I have said this is not how they were used. Q united them when the team was behind in-game or struggling longer term. High pressure.

Kane and Toews when left alone to build/re-build chemistry, with a shooter LW, can be very dominant. [/img]

Who would give that for a ballerina?
- GPHawksfan

If,and understand ,I am just shooting from the hip on this one and the guys who follow it closer could shed some light, the LA Kings are in a shake it up mood, Tyler Toffoli would be someone I would ask about .
On a more serious and realistic level because Schmaltz is Bowman guy so he probably isn't going anywhere and is going to give this coach all the time he needs with him, when can we see Dylan Sakura and Victor Ejdsel being brought up?

You are clearly watching a different game or are Schmaltz’s brother.
- Z3Hawk

What is hard to give up on are Schmaltz's high end skills. Todays high speed high skill game is what a guy like Schmaltz should excel in but the skill he has in abundance he lacks smarts and competitiveness to go with it. I am sure Hawk management is hoping that he'll learn to think the game better and start getting more involved and not playing on the periphery all the time. If the Hawks can sign him to a bridge deal it will give him more time to "find his game". I'd hate to lose that potential in a young player but he has to round out his game.

Well if that’s true then trade him while his value is so high for a nice big return. But it actually isn’t true.
- Z3Hawk

Your right, guys with his skill set are a dime a dozen. Like Gus.

How was Forsling?

What about

Cat Schmaltz Sikura
Kahun Toews Kane

What is hard to give up on are Schmaltz's high end skills. Todays high speed high skill game is what a guy like Schmaltz should excel in but the skill he has in abundance he lacks smarts and competitiveness to go with it. I am sure Hawk management is hoping that he'll learn to think the game better and start getting more involved and not playing on the periphery all the time. If the Hawks can sign him to a bridge deal it will give him more time to "find his game". I'd hate to lose that potential in a young player but he has to round out his game.
- paulr

Colliton has a lot of work to do with Schmaltz and the worst place to work on it is on the #1 line. I'd rather see Anisimov playing left wing with 19 and 88 than watch Nicky piroutte around playing pretty. 26 SOG's in 18 games and 2 measly goals isn't what first line wingers do on competitive teams unless they dig pucks out of the corners and pound a few bodies.

If Management hasn't clued in yet and decided Nicky isn't ever going to be a driver of play which you need out of a #1 or 2 center then they will blow it and have another bloated contract on their hands. The max I would go with Schmaltz is what Buffalo did with Sam Reinhart - 2 @$3.6M and show me more boy.

Also how was Gus and Joki as a pairing?