theres always hope: lehner plays sat...see how he does facing an over abundance of grade A chances; perlini will save the day as nylander gets a look from 300 level; dehaan = our defensive savior...we can only hope...

The 17-18 Blackhawks started 2-0 winning those game 10-1 and 5-1. How did that season turn out?

It’s just two games, two bad games, but not the end of the world.

- Ogilthorpe2

Expect the following line up changes
Kubilak- Toews - Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Dach-Perlini
Caggulia-Kampf-Carpenter

The 17-18 Blackhawks started 2-0 winning those game 10-1 and 5-1. How did that season turn out?

It’s just two games, two bad games, but not the end of the world.
- DarthKane

The emphasis was the PK all off season. And this is what they worked on, it's a bit concerning to me.

Looks like I picked the right game to start sniffin’ glue. Didn’t see the game just the highlights.

Looks like more chasing, and a couple of fluky goals. I agree with many here the defensive coverage looks poor. Very troubling when you have that much practice time. Hopefully they show better Saturday.

The 17-18 Blackhawks started 2-0 winning those game 10-1 and 5-1. How did that season turn out?

It’s just two games, two bad games, but not the end of the world.
- DarthKane

i am drawing a blank...

Freaking D is same as last season. System or coach or both. At some point be you have to be accountable for your team and coaching them.

Expect the following line up changes
Kubilak- Toews - Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Dach-Perlini
Caggulia-Kampf-Carpenter
- PatShart

you might be right...is dach cleared to play...

you might be right...is dach cleared to play...
- bogiedoc

Does Dach eventually slide to 2c or 1c and Strome to 3c.

Does Dach eventually slide to 2c or 1c and Strome to 3c.
- glennjpawlak22

Don’t think it really matters. If Dach is good enough to stick in the NHL then I’m not worried where Toews, Strome and Dach all slot in through lines 1-3.

Does Dach eventually slide to 2c or 1c and Strome to 3c.
- glennjpawlak22

Probably slides back to Saskatoon after 9 games.

The emphasis was the PK all off season. And this is what they worked on, it's a bit concerning to me.
- BetweenTheDots

Don’t worry....we got Smith and saved a million bucks.

Probably slides back to Saskatoon after 9 games.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yep

The 17-18 Blackhawks started 2-0 winning those game 10-1 and 5-1. How did that season turn out?

It’s just two games, two bad games, but not the end of the world.
- DarthKane

So you’re saying this year will be even worse than 2017-18? (Red Font)

The question was ask what we wanted to see tonight. I answered "effort". I think for the most part the effort was better. Baby steps.

A loss is a loss and excuses don't matter - but, the Hawks have had a little bad luck these first two games. They deserved to lose the game against the Flyers because they were outplayed - but it was still a goal bouncing in off Koekkoek that was the difference. This game I thought the effort was better and probably matched the Sharks and the difference in the game was a puck swatted into our net by Murphy. I'm not saying the Hawks deserved to win - just pointing out they've had a little bad puck luck to start the season.

I know he scored the first goal of the season, but Nylander isn't ready for the NHL - he is useless without the puck and even when he has the puck he more times than not can't make a play with it. I'd rather give Perlini a shot - not necessarily on the top line but somewhere in the lineup.

Just watched the highlights. Gunna be a long year

Its going to be a very long season.....
Sad very sad

Crow with a 4 spot then a 5 spot. Play Lehner

Crow with a 4 spot then a 5 spot. Play Lehner
- EnzoD

Same poop play as last yr

Same poop play as last yr
- glennjpawlak22

Last year we didn’t have Lehner. Let’s give it a chance. Can u give it more than 2 (frank)ing games before declaring its the same as last yearz??? Ffs

Last year we didn’t have Lehner. Let’s give it a chance. Can u give it more than 2 (frank)ing games before declaring its the same as last yearz??? Ffs
- SimpleJack

Did you watch tonight's game?

I'll give it 5 games, at which point I'm willing to bet that we'll be looking at the same $hit show we saw last year.

Did you watch tonight's game?

I'll give it 5 games, at which point I'm willing to bet that we'll be looking at the same $hit show we saw last year.
- Dieselhead

I think people need to understand that SJ is a good team. Better than 0-4 suggests. They have arguably the 2 best defenseman in the conference and they roll 4 lines. They’re definitely a legit contender(again) and were due for a breakout. We were rusty and still figuring out how to fit all the new parts together. Also without several other new pieces that are still on the horizon.

Making a definitive judgment on our team after 5 games is asinine. Be smart. Be logical. Let the season unfold. If we’re still a miss around the 1/4 mark then I’ll start to have my doubts. The defending Cup champs were literally the worst team in the league through 20+ games last season. Use your head and stop rushing to conclusions.

Timber?
Timber!
Something is going to fall and it might be later rather than sooner.
All the negative press and or remarks about Colliton's system is the subject. There may not be a perfect system or perfect personnel for any coach to work with, to mold

This much said, sure the return of DeHahn and a healthy Murphy can help lessen the defensive woes. Nylander, though, for what good he showd he practicly seems to abet the situation at hand. Either he plays how he must defensively and no floating or say hello Rockford.

There is the issue of fairness to consider here so let me just not appear to pick on Nylander. I say there is always going to be problems with each team when the personnel is not a perfect fit.

So then you have to look at the system. Collitin is a bright guy but that does not mean the system he uses actually works the way he envisions......yeah ...that is what all the naysayers will quickly be yelling about.

I feel like there is legitimate concern here but let us not admonish or be too quick to condemn until his system plays out oh let's say half the season. After all i have to believe that Stan would feel job pressure if Colliton's system is a failure. So that reasoning alone suggests there will be due time given to straighten out the defensive responsibilities.

So far often either forwards are not supporting or defensemen suck.

Now maybe much could turn for the better if Keith had the right partner. His pairing as well as the Seabrook/Maata combination represents two thirds of the dmen shifts. My way of thinking is that eventually both Mitchell and Beaudin will be an improvement. But that doesn't happen for a while.

I have no suggestion whom to put with Keith.

I want to keep Seabrook/Maatta together because they appear to be good enough as a pair.

I like the positive things a Carlsson would bring as it relates to complementing Keith. But he apparently is not ready, i e has parts of game he needs to improve. Gilbert reportedly is the closest to NHL ready but he is not currently a good enough fit. Cripes....no one appears to have any good ideas whom to put with Keith.

Koekkoek's performance has not advanced or really declined much. I wish he was to improve and be a descent fit with Keith. Not likely to happen

I do know this however: better figure out the defense or forget about playoffs.

I think people need to understand that SJ is a good team. Better than 0-4 suggests. They have arguably the 2 best defenseman in the conference and they roll 4 lines. They’re definitely a legit contender(again) and were due for a breakout. We were rusty and still figuring out how to fit all the new parts together. Also without several other new pieces that are still on the horizon.

Making a definitive judgment on our team after 5 games is asinine. Be smart. Be logical. Let the season unfold. If we’re still a miss around the 1/4 mark then I’ll start to have my doubts. The defending Cup champs were literally the worst team in the league through 20+ games last season. Use your head and stop rushing to conclusions.
- SimpleJack

Loved watching the boys tonight! I went out for the game and enjoyed their fight back. Shaw had a bad penalty but great to see him playing with offensive confidence and looking strong. Crawford played excellent ....several goals were deflections if not 3 of them. We have a few solid dmen coming back. Comical how many people seemingly can't enjoy watching pro sports unless everything goes perfectly. I think a lot of negative folks need to get some exercise and fresh air and probably take a break from this message board. Try playing hockey, it is fun and puts you in a better mood as well. Can't wait for Saturday...I love watching pro hockey and Kaner and Crawford, etc. Kubaliks first goal as well was a great moment. Can you imagine how awesome that must have felt