Well, it's nice to see the Hawks get back to their usual ways... Obviously that "dump & chase" game that relies of physicality was not successful - nor would or should it have been considering the Hawks are a skilled team that are more proficient playing "run & gun" hockey... And I have absolutely no idea why JC even attempted to use the "dump & chase" strategy - the Hawks don't have the type of players that can chase down the puck, use their physicality to strip it then attempt to make plays while using a high pressure physical offense to do it... That is more of an LA, Nashville or St. Louis type game....

As far as the recent play of the players:

It's been pretty refreshing.

Kane has finally been looking like Kane, same with Toews, Keith, DeBrincat, Strome etc, however there are a few new faces I would love to assess after 20 games.

First, Lehner has been utterly fantastic - he's had a Vezina season so far and I really hope the Hawks get him signed to at least a 6 year extension. Crawford has looked good at points too but it's clear that Lehner has been the better goalie and without question is the goaltender of the future and I wouldn't doubt if come January Lenher takes over in net as the Hawks full-time starter.

Another guy that has impressed me is Kubalik, that kid is no plug and is certainly a top 6 player and has been a pleasant surprise.. I mean I knew he was good enough to make the NHL, but I never thought #8 would have made the impact he has thus far. Also, he's looked fantastic since JC changed up his "strategy" and allowed the guys to play the offensive game they're capable of. So I really look forward to seeing what he can do now that he's been "liberated" from that dump & chase nonsense.

Of course you have Alex Nylander... He's been another present surprise. I mean I cant say I'm shocked that he's starting to make an impact at the NHL level - the talent and potential was always there, but this is just another example of how a change of scenery can really change a player - similar to Strome - so that Joker for Nylander trade doesn't look so bad... I mean Nylander was considered to be a bust - like Strome - but now it seems he's back on tract to becoming a fantastic player.. And he's still young and has plenty of time to only get better.

Kirby Dach is another kid that impresses me.. The kid is only 18 and is playing like a seasoned vet at both ends of the ice. His hockey IQ is off the charts and 9 points in 14 games for an 18-year-old is not too shabby.... And shall I say that he perhaps has a chance to win the Calder? it's possible if he continues to play like he has been since JC took the cuffs off the Hawks and allowed them to play THEIR game... I mean I could see Dach put up 40-50 points if he gets enough ice time. Of course that depends on the situations he's used in and his TOI but it's possible.

Let me add de Hann to a pleasant surprise.. He's been really good defensively and he was exactly what the Hawks needed to add in the off-season...

As far as how this season has played out: I think the Hawks would be higher in the standings if Q was still behind the bench. I mean JC has only now started to figure out that his preferred style of coaching - or at least the style he used to start the season - did not fit this team or the players at all and honestly his rookie coaching style really stuck out for those first 15 games..... And to be honest, did JC really change his style or has someone else (Marc Crawford) been given more say or authority over coaching??? either way the Hawks need to continue what they've been doing....

I still think the defense needs a bit more work, but if the Hawks can continue to score goals and Lehner can continue to play like he has been and Crawford can do the same, I think this team will be ok if not great these next several months... But hey, the Hawks have won a string of games against some pretty good teams and you would have to think this streak will give the guys a confidence boost...

Hey Tyler. I don't mean to break your balls, but would it be possible to get more frequent articles posted? Especially after games. Sifting through old articles (posted before most recent game) and 35+ pages to see what everyone up to is a bit difficult to follow.


Thanks for the great work!

Hey Tyler. I don't mean to break your balls, but would it be possible to get more frequent articles posted? Especially after games. Sifting through old articles (posted before most recent game) and 35+ pages to see what everyone up to is a bit difficult to follow.


Thanks for the great work!
- Fat_Tony_Amonte

Give Tyler a break. He's been on vacation over the weekend. Let him enjoy his time off.

I like the recent run against good teams, however Carolina will be the biggest test. Nashville, Toronto, Vegas, and Buffalo have all been on recent slides, not trying to be gloom and doom, that’s just a fact. Caroline comes in with a three game winning streak, so it will be a good challenge for the Hawks.
- Angotti

I am encouraged about how they won. They took a nice lead vs Leaf's and hung on for dear life. Down to Vegas and came back to not only win but it wasn't even close. Got in front of Preds and Sabres and just kept bringing it, once the 3rd goal was scored in both games it was virtually over.

The biggest factor to me is the PK, last 2 years we'd let teams right back into a game, you have to imagine the players knew this themselves and didn't play aggressive in fear of getting a penalty. As the PK gets better it seems the play gets better on the ice.

2 regulation wins 1st 14 games
5 regulation wins last 6 games

Seems like JC found a good balance in what works best for this team, hopefully it continues

Give Tyler a break.
- boilermaker100

Well I said I don't mean to break your balls.

Hey Tyler. I don't mean to break your balls, but would it be possible to get more frequent articles posted? Especially after games. Sifting through old articles (posted before most recent game) and 35+ pages to see what everyone up to is a bit difficult to follow.


Thanks for the great work!
- Fat_Tony_Amonte

Boooooooooooooo.

This is why I am not a fan of advanced stats as a sole predicate whether a player has played a good game or not.

Scott Cullen
‏

@ByScottCullen
4h4 hours ago
More

Sabres LW Jimmy Vesey had an outstanding game (84.2 CF%, 98.9 xGF%) at Chicago.


The Blackhawks line of Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, and Patrick Kane was on the wrong side of the puck (23.5 CF%, 21.4 xGF%) in a 4-1 win over Buffalo.
- LAHawk

he threw a few nice ones at Gus...but other than that never noticed him...

those 3 will get clocked in possession...they are not possession line...they are high risk/high reward transition break out line. You see many times they try to make the highlight real pass which normally ends up losing posession...

Hey Tyler. I don't mean to break your balls, but would it be possible to get more frequent articles posted? Especially after games. Sifting through old articles (posted before most recent game) and 35+ pages to see what everyone up to is a bit difficult to follow.


Thanks for the great work!
- Fat_Tony_Amonte

There’s an article for you right before your post.

After the two Dach goals I was hoping Gus would put one in so it could be Dach Dach Goose.

After the two Dach goals I was hoping Gus would put one in so it could be Dach Dach Goose.
- RaleighHawk

Don't drink the water!
- powerenforcer

Ha. Noted. We are just sticking to Dos Equis.

Ha. Noted. We are just sticking to Dos Equis.
- Tyler Cameron

I prefer Pacifico, but nobody makes a better lager than me.

Ha. Noted. We are just sticking to Dos Equis.
- Tyler Cameron

Don't care for lagers, paloma with Mexico's Fresca yum yum

Kotkemieni got around 13 minutes a game for Montreal last year, and they were not nearly as strong at Center as the Hawks are (when was the last time you could say that about a Hawk team). I would be very happy if Dach averages 13 minutes a game for the year.
- LAHawk

Yeah if he's playing a complimentary role on this team that's probably a very good thing. Not having to count on a 19 year old to put up huge numbers right away (see NYR and NJ, Kakko and Hughes) for your team to win is only going to make his transition that much easier. If he continues to develop his game and play well I could see him moving up to the third line and even getting some PP time which could boost him up to 15 minutes a night or so. The fact that he's playing loose and free and showing why he was the #3 pick is awesome and refreshing to see

Boooooooooooooo.
- mohel

Shut up.

It's always nice to find people here who can intelligently refer to things outside of hockey.

Hell, it's nice to find people here who can intelligently refer to things INSIDE of hockey.
- StLBravesFan

“Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.”
--Groucho Marx

*NEW* blog up: http://bit.ly/2XpsXZw

A whole new world for #Blackhawks.

6-1-2 in their last 9 games. That's good. Hawks are good!?

Yeah if he's playing a complimentary role on this team that's probably a very good thing. Not having to count on a 19 year old to put up huge numbers right away (see NYR and NJ, Kakko and Hughes) for your team to win is only going to make his transition that much easier. If he continues to develop his game and play well I could see him moving up to the third line and even getting some PP time which could boost him up to 15 minutes a night or so. The fact that he's playing loose and free and showing why he was the #3 pick is awesome and refreshing to see
- Savetheembers33

I like the lines as they are. When the Hawks are behind in the third period, I can see JC shortening the bench and playing Dach with Shaw and Kubalik. As currently constructed, I see Caggiual, Carpenter and Smith rotate (and maybe sit Dach if he looks tired or needs a press box session. Of course any injury or a few losses in a row and everything will change.

Shut up.
- Elbows15

Hello, Jerky. How's it going?

Hello, Jerky. How's it going?
- mohel

New blog. It goes and goes until it doesn't.

Who's they?
- powerenforcer

Giant ants...oh wait, that's Them.