Well I wasn't able to watch the game last night since I'm still gainfully employed and had to get up early this morning.

I've read the stats, both the simple math and fancy ones. Seen some replays and read some eye witness accounts.

If I understand this correctly, the Hawk defense might as well had Yakety Sax playing in the background as they looked like a scene from Benny Hill. Dach still can't finish even on the rare occasions he's healthy. Colliton is an idiot. Patty Kane looks to just be playing out his contract.

Should be a fun season.
- Rota's Rooter

Where was the girl in the bikini though?

If I recall, Q's teams had this exact problem also the few seasons before he was fired. Maybe that is the script they have been given.
- powerenforcer

Yep, there's a lot of selective memory here.

At no point did they look even
- fattybeef

Outshot 36-34 for the game after that atrocious first period, I would say that’s fairly even for the last two periods. That being said there’s no doubt that the Avs are the better team, they have some studs for sure.

In Columbus it appeared to me that Jones was not the guy supporting his partner but was the guy being supported. So when the hawks traded for him I did not think Jones was the right fit. And I won't even get started on that contract. But it's only fair to give it a chance, and one game isn't it.

I had my skates forever cuz I didn't like breaking in new ones. But eventually I had to get new blades and I chose Tuik blades. But they weren't mounted on the exact same angle and I was a sloppy ass mess out on the ice for a while until I got used to it. That's what Jones looked like to me last night. And the Avs speed wasn't helping. His footwork was brutal to go with everything else happening.
- 6628

Ehhh in regards to Jones, I feel like Torts was teaching him how to play defense. I think Werenski is wonderful but i believe when a player is typically working on being better at something they were struggling with, it takes a toll on what they did well. I don't think Jones is done being a complete dman but he sure looks confused out there now.

Interesting note about the skates, it's weird seeing him fall down all over the ice

Outshot 36-34 for the game after that atrocious first period, I would say that’s fairly even for the last two periods. That being said there’s no doubt that the Avs are the better team, they have some studs for sure.
- Angotti

Stats are the end-all and tell the whole story, unless they don't fit a narrative!

It's sad to me that the best gm and coach in Chicago belongs to the Bulls right now.

Colliton 0-1 without his glasses and the five o'clock shadow look.

Maybe he'll change it up Friday against NJ and have his specs on and have a 3 day growth.

It's sad to me that the best gm and coach in Chicago belongs to the Bulls right now.
- BetweenTheDots

What about the Chicago Sky, Chief? They are in the Finals right now. Don't the girls count?

Wonder if we go 2-8 will that be enough to find a coach who knows what they're doing

Wonder if we go 2-8 will that be enough to find a coach who knows what they're doing
- BetweenTheDots

You're rooting for the Hawks to lose? You're not a real fan.

Wonder if we go 2-8 will that be enough to find a coach who knows what they're doing
- BetweenTheDots

I've got them for 3-6 in October. They should win in NJ.

To me one significant observation after last night's game is that we are not overloaded at center as we thought. Johnson's demotion to the 4th line and his replacement's (Borgstrom) performance makes it look like maybe we should not be looking at dumping Strome too soon.

The current Hawks will never be confused with the current version of the Avalanche, though it should have been closer without MacKinnon. They couldn't play with Tampa, Carolina or really Florida last year. And that was game #1.

Tomorrow's contest should be more telling. New Jersey's home opener. The Hawks have a game under their belt and can adjust, in theory.

Outshot 36-34 for the game after that atrocious first period, I would say that’s fairly even for the last two periods. That being said there’s no doubt that the Avs are the better team, they have some studs for sure.
- Angotti

But look where the shots (SATs) came from - I posted the NaturalStatrick shot heat chart a few pages back - almost every SAT (5x5] was from ABOVE the circles. Looked like the Avs fell back into a score-adjusted “prevent” defense after the 4th goal.

I've got them for 3-6 in October. They should win in NJ.
- scottak

I never cheer for them to lose, just a stark reality, watching MAF left on an island is so painful to watch. Credit to Lanky for standing on his head the 1st part of last season

I never cheer for them to lose, just a stark reality, watching MAF left on an island is so painful to watch. Credit to Lanky for standing on his head the 1st part of last season
- BetweenTheDots

Now you want them to win every game so JC is here forever? More whiplash!

Ehhh in regards to Jones, I feel like Torts was teaching him how to play defense. I think Werenski is wonderful but i believe when a player is typically working on being better at something they were struggling with, it takes a toll on what they did well. I don't think Jones is done being a complete dman but he sure looks confused out there now.

Interesting note about the skates, it's weird seeing him fall down all over the ice
- BetweenTheDots

Like Agador wearing shoes in Birdcage….

The problem isn't that Seth Jones sucks. He doesn't, really. He had a bad game last night but that happens.

The problem is that he's just been a pretty average defenseman for a couple years now.

The problem isn't that Seth Jones sucks. He doesn't, really. He had a bad game last night but that happens.

The problem is that he's just been a pretty average defenseman for a couple years now.
- BINGO!

This has been mentioned once or twice on this board......

Outshot 36-34 for the game after that atrocious first period, I would say that’s fairly even for the last two periods. That being said there’s no doubt that the Avs are the better team, they have some studs for sure.
- Angotti

In terms of high danger chances and the eye test - it wasn't good. The Avs maybe took their foot off the gas a bit but they were also without their best player.

If you read here long enough, you will get the picture: every player Stan obtains is awful, but would be stars if they had Q as coach. To many here, this band of mostly bad players they relentlessly bash would be a playoff team with a different coach.

On the start of the game.... No question they weren't ready to play. I read here that this is the coach's fault. My question is, what does a professional sports coach do to have his team start fast? Does he need a better Rockne speech? Why isn't it each player's responsibility to be ready to go at the start of the game? They get paid, no?

I am not married to JC, and I am not a relative of his. I said in the offseason that I want him to focus on team defense (unlike Dots, I believe defense includes forwards). If that doesn't happen, he should be gone.
- mohel

I have made my expectations known this year. I think this roster is good enough baring a major injury to Fleury/Kane/Jones/Toews/DeBrincat to make the playoffs. Maybe wishful thinking but I like the depth, and I would hope to god Fleury can help calm things down from the net on out.

I hear you....the constant female doging gets old and certain guys have hard ons for certain players. Mine is Dehann. I don't know what the hell they see in this guy but he is just bad. Every time he is on the ice he sticks out to me in a bad way....4 on 4 Hawks are getting some zone pressure, DeHaan gets it, not once...but twice from about the dot and refuses to shoot...instead has his ass facing the net and pretty easy to defend where he's going. What does this guy do right besides getting himself dressed for a game?

I think it was LA but somebody pointed out how Colorado attacked his side ALL NIGHT long....is Jones a HOF defensemen? I doubt it....but I am going to give him time to settle in to a new club, with a huge deal, and a mountain of pressure on him to perform. If he doesn't, that's 100% on hockey ops and Bowman.

I am not sold on JC....as a coach babysitting a younger roster and letting kids play....sure......but now? All we have seen from this team since he got is a clown car show in their own end regardless the player(s). Horrible coverage. Guys wide open in the slot. Horrible gap control.....I literally laughed on the 1st or 2nd second shift when Colorado put it off the bar because the defensemen lost his gap, screened fleury and shot got on him quickly.......so is it 3 years of bad players or maybe a coach who's "system" is royally flawed?

1 game doesn't make a season...but I have a hunch if this team doesn't come out of the gates in decent shape, JC will be back over in Europe coaching by Thanksgiving. IF not, then that tells me Bowman doesn't feel the pressure and then I have to question why the hell he abandoned his own rebuild to try and win NOW.....

Yep, there's a lot of selective memory here.
- mohel

Thats not the point. At least with Q when they were bad they looked like a bad pro team. With JC they look like my ex girlfriends kids team skating around with out any purpose blindly following the puck around and not knowing what to do when they have it.

This has been mentioned once or twice on this board......
- mohel

Lol I know. I just saw people taking the usual extreme positions once again.

Scotty never phones up his son really boy get yourself a real coach. this guy belongs in Bantam AA

In Columbus it appeared to me that Jones was not the guy supporting his partner but was the guy being supported. So when the hawks traded for him I did not think Jones was the right fit. And I won't even get started on that contract. But it's only fair to give it a chance, and one game isn't it.

I had my skates forever cuz I didn't like breaking in new ones. But eventually I had to get new blades and I chose Tuik blades. But they weren't mounted on the exact same angle and I was a sloppy ass mess out on the ice for a while until I got used to it. That's what Jones looked like to me last night. And the Avs speed wasn't helping. His footwork was brutal to go with everything else happening.
- 6628

Lot of guys were falling all over the place....they almost looked like half of them were hungover or gassed or sick......blowouts constantly...entering the zone...neutral zone...hell jones did a face plant trying to get a shot off in the last minute.

If they come back 1-1-1 to start the year....perfectly ok with it. They lost 4-2. Could have been a LOT worse, but also could have been better if they capitalize on the chances on their top end talent showed up.

And in fairness I thought Fleury.....was OK at best. Way too deep in his net on goal 1. Can't get deked out by a defensemen not named Makar. I was waiting for the poke check.