Crevier with a goal and named third star of game

Really. Believe it. Does this mean two descent games in a row? Not a bad player?! And without watching or hearing the game, I would guess that Dallas didn’t show up with a good compete level against a team they know they are superior. Maybe they were thinking of Thanksgiving meal with family and a day off from hockey

Nonetheless Crevier got recognized

Best game of year, winning battles, getting puck to net, their goaltender not a good game according to post game radio report. Bedard needs to move to net not be stationary which he did tonight. Three guys who need to be scoring did in fact score a goal tonight. Crevier goal too. See a 7th round dman out of Quebec Junior break through Not to sound like the so called Derek downer, but Stars just squandered a four goal lead to Carolina then this bad effort

Well, as we've all for the most part identified, Creviier isn't plan A. And to Rico's point he was a late round pick who isn't completely poopting the bed when he's out there.

Vlasic is the large rangy guy who will anchor one of the first two pair. Kaiser and Allan look like NHL players and with Arty, KK, Rinzel and possibly EDM on the way...oh wait right...out over my skis again. They all suck.
- HawkintheD

I think the Blackhawks team defense is improving. Since Jones has been out i believe they have improved their GA, 2.6 that's including 2 empty netters. 2-2-1 last 5 games

I really am enjoying Kaisers game and you start seeing his confidence growing in transition.

Gee who was that kid at the 4 minute mark behind the net when Vlasic kind of lost position on his guy along the boards, oh yea that would be number 73 who takes the puck away and starts heading up ice, with my eye i saw at least 3 times he came away from the boards with the puck on his stick. He's really beginning to play fast, right side of the puck, he flies through the neutral zone and his nose for the puck seems to be improving every game he plays.

I think the Blackhawks team defense is improving. Since Jones has been out i believe they have improved their GA, 2.6 that's including 2 empty netters. 2-2-1 last 5 games

I really am enjoying Kaisers game and you start seeing his confidence growing in transition.

Gee who was that kid at the 4 minute mark behind the net when Vlasic kind of lost position on his guy along the boards, oh yea that would be number 73 who takes the puck away and starts heading up ice, with my eye i saw at least 3 times he came away from the boards with the puck on his stick. He's really beginning to play fast, right side of the puck, he flies through the neutral zone and his nose for the puck seems to be improving every game he plays.
- BetweenTheDots

Could it be the coach deserves credit for his team playing well. Thus after some on this board say he should be dismissed

Could it be the coach deserves credit for his team playing well. Thus after some on this board say he should be dismissed
- jhawk59

So team speed was evident, Dallas defended backing in

Wow

Winning board battles. Maroon Smith and Reichel caught three Stars out of position

Oh btw Mrzak was outstanding

Could it be the coach deserves credit for his team playing well. Thus after some on this board say he should be dismissed
- jhawk59

Absolutely, but you need the horses, imagine Tinordi, Zaitsev, Megna, Phillips, last years Kaiser compared to this year's. They really are gumming up the center of the ice.

That's not even mentioning the forwards from last year, the true issue is scoring but a lot of them went in tonight.

OK. His parents are Russian and was born in Switzerland. So he is Russian descent and holds Swiss/Russian citizenship I would guess.

I can't confirm, but he likely lived in Switzerland all his young life where he probably played in Swiss pee wee leagues and lower leagues. Then eventually signed by a QMJHL team and played in Canada for a a few years before drafted by Chicago where he played for Rockford for a while.

But he's a bad defensive player because he has Russian blood in him. Got it.
- boilermaker100

I never made a statement about his play.

That was by far the Hawks best game of the year.

I expect the Hawks to lose 9-1 to the Wild on Friday.

That was by far the Hawks best game of the year.

I expect the Hawks to lose 9-1 to the Wild on Friday.
- DarthKane

I'll take the over!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Many thanks to all of you for the added knowledge you bring to the BOD.

That was by far the Hawks best game of the year.

I expect the Hawks to lose 9-1 to the Wild on Friday.
- DarthKane

As long as there aren’t injuries I would like to think the coming out game tonight by Hall and the team overall, it just illustrates we don’t need to make an in season trade because we are in dire need of scoring.

If a trade was made to bring more balanced scoring, we win a few more and morale is higher. And this corresponds to we draft lower!

Heck no, no trade in season when we can bring up a Nazar and Slaggert Nazar to be a spark plug for the offense and Slaggert a steady strong two way game


Scott by keeping our top assets and passing on a pretty much meaningless trade, clearly see this as an Our time has not come yet. When a few additional top prospects mingling then possibly a trade might be worthwhile One more draft to add prospects then there is a our deeper talent pool will not be weakened as much after making a trade

That was by far the Hawks best game of the year.

I expect the Hawks to lose 9-1 to the Wild on Friday.
- DarthKane

Like 333 - I'll take the over as well -- if they dump in the bed it is to a team that nothing is expected of - thereby promoting the what the blank are they??? narrative angle.

Crevier in again, which is fine, time to find out what they have. I just wish he didn’t draw in over another young defenseman. Like it has been mentioned here many times, eventually they’ll need to determine which ones are keepers and which ones are not, hopefully while they still have some value.
- Angotti

Resting Allan, Kaiser, Martinez, Brodie, and maybe even Murphy and Vlasic and letting Crevier or Phillips play occasionally might benefit the Hawks over the course of the year. The young guys might avoid hitting the wall. The old guys might avoid getting worn out.

All good, but me thinks a defensive dman should not be in front of their goalie with a four goal lead.
- Angotti

Three Hawks were changing so they had plenty of coverage at their blue line. I am fine with a Dman joining the rush.

I have like Hall's game, considering he is coming back from major kneed surgery. I like him on the top line with Bedard. I would rather see Donato on the RW than Kurashev.

Kurashev is often in the general area he is supposed to be in on the forecheck or in on our zone. But instead of putting a body on someone or even just getting in their way he pulls up a stride or two from them. I would like to see him make some kind of contact, slow them down, reroute them during or immediately after they have moved the puck. It does not need to be a hard hit. Sharpie would do that all the time. Not big hits, but just enough to throw them off or slow them down. That's true of Bedard, Reichel, Mikheyev, and TT also. They could learn from Donato.

I think the Blackhawks team defense is improving. Since Jones has been out i believe they have improved their GA, 2.6 that's including 2 empty netters. 2-2-1 last 5 games

I really am enjoying Kaisers game and you start seeing his confidence growing in transition.

Gee who was that kid at the 4 minute mark behind the net when Vlasic kind of lost position on his guy along the boards, oh yea that would be number 73 who takes the puck away and starts heading up ice, with my eye i saw at least 3 times he came away from the boards with the puck on his stick. He's really beginning to play fast, right side of the puck, he flies through the neutral zone and his nose for the puck seems to be improving every game he plays.
- BetweenTheDots

Get with the program Dots. He's a bum. I'm liking 44's game as well.

Also hoping last night's scoring outburst is the start of some of our fwds finding the back of the net more often.

You could see the relief on Connor's face and it was great to see Hall pop in 3.

I think the Blackhawks team defense is improving. Since Jones has been out i believe they have improved their GA, 2.6 that's including 2 empty netters. 2-2-1 last 5 games

I really am enjoying Kaisers game and you start seeing his confidence growing in transition.

Gee who was that kid at the 4 minute mark behind the net when Vlasic kind of lost position on his guy along the boards, oh yea that would be number 73 who takes the puck away and starts heading up ice, with my eye i saw at least 3 times he came away from the boards with the puck on his stick. He's really beginning to play fast, right side of the puck, he flies through the neutral zone and his nose for the puck seems to be improving every game he plays.
- BetweenTheDots

The big defensive factors to me are the return or Martinez healthy, the play of Murphy/Vlasic and most importantly both our goalies being really dialed in right now. The D are blocking a ton of chances ( Martinez and Murphy each with 5 last night) and getting sticks in lanes. When our D is breaking down the goalies have been making the extra save.

I have like Hall's game, considering he is coming back from major kneed surgery. I like him on the top line with Bedard. I would rather see Donato on the RW than Kurashev.

Kurashev is often in the general area he is supposed to be in on the forecheck or in on our zone. But instead of putting a body on someone or even just getting in their way he pulls up a stride or two from them. I would like to see him make some kind of contact, slow them down, reroute them during or immediately after they have moved the puck. It does not need to be a hard hit. Sharpie would do that all the time. Not big hits, but just enough to throw them off or slow them down. That's true of Bedard, Reichel, Mikheyev, and TT also. They could learn from Donato.
- Ztra

And have Kurashev back at 2C? Think you leave the lines as they are for a bit plus Donato is at least decent at FO when he has the chances.

The big defensive factors to me are the return or Martinez healthy, the play of Murphy/Vlasic and most importantly both our goalies being really dialed in right now. The D are blocking a ton of chances ( Martinez and Murphy each with 5 last night) and getting sticks in lanes. When our D is breaking down the goalies have been making the extra save.
- breadbag

I do like Martinez he's been a really nice signing.

Mrazek has been playing really well i call it the Jimmy Waite factor, he sure seems to be able to get the best out of a goalie.

I know Brodie past couple of games has really sold out and made some nice blocks on a couple of down Broadway shots

If this trend continues and the Blackhawks defensively give up about 3 goals per game they definitely will not be drafting top 4. I looked up the past 2 years and teams that gave up between 230 and 250 goals per NHL season finished with at least 80 points. Maybe they finish with 70 something but my guess is they will win more games as the season goes on because one thing always holds true, good defense never slumps.

And have Kurashev back at 2C? Think you leave the lines as they are for a bit plus Donato is at least decent at FO when he has the chances.
- Assman22

I just hope he keeps the lines the same for Bedard and Reichel.

Could it be the coach deserves credit for his team playing well. Thus after some on this board say he should be dismissed
- jhawk59

Taking advantage of a good team on an off night is always a positive thing. Hall and Bedard getting off the schnide was nice to see. That was a nice goal by Crevier getting into the rush.

Re coach: have to see how sustainable this is.

If this trend continues and the Blackhawks defensively give up about 3 goals per game they definitely will not be drafting top 4. I looked up the past 2 years and teams that gave up between 230 and 250 goals per NHL season finished with at least 80 points. Maybe they finish with 70 something but my guess is they will win more games as the season goes on because one thing always holds true, good defense never slumps.
- BetweenTheDots

I'd tend to agree. The offense isn't as poor as it's shown. While not a dynamo, they have some but it's like anyone who could score was all slumping at the same time.

Bedard hadn't scored in 12 games, Hall was riding a 13 game drought and before Teuvo scored against Philly he was on a 15 game drought.

I'll echo what a few have said. Leave the lines alone LR. They may not be prefect but it's fairly close to what I thought they'd go with when the season started, just switch Donato and Reichel. Not saying I'd switch them just thought that might be the possible line combos to start the season.

As long as there aren’t injuries I would like to think the coming out game tonight by Hall and the team overall, it just illustrates we don’t need to make an in season trade because we are in dire need of scoring.

If a trade was made to bring more balanced scoring, we win a few more and morale is higher. And this corresponds to we draft lower!

Heck no, no trade in season when we can bring up a Nazar and Slaggert Nazar to be a spark plug for the offense and Slaggert a steady strong two way game


Scott by keeping our top assets and passing on a pretty much meaningless trade, clearly see this as an Our time has not come yet. When a few additional top prospects mingling then possibly a trade might be worthwhile One more draft to add prospects then there is a our deeper talent pool will not be weakened as much after making a trade
- jhawk59

I haven't advocated for meaningless trades. I want them to start building a team of guys who are going to be here the next several years and part of the run.

I can't agree with that. They have Bedard so the time is now IMO but clearly not a lot of people see it that way.

I haven't advocated for meaningless trades. I want them to start building a team of guys who are going to be here the next several years and part of the run.

I can't agree with that. They have Bedard so the time is now IMO but clearly not a lot of people see it that way.
- fattybeef

If and it's a big if, the team defense continues to maintain the ability to keep teams to 3 goals per game, we really are not that far away from being relevant.

If this trend continues and the Blackhawks defensively give up about 3 goals per game they definitely will not be drafting top 4. I looked up the past 2 years and teams that gave up between 230 and 250 goals per NHL season finished with at least 80 points. Maybe they finish with 70 something but my guess is they will win more games as the season goes on because one thing always holds true, good defense never slumps.
- BetweenTheDots

The problem is the GAA doesn't tell the whole story.

Pie in the sky - they finish with about 220 goals for. 220 for and 250 against should put them in spot where they're close to mathematically getting to a playoff position but no one is realistically taking their shirt off.

The bigger problem is when you look at their numbers at evens (these are all as percentages).

Corsi - last
Shots for - 5th from the last
Expected Goals for - 3rd from last
Scoring chances for - last
High Danger Chances - last
Save percentage - 7th

Their PDO is about even. Even strength save percentage is 92.75% and their shooting percentage is 7.97%.

That all says they are a bottom of the league team that has outstanding goaltending keeping games close.

Some of last night was score effects - and the Hawks did do an excellent job of slamming the door shut in the 3rd period (zero high danger chances for) - which is kind of funny because they've been playing 2 good periods then a bad third.

Long way of saying - it is not a good bet to assume winning in the fashion they did last night is sustainable and more often then not they are going to drop games 3-2 because they are bad at keeping the puck out of their zone and don't have enough talent at forward to put up 4 or 5 goals per game consistently.

If and it's a big if, the team defense continues to maintain the ability to keep teams to 3 goals per game, we really are not that far away from being relevant.
- BetweenTheDots

With many of the impatient wanting to gas Richardson, they are completely missing the fact that the team has really played well defensively. Good team defense isn’t an accident, it’s not a mistake, it’s not because they have good players it’s because the coaching staff has managed for the team to buy into a defensive game and taught them the nuances of a defensive game. While he’ll never be mistaken for Jonathan Toews, even Bedard has played better defensively than he did last year. The biggest thing a coach brings isn’t offense or improving the power play, it’s teaching and convincing the team to play defensively. As the team gets better LR may prove he doesn’t have the skills to be a tactical or strategic coach but right now I really see no reason to fire him.