Justin Lowe: Hawks v. Devils Teaser: holiday slumps & Sharpie returns
Who we got tonight: New Jersey Devils

Season Matchup:

Chicago
New Jersey ✔

20-9-5 = 45 points
2nd in Metro Division
Last game: WON vs. NYR (4-3) on Dec 21st
GF: 106 / GA: 100
PP% = 20.6% (10th in NHL)
PK% = 83.5% (5th in NHL)
Sniper: Brian Gibbons – 12 goals
Producer: Taylor Hall – 32 points
Tough Guys: – Miles Woods - 39 PIMs & Steven Santini Benn - 89 hits
Expected Starter: Cory Schneider

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First!

And oh yeah go Hawks!!!!

Yeah, odd lineup with Saad at RW, Hartman at C, and DeBrincat back down in the bottom 6. Then again, didn't management say earlier this season that they wanted to try Hartman at center so they could see what he could bring and they liked what they saw (which is debatable from a fan perspective).

IMHO, moving Hinostroza in and out of the lineup on the 3rd line and now trying Hartman again at 3C points at the glaring need for a true 3C.

Justin, hang in there with the long wait for Baby #2! Hope you, your wife, and first child are enjoying time together either way, especially during this holiday season. Good health to your wife and to baby on the way!

Saad also said in that same interview that the team was not adequately prepared for the Stars game. How does that happen?? On three plus days rest no less?

Looking at Q

Just shuffling the deck chairs. I think we need to get use to win two or three and lose a couple, win two or three and lose a couple. This team has a lot of new faces and will take the entire year plus for the young guys to play very good hockey consistently.

I say play the year out and let the team try and get some chemistry going. That should allow management to assess the team and make some needed moves in the off season. If moves involve a core member it is a lot easier to move them in the off season then during the season.

Saad also said in that same interview that the team was not adequately prepared for the Stars game. How does that happen?? On three plus days rest no less?

Looking at Q
- Return of the Roar

The not adequately prepared excuse is getting old. That's on both the coaches AND the players. Even if the coaches didn't game plan well, analyze enough game tape, etc, the players can still go out, simplify the game, nail the fundamentals, hustle like crazy, and out work the opponent. Too much to ask?

Forsling was 2nd last in D TOI vs. Dallas with 18+ mins, which emphasizes what I was highlighting in my last blog. His ice time is reflecting a 5th-6th D, where he has been played like a top pair defender earlier in the year.

Yes, he has struggled but if they can afford a little on the job training it could really help this team for the long-term.

Still not sure what's up with the D for tonight, but if all defencemen are healthy, I would go with:

Keith-Oesterle
Murphy-Seabrook
Forsling-Rutta

Also, Rockford with a nice OT win last night over Chicago Wolves.

Fortin, Kampf and Raddysh (OT winner) scored in a 3-2 win.

Forsling was 2nd last in D TOI vs. Dallas with 18+ mins, which emphasizes what I was highlighting in my last blog. His ice time is reflecting a 5th-6th D, where he has been played like a top pair defender earlier in the year.

Yes, he has struggled but if they can afford a little on the job training it could really help this team for the long-term.
- Justin Lowe

I could be wrong, but I think Forsling's increased ice time may have coincided with Seabrook's reduced ice time. Could be that he was rewarded with the ice time due to Seabrook either struggling or playing injured maybe? I think we've seen what the coaches indicated in training camp, that they want Forsling to gain more consistency. Like some of the other young guys Schmaltz, Hartman, Hinostroza, etc.. the Hawks want them to bring it night in and night out.

Also on a side note. Good luck on the arrival of the new baby. I have been in that situation a few times myself.

Your story the other day about the birth of your first child reminded me that I ended up missing game 7 versus Vancouver in 2011 because of the birth of my first.

Congrats to you and your family.

Note: My wording wasn't the best, but what I mean is that most of the young guys have been inconsistent.

Hadn’t heard the Saad comment that the hawks weren’t prepared for the stars game, but have to say that is f***ing inexcusable! If true, it speaks to a complete lack of leadership including coaches and players.

Rutta and Oesterle look to be in tonight.

Kempny back to the press box for a couple weeks I'm thinking.

After 5 straight wins, the lose to Dallas was just a hicCUP. Hawks win tonight 5-2.

Go Hawks!!!

I could be wrong, but I think Forsling's increased ice time may have coincided with Seabrook's reduced ice time. Could be that he was rewarded with the ice time due to Seabrook either struggling or playing injured maybe? I think we've seen what the coaches indicated in training camp, that they want Forsling to gain more consistency. Like some of the other young guys Schmaltz, Hartman, Hinostroza, etc.. the Hawks want them to bring it night in and night out.

Also on a side note. Good luck on the arrival of the new baby. I have been in that situation a few times myself.

Your story the other day about the birth of your first child reminded me that I ended up missing game 7 versus Vancouver in 2011 because of the birth of my first.

Congrats to you and your family.

Note: My wording wasn't the best, but what I mean is that most of the young guys have been inconsistent.
- breadbag

Good point breadbag about Forsling getting more time when Seabrook was on the bottom pair.

He was executed as a top pairing guy though (even playing more than Keith in a couple games) that was a big sign they were happy with him.

A lot of the ice time on D has bounced around as well as the Hawks have struggled to find their units on the PP.

Nice. Ya, I would have been watching game 7 vs. TB in the hospital if it would have went the distance.

I like Saad finally playing his off-wing. It is time to recognize that lines should be built around Saad and not Toews. Anisimov has NO CHEMISTRY with Kane - he is too slow. Often he is not even in the O-Zone on break-outs. Anisimov can be valuable but NOT as Kane’s Centre. For Heaven’s Sake Anisimov has only FIVE assists which is ludicrous when Kane is on your line. Means Anisimov sets Kane up NOT AT ALL. Move Schmaltz to Centre and do what Q seems to think is a sin and make the right-hand shooting DeBrincat Kane’s Left Winger with finishing power finally replacing Panarin.

Sharp from sitting in the box to top line?
Panik draws back in, does nothing, so he stays in?
Hartman and his 30% faceoff game back to center?

“kwolf68
Today @ 3:45 PM ET

Sharp from sitting in the box to top line?
Panik draws back in, does nothing, so he stays in?
Hartman and his 30% faceoff game back to center?”


Well Vinnie was 27% last game, bottom line is we really do need a #3 center.

I like Saad finally playing his off-wing. It is time to recognize that lines should be built around Saad and not Toews. Anisimov has NO CHEMISTRY with Kane - he is too slow. Often he is not even in the O-Zone on break-outs. Anisimov can be valuable but NOT as Kane’s Centre. For Heaven’s Sake Anisimov has only FIVE assists which is ludicrous when Kane is on your line. Means Anisimov sets Kane up NOT AT ALL. Move Schmaltz to Centre and do what Q seems to think is a sin and make the right-hand shooting DeBrincat Kane’s Left Winger with finishing power finally replacing Panarin.
- Z3Hawk

His chemistry with Kane is fine. The myth about him being too slow is exactly that. He does a lot of the dirty work behind the net, along the boards and in front of the net which allows Kane and Schmaltz to do what they do.

Kane is usually set up by Schmaltz and AA going to the front of the net contributes to the goal scoring whether he shows up on the scoresheet or not.

Guess I spoke to soon he other day about having to read about what a slug AA is.

Justin,

Please keep us abreast if Fortin game gies up to another level. Basicly i mean not only scoring more, but using his toolbox and getting results. This player is a sleeper and may use thus season as a stepping stone in Dr development curve. I do not know that he is able to score a lot, but a regular contributor with speed and a prototypical NHL wing could be excellent on second offensive line. He can make a play or score.

Wouldn't it be special to have a Christmas day baby. Hope your kids grow up and play hockey too

Typical Q nut ball logic. It will be like this all year. Sharp on the top line? Saad on his off wing? Hino sits? 52 card pick up people? This team will struggle with this line up logic. Allow them to play through good and bad games. geezus

I really do not like the look of these lines ,if true . I guess we will see .Panik back in and Vinny out makes Know Sense .. GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah Good thing we got Panik in there

Ice seems tilted so far, CC saving our butts....lets hope it gets better.