Tyler Cameron: Blackhawks not enough in series opener
The Blackhawks came out with a valiant effort in game 1 but ultimately succumb to the Golden Knights in the series opener.

That 4-1 loss on Tuesday night didn't sting as much as the score indicated to me, to be honest. Had it not been for a couple of soft goals given up by Corey Crawford or a couple of posts that gone the Hawks way, this game could have been closer.

Here are a few thoughts I have on how the Blackhawks could improve and steal the next game from Vegas.

Tyler Cameron: Blackhawks not enough in series opener

The Blackhawks came out with a valiant effort in game 1 but ultimately succumb to the Golden Knights in the series opener.

That 4-1 loss on Tuesday night didn't sting as much as the score indicated to me, to be honest. Had it not been for a couple of soft goals given up by Corey Crawford or a couple of posts that gone the Hawks way, this game could have been closer.

Here are a few thoughts I have on how the Blackhawks could improve and steal the next game from Vegas.
- Tyler Cameron

First.

Great blog, TC. I agree with your points. I'm on board with the Slavko line-up.

Slavko lineup looks great to me. Nylander has to get out of the lineup imo. He just seems to be weighing down whatever line he's on with his wacky passes and lax defense. I still have faith in Strome tho and I think a reunion with Cat could do him well.

Fantastic write up Tyler. I truly enjoyed your honest assessment of boqvist, crawford and nylander.


If I'm JC after watching 5 games now , you have to realize that it's not working out as you hoped.

Chicago defense going into the postseason has always been a question mark, the only way to minimize their chances they need to have clean breakouts and entries and maintain solid puck possession. Also they need to shoot more and get guys in those high danger spots shooting.


The powerplay against Edmonton was a reason Chicago was able to help themselves out. Last night was a missed opportunity to try and regain any momentum.

Slavko lineup looks great to me. Nylander has to get out of the lineup imo. He just seems to be weighing down whatever line he's on with his wacky passes and lax defense. I still have faith in Strome tho and I think a reunion with Cat could do him well.
- blackhawks95

I agree , I'd be ok with nylander in the lineup if 8 out 10 times he touches the puck he is also creating opportunities and scoring chances.

I must get a different feed out on the west coast. I thought Nylander has played well. He is the only forward in the bottom 6 that actually can carry the puck into the zone. The other 5 just dump it in, they don't have the talent or foot speed to carry it in. I also haven't seen him shy away from contact, and has made the plays defensively that he is supposed to. Yes he is inconsistent and had the puck stolen from him on a suicide pass. But I haven't seen him make wild cross ice passes in his own zone like I see #12 do regularly (or fly the zone without the puck being cleared either.)

I must get a different feed out on the west coast. I thought Nylander has played well. He is the only forward in the bottom 6 that actually can carry the puck into the zone. The other 5 just dump it in, they don't have the talent or foot speed to carry it in. I also haven't seen him shy away from contact, and has made the plays defensively that he is supposed to. Yes he is inconsistent and had the puck stolen from him on a suicide pass. But I haven't seen him make wild cross ice passes in his own zone like I see #12 do regularly (or fly the zone without the puck being cleared either.)
- LAHawk

Nylander had a couple real nice plays last night, agree.

He also isn't getting a ton of time.

Just feel like the balance of the lines are off and there may need to be a shake up. Maybe not next game but at some point.

Is it possible Slavko's a poster here? Saw that exact same line combo from Pat Shart or someone else.

Nylander had a couple real nice plays last night, agree.

He also isn't getting a ton of time.

Just feel like the balance of the lines are off and there may need to be a shake up. Maybe not next game but at some point.
- Tyler Cameron

I'll follow that up with this... having 4 lines rolling (like game 1 of Edmonton) is so key in this series.

A guy like Drake Caggiula needs to be playing more and that 3rd line isn't working /doesn't have Colliton's trust.

A tweak is needed and Nylander always seems to be the odd shape when I'm working on that puzzle.

Like I said, maybe leaving him in for now and bump him to the 4th line. He's had success there previously.

I must get a different feed out on the west coast. I thought Nylander has played well. He is the only forward in the bottom 6 that actually can carry the puck into the zone. The other 5 just dump it in, they don't have the talent or foot speed to carry it in. I also haven't seen him shy away from contact, and has made the plays defensively that he is supposed to. Yes he is inconsistent and had the puck stolen from him on a suicide pass. But I haven't seen him make wild cross ice passes in his own zone like I see #12 do regularly (or fly the zone without the puck being cleared either.)
- LAHawk

How many points does he have ? He clearly has the talent or so we are told he does but it's not translating on ice to raise his teammates level of play.

I'll say this kane , cat , nylander and strome all have been M.I.A

While toews has stepped up his game but even that line has gotten quieter and imo it's because the other lines are producing or showing any threat while on the ice.

Kane in years past would create his own chances now he is quiet

I must get a different feed out on the west coast. I thought Nylander has played well. He is the only forward in the bottom 6 that actually can carry the puck into the zone. The other 5 just dump it in, they don't have the talent or foot speed to carry it in. I also haven't seen him shy away from contact, and has made the plays defensively that he is supposed to. Yes he is inconsistent and had the puck stolen from him on a suicide pass. But I haven't seen him make wild cross ice passes in his own zone like I see #12 do regularly (or fly the zone without the puck being cleared either.)
- LAHawk

Last night was the first game I got to watch more than a period but the East Coast feed was the same as yours.

I thought he played ok, but that line wasn't creating much. I thought he was the best of the 3. Like Slavko and others have said, I might either try Caggiula on another line or replace him with someone like Hagel.

Didn't see much of the Oliers series so not sure what Caggs looked like in that series.

Nylander had a couple real nice plays last night, agree.

He also isn't getting a ton of time.

Just feel like the balance of the lines are off and there may need to be a shake up. Maybe not next game but at some point.
- Tyler Cameron

Maybe put Nylander, Strome, Kane together like they had in camo. Strome, ADB, and either Highmore or Cagiulla. Maybe ADB should be playing 10 minutes a game based on his play. Then you can trade him to Montreal for Max Domi, who is seeing 4th line minutes for Montreal.

From the last blog, Natural Stat Trick had VGK winning the 5v5 scoring chance battle by a slim 18-17.

If CC makes 2 saves that any major Junior goalie would make, it's a 2-1 game.

Especially galling was the Hawks not directing a shot at RL the 2nd time he lost his blade, while they were on the PP.

Nylander had a couple real nice plays last night, agree.

He also isn't getting a ton of time.

Just feel like the balance of the lines are off and there may need to be a shake up. Maybe not next game but at some point.
- Tyler Cameron

While not ideal considering what he is expected to be, Nylander actually did fare quite well when he played 4th line earlier in the year. I can't see Colliton standing pat with the lineup, but I don't think anyone sits just yet.

Related: be careful what you wish for with the idea of Boqvist coming out of the lineup. We saw what happened when Caggiula was out for a game. Don't think for a minute that Seeler's 5 games of post season experience won't be weighed into the decision. And no, this is not red font.

Nylander had a couple real nice plays last night, agree.

He also isn't getting a ton of time.

Just feel like the balance of the lines are off and there may need to be a shake up. Maybe not next game but at some point.
- Tyler Cameron

I agree with everything you said . However I don't think after 5 games and nothing has changed the.n game 2 Chicago needs a freshening up of its lines.

Vegas is to good to be in the hole 0-2 and then react.

That's my point

From the last blog, Natural Stat Trick had VGK winning the 5v5 scoring chance battle by a slim 18-17.

If CC makes 2 saves that any major Junior goalie would make, it's a 2-1 game.

Especially galling was the Hawks not directing a shot at RL the 2nd time he lost his blade, while they were on the PP.
- scottak

Your on to something here. Crawfords not been himself this postseason run I get it he was sick but I just think there is something deeper going on that maybe we don't know. His timing or technique seem to be off

Agree, Debrincat and Kane should not be on same line. Net presence is non-existent when those two are together. Debrinca'ts game has been worse than Crow in these playoffs. His decision-making has not been good, and he has trouble keeping pressure in the offense zone. His lines are usually one and done when it comes to scoring chances. More blame should be on the forwards to produce.

I must get a different feed out on the west coast. I thought Nylander has played well. He is the only forward in the bottom 6 that actually can carry the puck into the zone. The other 5 just dump it in, they don't have the talent or foot speed to carry it in. I also haven't seen him shy away from contact, and has made the plays defensively that he is supposed to. Yes he is inconsistent and had the puck stolen from him on a suicide pass. But I haven't seen him make wild cross ice passes in his own zone like I see #12 do regularly (or fly the zone without the puck being cleared either.)

Nylander is the "anti-Sikura."

From the last blog, Natural Stat Trick had VGK winning the 5v5 scoring chance battle by a slim 18-17.

If CC makes 2 saves that any major Junior goalie would make, it's a 2-1 game.

Especially galling was the Hawks not directing a shot at RL the 2nd time he lost his blade, while they were on the PP.
- scottak

Yes that was infuriating.

I watched the entire CBJ/TB game (Jeebus that was long), and one thing I noticed was that a lot of times TB has a guy trailing the puck carrier into the zone. The puck gets dropped to the trailer and the original puck carrier goes straight to the front of the net to screen the goalie. Palat was actually really good at this. Having that mentality in the O-zone would do the Hawks well.

I'm all for putting Carlsson in the lineup for Boqvist. Can't say it enough, but the kid is not ready for NHL playoff hockey.

Crawford does need to sharpen up, but the team needs to show up in front of him too. I mean, yeah, he normally should have stopped two of those goals, but if the team doesn't battle harder and be smarter with the puck, it will still be over in 4 games regardless. Toews overall has been good, but there have been too many passes like that one he threw away up the middle last night which ended up in our net.

I'd really love to see Kane show some leadership and get some fire in his game here. Do a bit more of what Nylander did in the 3rd, and force a defender to take a penalty to slow him down. If we want a chance, we need Kane to be more of the guy that gives Luongo nightmares because we are not seeing him play as dynamic as he usually is.

5 games with 1 goal total from Kane, Debrincat, Nylander, Caggiula is not enough. I still think they need Strome playing well at least at one end. Right now he isn't doing much good in either zone. Hell, start him next game but put him on 4th line wing. bump Kampf up to the 3rd line and let Carpenter play 4C. Give it a period and see if Strome can get the message.

I must get a different feed out on the west coast. I thought Nylander has played well. He is the only forward in the bottom 6 that actually can carry the puck into the zone. The other 5 just dump it in, they don't have the talent or foot speed to carry it in. I also haven't seen him shy away from contact, and has made the plays defensively that he is supposed to. Yes he is inconsistent and had the puck stolen from him on a suicide pass. But I haven't seen him make wild cross ice passes in his own zone like I see #12 do regularly (or fly the zone without the puck being cleared either.)

Nylander is the "anti-Sikura."
- rpeters01

Meaning everyone talks horribly about him and he still gets a ton of opportunity?

Corsi For from last night, by line:

50.0% Toews - Kubalik - Saad
42.11% Kampf - Highmore - Carpenter
40.0% Strome - Nylander - Caggiula
29.17% Dach - Dcat - Kane

Dach had a rough night, Kane and Dcat were invisible.

Is it possible Slavko's a poster here? Saw that exact same line combo from Pat Shart or someone else.
- HawkintheD

Yup. I said that last night after the game...page 21 or 22 on the last blog

Today @ 1:11 AM ET
Caggulia-Toews-Kubalik
Saad-Dach-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Highmore
Carpenter-Kampf-Nylander

Apparently TC does not like my amazing posts and Slobbo had to steal my stuff

Also, I think when our 1st PP unit was Toews Strome, ADB, Kane and Keith, was much more effective than what they have now. Strome behind the net (where he doesn't have to skate too much is currentlymuch more adept at finding the open seam and pass than Dach is, and you have the right handed shot of ADB (if he can get it on net) playing left side, than 3 left handed shots (Kubalk, Kane, Toews) that are not natural left wingers.

yep...bokie looked like a boy among men...
adb and kane? you can add nylander and strome...they are acting like boys among men..
i would have preferred the aves...the hawks can hang with them...this vegas team is bigger and deeper and superb 5 on 5...

with out the above getting it going...this is over in 4