Justin Lowe: Have the Hawks Figured It Out? (Version 13)
I feel like a broken record over here. "Have the Hawks figured it out?" is a phrase that I've typed, repeated in my head and said out loud too many times this year.

Just as the Hawks "figured it out", it all comes crashing down with a blowout loss. That blowout loss could happen to a pissed off Toronto Maple Leafs team tonight if they aren't careful.

The Leafs are coming off of a 6-1 thumping by the Lightning on Monday night.

First!

I would hope for a win tonite in Ontario - but if not a win - then a continuation of the fine play of the past week - especially (as you side without the puck and by all six on the ice in the defensive zone.

But even if not the good play carryforward - even if a blowout loss - this team (and coaching staff) have proven to us- and themselves - that they can play that way for more than a period or two at a time - that they can do it for two or three games in a row.

Meaning - to me - they can focus and get back to it even after a bad outing - that it doesn’t lead to a 6-8-10 game stretch of poor play.

Any word yet on Drake?

I think it is time for the Blackhawks to take some runs on the opposition. This has to stop.

I said last week that I’d rather see this team start losing games 1-0 than winning 6-5...of course if they want to keep winning 7-1 that’d be AOK with me too. Monday’s game was the most fun I’ve had watching this team in a long time. Hopefully they can keep it locked down against the Leaves who are an obvious step up in class offensively over their last two opponents.

Great write up JL. Can't believe you threw up a new blog just when the theatre and pizza talk was about to get good.

Afa what Bowman did last summer, I still think that those moves were merely placeholder moves and this season a transition one, with an opportunity to evaluate a number of things.

There were a ton of questions at several positions and with the current roster after last season. I think it would have been foolish on Bowman's part to spend in FA last summer and thinking it would fix all that ailed the team without knowing what they had.

Any word yet on Drake?

I think it is time for the Blackhawks to take some runs on the opposition. This has to stop.
- powerenforcer

Nothing. I've been trying to figure that out myself.

I would hope for a win tonite in Ontario - but if not a win - then a continuation of the fine play of the past week - especially (as you side without the puck and by all six on the ice in the defensive zone.

But even if not the good play carryforward - even if a blowout loss - this team (and coaching staff) have proven to us- and themselves - that they can play that way for more than a period or two at a time - that they can do it for two or three games in a row.

Meaning - to me - they can focus and get back to it even after a bad outing - that it doesn’t lead to a 6-8-10 game stretch of poor play.
- StLBravesFan

Tonight will be interesting. A run and gun game is right up Toronto's alley. They will especially like the fact the Hawks aren't a phsyical team so guys like Gardiner, Nylander and Matthews who don't like the rough going could shine. The scoring in this game could very well go into double digits.

I fell sleep early and didn't get to respond to some people.

Rick, thanks for letting me know about the Stratford Festival. It just went on the bucket list.

Cam, I think you were talking about Wiseau. Strange dude. I saw Disaster Artist, decent. I agree with interaction.

Enzo, that's pretty cool about the theater job. Where were you working at at the time?

Justin Lowe: Have the Hawks Figured It Out? (Version 13)

I feel like a broken record over here. "Have the Hawks figured it out?" is a phrase that I've typed, repeated in my head and said out loud too many times this year.

Just as the Hawks "figured it out", it all comes crashing down with a blowout loss. That blowout loss could happen to a pissed off Toronto Maple Leafs team tonight if they aren't careful.

The Leafs are coming off of a 6-1 thumping by the Lightning on Monday night.
- Justin Lowe

Great piece, TC. I got to watch, the day after, the yotes game. Hawks got lucky a lot that game, especially first period. There were near misses, not clean passing, among other things that could have put the game out of control, not in our favor. I'm glad of the outcome because we capitalized where they didn't, but they are a fast team with dangerous players still honing their skills.

I won't watch the Tor game until tomorrow, hopefully that means another victory.

I look forward to the summer to see what SB will do/plans to do. He has a longer leash. I look forward to see which prospects come over and help the hogs, or if there are dark horse candidates that make the jump to the hawks. We're still close to the bottom, but I'm loving the trend upwards.

Stratford is a small town on the Avon River. Many similarities to towns in England. Easily driveable from Chicago.

Dont let the boys on here make lightbpf your entertaiment likes or dislikes. Check out the Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake too

Tonight will be interesting. A run and gun game is right up Toronto's alley. They will especially like the fact the Hawks aren't a phsyical team so guys like Gardiner, Nylander and Matthews who don't like the rough going could shine. The scoring in this game could very well go into double digits.
- paulr

If the Hawks can keep the Leaves to 2 or less goals tonight, I will be very impressed, but double digits seems more likely.

Stratford is a small town on the Avon River. Many similarities to towns in England. Easily driveable from Chicago.

Dont let the boys on here make lightbpf your entertaiment likes or dislikes. Check out the Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake too
- RickJ

I'll second that! Stratford and the Shaw festival are very good and well worth the visit. Great restaurants in both Starford and Niagara on the Lake.

Stratford is a small town on the Avon River. Many similarities to towns in England. Easily driveable from Chicago.

Dont let the boys on here make lightbpf your entertaiment likes or dislikes. Check out the Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake too
- RickJ

I think there is mutual respect in this regard.

Shaw Festival sounds familiar. Thanks though for telling me. It all sounds great, and the scenery too!

When the exchange rate is in their favour those damn Americans buy up most of the tickets at both places. They cross the border in busloads and spend those Yankee bucks.

When the exchange rate is in their favour those damn Americans buy up most of the tickets at both places. They cross the border in busloads and spend those Yankee bucks.

When the exchange rate is in their favour those damn Americans buy up most of the tickets at both places. They cross the border in busloads and spend those Yankee bucks.
- RickJ

Rick have you seen Come From Away yet? Saw it last summer, it was really well done.

When the exchange rate is in their favour those damn Americans buy up most of the tickets at both places. They cross the border in busloads and spend those Yankee bucks.
- RickJ

Yeah, damn Americans......

Yeah, damn Americans......
- I Am The Breadman

Capitalist bastards. Thats why the salary cap keeps going up.

Rick have you seen Come From Away yet? Saw it last summer, it was really well done.
- paulr

No, but if I see it on the schedule will check it out. I usually see 6 or 7 different things in a year. Its culture you know.

No, but if I see it on the schedule will check it out. I usually see 6 or 7 different things in a year. Its culture you know.
- RickJ

To my knowledge it's not playing in Stratfor or Shaw but downtown at I think the Mirvish Theatre.

Has anyone noticed any fundamental or scheme changes defensively for the Hawks?There may have been some subtle changes in the d zone, and less than subtle changes in between the blue lines by the forwards.

I think if they can hold the Leafs to 3 that would be an accomplishment. (and Crow will have to play very good for that too happen)

If they lose in Toronto and Montreal, they can accelerate the tank mode. Crow should only play a few more times this year. Minutes for the top 6 and Keith should be limited. Sikura should be playing every night. If the Hogs are eliminated from the playoffs some should be called up.

Has anyone noticed any fundamental or scheme changes defensively for the Hawks?There may have been some subtle changes in the d zone, and less than subtle changes in between the blue lines by the forwards.

I think if they can hold the Leafs to 3 that would be an accomplishment. (and Crow will have to play very good for that too happen)

If they lose in Toronto and Montreal, they can accelerate the tank mode. Crow should only play a few more times this year. Minutes for the top 6 and Keith should be limited. Sikura should be playing every night. If the Hogs are eliminated from the playoffs some should be called up.
- -Doh-

The last two games were against teams that were slower and that have difficulty scoring and with the Hawks driving the play neither team got many chances to score. Tonight will tell us if the Hawks have tightened up defensively because the Leafs can skate and they can score. They also have players that can drive the play. I'll be surprised if the game isn't an all out track meet.

I said last week that I’d rather see this team start losing games 1-0 than winning 6-5...of course if they want to keep winning 7-1 that’d be AOK with me too. Monday’s game was the most fun I’ve had watching this team in a long time. Hopefully they can keep it locked down against the Leaves who are an obvious step up in class offensively over their last two opponents.
- Ogilthorpe2

definately one of the few "feel good" games of the year...a strong effort from beginning to end...

but they had 2 previous short 3 game runs like this defensively and then went on with their defensive horror show...

The last two games were against teams that were slower and that have difficulty scoring and with the Hawks driving the play neither team got many chances to score. Tonight will tell us if the Hawks have tightened up defensively because the Leafs can skate and they can score. They also have players that can drive the play. I'll be surprised if the game isn't an all out track meet.
- paulr

ARI & DAL rank 28th & 29th in goals scored. TOR ranks 4th and has scored 59 more goals than ARI.