Theo Fox: Game 30 @ Panthers
A preview to the Blackhawks chance tonight to get back on the horse and find their first win against the Panthers.

Plus, a look at the proverbial wall that the rebuilding team and youngsters will and have inevitably run into.

Thank you, Theo.
With so many youngsters hitting the NHL this year, the wall is more of a concern than usual. I think you're spot on with your assessment. The interesting aspect will be how they come through this.
One thing for tonight, I hope the 'Hawks let Fla know all their stickwork on Kane's hands will NOT go unnoticed.

Eh, I don't think they're playing any better or worse.

When they don't score on the power play and the goalies aren't at .93 or higher then they're going to have a bad time since they can't defend.

Did anyone retaliate against the stick work? You don't do that to the top stars unless those star players play physical brand. Even then, taking liberties even with Crosby is wrong. Maybe understand if it is MacKinnon. Of course if it was Ovechkin both Ovechkin and Wilson would run the perpetrators with thunderous checks

I would bet R Johnson will go hit. Five hits period one alone wouldn't surprise - he recorded five hits in a period once already. Whom else would start throwing checks - go after Barkov and Huberdeau. And Ekblad.

Just for the record, who was the stick work player(s)? I would get them and nail each of their stars with deliberate checks. Have a few teamattes throughout the game hard check their star players. That sends a message. Retaliate against the perpetrators and at least one of their stars.

I know Tr Murray is old school and believes that the players police themselves. For many years we had a full team or nearly a full team of players who never retaliated when a teamatte got whacked.

That has to not be the case now. We know a fight is not really the best response. I know many of us if we were playing in the game would go out of our way to send a message back. If you don't then you are weak and should just go play coed hockey because you have no b*lls. How anyone could look past a teamatte getting whacked is just beyond what I can personally stomach. How you look yourself in the mirror and call yourself a man - you cannot if you turn the other cheek. When you play competitive hockey you do not need to be the toughest nor do you have to fight. But you better demand respect and dish out as much or more than you or a teamatte gets

Did anyone retaliate against the stick work? You don't do that to the top stars unless those star players play physical brand. Even then, taking liberties even with Crosby is wrong. Maybe understand if it is MacKinnon. Of course if it was Ovechkin both Ovechkin and Wilson would run the perpetrators with thunderous checks

I would bet R Johnson will go hit. Five hits period one alone wouldn't surprise - he recorded five hits in a period once already. Whom else would start throwing checks - go after Barkov and Huberdeau. And Ekblad.

Just for the record, who was the stick work player(s)? I would get them and nail each of their stars with deliberate checks. Have a few teamattes throughout the game hard check their star players. That sends a message. Retaliate against the perpetrators and at least one of their stars.

I know Tr Murray is old school and believes that the players police themselves. For many years we had a full team or nearly a full team of players who never retaliated when a teamatte got whacked.

That has to not be the case now. We know a fight is not really the best response. I know many of us if we were playing in the game would go out of our way to send a message back. If you don't then you are weak and should just go play coed hockey because you have no b*lls. How anyone could look past a teamatte getting whacked is just beyond what I can personally stomach. How you look yourself in the mirror and call yourself a man - you cannot if you turn the other cheek. When you play competitive hockey you do not need to be the toughest nor do you have to fight. But you better demand respect and dish out as much or more than you or a teamatte gets
- jhawk59

????

Eh, I don't think they're playing any better or worse.

When they don't score on the power play and the goalies aren't at .93 or higher then they're going to have a bad time since they can't defend.
- fattybeef

Says the guy who alleges only Carolina plays the kind of system installed by the beer league coach.

????
- tvetter

I thought the same.

Any news on Strome? Not a big fan but I’ve had enough of #36, maybe Johnson slides in tonight for him. I’d like for Strome to come back and put up some points, raise his value in case of trade. Thanks Theo and Go Hawks!

Eh, I don't think they're playing any better or worse.

When they don't score on the power play and the goalies aren't at .93 or higher then they're going to have a bad time since they can't defend.
- fattybeef

That's the truth. Hawks need to outscore their problems or have the goalie have an above average night.

They have parts to build on, but having 5 guys who could reasonable be in the top 9 out of the lineup, they need to keep improving that defensive side of the game.

I'd like to see them play tighter D, rely on the goalies and let Kane,Debrincat, etc.. try to get the goal or two they need to come out on top.

Can we just please cover the forward who is standing alone in the middle of the ice 15 to 20 feet in front of our goalie

Any news on Strome? Not a big fan but I’ve had enough of #36, maybe Johnson slides in tonight for him. I’d like for Strome to come back and put up some points, raise his value in case of trade. Thanks Theo and Go Hawks!
- Angotti

The recent way they are dealing with concussions is that they say basically nothing until the player is almost ready to go. I believe Strome has been on the ice a couple times, but he apparently has not been cleared to play.

Kevin Lankinen starts again tonight for the Blackhawks.

Same lineup as Saturday.

Murphy on defending Florida: "We gave them a little too much open ice with their speed... Our defensemen have to be tighter... We’ve had a couple of lapses where we didn’t seem to be skating, pressuring where we needed to be, and they gained momentum."

Colliton on defending Florida: "We need more of those situations where we’re able to hold it deep, protect it, play in the offensive zone. Then they’re not able to generate as much speed and momentum going the other way."

Colliton on Suter & Kurashev rotating as 1C: "It’s a lot of ice time and responsibility... Trying to spread it a little bit so those guys don’t run out of gas... Not many rookies playing in the 1C spot across the league, so we’re trying to help them carry that load."

That's the truth. Hawks need to outscore their problems or have the goalie have an above average night.

They have parts to build on, but having 5 guys who could reasonable be in the top 9 out of the lineup, they need to keep improving that defensive side of the game.

I'd like to see them play tighter D, rely on the goalies and let Kane,Debrincat, etc.. try to get the goal or two they need to come out on top.
- breadbag

This is where depth of talent comes into play. Right now Kane, Debrincat and maybe Kubalik are the only true consistent scorers on this team. That fact makes it all the easier for the opponent to shut down the Hawks offense. Put your best D out whenever Kane is on the ice and if you shut him down, you shut down the Hawks. That's also why the PP has to be successful since 5v5 no one other than Kane really generates offense.

I agree they need to play tighter, more consistent D, but they aren't going to win more games 2-1 or 3-2 because they just don't have enough depth to match up across 4 lines on a consistent basis.

Says the guy who alleges only Carolina plays the kind of system installed by the "Swedish Tier 2" beer league coach.
- mohel

FIFY

I thought the same.
- mohel

Allegedly Florida was whacking Kane a lot. Stick swinging making contact with his arm, his wrist is what it sounds like.

There is no information about it, whom were the culprits, how often, how severely did they hit him with the stick

If Florida was often stick checking and committing a penalty but were not detected or called by the referee, then this poses a challenge to happen again tonight in the rematch

How do you think the Blackhawks respond? I know this is broken down for you to understand.

Allegedly Florida was whacking Kane a lot. Stick swinging making contact with his arm, his wrist is what it sounds like.

There is no information about it, whom were the culprits, how often, how severely did they hit him with the stick

If Florida was often stick checking and committing a penalty but were not detected or called by the referee, then thus poses a challenge to happen again tonight in the rematch

How do you think the Blackhawks respond? I know this is broken down for you to understand.
- jhawk59

That’s disgusting.

Allegedly Florida was whacking Kane a lot. Stick swinging making contact with his arm, his wrist is what it sounds like.

There is no information about it, whom were the culprits, how often, how severely did they hit him with the stick

If Florida was often stick checking and committing a penalty but were not detected or called by the referee, then this poses a challenge to happen again tonight in the rematch

How do you think the Blackhawks respond? I know this is broken down for you to understand.
- jhawk59

Q know 2 things -

1) Chicago is not the kind of team to retaliate
2) Refs will let teams take liberties against Chicago.
He has had a front row seat to both of these issues.

Allegedly Florida was whacking Kane a lot. Stick swinging making contact with his arm, his wrist is what it sounds like.

There is no information about it, whom were the culprits, how often, how severely did they hit him with the stick

If Florida was often stick checking and committing a penalty but were not detected or called by the referee, then this poses a challenge to happen again tonight in the rematch

How do you think the Blackhawks respond? I know this is broken down for you to understand.
- jhawk59

Kane was very upset with the knee on knee hit by Ekblad, and no call.

I would understand if the Blackhawks took a run at players tonight.

Allegedly Florida was whacking Kane a lot. Stick swinging making contact with his arm, his wrist is what it sounds like.

There is no information about it, whom were the culprits, how often, how severely did they hit him with the stick

If Florida was often stick checking and committing a penalty but were not detected or called by the referee, then this poses a challenge to happen again tonight in the rematch

How do you think the Blackhawks respond? I know this is broken down for you to understand.
- jhawk59

Not really. As Dots will tell you, I am exceptionally dense. Obtuse, too, whatever that means.

Q know 2 things -

1) Chicago is not the kind of team to retaliate
2) Refs will let teams take liberties against Chicago.
He has had a front row seat to both of these issues.
- powerenforcer

Because Bettman hates Chicago and he tells the refs to look the other way when the opponent “whacks” Blackhawk players. Am I correct?

Kane was very upset with the knee on knee hit by Ekblad, and no call.

I would understand if the Blackhawks took a run at players tonight.
- BetweenTheDots

This is why Bowman needs to empty out all of his young player and draft pick assets to acquire Tom Wilson. That will stop the rough house abuse the Hawks have to endure playing this gentlemanly game.

Because Bettman hates Chicago and he tells the refs to look the other way when the opponent “whacks” Blackhawk players. Am I correct?
- paulr

I don't doubt something like that is made known to Bettman's "trained" referees. We all have seen the way games are called is inconsistent during the season and in the playoffs. For example, the league sometimes wants less obstruction. Yet how do you describe the LA Kings defensive tactics when they beat us in the playoffs and advanced to the Cup final

Paul you must be almost in a euphoric state after the Leafs lost their second consecutive games yesterday.

I don't doubt something like that is made known to Bettman's "trained" referees. We all have seen the way games are called is inconsistent during the season and in the playoffs. For example, the league sometimes wants less obstruction. Yet how do you describe the LA Kings defensive tactics when they beat us in the playoffs and advanced tob yye Cup final

Paul you must be almost in a euphoric state after the Leafs lost their second consecutive games yesterday.
- jhawk59

The mood all over Southern Ontario is panic, fear, dread and negativity. That is except for Paul and myself for it was a glorious weekend.

This is why Bowman needs to empty out all of his young player and draft pick assets to acquire Tom Wilson. That will stop the rough house abuse the Hawks have to endure playing this gentlemanly game.
- RickJ

Maybe it'll just take your favorite player Strome. Hahaha

I have had many posts this year regarding Boqvist, but at some point something started to click for him. Could it be that he had been suffering from Covid earlier than being diagnosed. Since coming back from Covid, he has been electric with the puck and also showing his excellent skating abilities. Defensively, he keeps getting better with each game. I am sure there will still be growing pains with him, but the kid has cranked it up since coming back. Good to see because I have supported him from Day 1, but was starting to worry about him until he returned from Covid. Now, we need to get Mitchell playing with confidence, as I think he and Boqvist are the keys to the future on the blueline.