Theo Fox: Game 46: Hawks 2, Preds 5
A recap of the Blackhawks deserved loss to the Predators due to lack of execution, sloppy play, and constant losing of battles.

Plus, a look at how Hagel and Kalynuk's absences could shake up the lineup.

First

First
- VopatsRash

When your team plays/has a much better defensive scheme - including staying on the correct side of the stick AND everyone buys into team defence.....well that is a leg up on better odds to win the game.

There is no way even without injuries that Chicago was going to hang with Nashville and Dallas

Yes despite now only two games in hand Dallas is going.be sure the Blackhawks are taillights. By that I reference how a month ago I wondered if making up so many games would be too taxing on Dallas.....maybe they loose because they are just too tired in third period. The Stars are playing a few vs Detroit and they've caught us. Also you don't need great prospects to rise up if you just play a better brand of hockey.

Maybe Stan needs to talk to dad and Jeremy..Despite many young players, can't they play better.....play like Nashville does

When your team plays/has a much better defensive scheme - including staying on the correct side of the stick AND everyone buys into team defence.....well that is a leg up on better odds to win the game.

There is no way even without injuries that Chicago was going to hang with Nashville and Dallas

Yes despite now only two games in hand Dallas is going.be sure the Blackhawks are taillights. By that I reference how a month ago I wondered if making up so many games would be too taxing on Dallas.....maybe they loose because they are just too tired in third period. The Stars are playing a few vs Detroit and they've caught us. Also you don't need great prospects to rise up if you just play a better brand of hockey.

Maybe Stan needs to talk to dad and Jeremy..Despite many young players, can't they play better.....play like Nashville does
- jhawk59

So if Toews had been playing all season the way he has the last couple, there's no way the Hawks might be even more so in the mix? If I misinterpreted your statement my apologies.

Thanks for the recap Theo!

Even if Hagel is able to come back (hopefully), I'd give Gaudette another look. Sit Carpenter. What does he provide that they'll miss?

Also, if Mitchell or Beaudin draw back in, sit Z. Hopefully Kalynik is ok. That looks to be another nice under the radar pickup by Bowman...sorry, I mean another Bowman fail.

Unlike Edzo, I don't watch a lot of COL games so wasn't super familiar with Zadorov's strengths/weaknesses other than he was a big dude who could hit. Was pulling for him to have an impactful season and maybe grow with this team.

That said, I'd rather not see him back next season. Plays like the one where he lost Jarnkrok in the slot seem to happen too often.

Theo Fox: Game 46: Hawks 2, Preds 5
A recap of the Blackhawks deserved loss to the Predators due to lack of execution, sloppy play, and constant losing of battles.

Plus, a look at how Hagel and Kalynuk's absences could shake up the lineup.
- Theo Fox

I'll even throw Boqvist in there, I'm a little disappointed they are hurt or on protocol, these are players i want to watch play and develop. Was wondering does Kalynuk play LD?

I thought Kurashev had a very nice game last night

I'll even throw Boqvist in there, I'm a little disappointed they are hurt or on protocol, these are players i want to watch play and develop. Was wondering does Kalynuk play LD?

I thought Kurashev had a very nice game last night
- BetweenTheDots

He does, but think he's been on the right side the last few games...don't quote me. Agree on Kurashev. He was good along the wall and had a nice deflection...sadly Saros had an answer.

Hawks can’t shoot.

Look at the “heat chart” of unblocked shots that Theo put up from NaturalStatrick: they took enough shots in the slot and below the dots to do some damage - but almost all were right into Saros’ gut - very few with an impeder at the net. Saros gets everything he sees, and doesn’t give up many rebounds - you can’t just shoot and hope to get it through him.

I can’t recall the last time the Hawks hit the bottle on a goal or scored from the slot on a nicely placed upper corner shot. Kane had 3 SOGs (only 4 SATs - that’s another problem) - I don’t remember any of them requiring much effort from Saros.

Four of Nashville’s goals were also unimpeded - nicely placed shots that Lankinen could see, but couldn’t get. Hawks can’t do that.

Nashville blocked 16 shots - 4 of Keith’s.

Two pair of quick goals dun’em-in - due to misplays by Hawk veterans - Zamora, Keith on two of the four, deHaan with a weak clear (albeit on his backhand because he had to skate on his wrong side), Murphy not dropping his stick and holding on to his helmet with both hands (well, maybe not that one)....

Add in another mediocre game from Kane. Not his fault, yeah, opponents are giving him no space or time, not much relief from his linemates, ok....But this team lacks scoring punch - only AdB is scoring consistently. Kubalik, Kurashev, Suter, Strome - it ain’t happ’nin’.

Kane needs to be better - somehow they (THEY) have to find a way.

Two pair of quick goals dun’em-in - due to misplays by Hawk veterans - Zamora, Keith on two of the four, deHaan with a weak clear (albeit on his backhand because he had to skate on his wrong side), Murphy not dropping his stick and holding on to his helmet with both hands (well, maybe not that one)....

Add in another mediocre game from Kane. Not his fault, yeah, opponents are giving him no space or time, not much relief from his linemates, ok....But this team lacks scoring punch - only AdB is scoring consistently. Kubalik, Kurashev, Suter, Strome - it ain’t happ’nin’.

Kane needs to be better - somehow they (THEY) have to find a way.
- StLBravesFan

Oscar?

Edzo was all over this on the broadcast. The Hawks need to elevate the puck on Saros. He must have said it a million times.

Oscar?
- HawkintheD

I could have gone with “Zadora” and you could have said “Pia?”

I could have gone with “Zadora” and you could have said “Pia?”
- StLBravesFan

Or you could have gone with "Zhivago", and D would have said "Doctor"!

my 2 sense was most of the D had a bad game but ZAD just does not seem to play with enough urgency when we were on our hot streak he was one of out top 3 D. the last 10-12 games he has regressed. maybe he gets moved after the EXP draft. or maybe we trade for the Best exposed d and expose ZAD. there has to be a few teams who are going to expose a D that is better then ZAD.

Gaudette (sorry theo AG does not play a heavy game) did not to much but he did try and shoot at the net when ever he had a chance. Which is good. we scored on one of his deflections. ZAD at one point was 20 feet out in the slot and instead of shooting it. he skated behind the net and passed to kane who turned it over and the play moved the other way.

Strome needs to be on his OFF game to be AVG middle six. when he is not he is either bad or invisible.

I felt CAT was over paid with his last deal becuase even thou he scores goals I was not very happy with the rest of his game. Kind of emopty PTs if that makes sense.
this year he has shown he is at least a avg defender and commited to D and hitting.
I have come around. I dont think kane should paired with him because they seem to force the puck to much.

you saw how speed and relentlise forcheck effects the game with no hagel (from the eye test he was missed). he is kampf with more speed and better hands.

Stan had a good TDL now he needs to follow this up with a good off season and use the fact we are in good cap space and in good EXP draft position and continue to upgrade the roster. it will be really interesting if JT opts to retire and then gain another forward spot.

Isnt it a penalty when opposing player peals the helmet from you?

did Dach play? I watched the whole game (albeit with the Nashville announcers), I don't think I heard his name called once. Did he have any impact on the game? I still say he is not a center.

Keith was brutal. Time to limit his ice time to 15 min. a game, sit Da Haan and Zadorov and let the kids play. They can make just as many mistakes as the veterans, but hopefully they learn from it.

Kampf scored, sell high.

Interesting how Nashville's defense pressures the puck at the blue line (even following their mark from deep in the zone). I thought no other team in the league does that (except Carolina, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Nashville in our division at least)

Bettman Cup Standings (Biggest Loser - Pts/games played)
Followed by % chance of winning the draft lottery
1) 0.689 Sabres 18.5%
2) 0.761 Ducks 13.5%
expansion Kraken 11.5%
3) 0.773 Devils 9.5%
4) 0.783 Sens 8.5%
5) 0.830 Wings 7.0%
5) 0.830 Jackets 7.0%
7) 0.905 Kings 6.0%
8) 0.911 Flames 4.0%
8) 0.911 Sharks 4.0%
10) 0.974 Canucks 3.0%
11) 0.978 Yotes 2.5%
12) 1.022 Hawks 2.0%
13) 1.023 Blues 1.5%
14) 1.044 Flyers 1.0%
15) 1.085 Preds 0.5%
16) 1.091 Stars
17) 1.093 Canadiens
18) 1.156 Rangers
19) 1.237 Jets
20) 1.273 Oilers
21) 1.301 Bruins
22) 1.311 Pens
23) 1.333 Islanders
24) 1.341 Wild
25) 1.3438 Caps
26) 1.356 Leafs
27) 1.370 Panthers
28) 1.378 Lightning
29) 1.432 Canes
30) 1.467 Knights
31) 1.488 Av's

Isnt it a penalty when opposing player peals the helmet from you?
- FeatheredFinn

Seems like it should be.

Isnt it a penalty when opposing player peals the helmet from you?
- FeatheredFinn

The entire game the refs were on Nashville's bench. How was the hit on Kalynuk not a penalty, the Nashville player saw his numbers the entire time from behind the net to the hit.

The entire game the refs were on Nashville's bench. How was the hit on Kalynuk not a penalty, the Nashville player saw his numbers the entire time from behind the net to the hit.
- powerenforcer

They missed a blatant trip by Keith even after calling 2 penalties on Nashville, so they miss on both sides.

One strategy for the Hawks. Lacking #1 defender and #1 center and without having prospects to fill those roles currently in the system, they will probably be in the lottery this year and the next two years. Let's say they do not move up in the lottery any year. They should still have a draft pick in the 10 to 15 range. Don't over spend on good but not great players. With Seabs on LTIR and Toews, Kane and Keith contracts coming off the books after the 22/23 season save cap space. Then with all of that cap space sign a stud defender and a stud center. By that time some of the younger players in our system and the ones we acquire in the next 3 drafts should be NHL ready and a very good supporting cast. Also Colliton will either be worthy or be fired by then.

They missed a blatant trip by Keith even after calling 2 penalties on Nashville, so they miss on both sides.
- LAHawk

How can you be so blind???

One strategy for the Hawks. Lacking #1 defender and #1 center and without having prospects to fill those roles currently in the system, they will probably be in the lottery this year and the next two years. Let's say they do not move up in the lottery any year. They should still have a draft pick in the 10 to 15 range. Don't over spend on good but not great players. With Seabs on LTIR and Toews, Kane and Keith contracts coming off the books after the 22/23 season save cap space. Then with all of that cap space sign a stud defender and a stud center. By that time some of the younger players in our system and the ones we acquire in the next 3 drafts should be NHL ready and a very good supporting cast. Also Colliton will either be worthy or be fired by then.
- -Doh-

Boiler has been making this case for days. Barkov and Matthews would be great, but it's exceedingly rare for guys that young and at that level to reach UFA status.

When your team plays/has a much better defensive scheme - including staying on the correct side of the stick AND everyone buys into team defence.....well that is a leg up on better odds to win the game.

There is no way even without injuries that Chicago was going to hang with Nashville and Dallas

Yes despite now only two games in hand Dallas is going.be sure the Blackhawks are taillights. By that I reference how a month ago I wondered if making up so many games would be too taxing on Dallas.....maybe they loose because they are just too tired in third period. The Stars are playing a few vs Detroit and they've caught us. Also you don't need great prospects to rise up if you just play a better brand of hockey.

Maybe Stan needs to talk to dad and Jeremy..Despite many young players, can't they play better.....play like Nashville does
- jhawk59

Huh?

The entire game the refs were on Nashville's bench. How was the hit on Kalynuk not a penalty, the Nashville player saw his numbers the entire time from behind the net to the hit.
- powerenforcer

Come on PE you know as well as I why. Bettman placed a call to the ref’s room just prior to the game and the message was clear. The Blackhawks are NOT to make the playoffs.

Isnt it a penalty when opposing player peals the helmet from you?
- FeatheredFinn