PreaseasonBlackhawks vs Bruins1-0 Shutout Win Recap

"BORING"

by Gatekeeper
Yell at Gatekeeper

The Blackhawks preseason came to a close last night, at home, against the Boston Bruins. For those of you that spent your Saturday night at the United Center, I feel for you. It was a boring game. Most of the players seemed uninterested and most roster battles have been decided already. Since I wasn't even supposed to recap this one, you'll have to excuse the Cliff Notes version:

The Good

• One player who was interested was Corey Crawford. He pitched in a 38 save shutout, and looked ready for the regular season. He was aggressive and square to the puck all night. I am sure that even in a shutout, the meatballs will find a way to complain about him.
• The only goal of the game was a powerplay snipe by Patrick Sharp. Shades of the old sharpie at the left circle, before anyone knew just who Artemi Panarin was. Sharp had about 3 inches to score this goal and used every bit of that. For as much angst that the Sharp signing caused me on July 1st, seeing him out there and scoring gives me the chills. He may not be the Sharp of 2013-14, but the team seems to enjoy him being back.
• Anton Khudobin was excellent for the Bruins. Any time you lose a game 1-0, it is not on the goalie. This game was a coin flip as to who was going to win.
• The Blackhawks won an amazing 65% of their faceoffs, and they were 1-5 on the powerplay.

The Bad

• Both Connor Murphy and Jonathan Toews left the game early with minor injuries. Quenneville said after the game that they "Should be alright".
• No one really stood out. Not even "the amazing" Alex Debrincat. Jan Rutta continued to look good, but even he had some issues. Speaking of Debrincat, I said earlier that I understand them keeping him on the roster, but that doesn't mean I think that he's going to make it more than 10 games before he runs head first into the NHL wall.

The Ugly

• The Bruins looked like they had tied the game almost midway through the third period, but Jake Debrusk interfered with Corey Crawford's ability to make the stop and the goal was negated. Honestly, Crawford wasn't making the save on the clean backdoor chance from Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson(say that name 5 times quickly), anyway.
• I still see no redeeming qualities in Lance Bouma. He's probably going to make the team over John Hayden, and that is a damn crime.

The Lineblender
Left Wing - Center - Right Wing
Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Richard Panik
Patrick Sharp - Nick Schmaltz - Patrick Kane
Alex Debrincat - Artem Anisimov - Ryan Hartman
John Hayden - Tanner Kero - Lance Bouma

Duncan Keith - Connor Murphy
Gustav Forsling - Brent Seabrook
Michal Kempny - Jan Rutta

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PreseasonBlackhawks at Boston4-2 Loss Recap

"Born In A Rut"

by Gatekeeper
Yell at Gatekeeper

The Blackhawks sent their kid squad to Boston to face the Bruins, Monday night. Most of the regulars were left back in South Bend and it showed. The only regular players that were in this game were Brandon Saad, Connor Murphy, and Corey Crawford. That should tell you some things right off the bat. Not only that, but the roster listed Luke Johnson as #82, and playing defense. Jordan Oesterle gets no respect. It's preseason for everyone, I suppose.

If not for the final minute, the first period was a complete disaster. The Hawks gave up two goals on the first handful of shots and then later gave up a third goal before they were able to stop the bleeding.

The second period couldn't have possibly been any worse, so there was only one way to go: UP. The Hawks were able to hold the Bruins off the board while scoring a goal to bring the game back within one goal.

In the third period, the Blackhawks gave up a powerplay goal that put the game out of reach and, much like Saturday night, they didn't have enough time to complete the comeback. Not a terrible showing for the Blackhawks, but certainly not an overly impressive one, either. Let's hope we get to see more regulars in the final two preseason games.

The Good

• Brandon Saad was able to cut the lead to just 2 goals, with under a minute remaining in the first period. Cody Franson, hit Erik Gustafsson across the ice. Gustafsson then turned and saw Brandon Saad just about 5 feet to Malcolm Subban's right, wisely hitting Saad's tape with a pass which was redirected by Saad off Subban and into the net.
• Midway through the second period, a gassed Jordan Oesterle desperately flicked the puck up to Tanner Kero. Even though the pass was behind him, Kero was able to corral the puck and make a slick pass to the streaking John Hayden. Hayden drove hard to the net,
  protecting the puck, and beat Subban. The puck hit the back post and was originally waved off, but the war room in Toronto signalled the horn and ruled the play a good goal.
• For the second game in a row, the Blackhawks were pretty good at the faceoff dots, winning 58%.

The Bad

• Corey Crawford only saw 23 shots and gave up 4 goals. Thank god it is preseason.
• The Golden Child Debrincat had his time to shine, and was virtually invisible. Three shots on net and no points. If I didn't know he was on the roster for the game, I might have even doubted that he played.

The Ugly

• Under a minute into the game, on the first shot on net, David Pastrnak caught Corey Crawford deep in his net, and Pastrnak ate him up from a sharp angle.
• thirty six seconds after the Pastrnak goal, defenseman Jeremy Lasuzon flipped an innocent dump in shot towards Corey Crawford, and Crawford just flubbed it. If you thought the first goal was bad, this one was even worse.
• About 8 minutes later, the veteran Bruins caught Gustav Forsling hanging onto the puck too long and trying to stickhandle with one hand on his stick right up the gut, in his own zone. Marchand and Bergeron stripped him, and the late forward Anders Bjork was the lucky recipient of a backdoor tap in goal.

The Lineblender
Left Wing - Center - Right Wing
Brandon Saad - David Kampf - Ryan Hartman
Lance Bouma - Vinny Hinostroza - Tomas Jurco
John Hayden - Tanner Kero - Alex Debrincat
Jordin Tootoo - Laurent Dauphin - Tommy Wingels

Gustav Forsling - Connor Murphy
Erik Gustafsson - Cody Franson
Jan Rutta - Jordan Oesterle

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Blackhawks vs Bruins3-2 Loss Recap

"You Don't Know"

by Gatekeeper
Yell at Gatekeeper

The Boston Bruins were in town Sunday for the Blackhawks 2016-17 home finale, on NBC no less. These matinee games are both a blessing and curse. We get the game out of the way, and still have the day ahead of us, but people like #Fatrick actually have to roll out of bed before the crack of 2PM, which is a tall task for the Drunkasaurus. To add to the drama, Patrick Kane took a puck off the stick of Marian Hossa right in the yap, and had to go off for stitches. This caused a needless beat writer uproar, for about twenty minutes. As far as the game went, the Bruins backup goaltender, Anton Khudobin, was in net with Tuukka Rask taking the Sunday off.


Drawn by cartoonist Mike Spicer (@SpicerToon)
After all the Patrick Kane pregame fireworks, the Bruins came out and took an early lead before most of us wiped the sleep out of our eyes. They followed up by scoring a powerplay goal with under two minutes remaining. The rest of the period was incredibly boring, to be honest. Neither of the goals were anything special and the broadcast team had to resort to a plethora of inane fluff in an attempt to keep the TV audience interested. So, the opening period was forgettable to say the least, even thought the Blackhawks out shot the Bruins 16-11.

The second period was much like the first period, with few flashes of excitement. Joel Quenneville switched up the defense pairings to the "ol faithful" of Keith/Seabrook and Oduya/Hjalmarsson, which solidified things on the Hawks end of the ice some, but did little for the offense. Eventually, the Blackhawks were able to cut the Bruins lead on half really late, but that was basically all the offense we saw in the entire twenty minutes. The shots on net favored Boston slightly 12-11.

The Blackhawks left themselves a tall order in the third period, entering third period play down by a goal. The Bruins did the Hawks no help by adding a goal half way through the period, even though the Blackhawks chopped that lead back down to one, just 25 seconds after. Unfortunately for the home team, this is all the scoring we would see in this game, and a late Blackhawks flurry would fail, even though the Hawks out shot the Bruins 16-6 in the final frame. Not like the Blackhawks had much to play for anyway.


The Good

• With just under two minutes remaining in the second period the Blackhawks cut the Bruins lead to one goal on a pretty odd goal. #DickFuckingPanik got tied up with Brandon Carlo and ended up going into the net behind Khudobin pretty hard. The puck eventually worked it's way to the stick of Artemi Panarin with a wide open net in front of him. Panarin actually beat Khudobin but hit Panik, who was over the goal line. This should have counted as the initial goal, but Panarin dunked the rebound just for good measure. He definitely owes Panik a public #McPology
• Twenty five seconds after Kevan Miller increased the Bruins lead, the Blackhawks closed it back down, from and unlikely source. Jordin Tootoo. Cam Neely Jr, aka John Hayden, controlled the puck and fed Tootoo nicely from the corner. Tootoo was wide open and able to slam it home through Khudobin's 5-hole. That Tootoo has better 5-hole action than @PDNorton3. Of course, John Hayden has been invisible for 3 games and when he finally does something everyone is jumping in his jock to give him a handy. I like the kid too but, Jesus. Did everyone miss, on that same play, that Jordin Tootoo miraculously scored, too? Is he a legit sniper now too? Or is that praise only for rookies?
  This line played all less than 9:30, with Tootoo playing a team least 6:18. There is a reason for this.
• Anton Khudobin had a great game. Saving 41 of 43 against the best team in the west, is very noteworthy.
• It wasn't pretty but #DickFuckingPanik keeps adding to his scoring totals. At some point, the naysayers have to acknowledge his 22-21-43 as somewhat legit.
  
  Or keep the snarky comments coming, and look even more foolish.

The Bad

• The Bruins drew first blood at the six and a half minute mark of the first period. The ancient Zdeno Chara just unleashed a pretty harmless shot on Corey Crawford, from the blue line, and Ryan Spooner redirected it over Crawford's glove. Not really a highlight reel goal, but it was really early for all of us, apparently.
• As the Bruins opened the period, they closed the period. Just as Zdeno Chara stepped out of the penalty box, after serving his egregious penalty against Tanner Kero, Brad "The Rat" Marchand fed Patrice Bergeron, while changing the angle on net, for a clean one timer goal. Another goal that Crawford had a solid shot on.
• Halfway through the third period, Boston plug Ke-VAN Miller waltzed through the Blackhawks defense and ripped a shot over Corey Crawford's glove to give the Bruins back a two goal lead. Who spells their name "K-E-V-A-N" anyway? Illiterate parents, that's who.
• Late in the third period, Brad Marchand was one-on-one with noted muscle man Artemi Panarin, and Panarin ended up putting Marchand down on his ass.

The Ugly

• I like Greg Wyshynski, I really honestly do, but I had enough of the whining because the Blackhawks happen to be good; often. In this day and age Blackhawks fans are actually supposed to #McPologize for being a successful franchise, I guess. Like Andrew Cieslak once said, If you are upset the Blackhawks are always good and always on TV, how about your your stupid franchise beats them and wins something. Otherwise, just shut the fuck up. Bunch of whiny, immature, jealous babies. They won't be good forever, and maybe not much longer, let us enjoy it while it's in progress.
  

The #Fatrick Stankus Fatsy Stats

• Hjalmarsson, Keith, Hossa, Hartman and Kruger were the only Blackhawks with negative Corsi while Zdeno Chara, alone, was a -21.
• That fatass quitter #SteadilyDecliningJonathanToews led the Blackahwks with a plus 17 Corsi, tied with Johnny Oduya.

The Lineblender
Left Wing - Center - Right Wing
Schmaltz - Toews - Panik
Panarin - Kero - Kane
Hartman - Kruger - Hossa
Hayden - Rasmussen - Tootoo

Keith - Hjalmarsson
Oduya - Seabrook
Campbell - van Riemsdyk

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Blackhawks at Boston1-0 Shutout Win Recap

"From Victim To Killer"

by Gatekeeper
Yell at Gatekeeper

The Blackhawks traveled to Bah-stuhn, Friday evening, to face off against the struggling Bruins. There have been screams from the hockey world about the head of coach Claude Julien on a stake, but that is nothing new. He's been getting fired since 2010. That said, the team is a mess. They continue to trot out the rigormortis riddled corpse of Zdeno Chara, and think they can compete against quick teams. Their forwards are getting older, outside of Brad Marchand. Tuukka Rask is a workhorse, and it makes you wonder what the record of this team would look like with, say, Winnipeg's or Dallas' goaltending. It's hard to believe that just a mere 4 years ago, we were fearing for the Blackhawks lives against them.

After a few days off both teams were pretty damn sloppy in the initial twenty minutes. There were countless missed passes, and mishandled pucks that resulted in lots of offsides, icing calls and some good Bruins chances. As is often the case, the Blackhawks goaltender bailed them out once again, and kept the game scoreless as they went into the first intermission. Some late shots by the Hawks made the shot total look ever so slightly more respectable, at 17-6 in favor of Boston. Yeah, SEVENTEEN.

The second period wasn't really any better than the first, action wise. We saw the Hawks come out with some shots very early but then regressed right back to the same team we saw in the first period. In fact, the Bruins seemed to have even more quality chances than they did in the opening frame. The shots were actually 8-8 and that was with a Blackhawks powerplay and a half. Three of those were generated in the final thirty seconds. They would have taken about 1:40 of powerplay time into the third, but the captain took a last second hooking penalty.

It was a god damned miracle the Blackhawks made it to the third period still scoreless, but they did. After spending the first two period vomiting up the puck, like a pageant girl on competition night, the Blackhawks reversed their fortunes and out shot the Bruins 8-5. The most important stat was the goal they scored with under two minutes remaining, to squeak out of Beantown with a probably undeserved, 1-0 win.

The Good

• The Boston 3rd sweaters are pretty slick. I always loved black and gold, and those are really sharp.
• After finally getting a good chance to watch Tanner Kero closely, I like his game. He is really responsible in his own end and does a lot of little things well. Unfortunately, this could make him trade bait at the deadline, if they go for a big fish.
• Scott Darling was great, again, in this game. If not for his first period, the Hawks would have been down at least 2-0. Instead they miraculously came away with a 1-0 shutout win. After playing only once in the previous few weeks, he was sharp as a tack.
• That said, Tuukka Rask deserved a better fate. He was really good when he needed to be, as well, and one goal against should still earn you a win.
• With just over a minute and a half remaining the #SteadilyDecliningMarianHossa gave the Blackhawks the lead, and essentially the win. One of his easier NHL goals, the work was done by the Rockford boys, Tanner Kero and #VinnieVidiVici. The play started with Michal Kempny creating a turnover at the Blackhawks blue line, and ended up Hinostroza feeding Kero, who threaded a backhand pass between Adam McQuaid's legs to Marian Hossa. All Hossa had to do was hit the net.
• Speaking of Michal Kempny, My pick-to-click had a pretty solid night with Brent Seabrook. I'm calling that pairing out right now as the #SpiritOf76pair.
• I can't really rag on any of the defensemen specifically. Brian Campbell and Trevor van Riemsdyk we just fine.
• Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews combined for 9 shots on net. The Captain will break through, soon. It's just a matter of time.

The Bad

• The momentum swing in the Hawks favor wasn't so much their doing, as it was the Bruins losing their confidence as the game went on.
• I'll go easy on the Blackhawks, tonight, despite their terrible first period.

The Ugly

• The powerplay was just ass juice for the Blackhawks. They could barely muster up any pressure and when they did, in the second period, Jonathan Toews took a hooking penalty to negate the remainder of the power play. In the third period, they opened up their powerplay by giving up a 2-on-1, that Scott Darling had to bail them out of.

The #Fatrick Stankus Fatsy Stats

• One place the Blackhawks could have used a little help was the faceoff dots. They only won 20 of 49. Toews won 9 of 14, so it certainly wasn't him getting mushroom stamped.
• Final score aside, almost the entire team had negative Corsi numbers, thanks to the big Bruins first period.

The Lineblender
Left Wing - Center - Right Wing
Hartman - Toews - Panik
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Hinostroza - Kero - Hossa
Rasmussen - Schmaltz - Tootoo

Keith - Hjalmarsson
Kempny - Seabrook
van Riemsdyk - Campbell

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Blackhawks vs Bruins6-4 Win Recap

"BURNT OFFERINGS"

by Gatekeeper

The Blackhawks finally limped their way back home, licking their wounds, Sunday for early game. The Bruins were in town to try and play late season spoiler at the United Center. The Hawks were playing their second game of a 6 game Duncan Keith suspension, and were also without 4th liner Andrew Shaw after he left the game Friday with what looked like a rib or abdominal injury. This was going to be a long week for Blackhawks fans, with Corey Crawford still out and two important personalities missing. As Samuel L. Jackson once said:


The Blackhawks didn't seem to miss Keith or Shaw, in the first period at least, out shooting the Bruins a shocking 19-8. The Hawks had chances early and often. Both teams were a little shaky to start, but the Hawks able to wipe the sleep out of their eyes and jump on a Bruins team that was clearly on their heels. The Bruins tired to resort to their default thuggery, but that backfired with the Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead during late first period coincidental roughing penalties.

The Blackhawks blew the game open like Fatrick's heart after a sack of McRibs in the second period. There is no other term than DOMINATING for this performance; until the final minute of the period, that is. The Hawks came out and scored 4 goals before the Bruins knew what hit them. The Bruins, though, shockingly out shot the Blackhawks 21-12 in the second period alone. We probably shouldn't be all that surprised that they were able to cut the lead to 4 before the end of the period.

The third period was a complete 180 degree turn from the first 39 minutes of the game. The Blackhawks gave up 2 more goals and could have very well easily given up the lead, based in their piss poor effort. How this team goes from 0-60, and back down to 0 is beyond comprehension. You need consistency in the playoffs to succeed, and this team has been the exact opposite of consistent. The roller coaster of emotions from beginning to end left us all with a sour scowl, despite the win. You're going to need to give me an effort better than this for me to expect a deep playoff run. I can see right through this charade.

I would, also, like to point out the celebration of linesman Andy McElman's retirement. Bravo to a brilliant career, and thank you for your service, sir.


The Good

• With just over 13 minutes gone in the first period, Artem Anisimov broke his slump with his first goal in forever, to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead. Artemi Panarin foul tipped a one timer from Brent Seabrook at the left circle and the shot turned into a pass, right to Anisimov's stick. Anisimov swept it into the net past Rask, who had committed to the initial Panarin shot.
• Very late in the first, with Toews and Chara off for roughing, Patrick Kane picked off a half ass low percentage pass by the Bruins' Joe Morrow, and had himself a breakaway from the Hawks blue line in. Tuuka Rask really didn't stand much of a chance with Kane having all the time and space he needed. Backhand, goal, Daggar.
• The Blackhawks hot play continued early into the second period. Suddenly hot Artem Anisimov started the play behind the Bruins net, feeding Patrick Kane with a slick behind the back pass. Kane out muscled Adam McQuaid, and chipped the puck past Rask for goal number two of the game.
• Sixty six seconds after the Kane goal, Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews snuck in behind the Bruins defense after a change and ran a 2-on-1 to perfection. Hossa saucered a beautiful pass over the aforementioned Adam McQuaid to Jonathan Toews, who chipped it past Rask and into the net. The route was on, so we thought, but Tuuka Rask was done for the day.
• The Blackhawks weren't done there, though. Jonas Gustavsson got a rude awakening when the #AK72LINE struck again. Matt Beleskey turned the puck over, in the neutral zone, and the Blackhawks flipped it back the other way. Artemi Panarin, stole the awful pass and chipped it to Artem Anisimov at the Bruins' blue line. Anisimov quickly dumped the puck off to Patrick Kane, who brought it in and waited for the trailing winger. Kane then sent the puck back to the guy who started the play, Panarin, for a one timer.
• Patrick Kane got his 100th point of the year, on his hat trick goal, which was pretty fitting. This time it was on a powerplay rush after the Bruins took a too many men penalty. Hats rained on the ice, and everyone was celebrating; then...
  
• Patrick Kane got his 40th goal and 100th point. Both commendable milestones.
• On the surface, Scott Darling looked like he has a pretty bad game, but the fact of the matter is that The Blackhawks gave up FORTY SIX shots. He had a respectable .913 save percentage. The rest of the team just allowed him to be teed off on.
• oh right, and #NeverForget:Looks like he might need a bucket of chicken after this penalty call

The Bad

• That big dope, Zdeno Chara tried to take a swipe at El Capitan early on and Jonny was having none of it. How is anyone afraid of that big ancient clod, anymore, is beyond me. I found myself hoping for Toews to break his face with a cross check in the yap. Enjoy Las Vagas, you big ugly toad.
• Some time in the third period Marian Hossa left the Blackhawks bench after a collision, and it looked like a left leg injury. JUST FUCKING SWELL!
• The Blackhawks couldn't even get the empty net goal right. Marcus Kruger "zoom zoomed" into the zone early, and negated an Andrew Desjardins empty net goal. This stupid crap is just absolutely maddening.
  
• Usually you see a team take a 6-0 lead and you assume they out shot their opponent heavily. Not so, at all. The Blackhawks were out shot by TWELVE, 46-34. Be concerned.
• With Hossa out and the Hawks playing like crap, Quenneville really pulled out the "slap chop" in the third period.
  

  Lines will be 16-19-12, 72-15-88, 25-22-86 the rest of the way with 11 & 53 stapled to the bench. #Blackhawks

  @TheChiTownKid April 3, 2016

  
  
• He's not someone you notice until he's not around, but Gene Honda's distinct voice over the PA was missing, and it just wasn't the same. Too bad they weren't able to get Harvey Wittenberg back for a game.
  
  
  

The Ugly

• Of course, the Manshitter goal on Friday earned him first shot at taking Shaw's spot. Excuse me while I slam my head in this closet door for 2 1/2 hours. I happened to agree with Thom Pauly from CTA when he said the following:
  But, of course, the Mashinter goal on Friday probably irrationally earned him 3 more games in the lineup, until Quenneville realizes he's useless again.
• The Blackhawks got a little ahead of themselves in the last minute of the second period, letting David Pastrnak in behind the third pairing of Gustaf-Ival and he scored on a breakaway. No harm right? Still have a 5 goal lead right? But then...
• Just 11 seconds after the Pastrnak goal the Blackhawks fell back into their recent, "give zero shits mode". They let their foot off the gas and let the Bruins break into the zone pretty easily off the faceoff. The puck worked it's way around to the point and Adam McQuaid let a harmless shot go and Patrice Bergeron deflected it past Darling. Quenneville tied to pull a rabbit out of his hat and went for the "offsides replay challenge". Denied. They'll pull it back together during the intermission, right?
• The Blackhawks continued to show their lost momentum by giving up yet another sloppy goal, this time two and a half minutes into the third period. The Bruins just played simple grinding hockey, throwing pucks at Darling and then sweeping the blocked shot into the net. Bergeron was the goal scorer, getting his second of the game.
• The Bruins continued their third period onslaught just over the halfway point, Brad "The Nose" Marchand was able to deflect a shot into the net off his skate.
  
  It's debatable whether there was a "distinct kicking motion" but I'm with Pat on plays like this. Either let them all in, or none. Period. When you cloud the rule with terms like "distinct kicking motion" the rule is completely subjective. You want more goals? Blame the goalies equipment, but keep kicked goals out, right? Safetly, my ass. Most players do not kick pucks like the Super Toe Football toy. They try to use the full length of their skate blade SIDEWAYS and redirect it. Kicking the puck straight away is practically impossible, so don't give me that safety bullshit. You will not see guys pulling a Shawn Michaels and superkicking the puck. They still kick the puck on any other part of the ice and it's gone alright.

The #Fatrick Stankus Fatsy Stats

• Given the point totals and the score, the #AK72LINE was pretty normal as far as possession. Panarin and Anisimov were under water, despite having 7 points between them.
• The Blackhawks overall corsi was dogshit, once again (44%). This team is no longer a puck possession team, because they simply don't possess the puck efficiently. They haven't for a majority of the year. They jump on mistakes and score off the rush.
• The one Bruins pairing the Blackhawks absolutely ate alive was John-Michael Lilies and Joe Morrow (-10 and -13 overall corsi, respectivly), even though Adam McQuaid wasn't far behind (-8 overall corsi).WOOF!

The Lineblender
Ladd - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Fleischmann - Teravainen - Weise
Mashinter - Kruger - Desjardins

van Riemsdyk - Hjalmarsson
Svedberg - Seabrook
Gustafsson - Rozsival

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Blackhawks vs Bruins6-2 Loss Recap

"Dumb and Dumber To"

by Gatekeeper

After spending a balmy week in Orlando Florida, it was time pull up my big boy pants and gear up for a Blackhawks playoff run, that starts against the Boston Bruins. Quenneville had a present for my comeback on "Hockey Day in America".

The Blackhawks came out a little flat in the first period, but that could have had something to do with the wild line combinations. Before the Blackhawks knew it, they were down 1-0. It didn't help their effort any, when they gave up a powerplay goal with about 6 minutes remaining. Luckily for the Blackhawks, they drew a late powerplay and were able to capitalize. After all the bull, the Blackhawks even led in shots 12-8.

The Blackhawks came out in the second period with a bit of a flame under their asses. For about 3 minutes. Then the bottom fell out of the game. The Bruins scored four fairly soft goals on 16 shots. This period was a complete nightmare, and the game was over after 40 minutes.

The third period was just a mere formality, with the Bruins just trying to get out of the building with no injuries and the Blackhawks getting thoroughly embarrassed in national TV.

The Good

• A Tuuka Rask penalty for handling the puck in the restricted area very last in the first period turned into a quick Jonathan Toews goal, on a feed from Patrick Kane. The biggest part of the play was Rask throwing a tantrum after the goal, trying to break his stick on the post and whacking Versteeg, which drew another powerplay for the Blackhawks.

The Bad

• Patrice Bergeron opened the scoring for the Bruins. Reilly Smith held on to the puck long enough for Bergeron to get in behind Michal Rozsival, and one time the puck past Crawford. I'm getting so tired of Rozsival being in the middle of scoring plays against the Blackhawks. WHY is he playing 1st pair?
• The Bruins took a 2-0 lead late in the first period on the powerplay. Loui Eriksson tipped a Torey Krug snap shot from the high circle, just inside the far post and past Crawford.
• The Bruins went up 3-1 with the duo of Hjalmarsson, and our favorite old nag, Michal Rozsival staring at his skate. Milan Lucic knifed right up the slot and just whacked the puck past Crawford. Thanks for the help, Defense.
• By the time the Bruins scored their 4th goal, Crawford was just getting eaten alive. Gregory Campbell found the soft spot in the high slot and let a long wrist shot go. Crawford 100% should have stopped it. Not that the team around him was helping him any, but Quenneville was justified in pulling Crawford.
• Yeah, Bryan Bickell scored a late Blackhawks goal....so what? No one was there to see it, and the Bruins were just looking to get out of the building without any injuries.
• Anyone see Patrick Sharp doing anything out there? I sure didn't. Time for the "A" to step up. Everyone is opening their fat cake holes about Crawford's $6 million salary, but what about Sharp? He has been dropped to the 3rd line AGAIN. That is a $12 MILLION THIRD LINE!!
• Same goes for Brad Richards. Did he even dress? This is what they acquired him for, and he has been invisible.

The Ugly

• The lineblender. Look at those stupid line combinations below. WHAT was Quenneville doing?
• Versteeg had a shorthanded break-a-way late in the first that he wasn't able to capitalize on, and shortly thereafter the Bruins took a 2-0 lead. Two goal swing, and pretty much the game.
• Johnny Oduya was hurt in the first period. That's just lovely, with an already shitty bottom 3. This is clearly a BIG problem.
• Gorilla Salad and Adam McQuaid was a joke.The only good part was that Carcillo actually stayed standing while he ate fists.
• Shortly (very shortly) after Ryan Hartman and Dan Carcillo took a couple of douche face penalties, Dougie Hamilton snapped a long wrist shot past Raanta to take a 5-1 Bruins lead. But lets all blame Crawford, stupid assholes.
• AND then two minutes later Raanta gave up another woofer which, of course, is Corey Crawford's fault. Don't point the finger at the terrible fucking defense. Assholes.
• I spent a majority of the third period explaining how trading your #1 goalie in the second half of your season will never equal a Stanley Cup. That is the level of stupidity this game smoked out.
• The Blackhawks got their balls chopped at the dots, winning only 41%.

The Lineblender
Bickell-Toews-Hossa
Versteeg-Kruger-Kane
Carcillo-Richards-Sharp
Saad-Shaw-Hartman

Keith-Rozsival
Seabrook-Hjalmarsson
Oduya-Rundblad

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Blackhawks at Boston3-2 Win Recap

"Impaler"


The Blackhawks were in Boston for an early 6pm game, Thursday night against the struggling Bruins. For the Bruins, Lurch Chara returned to the lineup, after missing 19 games. The Blackhawks were enjoying the second game back from one of their leaders, in Patrick Sharp.

You wouldn't know it statistically, but even though the Blackhawks were out shot 14-12 in the opening period, they went into the intermission leading 2-0. The Bruins even won 15 of 24 faceoffs, which also turned out to be an anomaly. Up 2-0 early, on the road. More please.

Speaking of anomalies, the second period was just that. The Blackhawks were dominated for a good majority of the play but somehow, someway, they came away with a 1-1 tie for the period. It was so bad that they only had one shot on net for the first half of the period, and didn't get a single shot on net for a 5-on3 powerplay. If not for the several Blackhawks power plays, they may have been out shot by even more than the 10-7 margin that they were.

The third period was more of the Bruins domination. They out scored the Blackhawks 1-0, and out shot them 10-2. When the final horn blew, the Blackhawks narrowly escaped Boston with a 3-2 win. Getting out shot 34-21 and winning is barely getting out alive.

The Good

• Ben Smith put the Blackhawks up 2-0 in the final minutes of the first period with the Bruins running around in their own zone. This was shortly after Smith set up rookie Klas Dahlbeck for his first NHL goal. Can't really complain about a 2-0 lead after one period.
• After the total shit show the Blackhawks put on in the previous 13:30 of the second period, the Bruins defense once again coughed up the puck like a hair ball, and "Vezina Trophy Winner" Tuukka Rask took himself out of the play quickly. Chris Kelly did his best to stand in behind Rask, but Kane found some daylight and put the Blackhawks up 3-0.
• Scott Darling had a strong 32 save effort. I was saying all day that if the Blackhawks are so in love with him, keep him. Dump Raanta in Rockford and just move on.

The Bad

• After a terrible first half of the middle period, the Blackhawks football fucked their way through three powerplays eventually taking a penalty of their own. The Clownshoes powerplay is back.
• The Bruins were finally able to beat Scott Darling on a slick play by little douche face Brad Marchand. Marchand looked like he was going behind the net with the puck but instead he banked the puck off the net perfectly to Reilly Smith, who had time to beat a surprised Darling.
• With just over 7 minutes left in the third period Milan Lucic looked to be snuffed out by Roszival and Dahlbeck on a bull rush up the ice, but somehow was able to hit a streaking Torey Krug to beat Darling. After the play Shaw managed to lay a big hit on Lucic, late albeit. All hell broke loose with the clutching, grabbing and hugging, until Chris Kelly and Shaw had their little slap-n-tickle.
• With their top faceoff guy out and another one in the box for 5 minutes, the Hawks were pretty powerless. It showed. 41% was not good at all. Bergeron was an absolute beast, winning 22 of 30.
• I didn't know who Seth Griffith was before this game, but god damn he's terrible.

The Ugly

• Gorilla Salad tried to sucker Brad Marchand into a fight, mid second period, and Marchand had no interest past yapping like a little girl.
• Dennis Seidenberg damn near killed Jonathan Toews behind the Bruins net, earning himself a boarding call. I was one of the many Chicago fans holding their breath. The league will take a look at that one. I don't know that he was trying to do what happened, but he was careless. Toews played another shift or two, but then disappeared into the locker room, never to return. Call me a conspiracy theorist but I feel like the Blackhawks might have kept Toews out to also shine more of a light on the hit. We all know that dangerous hits resulting in injuries incur more wrath from the league office.
• With Toews out and Shaw playing with his head up his ass, the Blackhawks were left with Kruger and Ben Smith as their only centers, and I use that term loosely for Smith.

The LineblenderSaad-Toews-Hossa
Kane-Richards-Versteeg
Sharp-Shaw-Bickell
Carcillo-Kruger-Smith

Keith-Seabrook
Oduya-Hjalmarsson
Dahlbeck-Roszival

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Blackhawks Week That Was - 1/24

1/18 - Blackhawks vs. Bruins
3-2 Shootout Win

• Brad Marchand is such a little pain in the ass. He had two goals, neither of which were things of beauty, but he gets the job done. He seemed to eat Crawford up. If you count the shootout goal, he actually had a hat trick. At least the Hawks didn't get worked like the Kings did the following night.
  
• The Brandon Bollig goal was a sign from above, because he made a terrible decision from a terrible angle and was rewarded. There is no way Rask would have expected a bum like Bollig to shoot from that angle and get that kind of favorable bounce. Not only the goal, but he was creditted with another 7 hits. The UC scorekeeper must be giving him hits for just stepping on the ice.
  
• El Capitan definitely made the bonehead play of the night, after missing a shot and breaking his stick he proceeded to throw half of the stick into the crowd. As a result, he was assessed a 10 minute misconduct. Just drop it, kid.
  
• The Hawks had one of their few off nights at the dots, falling down into the 47% range. #TruckNutz got eaten alive, winning only 5 of 15.
  
• Toews and Kane finally stepped up in a shootout, and made it look easy. Quite frankly they should be doing this more often than not. These guys aren't rookies.
  
• Another assist for Duncan Keith, who just plows along towards his second Norris Trophy.
  
• Bickell was back in the doghouse/morgue playing a team low 8:36. I've given up trying to figure out what the hell is going on there. If Quenneville wants to play his $4 million power forward for only 14 shifts a game, so be it. He didn't see the ice the entire last four minutes of the game and one of his 4 third period shifts was only 9 seconds.
  

Here are the video highlights: 1/22 - Blackhawks vs Red Wings 5-4 Shootout Loss

• The Hawks had their boots on the throats of the Wings, in the first period, and let them off the hook, surrendering a fast 2-0 lead with sloppy defensive play. Johnny Oduya was terrible for a majority of the night. He followed up each terrible decision with an even more stupid followup.
  
• Neither goalie was "great" but Jonas Gustavsson was swatting at flies all night. He fought the puck HARD, and the Hawks simply didn't cause enough chaos in his kitchen.
  
• The Shootout was a joke after El Capitan and Shooter. Hossa's move is now old, Kruger was pathetic, and Shaw was basic. The only real nice save Gustavsson was on Kane. People might not realize just how hard that secondary toe save was. Maybe the Hawks can now hire a shootout consultant, since their faceoff futility seems to be fixed.
  
• Speaking of faceoffs, the Hawks were excellent at the dots, winning an amazing 65% of their draws. This was with #TruckNutz winning only 45%. Toews and Kruger won a clownish 26 of 36 draws, and Shaw was just slightly over 50%.
  
• Bickell AGAIN played a team low 9:31. Something is amiss here. Even if his knees are sore, just plant his big ass in front of Gustavsson to cause some chaos.
  
• Has anyone put an APB out on the artist formerly known as Kris Versteeg? Between him and Bickell, they had a COMBINED nineteen and a half minutes. I can't honestly remember a single shift from either of them.
  
• The story of the night was that Helm, Cleary and Bertuzzi were each minus three, and the Hawks still lost the extra point.
  

Here are the video highlights: 1/23 - Blackhawks at Minnesota 2-1 Loss

• Duncan Keith unexpectedly missed the game with an illness, and the lack of puck movement on the back end showed.
  
• The "dynamic duo" of Oduya and Rozsival were minus 2. Take it for what it's worth. While the Hawks defense was absolutely walked through on the first Wild goal, Raanta misjudged the second goal, by Matt Cooke.
  
• The Hawks looked completely uninterested and anemic. They only managed 17 shots in the first two periods and then tried to turn it on in the third with 17 more. Kane's very late goal was too little too late.
  
• Bickell and Versteeg were still in the 8 minute range of ice time. WHATEVER! That's $6.2 million of forth line glory right there, not counting Handzus' million.
  

Here are the video highlights:

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Stanley Cup Final: Blackhawks at BostonGame 6 Stanley Cup Series Win Recap

"Reign in Blood"

For the first time since 2010, the Blackhawks had the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup Monday night, in Boston. After the war in game 5, there were some question marks as far as injuries went. Toews said he was 100% after what looked like concussion protocol in the 3rd period of game 5, and the Bruins had what seemed like a more significant injury of their top center, Patrice Bergeron. Whatever the case, the Blackhawks had to win one of the next two games to be crowned champs once again. Here we go:

The Bruins had a blazing blue flame under their asses for the first period, dominating the Blackhawks for the entire first twenty minutes. It's amazing that the Hawks were only out shot 12-6 in the period and down one goal, because I could only recall one Hawks shot on net.

Not that the Hawks play could have been any worse thank the first, but they actually played a solid second period. If it weren't for a bunch of penalties, the Hawks may have even scored a goal. The Hawks out shot the Bruins 9-6 in the middle frame which is about all we could ask for.

The third period seemed like it was heading to a game 7 in Chicago, but the Blackhawks had a very different plan. With two goals in the final minute and twenty two seconds the Blackhawks brought the Cup back to Chicago. They ended up out shooting Boston 16-7. Enjoy this video I put together......2013 Chicago Blackhawks, Stanley Cup Champs!!



The Good

• El Capitan took advantage of a Chara neutral zone turnover while the Blackhawks were shorthanded that ended up a Toews and Kane 2-on-1. Toews took it himself and beat Rask 1-on-1 to tie the game. The penalty had just expired so it wasn't a shorthanded goal, but you can basically call it a shorthander.
• The Blackhawks controlled most of the play in the second and third periods, which is a tall task after the terrible first period they had.
• With just over a minute left in regulation the fireworks began. The Hawks rushed the zone with their MVP, Crazy 8s, leading the way. He worked it deep and kept it in the corner long enough for Toews to dig the puck out and hit Bickell on the back door. The big mule slammed the puck home and there was life. More life than anyone realized!
• SEVENTEEN seconds later the Blackhawks looked to throw the fourth line out there just to kill some time, after busting their humps to tie the game, but David Bolland had other plans. Johnny Oduya took a long shot after the Hawks swarmed the zone, and the puck bounced past Rask and hit the post. Bolland was "Johnny on the Spot", and out muscled two Boston defensemen (Ference and Boychuk), and jammed the puck into the net for the game winner with 59 seconds left in the game. Shine up that Stanley Cup, because it's coming home!!!
• Patrick Kane took the Conn Smythe trophy home, but probably stole it from Corey Crawford.

The Bad

• The Bruins took a 1-0 lead about 7 minutes into the first, as the Bruins 4th line won a faceoff, and then just outworked the Blackhawks defense. Chris Kelly was left all alone on the back door, after the forwards got caught running around high in the zone. Bolland, Kruger, and Seabrook left Keith to fend for himself, and the result was a 1-0 Bruins lead.
• The Hawks turned the puck over behind the net, with just under eight minutes in the third period and David Krejci worked the back of the net until Lucic found the soft spot between Toews, Bickell, and Kane. Lucic settled the puck down and beat Crawford, just past his blocker. 2-1 Bruins.
• Only El Capitan was able to win more than 50% of his draws, and the team was 40%. In fact, the other 4 centers they dressed, weren't any better than 40%.
• For some reason Leddy sat the bench once again. In those three minutes he played, he drew a penalty and had a few nice rushes. I don't get it, but hell, no use crying now.

The Ugly

• Late in the first Shaw was hit in the yap with a deflected puck at the Hawks blue line and he went down like a bag of bricks. Sure enough he came back out for the second period stitched up. What a warrior.
• The Hawks were called for four straight penalties in the first half of the game, some of which were really soft. The Hawks killed all four and even scored a goal immediately following the third one.
• Sure, you may notice Stalberg's speed, but halfway through a 1-1 Stanley Cup game with he puck on your stick, you HAVE to get the puck deep into the opponent's zone.

Courtesy of Mighty Mike D at Cheer the Anthem, and HockeeNight for starting the tradition.
Here are the video highlights:

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Stanley Cup Final: Blackhawks vs BruinsGame 5 Win Recap

"Slaves of Pain"

The Blackhawks didn't exactly come out with authority in the first period, even though they led 1-0 after the first period. Boston out shot the Hawks 11-8 and were much more physical. The good news was that even though they came out a little flat, they were still able to win the period.

The Blackhawks came out with a little more fire in the second period, scoring a second goal, and out shooting the Bruins 11-5. Play was a little closer than the stats indicate, but the Hawks looked good. Twenty more minutes and the Hawks had a 3-2 lead going into game 6.

Due to some injuries, the third period was a shitshow. The Bruins were able to cut the Hawks lead on 13 shots, and the Hawks were able to manage 9 shots of their own. A late open net goal cemented the Blackhawks win as they took a 3-2 series lead into game 6, Monday night.

The Good

• The Blackhawks took a late 1st period lead when Crazy 8s picked up a loose puck to Rask's right. The original play was set up by Toews using his strength against Chara and dumping the puck across the Bruins slot area. The puck ended up going to Oduya, who let a shot go. The shot went off Seidenberg's stick which slowed it down to a crawl. As the puck was going wide and past Rask, Kane grabbed it and stuffed it past the post. 1-0 Hawks.
• Kaner scored his second goal of the game about 5 minutes into the second period. The play was started with a Toews and Bickell working a nice little give-n-go that ended up with Bickell one-on-one with Rask. He ended up carrying the puck wide and around the net, banking it off the side of the net to Kane. Kane put the puck up and over Rask's glove for a 2-0 Blackhawks lead.
• Dave Bolland was able to ice the game with an empty net goal from the red line.
• Crawford rebounded after a weak game 4 and was huge in net for game 5. He made 24 of 25 possible saves, and stood tall in the 3rd. The only goal he gave up was nearly impossible to stop.
• The Hawks were listed as having 21 takeaways, which is 12 more than the Bruins had.
• With Bergeron out, the Blackhawks were huge at the faceoff dots. They were 58% as a team, and all the Hawks centers were 50% or better.
• As bad as Hjalmarsson's night was in game 4, he was a plus three to lead the Hawks in game 5.
• I keep waiting for the luster on Andrew Shaw to wear off, but he just keeps making things happen. He gets the hell beat out of him game after game, and just pops back up and takes it all over again. How he has enough score goals or do anything else is beyond me.

The Bad

• FrankenChara cut the Hawks lead in half about 4 minutes into the third period, when the Hawks got caught running around in their own zone. Krejci saucered a perfect pass from behind the net to Chara and he one timed the puck past, you guessed it, Crawford's glove.
• Patrice Bergeron seemed to tweak a back or something, in the second period, and was reportedly taken away in an ambulance during the second intermission. He's been a monster in this series, and would definitely help the Hawks with his extended absence.
• Lucic, Horton, Krejci, Chara and Seidenberg were all minus 2, for game 5. More please!

The Ugly

• Early in the second period, the Hawks looked to draw a penalty and got tagged for a diving call. I guess NOW we're going to start with the diving calls, now, right NHL? Weak call.
• About halfway through the second, El Capitan made a nice rush through 3 Boston defenders, and it was finished up with a borderline head high hit to his head. But let's call diving penalties. Ridiculous. I don't have a problem if you ragdoll Toews with a clean hit, but when it's head/neck high, I have an issue. Of course, then he didn't play at all in the third period. Might not be a suspension, but it should be looked at and it should have been a penalty. Lets home he's alright for Monday night. He was a plus 2, with 2 assists before he was forced to sit out.

Courtesy of Mighty Mike D at Cheer the Anthem, and HockeeNight for starting the tradition.
Here are the video highlights:

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Stanley Cup Final: Blackhawks at BostonGame 4 OT Win Recap

"Refuse/Resist"

After a total let down in game 4, the Blackhawks were back in Boston, Wednesday night, to try and even up the series. Marian Hossa was back in the lineup for the Hawks, but how effective would he be? The Hawks were going to need some help to even this thing up, because the Bruins were whipping the Blackhawks all over the ice. This one was worth the money.

The Blackhawks came out in familiar fashion with momentum, and even scored an early shorthanded goal, but all that came crashing down with a Bruins powerplay goal. Following the Bruins goal, all the pressure favored Boston, even though the Hawks early pressure left them with a 12-9 lead in shots.

The second period was a complete shitshow and track meet. There were 5 goals scored and 24 total shots. The Hawks were lucky to come out of the middle period up one goal, but beggars can't be choosers. The Hawks had three of the five goals, and 13 of the 24 shots.

The third period wasn't AS bad as the second but the Hawks defense didn't do much better either. As fast as the Hawks took the lead back, they gaveth away. The Bruins were able to tie the game and take it to extra time. After all the fireworks, the Hawks had 16 shots, to the Bruins 8 shots. The fire drill of an OT went the Hawks way and they headed back home with a tied series.

The Good

• The Hawks started off on what seemed to be a sour note, taking a soft penalty, but thanks to Tyler Seguin and Brandon Saad the Hawks scored a shorthanded goal. Seguin tried a fancy play on the boards, and Saad picked his pocket. Saad then rushed in on Chara, and was able to work a pass across to the late man, Handzus. Zus one timed it past Rask for a 1-0 Hawks lead. Great start for the Hawks. Love to see Chara picking the puck out of his own net, and slow ass Handzus beating Mr Universe Patrice Bergeron back on the play.
• Just about halfway through the second period, El Capitan made an appearance. He started the rush up the left side and was able to throw a puck across the Bruins crease. The puck worked all the way back to Roszival who put a shot on net. Toews tipped the puck under Rask's pad and into the net, for a 2-1 Hawks lead.
• Just a two minutes and eight seconds after the Toews goal, and following the Sharp breakaway, Crazy 8s picked up a very generous Bickell rebound. With the net wide open, after Rask committed to the Bickell shot, Kane put the Hawks up 3-1.
• Less than a minute after the Lucic goal, Frolik and Kruger worked a 2-on-1 against Chara. Frolik waited out a prone Chara, and got the puck to Kruger. Kruger cut back across the crease, but couldn't get the puck around Rask's toe. Luckily, he had the presence of mind to put the brakes on and put it up over Rask, for a 4-2 Hawks lead.
• After a 5-on-4 Bruins powerplay turned into a 4-on-3 Hawks powerplay, the Blackhawks eventually got their first powerplay goal of the series. Nothing special, just threw the puck at the net and Sharp jammed it in.
• After the Hawks played pretty terrible defense the entire overtime, some diligent offensive zone work finally went the Hawks way, and Brent Seabrook was the fortunate son. Lucky Number Sleven beat Rask to tie the series up, and send the Hawks home with regained home ice advantage.
• Funny how the play stays even when the Blackhawks score on the powerplay and win some faceoffs. If it weren't for Handzus and his 38% at the dots, the Hawks would have been over 50% for the first time in the series.

The Bad

• Sharpie had a breakaway on a long Nick Leddy feed, just prior to the Kane goal, and there was no trailer to follow up the play, AT ALL. You have to follow that up looking for a rebound.
• The Bruins briefly cut the Hawks lead to 3-2 after Patrick Sharp blindly threw the puck up the boards to Chara. Chara got the puck to Lucic who was planted in the high slot. If Sharp didn't pull a total fly-by of Lucic, he wouldn't have been able to get the shot off, but instead he beat Crawford.
• Just under two minutes after the Hawks went back up by two, they surrendered another powerplay goal. Chara took a shot that went over the net, hit the glass, bounced back off the top of the net and fell in front of the net, just outside the crease. Bergeron was standing there waiting for it, while Seabrook and Oduya stood around hugging the posts and watched. If Bergeron didn't bury it, Marchand was in position to get a hold of it, too. 4-3 Hawks.
• Just two minutes into the third period, Jagr and Bergeron worked over the Hawks 4th line deep in their own zone and after all the running around, Bergeron was left wide open at the top of the circle. Jagr got him the puck and he beat Crawford with a one timer to tie up the game.
• Just a minute or so after the Hawks went up 5-4 the Bruins came back and worked a Hawks makeshift line and Horton fed Boychuk, who blasted a shot past Crawford, for the 5th glove side goal of the game.
• For some reason, Nick Leddy was held to a total of four shifts, equaling 2:37, but was still on the bench. I'm not sure I saw him do anything that would result in a benching, so I'm completely baffled. All Quenneville had to say after the game was, "Nick is fine". Eat a bag of dicks, Q! What the hell is going on?????? 67 and a half minutes on the bench for your best puck moving D-Man and only decent powerplay QB is NOT "fine".

The Ugly

• The Bruins tied the game on a powerplay, after the Hawks took exception to a late Chris Kelly check on Shaw. The Hawks won the faceoff and Saad picked up the puck and tried to fire it out, but ended up not getting all of the attempt, and it went right to the Bruins D man. He kept the puck in but Saad had a second chance to clear the puck. That didn't go so well either. He blew a tire and ate shit right in the middle of the Hawks zone coughing the puck up to Peverley. Crawford was cheating, and expecting a pass across to a wide open Paille. Instead Peverley shot and beat Crawford. Ugly, Ugly goal. As responsible that Saad was for the Hawks goal, he was just as responsible for the Bruins goal.
• Tyler Seguin, Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand. Combined minus NINE. Consequently, Nik Hjalmarsson was the only Blackhawk worse than minus 1 with a minus TREY himself. Hammer was also listed as having 3 turnovers.
• Doc Emerick is going senile. With 4:33 left in the game, he says, "Just over half way through the third period." I'm not a math whiz, but I think he might have been SLIGHTLY off.

Courtesy of Mighty Mike D at Cheer the Anthem, and HockeeNight for starting the tradition.
Here are the video highlights:

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Stanley Cup Final: Blackhawks at BostonGame 3 Shutout Loss Recap

"Disposable Heroes"

We had all hoped that the Blackhawks could run away with this series before the Bruins realized what happened, but in our heart of hearts we all knew this was going to be a dogfight. That's exactly what we have, here folks. After the Bruins stole game 2 away from the Blackhawks in Chicago, the series headed back to BAAAAAHSTUHN, for games 3 and 4. A weeks worth of Clam Chowder should slow the Hawks down. A late Blackhawks scratch was Marian Hossa and he was replaced by Ben Smith, to join Viktor Stalberg in the lineup for the night.

The Blackhawks deserved to go into the first intermission down 2-0 or 3-0, based on their early sloppy play and godawful powerplay, but they got a reprieve. Great goaltending was what kept them close, and only that. Miraculously, the shots were only 11-10 in favor of the Bruins, and the score was 0-0.

The roof came crashing down in the second period, and the Blackhawks surrendered 2 goal on 15 shots, including a Boston powerplay goal. The Hawks surprisingly had 8 shots, none of which were memorable or even threatening. This one was on the verge of being a blowout, if not for some fortunate bounces.

The third period was pretty much just more of the same for the men in white. Shots were almost even (10-9 Hawks), but the play told another story. Maybe a good ol fashioned ass kicking is what the Blackhawks needed to wake them up...or maybe they are the 06-07 Bears. Only they can decide. Next up, Game 4 in Boston Wednesday.

The Good

• Corey Crawford. He's the only reason this game didn't end up 6-0. If I see any of you mention Ray Emery, I'll send an envelope of anthrax to your home and feet your cat arsenic.

The Bad

• Again, like Saturday night, it was a matter of time before the Hawks surrendered a goal. Especially after the in zone pounding they were taking. Less than 5 minutes into the second and a turnover in the corner turned into a Paille goal. Bolland half assed an attempt to pick up a loose puck low in the Hawks zone and Paille beat Crawford. 1-0 B's and that would be all they need.
• After the Hawks proceeded to take two straight penalties, which resulted in a short 5-on-3, the Bruins found a wide open Bergeron on the back door and he made it 2-0. The moment the Hawks were called for the second infraction, a Hjalmarsson trip, I posted on twitter: "And queue up Bruins Powerplay goal". Right was I. The Hawks felt they could rely on picking off a knee high saucer pass going across the crease, and well, we see how that worked. They went with the same approach later in the second and almost surrendered another goal to Seguin.
• Six penalty minutes and a minus 1 for Bolland. If Toews and Handzus aren't going to show up, it would be nice if ONE of the centers would make an appearance.
• I never thought in a million years that I would be able to put Jonathan Toews and choke in the same sentence, but he has been invisible. This has become a glaring hole in this team. Maybe he's hurt, maybe the rest of the league has figured out how to neutralize him, but for at least 15 games he was been a non factor. It kills me to have to point that out, because I think the world of the guy, but with their captain goes this team.

The Ugly

• The Blackhawks powerplay reached a new low late in the first period. They gave not one, not two, but THREE full or partial break-a-way chances, and none of them ended up in the back of the net. How that happened, I'll never understand. Oh right, Corey Crawford is why.
• Calling El Capitan.....Calling Pat Kane.......Your flight to Boston was Monday. We would all appreciate your participation. Toews apparently had 5 shots on net and I can't recall a single one.
• TWENTY FUCKING NINE PERCENT at the dots. that's right, TWENTY NINE. Bolland and "noted faceoff specialist" Michal Handzus a combined 1-for-17. In the Stanley Cup Final! Kruger's 29% made him look like an expert next to the other two dopes. Jonny Toews' 42% effort looked Herculean.
• I always think more clear the morning after, and yes the Hawks have come back from a 3-1 deficit before. What people leave out is that it was against an inferior Detoilet team that barely made the playoffs in the first place. This is the Bruins, who would eat the Wings for lunch. No team would come back from a 3-1 Boston lead. None! So, if the Hawks are to stay in this, they NEED to win Wednesday. Otherwise, start digging the burial plots because this series will be over Saturday, or Monday at the latest.

Courtesy of Mighty Mike D at Cheer the Anthem, and HockeeNight for starting the tradition.
Here are the video highlights:

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Stanley Cup Final: Blackhawks vs BruinsGame 2 OT Loss Recap

"Symphony of Destruction"

The first period was ALL Blackhawks. they came out and out shot the Bruins 19-4 and out scored them 1-0. If it weren't for a great effort in net, the Blackhawks would have been up 2-0 or 3-0. Utterly dominant effort.

It couldn't keep up long, and it didn't. The Bruins tied up the game late in the second period, on six shots, while holding the Blackhawks to four shots.

The Hawks third period was atrocious. They couldn't even get the puck to the red line without icing it. It's amazing that they didn't surrender any goals, but they held the Bruins scoreless while getting out shot again 8-5. Game two was following the theme of game 1, going to overtime

The Hawks could barely get the puck out of their zone and the Bruins were able to jump on a huge mistake. Shipping out to Boston tied at 1-1.

The Good

• Sharpie opened up the scoring for the Hawks, as there was complete chaos in the crease. All 10 players seemed to end up in the crease, with the puck bouncing around all over the place. The puck squirted out to the left circle and Sharp just grabbed it, turned, and fired it over the down Rask. 1-0 Blackhawks
• After taking a second period penalty for tripping Bolland pulled the old "two for flinching" move on Marchand, which was hilarious!!
  
• For the entire first half of the game, Patrick Sharp was into everything. Shooting, Passing, Hitting, Scoring, Drawing Penalties. He was doing everything.
• The loss is not on Crawford. He, once again, made several huge saves and kept the Hawks in the game. If you even thought of blaming Crawford, kindly guzzle a bottle of Drano.

The Bad

• Doc Emerick must have been high, because he called Johnny Boychuk, Niklas.
• The Refs were the only reason the Hawks didn't go into the first intermission up 2-0. The Hawks jammed a puck past Rask, but the Ref "intended to blow". I can tell you first hand that the Refs blow. Cost the Hawks the game.
• The second line got worked by a good portion of the Bruins 4th line and Seguin, late in the second period, and the puck ended beating Crawford to tie the game up. Just when the Hawks were dominating play but not able to beat Rask, the Bruins get a fortunate bounce, and the game is all even. Leddy and Roszival were definitely having issues on the play, as well.
• Jagr had a great chance to snipe Crawford, early in OT, and hit the post. WHEW!!!
• I could predict a few things every game. The Hawks will suck at faceoffs (46%); the Hawks will get out hit (34-50), and their powerplay will be terrible (0-3). Two of those three matter, and need to get better.

The Ugly

• Fuck Comcast, and their bullshit. The HD feed went out in the first period, and unless you knew to scramble over to the Standard Def channel, you missed the first goal. $200 a month well spent.
• Well, in overtime it was only a matter of time before the Bruins won the game. Color me surprised that Brandon Bollig was front and center leading up to the goal. He had plenty of time to clear the puck out of the zone, shit is diaper, and then allowed the Bruins to keep it in. The puck ended up on the puck of Dan Paille, who took a great shot that beat Crawford of the far post and in.
• The Hawks had 19 shots in the first 20 minutes, and 24 shots in the remaining 53 minutes. That cannot happen.
• I have to keep pointing it out, but we are all aware that the Blackhawks powerplay is rancid dogshit at the Clown College. They had chances to pull away and completely choked.

Courtesy of Mighty Mike D at Cheer the Anthem, and HockeeNight for starting the tradition.
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Stanley Cup Final: Blackhawks vs BruinsGame 1 3OT Win Recap

"STORMtroopers of Death"

2013 Stanley Cup Final; the Blackhawks and Bruins. Get on with the track meet!

The first period was fairly even, Wednesday night, although the Bruins had a slight edge in play with their eleven shots and one goal, compared to the Hawks 7 shots. This wasn't the first time the Hawks went down early, only to come back.

The Hawks started the second period in terrible fashion, surrendering the second Bruins goal early. But, as good teams have been known to do, Blackhawks answered and then took control of play, out shooting Boston 16 to 6. Unfortunately, only one of those 16 shots ended up in the net but it was progress, and a one goal game, going into the third.

The Hawks began the third period digging themselves into a 3-1 hole and things didn't look good for the home team. I have to give them credit, because they didn't get down on themselves and fought back to eventually tie the game. Once again, they grossly out shot the visiting team 15-8 to give the Hawks a 60 minute total of 39-25. It was going to take at least one more shot to win this one, because game one was set for extra time. LOTS of extra time.

This one did not dissappoint. These two exhausted teams took the game to TRIPLE overtime, which is almost entire additional game. At the stroke of midnight, and almost 5 hours after the puck drop, the United Center erupted and "Chelsea, Chelsea" rang out. The Blackhawks are up one nil on the Bruins, and three wins away from another Stanley Cup.

Breathe, tranquilizer, blackout.

The Good

• Saad took advantage of playing with two of the toughest players in the NHL, as he was paired back up Hossa and Toews. Hossa dug the puck out of the corner and got it to Saad, who was wide open at the circle. Saad then one timed a shot over Rask's glove to give the Blackhawks life, when there seemed to be none. Finally, something to cheer about.
• With twelve minutes remaining in the third, and two minutes after the Bergeron goal, Dave Bolland took a pretty slick Andrew Shaw feed and cut the Bruins lead, again, to one goal. Shaw stole the puck at the Bruins blue line and led the rush, while
• Johnny Oduya was the fortunate recipient of a weird bank shot off a Bruin's skate and into the net, tying up the game with 7:46 left in regulation. The Hawks were buzzing around the zone and a shot that was actually going to go wide. It hit the back side of Ference and dribbled past Rask. All treys!
• I'm a big enough man to eat my words, but David Bolland was ENORMOUS on both ends of the ice. He probably saved at least three goals, while scoring one and being in on the game winning goal.
• Well, the Blackhawks weren't AS bad at the dots, as in previous series, so I guess this has to be a small victory. They were 49% as a team, but if you exclude Bolland's paltry 31%, the rest of the team looks much better.
• As the watches in Chicago struck midnight, in the third overtime, a long Michal Roszival point shot tipped off the stick of Dave Bolland, Andrew Shaw, and finally into the net. Bedlam ensued. That Shaw kid sure has a potty mouth. Good thing all the little kiddies were in bed.
• I'm going to keep saying it until the wheels fall off the wagon; IF the wheels fall off. Take your Ray Emery horseshit and shove it up your dopey fair weather fan asses. Corey Crawford was a BEAST! I cannot count how many times he saved the Hawks asses, AND held the Bruins at bay long enough for the Hawks to rally back and support him. If the Hawks can really pull this off, Corey Crawford is your Conn Smythe Trophy winner. He made a HUGE glove save in the first period, which could be one of the best of the entire playoffs.
• Well, I suppose this means we are going to see more Brandon Dullig. In his defense, he didn't do anything to hur the team, so as long as that continues, I'll be on board. I still prefer Smith, but Dullig played 14 minutes and had 9 hits.
• Believe it of not, the Blackhawks outhit the Bruins in regulation and in the overtimes (61-59). I didn't think they were physically able to accomplish that, especially without taking stupid penalties.
• Shaw...how about this kid? A goal, an assist, and 9 hits. Looks like the real deal, to me.

The Bad

• Milan Lucic scored the first goal of the final, just over half way through the first period. Hjalmarsson went for a big hit behind the net and that left an odd man situation in the slot. Lucic had all day to pick Crawford apart, and did just that. 1-0 Bruins
• Just 51 seconds into the second period, Milan Lucic scored his second goal of the game. How do you miss a guy that big, moving that slow into the zone? He was WIDE open, and was given FAR too much time and space.
• A bad tripping penalty in the third period let to a Patrice Bergeron goal with 5 minutes gone in the period. The Hawks were running around on the kill and Seguin got the puck, wide open in the slot. Seguin chose to dish to Bergeron instead of shooting, who unleashed a blazing shot past Crawford.
• If Horton is as hurt as he looked going off the ice, that is a huge blow to the Bruins offense.

The Ugly

• The powerplay is god fucking awful. Just terrible. In the second period alone, the Hawks blew a 5-on-3 and another powerplay, that could have tied the game at the very least. I'm not going to buy into this, "well it got them this far" crap. If the powerplay scores just one goal, the wouldn't be packing urgent care centers for ulcer treatment.
• A terrible pinch on overtime caused Thornton to end up 1-on-1 with Crawford, and Crawford beat him. I was sure the game was over. Absolutely sure!
• The Hawks took a bad too many men penalty with just over 8 minutes left in the first overtime. Luckily the Hawks killed it off, but that wasn't all. Not to be out done, they took ANOTHER one late in overtime number 2. A long Chara shot off the post is the only thing that saved them from losing the game on that powerplay.
• Bruin Chris Kelly was minus three on the night and 32% at the dots. More of this please? WOOF!

Courtesy of Mighty Mike D at Cheer the Anthem, and HockeeNight for starting the tradition.
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Blackhawks vs Bruins - SO Loss Recap

"Another Way to Die"



The excitement was high in the UC with the defending Cup Champs coming into town, after the Blackhawks were shutout in last years only meeting, and then the Bruins went on to do what the Hawks couldn't. Beat the Canucks. The Bruins have struggled a little, as of late, but this was still going to be an important one. Not only this, but late reports had Marian Hossa sitting out with an upper body injury.

The Hawks started off slow, AGAIN, but after the first 5 minutes they were back in the swing of things. Both teams had some solid chances, but the Hawks were the only ones able to crack the scoreboard, and there were 13 shots both ways. The second was a little more tame, after the first five minutes. Each team put one goal on the board, and the Bruins outshot the Hawks, 10-7 in the period. To say the Hawks played a lackluster third period would be a slight understatement. The Bruins tied up the game and dominated the third, and this game was going to go into extra time, to decide the outcome. The game was almost lost on a horrible Hawks turnover, but they got a little luck on their side, and finished OT unharmed. A shootout was on the agenda tonight. Unfortunately for the Hawks, they couldn't solve the Bruins netminder, and ended up with a shootout loss.

The Good

• The Kaner line didn't seem to miss a beat with Vik Stalberg filling in for an injured Hossa. Kaner had several very good early chances, including a nice spin-o-rama, but Thomas was up to the task. Kane beat Thomas in the second, to keep his hot streak going.
• One-Trick-Bick gave the Hawks a lead, late in the first. He picked off an Andrew Ference pass, in which every Bruins player was skating the Hawks way, and was in one-on-one wearing Ference as a backpack. Probably one of the slowest breakaways ever, but Bickell's big body shielded the puck and got him in close enough to beat Thomas 5-hole. Big Play!
• Kaner made up for the shorthander against by beating Thomas 5-hole, AGAIN, and putting the Hawks up 2-1. Kaner was picking up the slack from just about every big name player on the team.
• For anyone that yaps about Big Slow being on the ice, or bench for that matter, for his "physical aspect", watch Dan Carcillo play. THAT is how you bring a physical presence to a game. Even Megamind Mayers is more of a physical presence. Carcillo led all players with 8 hits.

The Bad

• Nick Leddy reverted back to early last years form for a few moments, lolly gagging through the neutral zone and getting his pocket picked. Lucic almost made it cost, but Crawford bailed him out.
• The Megamind/Campbell fight was a side hug/cheek smooch festival. Glad Big Slow was there for moral support.
• Well, all those special feelings of the Bickell goal went away when the Hawks gave up a short hander early in the second. A crazy carom off the boards, which lead to a Bruin's 2-on-1. Crawford had absolutely no chance.
• Nate Horton tied up the game with 8 minutes gone in the third, after both Leddy and Keith, who are suppose to be two of the fastest players on the ice, let the Bruins Boychuck skate right by them, pick up his own dump in, and feed Horton. Add to the fact that Captain Serious, and Sharpie let Horton skate in unmolested.
• When you get outshot 37-29, you'll be lucky to make it to a shootout, especially when you're outshot 24-16 after the first period.
• Tazer and Kruger were the only two players that won over 50% of their faceoffs, which is another telltale sign that things were not well.

The Ugly

• The only noticeable play Big Slow made all night was prematurely releasing and drawing an offsides whistle on a first period Pat Kane rush, in which Kane was so puzzled that he was show after shaking his head in disgust. Serious...what is this? Rusty Olesz CAN skate and he CAN put the puck in the net. It's not like SCott is doing ANYTHING.
• For all the good play that Kaner provided, when he turned it over in OT to give Peverly a break-a-way for 3/4 of the rink, everyone in Chicago had to have the same reaction when I screamed, "C'MON!!!!". Kane HAS to realize that he was the last player back and dump it deep. Instead he hot dogged it, turned it over, and almost cost the Hawks the game.

The Shootout

• Tazer was stopped by a Thomas desperation move
• Seguin beat Crawford 5-hole
• Kaner was stopped by Thomas
• Bergeron never got a shot off, on Crawford
• Sharpie was stopped by Thomas too.

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More Than a Feeling

Last night the Blackhawks had a TALL task ahead. I predicted before the game that they would be lucky to get a point from this game, because you have to look at the facts. They were playing one of the top Eastern conference teams, on the second night of a back to back, on the road, after playing an emotionally draining OT game the night before. The advantages were heavily against them, and it showed. I blame this one on the schedule makers, but Quenneville needs to find a way to keep these guys motivated or they will be out of gas come playoff time.

The first period was pretty much what we might have expected, with both teams having some chances, but neither scoring. Boston clearly had the advantage, and that couldn't last all game without biting the Hawks in the ass. The second period is where the Hawks started to fall apart. Two bad Bruins goals took any momentum they had and relentlessly pissed all over it. The Bruins extended their lead in the third period, and the Hawks just ran out of time and gas.

The Good

• Congrats to Mark Recchi on his career point milestone. That is the only nice thing I can say about this game.

The Bad

• Stromboli was on the ice yet again, along with Soupie, for an opposing breakaway. There are just too many defenders that are getting behind him, bottom line. He needs to get his head out of his tuchus, and make sure he's the deepest man, especially if his partner isn't. It's getting old extremely fast, and I know Crow can't be enjoying these shenanigans. I also noticed him below the opponents hash marks FAR too many times. This isn't gym class hockey, where you can just run all over the place, aimlessly. I've seen puppies and small children with more self restraint.
  
• Excuse me, Dog Pisani? Don't shoot it on your own net. Just a small piece of advice. OK? Thanks, signed, Corey Crawford.
  
• Patrice Bergeron not only out fought Hossa for the puck along the boards, but he went in one-on-two, shorthanded, and ended up dangling our Norris trophy winning defenseman right onto his wallet. That's a lesson in defense, there, Duncs.
  
• It's pretty funny how the announcers repeatedly pointed out T-Brouw's horrendous slump, and yet Quenneville is jamming him down our throat, so he can suck the life out of our two top players. WHY? Stalberg has had some excellent games playing with the wonder twins. I suppose we HAD to break THAT up, because you can't have too much of a good thing, right?
  
• The Bruins took a 1-0 lead off a Chara shot that was redirected off Brian Campbell's leg and into the net. Poor Crow can't get ANY help, or even luck. Unfortunately, any wind the Hawks had in their sails was gone after this one. It might as well been 10-0 at that point.
  
• The Bruins pounded the nail in the coffin with Nathan Horton's third period goal, after he beat El Capitan and T-Brouw to the net, as the third man in. Were you a little tired guys, because it was a little obvious?
  
• The Hawks REPEATEDLY, lightly floated the puck towards Thomas from foolish distances, and he ate every one up. Just because the Bruins scored on one of those doesn't mean the former, and probably future, Vezina winning goaltender on the other end will allow one of those meatball goals.
  
• The Hawks were only outshot 34-32 but they looked completely tired and disoriented most of the game.
  
• Kruger and Snake were eaten alive at the dots, going a combined 2-13, but the rest of the team had respectable numbers. Kopecky was a surprise once again, going 8 for 10. Color me shocked.

The Ugly

• The Bruins Thornton should have been called for the knee on knee with Hammer. That was uncalled for, and he could have really jacked up an important player for the Hawks. Maybe he deserved that skate to the forehead, for that one. Karma is a bitch, nutsack. Maybe that's what the Hawks bench was chirping at him about.
  
• Just a few minutes after the Chara goal, the Bruins got a 2-0 lead on a seeing eye floater by Johnny Boychuk, that looked like a Gaylord Perry spitball. THAT, folks, is what we call an awful goal, and Crow needs to make that stop. No excuse for that one.

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