Handzus of DoomBlackhawks Reacquire Center

The Blackhawks announced late Monday afternoon that they had acquired aging 36 year old Center Michal Handzus and his formerly flowing mop from the San Jose Sharks for a 4th round draft pick, which is basically nothing but a bag of pucks and dirty jock straps. The pick was originally acquired from San Jose with the pick that became Brandon Whitney, in exchange for a 4th round pick in last summer's draft. Handzus was a member of the Blackhawks in 2006/07 for 8 games, before injury took him out for the year. He had 3 goals and 5 assists in his 8 games, but he was never seen in a Hawks uniform again.

Ladies and Gents, welcome to this year's Brendan Morrison. He's bigger and slower than Morrison but the guy does two things well, penalty kill and win faceoffs. You can expect him to be shifted up and down the lineup, when he's not scratched, but I'd expect to see him mostly on the fourth line. He's just not better than Bolland, Shaw or Kruger on a regular basis.

The 6'5' 220 lb Handzus came with a whopping 1 goal and 1 assist, in 28 Sharks games and a brutal minus 9. Clearly his best days are far behind him. This is a minor move in the grand scheme. Almost a waiver pickup.

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Blackhawks at Detroit - Win Recap

"Whiplash"

After yet another late game breakdown, the Hawks headed up to Detoilet for a game with the always tough Red Wings. The Wings may be a shadow of their previous selves, but they always provide a tough game for our heroes in the Indianhead. I'm going to miss the rivalry when they are gone to the Eastern conference. As much as I hate them, at least they command respect unlike half of the other Hawks division rivals. Anyhow, the Hawks were in dire need of a statement win, and this was their chance on national TV. Live from the burnt out shithole, otherwise known as Detoilet, it's the Hawks and the Red Wings.

The Hawks did exactly what we all hoped for, opening up with three goals on 7 shots before the Wings could even manage a shot on net. The Wings eventually put some pressure on, but that 3 goal lead put the Wings at a huge disadvantage and in a big hole. The Hawks out shot the Wings 13-7 with their 3-0 lead, going into the 1st intermission.

The Hawks were out shot pretty heavily in the second period, yet still out scored the Wings 2-0. The Wings had 15 shots on net, to the Hawks 7, but it did no good. The Hawks held tight and carried a 5-0 lead into the second intermission.

The third period was just a mere formality. The Hawks were out shot again 12-6, but the Hawks still out scored the Wing 2-1. They lost the shutout, but throwing a touchdown on the board in Detoilet is a great feeling. Now the Hawks had to see if they could keep the momentum tomorrow night in the UC against the Predators.

The Good

• Jeremy Morin scored in his first shift back with the Blackhawks in over a year. Jimmy Howard misread a bounce off the wonky Joe Louis glass, and it popped right out in front of the net. After a little scrum, Morin got a hold of it and wraped ut around Howard and into the net. 1-0 Hawks just two and a half minutes in.
• Just 48 seconds after the Morin goal, the Saadfather was left all alone with Jimmy Howard. Saad pulled a little shimmy, and tucked it in behind Howard. Frolik was the guy that found Saad, and set that goal up.
• Fifty one seconds after the Saad goal, Jakub Kindl helped the Blackhawks out immensely with Jimmy Hayes on his back. He tried to chip the puck around the net and top shelved it on Howard. Hilarious!!! It was 3-0 before the Red Wings could even get a shot on net. Bolland got credit for the goal, but really had nothing to do with it. Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson was on the ice for all 3 first period goals. A quick minus 3 will earn you some bench real fast.
• General Saad helped put the Hawks up 4-0 about four minutes into the second period. Saad blew around dumb shit defenseman Niklas Kronwall and fed a streaking El Capitan, who chipped it up and over Howard's glove, ending his night.
• Saad scored his second goal 8 seconds later on the new Wings goaltender. The Toews won the faceoff to Hammer, who fed Saad. Saad just blew around the Wings Lashoff and between Gustavsson's legs. 5-0 Hawks.
• Bolland gave the Hawks a 6-0 lead almost halfway through the third period. Hayes fed Bolland at the blue line and he just sizzled a wrister past Gustavsson. Pack up your bags, boys. This one was over.
• Nick Leddy took his obligatory end to end rush right up the left side, as usual, but this time he put it on net, maybe even surprising Gustavsson with just under 4 minutes to go in the game. 7-0 Hawks after the extra point.
• Everyone but Hjalmarsson, Bickell, Stalberg and Shaw earned a plus 1 in the first period. How is that for a little schmutz on your face?
• Quenneville opened up the game with Hjalmarsson and Keith, Leddy and Seabrook, Oduya and Roszival. I can't say that was the reason for the big start, but there was a shakeup needed. Later on, Seabrook was out on the ice with Oduya, so take it for what it's worth.
• Of course it'll get lost in the recaps, but Crawford had a great game. Goalies usually don't get a lot of credit in big wins but this is one where he was huge. All the haters and Emery bandwagoners need to recognize a good game when it's popped in front of them.

The Bad

• Of course the pain in the ass Wings can't even get their ass kicked correctly. They broke the shutout with 33 seconds to go in the game. A shutout would have been nice, but a 6 goal win is a nice feeling. Eat Shit, Cory Emmerton.
• Three of the Hawks four centers were dog shit at the dots. If you take El Capitan out of the mix, the Hawks centers were 32%. That has to change. They aren't going to get away with losing 2/3rds of their draws and getting out shot against good teams. This was purely an anomaly.
• Even though they won 7-1, the Hawks were out shot 34-26. It makes no sense and I have no explanation.

The Ugly

• I have to echo the Fels at the Committed Indian. This NBC bullshit with no pregame show is awful. I'm not watching a single second of those infomercials.
• Gorilla Salad took a shot off the foot early on, and was in some clear distress. Might be the last time we see him for a long time. He was struggling to even get back on his feet. He only missed a shift and came back out. Fuck you, NBA and MLB pussies.
• Datsyuk put a really late hit on El Capitan, in the second period, after Toews shot the puck out of the rink. While Toews was walked to the box, Mr. Lady Byng should have been right behind him.

Here are the video highlights:

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Blackhawks vs Ducks - Loss Recap

"Another Way To Die"

The Hawks finally got a chance to play the Ducks at the UC Friday night, but apparently some things don't change. The Ducks walked away with a late 2-1 win after a game that was virtually even throughout. Once again, a late Ducks flurry stuck the knife in the Hawks back. Frustrating to say the least.

In other news, the Hawks put Hossa on the IR retroactive to the night he was hurt, to open up a sport for Jeremy Morin.

The Good

• Crazy 8s had a helluva powerplay goal two and a half minutes into the third period. Finally the Hawks had some life. Kruger and Saad kept the puck deep in the Ducks zone, and finally worked it out to Deuce at the point. Kane curled around and Deuce dumped the puck off to him. For some odd reason, the Ducks felt it was less dangerous to let Kane walk 1-on-1 with their goalie than to cover the pass. The result shows that was a poor choice. This all happened about a minute after Razor made a huge save on a sure Ducks goal.
• The aforementioned save by Emery was both lucky and huge. The Ducks had Emery dead to rights in the prone position and couldn't lift the puck over his toe. The Hawks turned it around and ended up tying the game, but it wasn't the shot in the ass they needed. The Powerplay goal was the last time one of their pucks saw the back of the net.
• Leddy's end to end rushes are thing of beauty. At least once a game, he decides that he wants to layeth the smack down, and take the puck end to end by himself. The kid may not be an elite defender today, but he's going to be dane close in 2 or 3 years. He has speed like Paul Coffey back in his heyday.
• Outshooting the Ducks 26-24 is right about what you'd ask for, but one goal obviously won't do the job.

The Bad

• Just a couple of minutes into the second period resident Ducks pest, Corey Perry, snuck in behind Oduya and ended up in on a 2-on-1 with Getzlaf. Hjalmarsson did what he was suppose to do, which is take the pass, but when you have a sniper like Perry bearing down it's more like death by firing squad, or death by hanging. The guy might be a huge shithead, but he is a hell of a player that can score at will.
• Once again, Stalberg was left with a wide open net and couldn't hit the gaping cage. This is one reason why I feel that if the Hawks wanted to unload him before Wednesday, I wouldn't be heartbroken. They aren't going to be able to afford to extend him, and getting even a draft pick is better than nothing. It's time to see what Morin or Smith can do.
• El Capitan, Megamayers and Bolland were all good a the dots, but the bottom 2 centers got donkey punched once again. Overall the Hawks were better, but that was because Toews was so good.
• Yes, I'm going to dog Carcillo again. Not his fault, necessarily, but he only played 7 minutes. It would be nice to have a 4th line that they can trust, again. Ben Smith can play 7 responsible minutes a night, and probably chip in on the PK. Carcillo is only useful, and I use the term "useful" lightly, 5 on 5.
• The Hawks score just enough on the powerplay to keep everyone from panicing but that doesn't mean they are good. This team should be in the top 10, if not, the top 5. Another powerplay goal changes this game.

The Ugly

• The Ducks winning goal was shitshow from top to bottom. The Hawks couldn't get the puck out of the zone, and the Ducks were severely out working them. Jimmy Hayes was roaming around aimlessly, low in the zone, leaving Kane to run around and cover both points. That is never good, late in a shift, and late in a game. Souray was the lucky recipient of time and space at the point, and dog him all you want, but the man has a cannon for a shot. He let loose and the shot was so hard that is shattered Hjalmarsson's stick on the way to the net. The redirection threw Emery off enough to allow the puck to sneak by him with about two minutes left in the game. It never fails. The Hawks just seem to find a way to throw the game away, late, to this team.
• Hjalmarsson and Oduya seemed to get clowned all night long, by Perry/Getzlaf/Ryan. It's about time that Keith and Seabrook get back to their usual slot against the top lines in the league. The league has figured out 4 and 27. I'm not saying they suck, but some adjustments need to be made. The have a place, but that place has changed. They were each minus two on the night and could have been minus 4. It seemed like every time that the Ducks had a chance, it was with 4 and 27 on the ice.

Here are the video highlights:

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Blackhawks vs FlamesShutout Win Recap

"Boot Scrapers"

What is there to say about the prospect of the Flames coming into the UC on the second night of a back-to-back? They stink. They are a terrible team, that is on the verge of a complete fire sale and the Hawks had a chance to help nudge them over the cliff. They have played terrible, been bitten by injuries, and have the worst GM in the NHL. Don't worry, I won't sugar coat it. Live from the UC, it's the Blackhawks and the smoldering Flames.

The Flames looked pretty terrible in the first period, but I wouldn't exactly classify the Hawks play as anything other than "good". The shots favored the Hawks 11-6, and the Hawks had the only goal of the period, but the first period isn't where the Hawks have had their problems.

The Hawks continued their dominating play in the second, out shooting the Flames an embarrassing 16 to 3, also scoring the game's second goal late in the period.

The third period was much more even, probably due to four Blackhawks penalties. They still managed to out shoot the pathetic Flames 8-7 and preserve the shutout. A game the Hawks should have won, and did. Just another day at the office.


The Good

• The first Hawks goal, just 7 minutes into the game by Nick Leddy, was about as soft as baby shit. Leddy picked up the puck at the left dot, and despite having no real angle, threw the puck at the net. This is where the magic happened. The puck banked off the top of Kiprusoff's left pad, down through his 5-hole, and into the net. You could see the life drain out of him and into a puddle in the crease, after than goal.
• Lucky Number Sleven scored the second Hawks goal of the night in the late minutes of the second period. Mike Cammalleri ran off to get a new stick and left his team behind in the defensive zone, down a man, to defend the Hawks pressure. Kane camped out behind the net long enough for the odd man to get open, and that odd man was Lucky Sleven. Seabrook took the Kane pass, walked the puck around Iginla and took the shot. The shot changed speed because of an Iginla deflection and floated past Kiprusoff like a Gaylord Perry spitball. It looked embarrassing on TV, but speaking from experience, a shot like that is frustrating and extremely difficult, when you're set and ready for a laser beam. I felt for Kipper on that one. Nonetheless, it was 2-0 Hawks.
• Razor was big, when he had to be, in net for the Hawks. Granted, I fully believe that Crawford could have shut them out too, but props to Razor for another shutout. I really don't care which one wins the game, as long as they are winning. BUT, if anyone starts this "Ray Emery for Starter" horseshit I'm going to bludgeon them to death with a tire iron, simply because you're an idiot and need to be erased from this planet.
• Four more shot blocks for Hjalmarsson. I have come full circle on this guy. I was not a big fan, and called for his trade many time. The fact of the matter is that he has progressed and become a major part of the heart of the defense. He has his rough nights, but who doesn't? SO glad they kept him instead of Niemi, and that has never changed.
• It might not show up on the score sheet, but Brandon Saad just gets better and better. I have no shame in saying how much I like this kid. His drive to the net, speed, and confidence are SCARY. The goals will come, because he puts himself in the right areas to succeed. The way he blew through the Flames, late in the third period, was absolutely jaw dropping. I think it's safe to say Viktor Stalberg is watching his Blackhawks career flash before his eyes. How the Hawks got this kid, where they did, was total larceny.

The Bad

• Toews, Mayers and Carcillo all had great chances alone against Kiprusoff in the first, but none of them could put the puck in the net. The barrage continued throughout the game and Kiprusoff held his ground very well, but you can't win many game when you team doesn't score a single goal. He may want to rethink that threat to not report if he is traded. A trade may be his only saving grace.
• Dullig was out, and Carcillo replaced him. 7:02 of glory, and barely a blip on the radar.
• Kruger and Bolland were dogged at the dot something awful, going a combined 31%. Oh, but lookie here, MegaMayers won all 4 faceoffs he took. Good thing they are saving him for the playoffs with all those healthy scratches.

The Ugly

• Is it a league mandate that every Jackman needs to be a total ball bag. Yes, I thought so. Must be a clause in the new CBA.
• The powerplay was anemic against the league's #20 penalty kill unit. Now that the Hawks penalty kill has come back down to earth a little bit (dropped to #7 at 84.3%), the powerplay needs to step up. Yet, it's getting worse and worse as the season wears on. By no means am I preaching doom and gloom, but this is an important part of the game that needs to get UNFUCKED real soon. Top 10 is not too much to ask with this cast of characters, because the talent is there.
  
  They are on the verge of slipping into the league's bottom third, and that is just unacceptable. They were #16 (17.7%) the year of the cup, but were #5 in the playoffs at 22.5%. Strangely enough they currently have the same EXACT percentage they finished with, in the 2009/10 regular season. Needless to say, they will need to get better in the playoffs, if they want a repeat performance.

Here are the video highlights:

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Blackhawks vs LA Kings - Loss Recap

"The System Has Failed"

We're as doomed as doomed can be, you know!
Now that we have that out of the way, seriously, we can get to the task at hand, which is back to back games against the Stanley Cup Champ Kings and lowly Calgary Flames. The Kings have found their "swagger" lately, despite losing two in a row, and one might call this the Jerome-a-palooza. Both teams are reportedly in the short list of Iginla destinations. Mr. #12 might find two bouquets of flowers left behind after last night's game. First of all the game needed to be played. Live from the United Center in Chicago, it's the Blackhawks and Kings.

After the brutal ending to the last game, the Hawks came out just as we would all hope. They out shot the Kings 11-7 and had the only goal of the period. There were a few other really good Hawks chances that could have really handicapped the Kings, but one goal was all they mustered up.

The second period was almost a complete shitshow for the Blackhawks. They gave up two early goals, and barely managed many shots at all. Thanks to some dumb luck they managed to salvage some self worth with a couple of late period goals, but a very late Kings goal to tie the game hurt. The shots heavily favored Los Angeles 12-5, and despite the Hawks goals, the Kings held the momentum.

The third period was much like the second, with the Kings controlling a majority of the play and scoring another late back breaking goal. The Kings out played and out shot the Hawks 17-8, leaving the UC with a 5-4 win. Nice showing on a nationally televised game, boys. Just enough to fuel the troll fire.

The Good

• With the absence of Hossa, Frolik was given a shot with the top line, and he took advantage almost immediately. In his second shift of the game, he put the Hawks up 1-0. Toews won the faceoff, and Saad ended up with the puck on his stick. He saw a slight window to hit Frolik, and did. Quick pass, one timer by Frodo, and B-I-N-G-O. I love seeing him finally rewarded with some success.
• Frolik scored his second of the game with just over five minutes remaining in the second period. Deuce wound up with the puck on his stick walking the blue line and instead of ripping a clapper on net, he unleashed a slap pass to Frolik. Frodo redirected the pass enough to find Quick's 5-hole. This tied the game up, when the Kings had all the momentum.
• Kaner took the lead back for the Hawks with 40 second remaining in the second period. He snuck in behind the shadow of Jimmy Hayes, who had somehow drawn two Kings defenders. Kane slid in behind all three players and ended up on a partial break-a-way. Kane dodged a Quick poke check, and stuffed it in behind him. The goal was a beauty, and highlight worthy.
• Frolik got his third point of the night on an El Capitan goal, just a couple of minutes into the third period. Toews won the faceoff to Keith, who found Frolik. Frodo snapped a shot on Quick, but the rebound landed right in front of Toews, who shoveled it between Quicks legs and into the net.
• El Capitan put a move on Mr. All-World, and made him look like he was big orange pylon outside the UC. After all the bukkake sessions the league has had over Doughty, it's nice to see him schooled by classier and more talented player. That's right, CLASSIER AND MOIRE TALENTED.
• Even though they were plus 3 each, Deuce and Lucky Number Sleven didn't exactly tickle my tits. Seabrook was better than he had been, and Keith's pinch on the powerplay helped lead to the shorthanded goal.

The Bad

• Anze Kopitar took advantage of a great Kings bounce, walked between Oduya and Hjalmarsson and beat Crawford with a perfect shot to tie the game at 1, with almost 5 minutes gone in the second. Johnny and Nik looked pretty confused from the moment the puck hit the blue line.
• Dullig got back to the hammer throwing shenanigans in a tussle with Jordan Nolan. Dullig took the decision, but the Kings proceeded to score two goals shortly thereafter. You connect the dots.
• Oduya and Hjalmarsson were minus 3 each. Is the rest of the league catching up to them?
• Not sure what other outcome you should expect when you're out shot 36-24, but this was a generous fate. Two goals on 5 second period shots was fortunate.
• Toews and Kruger were the only Hawks to win over 50% of their faceoffs, but one particular Toews loss cost them the game winning goal. Dismiss faceoffs all you want, but deep in either zone, they are crucial.
• Look at that, the Hawks actually out hit a team. How did that work out for them?

The Ugly

• It worked out in the Hawks favor, but Mike Richards was called for a 4 minute high stick penalty on a shot follow through. Bad call. TERRIBLE call, in fact. The Hawks promptly blew the power play chance, so no harm, no foul, eh?
• Kane threw a tantrum in the second period, after getting a cross check in the back, and then proceeded to board Rob Scuderi from behind, like a spoiled child. Really, kid?
• Jarred Stoll scored a shorthanded goal just a three minutes after the Kopitar goal, to take a 2-1 Kings lead. After the faceoff deep in the Kings zone, Shaw fell, Deuce got caught all the way down at the dot, and Seabrook was left to fend off a 2-on-1. Seabrook actually played it pretty well, taking away the pass, but Crawford got beat on his glove side. Ugly, ugly goal. Embarrassing, actually.
• After the Hawks took the lead with 40 seconds remaining in the period, Drew Doughty decided to make something happen by rushing right up the gut of the Hawks zone and through all 5 Hawks defenders. Apparently, the Hawks thought that time would run out before the puck could end up in the net, or something. They were clearly wrong. After easily dismissing Kruger and Bickell, Stalberg, Hjalmarsson, and Oduya couldn't have looked less interested in Doughty's effort. Doughty got a decent shot off after tripping through the muck of uninterested Hawks players. The rebound eventually went off cement head Dwight King's Sasquatch sized skate and into the net with .5 seconds remaining. Stellar way to finish a complete clowning.
• The Kings tied the game AGAIN, in the third period, on a weak flip shot from Tyler Toffoli. Not Crawford's prettiest goal against, by any stretch of the imagination. There was a slight screen, but pretty ugly all around. The Hawks just seemed insistant on giving gifts to the Kings.
• The Kings took their final lead with under two minutes in the third. The Hawks lost a key faceoff, and Dustin Brown took a quick shot, hitting Oduya in the back. The puck came right back to Brown, who had a wide open net because Crawford had overpursued the initial shot. Brown isn't going to miss many of those open nets. Game, Set, Match.
• Remember when I said the Powerplay and poor faceoffs would hurt the Hawks? Looks like I wasn't as stupid as some might think.
• Crawford was fighting the puck and pretty average all night. When they needed him, he wilted. Quick wasn't much better, but the percentages were with the Kings.

Here are the video highlights:

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Countdown to Insanity - Trade Deadline Edition

Just when most of us sane individuals thought that the Hawks winning streak and great record would keep the trolls from spewing forth ridiculous trade rumors, I am proven wrong. Thankfully, the Brendan Morrow derby, if there was such a thing, ended this weekend with Pittsburgh acquiring him for a prospect and draft pick. That said, there will be some movement on and around deadline day. This is a brief list of some forwards that could move in the next 10 days, based on their UFA status come July 5th, and their team's current lack of playoff position:

Mike Ribeiro
Alex Semin
Brad Boyes
Jerome Iginla
Matt Cullen
Vinny Prospal
Derek Roy
Mark Letestu
Nik Antropov
Eric Fehr
Steve Sullivan
Milan Hejduk
Kyle Chipchura
Ryane Clowe
Wojtek Wolski
Chuck Kobasew
Kyle Wellwood
Jochen Hecht
Ruslan Fedotenko

The list is, of course, much longer, but this is my truncated list. Names that grabbed my attention. The biggest name now linked with the Blackhawks, thanks to Darren Dreger, is Iginla. Apparently reports say that he is willing to waive his no trade clause to go to Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Boston or Chicago. The intarwebz almost spontaneously combusted when he released that little niblet. Meatballs from Bourbonnais to Kenosha pulled their Kyle Beach jerseys out and simultaneously ripped the name plates off.

For the record, I'm an Iginla fan, but I say hold your horses, Cowboys. Don't fire up this rodeo just yet.

First of all, I ask just where he plays on this Blackhawks team. Top line is Saad, Toews, and Hossa; second line is Kane, Bolland, and Sharp; third line is Bickell, Shaw, and Stalberg. Do they demote Saad to 3rd or 4th line? That's the only logical move. Are Sharp and Hossa more hurt than the team is letting on to? If so, this move is a reasonable one but if Sharp and Hossa are expected back, this is a huge salary and name to take on with no place to put said name.

Secondly, Who do the Hawks have to give up, to get a name like Iginla? Word on the street has been everything from a first round draft pick/roster player, to a first rounder/defensive prospect/roster player. Not that the Hawks first rounds have been anything special since Kane was drafted, but do you part with your pick for a 2 month rental? The Hawks have some players that they would easily give away, but do the Flames really want Shawn Lalonde, or Kyle Beach? Jay Feaster IS their GM, so that answer isn't as easy as you night think, and they DID pick up Blackhawks cast-a-way Akim Aliu, but I digress.

Third, you have to throw in the Bowman Factor. Stan worships at the altar of Poppa Scotty, who built his teams from within, and used trades to fill in holes with budget players. There aren't many times when you can find Pops making a blockbuster trade for a big name. The Blackhawks were in much more dire need of help the past two seasons, and really did nothing. This year the Hawks have one of the best records in the league, and have shown very few weaknesses. I would expect Bowman to make a safe depth move, and Iginla ends up somewhere else, unless they can get a helluva deal. Don't say I didn't tell you.

None of the other players really give me the warm and fuzzies. Clowe's size and aggressiveness might gather some interest but, again, where does he go? He replaces Bickell, who then moves to the 4th line. What is the price, and would Wilson even deal with the Blackhawks?

Otherwise, Roy, Cullen, or Letestu might help up the middle, but are they an upgrade over Bolland? They all can win a faceoff, which is what the Hawks really need. This is all purely speculation, and only Bowman knows what is on his plate, but don't fore up the Jerome Iginla welcome wagon, just yet.

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Blackhawks at Anaheim - Loss Recap

"Killer of Giants"

This is the game we've all been waiting for, since the middle of February. The Blackhawks were in Anaheim CA to face the red hot Ducks. Just when you think this team will fold it up and fade, they roll right along. Fresh off the re-signings of their two stars, Getzlaf and Perry, this year's St. Louis Blues were kicking ass and taking names. Luckily for the Hawks, the Quackers would be without the services of Corey Perry, thanks to a dirty hit against the Wild. This doesn't mean they weren't dressing some firepower, but one less is one less. Live from the Pond in Anaheim, it's the Blackhawks and the Ducks!

The Blackhawks were lucky to make it out of the first period tied. They were out shot 11-5 and out played, but managed to keep the game even. It goes without saying that they aren't going to have much luck getting dominated the way they way did to open the game.

The middle frame was much better as the Hawks found their footing. They out shot the Ducks 11-7 and scored the only goal of the period. For most of the period, the Hawks had some heavy pressure, which left them with a one goal lead going into the final 20 minutes.

The Hawks weren't very strong in the third period, giving up the lead, and eventually losing 4-2. I take that back; They sucked. The shots were even at 8, but turnovers and brainfarts were the death of them. This one was a serious choke job. Now the Hawks have four days to let this one stew.

The Good

• El Capitan used a timely shorthanded chance to get a breakaway and beat Jonas Hiller, tying up the game up at 1-1. Once again, Jonny whips his dong out and mushroom stamps an NHL opponent right on the forehead. With Hossa out, he needed to kick his teammates in the ass.
• Toews once again whipped out his dong, halfway through the second, rushing hard to the net despite wearing Sheldon Souray as a cape. The Hawks were awarded a powerplay for his efforts. On the ensuing powerplay, Ledd-Head celebrated his birthday with a goal of his own, using Swedeberg as a screen. Great timing all set up by the Captain's enormous coconuts.
• The Hawks actually won more faceoffs than the Quackers with only Bolland sitting under 50%.
• Getzlaf one upped his countercaptian in white by leading the third period comeback. Makes that brand new cap hit a little easier to swallow, doesn't it, Bob Murray?
• Brookbank wasn't completely useless, with 3 blocked shots and 3 hits. That's about the most complimentary you'll hear me regarding Sheldon Brookbank, and furthermore, when the "good" defaults to him, I'm really grasping at straws.

The Bad

• Just to put a bad taste in our mouths right out of the gate, Dr. Lineblender started Gorilla Salad with El Capitan, and the Saadfather. After that, Kane was double shifted in his place. Call someone up, for christ sakes! How in the FUCK does a guy start the game on the top line and proceed to two more shifts the entire game? If he is that fucking useless, then call someone up to replace him. Enough of this patchwork horseshit, where Kane is playing nearly 24 minutes. What good is he if he's exhausted when they need his puck control most?
• Peter Holland was the lucky recipient of Dan Winnik's hard work. Winnik stole the puck from Seabrook, and circled all the way around the net. He fed Sbisa who shot wide on the short side, but the puck came out on the far side of the net to Holland, who stuffed it in. Complete clusterfuck from the word go. Lucky Sleven in the hook for that one.
• Of all people, Dullig scored about 5 minutes into the third period but was negated because he kicked it into the net. Of course he did, because using his stick is not something he can manage. He might as well skate out there with a club. Queue momentum shift.
• With 5 minutes to go in regulation Bobby Ryan tied the game off a Getzlaf rebound. Getzlaf shot from a tight angle and the rebound squirted out across the crease and to Ryan, who had an open net.
• A minute after the Ryan goal, Getzlaf set up Teemu Selanne after the Hawks got caught running around in their own zone.
• Sheldon Souray iced the game with an empty netter.
• Getting held to only 24 shots is a telltale stat. The Hawks need to be in the sweet spot of 28 to 32 shots, becasue under 25 usually means bad things for them.

The Ugly

• Dullig took a terrible interference penalty just a couple of minutes into the game. He got rocked in the neutral zone and chased Staubitz all the way back into the Duck zone, finally pushing him into Hiller like a complete dumb ass. Sure let the top powerplay in the NHL out there a few minutes in. Luckily it didn't bite them in the ass, but why tempt fate? You couldn't still Bolling and put Carcillo there? I don't like either of them, but Carcillo is a better option than the bearded yeti.
• The tale of the tape. Oduya and Bolland were minus 3 each, and Kane was minus 4. Looks like that double shifting crap worked out well. Oduya also had 3 giveaways.

Here are the video highlights:

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Blackhawks at Colorado - Win Recap

"Redemption"

The Blackhawks travelled to Denver Monday night with a little revenge on their mind. The Avs, if you remember, put an end to the Hawks point streak last week, and did so in pretty convincing fashion. This time the pressure was off, and the Hawks only had to focus on one thing, two more points. This might be even easier, after the thrashing they laid out on Saturday night, in Dallas. Live from the thin air of Denver Colorado, it's the Blackhawks and the Avalanche.

The Hawks came out with a vengeance in the first period, and put two goals in the net in a matter of a minute about halfway through, but the Avs closed the gap with a very late shorthanded goal. The Blackhawks shot total was 11 to the Avalanches 6 in the opening 20 minutes of the game.

The second was right in line with the first period. The Hawks again out shot the Avs, 11-9 and again out scored them 2-1. A 4-2 lead against this team ended up being plenty to walk away with a win, but there were still 20 minutes to play.

The third period was just the icing on the cake with the Blackhawks holding the Avs to only 4 shots, while scoring a late goal on 10 shots of their own. This one wasn't much of a fight from the get go. It doesn't make up for the streak ending, but it does make the sting a little less annoying.

The Good

• Jimmy Hayes scored his first goal this season on a feed from Crazy 8s, with just under 4 minutes gone in the first period. Kane intercepted a pass along the boards and fed it to a wide open Hazer at the top of the crease. Hayes turned and backhanded the puck over Varlamov for a 1-0 Blackhawks lead.
• Stalberg and Shaw hooked up about a minute after Hayes' goal on a 2-on-1. They took advantage of a stupid Erik Johnson play, and turned it into the Hawks second goal of the night. Not even 5 minutes into the game, and the Hawks were up 2-0.
• Crazy 8s continued his hot play, but El Capitan did all the heavy lifting for the Hawks 3rd goal of the night. Toews lugged the puck back and forth behind the net, and eventually to the crease. Varlamov made the stop on his shot, but ended up in the prone position when Toews continued to bull through the front of the net. Kane picked up the rebound on the goal line extended and put it off the far post and in. 3-1 Good guys!
• After missing most of the second period, in what some are speculating was a disciplinary measure, Brent Seabrook put the Hawks up 4-1 with about 5 minutes remaining in the period. Crazy 8s found Seabrook in a soft spot in the high slot and put it right in the wheelhouse for a lazer of a one timer.
• El Capitan put the dot on the "i" of the win, on a 2-on-1 with the Saadfather. They just sped up the ice and Toews fisted Varlamov with a wicked top shelfer.
• El Capitan and Kane each had 3 points. Sounds good to me.
• Hjalmarsson saved what was a sure open net goal, in the first period, which was huge for momentum.
• 32 shots to 19 is pretty convincing on the road. You can't ask for much more than that.

The Bad

• A late second period powerplay by the Avs led to their second goal of the game. Oduya got turned up side down, and inside out, leaving Hejduk 1-on-1 with Emery, who had prematurely gone down (Hey now!). That's never a good combo, and the Hawks lead was cut to two goals.
• Hossa went out in the first period with an upper body injury. Looked a little bit like a shoulder, but we'll probably never really know.
• The Hawks were whooped at the dots all night. Even El Capitain was under 50%.
• Due to the Hawks convincing lead and the injury to Hossa, Brandon Dullig played over twelve minutes. He might need oxygen after that.
• On the flip side of Toews and Kane were Shane O'Brien and P.A. Parenteau, who were minus 3 each.

The Ugly

• Ball bag Gabriel Landeskog blew around Brent Seabrook on a great shorthanded chance, and put the puck past Emery to bring the Avs back within one goal, in the final seconds of the first period. Seabrook ended up sitting a good portion of the second period in what Boden and Konroyd seemed to think was a slap on the wrist from Quenneville. His effort WAS pretty terrible. I actually thought he had a skate issue, or was injured on the play, because he NEVER gets walked around like that. The guy is probably my favorite Hawk, but watching that play made me cringe.

Here are the video highlights:

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Blackhawks at Dallas - Win Recap

"Reborn"

Since this recap is late, I'll get right to the observations.

The Good

• Ledd-Head looked to have grabbed the Hawks a lead about halfway through the first period. Upon further review, the goal was given to El Capitan. The Hawks had heavy pressure down low and the Saadfather put a pretty silly between the legs pass through the crease. Leddy pinched and let the shot go from just outside the circle. Toews got a piece of it, and the onslaught began.
• Just a minute and thirty five seconds later, El Capitan scored his second of the night. The play started when he won a deep faceoff to Hossa. The puck was worked over to Keith who took a shot off Saad, and the puck landed on an open Toews stick. 2-0 Hawks.
• Pick-To-Click Vik set up a Ledd-Dead goal, with just over 2 minutes to go in the first period. Swedeberg blew around a Dallas D-Man, and tried to jam it through Lehtonen, but was stopped. Shaw, and then finally Leddy had whacks at it, but Leddy's was the the one to go.
• Johnny Oduya scored his second goal in consecutive games. Swedeberg picked the pocket of Jordie Benn and the puck came straight out to Oduya who let a lazerbeam go, ending Lehtonen's night.
• Next up was Hoss, on a feed from Crazy 8s. Four on Four play was benefitting The Hawks were rolling, and the Stars had left the building.
• Hoss got his second of the game on a 5-on-3 that he just snapped past Bachman. This brought the Hawks lead to 6-0 with a period to play.
• By the time Deuce had scored his goal, the Stars were napping on the bench. They were begging to be finished off for good. 7-0 Hawks
• The Kane spin-o-rama goal was just stupid good, even though Bachman should have never allowed that goal from that angle. Get lazy and be made an example of.

The Bad

• The Hawks were pretty clowned at the dot. Toews was in the 80th percentile but the rest of the team was under 50%.

The Ugly

• Stupid fight with Seabrook and Roussel. Guy gets put on his ass and has to start a pointless fight. That'll make up 5 goals, dumb ass.
• When you're up 7-0, you're bound to get lulled to sleep, and the Hawks did. A poor penalty call didn't help matters, but the Stars were able to keep from getting whitewashed. Whatever.

Here are the video highlights:

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Blackhawks at Columbus - SO Win Recap

"The Duellists"

The Blackhawks couldn't have a break, and a trip to Columbus at a better time. The NHL and media bukkake session regarding the Blackhawks and "The Streak" has now come to a screeching halt and, in fact, the NHL has almost done a 180. Even though the Blackhawks have had their struggles against the Jackets, they needed a break from the high flying teams. They did their best to make it interesting. Live from tropical Columbus Ohio, it's the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets.

The opening period could have lulled you to sleep. The Jackets out shot the Hawks by one, 11-10, but there were no goals on the board, going into the first intermission.

The second had all of the scoring, in regulation. The Hawks opened up a lead and promptly gave it up on a powerplay. The shots were again close, at 10-10, and the Hawks would once again take a tie game into the final period.

Neither team could decide the game in the final 20 minutes, even though the Hawks out shot the Jackets 13-3, which gave Columbus a little hope for overtime. The teams threw all defense out the window in the overtime period combining for 13 shots in the final 5 minutes. Again, both goalies stood tall and this game had to go to a shootout, which the Hawks finally won.

The Good

• Oduya grabbed a lead for the Hawks that would last les than a minute. The Hawks had a real nice rotation working and Crazy 8s finally found Oduya sneaking in on the back door. He snapped a shot past Bobrovsky, and it looked like the Hawks were ready to roll. The Jackets had other ideas.
• Both goalies were over .950 save percentage. You can't ask for more than that from your netminders. big comeback game for Crawford, after a rough weekend.
• El Capitan had 7 shots on net, which is exactly what you're looking for from your leader
• Dullig actually took time away from his pointless thuggery to get a sweet chance on Bobrovsky, and Bobo stoned him.

The Bad

• Shaw decided to get into the fight ridiculousness, hooking with with Matt Calvert. Snore.
• Kings castaway Jack Johnson took that Hawks lead off the board with a powerplay goal. El Capitan lost a rare faceoff, Hoss was late getting to his point, and Johnson just blazed a shot past Crawford. 1-1
• Bolland had a prime change in overtime and completely shit the bed. The net was wide open and Bobrovsky dove over, which left everything above 10 inches off the ice wide open. What does Bolland do? shoot it right into Bobrovsky's stick.
• The Hawks centers were barely serviceable at the dots. El Capitan was the only one over 50% at the dots.

The Ugly

• The final goalie interference penalty was brutal. He was clearly pushed into Bobrovsky, and gets roped into a penalty, in the final minutes of the game. Weak call, and unacceptable.

The Shootout

• Artem Anisimov roofed a backhander over Crawford
• El Capitan went with old trusty to beat Bobo 5-hole
• Crawford beat Ryan Johansen
• Kane clowned Bobrovsky for the eventual winner.
• Crawford poke checked Brassard

Here are the video highlights:

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