ZEROES AND HEROES: Hawks 3, Oilers 0
Joel Quenneville's Blackhawks played, by far, their best game of the season last night, blanking Edmonton 3-0 with Nikolai Khabibulin in net. Bears' QB Kyle Orton was in attendance, lending his neckbeard mojo to the Hawks.
This also marked the first game since Jack Skille and Troy Brouwer traded Chicago and Rockford sweaters, making them the first I-Pass Hawks of the season.
Let's get right to it...
The Good:
Team defense. Edmonton was out of sync the entire night, getting called for offsides on what seemed like ever other rush. Nikolai Khabibuin only had to face 23 shots, and only about half of those were quality shots. Aaron Johnson played a good, solid game, and even contributed a goal.
Special Teams. One goal on the power play, one shorthanded. It seemed like whenever the Hawks had someone in the penalty box, they had the Oilers right where they wanted them. The kill unit was creating more scoring chances than Edmonton's power play, thanks in large part to the outstanding play of Kris VERSTEEG (now shut the fuck up about the spelling) and Dave Bolland, who created the rush that led to Brent Seabrook's shortie.
Taking the body. Johnson was a hitting machine, and Dustin Byfuglien was hitting Oilers all night too. They're playing playoff hockee in October.
Patrick Sharp. A goal and an assist. Guess last season wasn't a fluke.
The Bad:
Jonathan Toews' luck. He's playing much better hockey, winning faceoffs, playing tough on the boards, even set up Patrick Sharp's power play goal. He just hasn't found the back of the net yet. Every time he's open and gets a chance, either the puck bounces, or he just misses, or, like last night, he shoots the puck right into Oilers' goalie Dwayne Roloson without Roloson ever seeing the puck. The goals will come, but it's frustrating to watch.
The Ugly:
Can anyone on this team win a fight? Matt Walker looked like Dumb Donald from Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids during his fight with Stortini, and Colin Fraser got his ass kicked by Smid. You won't find bigger tomato cans at Costco.
So, a nice win against a team the Hawks will probably be jockeying with for a playoff spot. Next comes Detroit on Saturday night. Nice to go into that one on a roll.
This also marked the first game since Jack Skille and Troy Brouwer traded Chicago and Rockford sweaters, making them the first I-Pass Hawks of the season.
Let's get right to it...
The Good:
Team defense. Edmonton was out of sync the entire night, getting called for offsides on what seemed like ever other rush. Nikolai Khabibuin only had to face 23 shots, and only about half of those were quality shots. Aaron Johnson played a good, solid game, and even contributed a goal.
Special Teams. One goal on the power play, one shorthanded. It seemed like whenever the Hawks had someone in the penalty box, they had the Oilers right where they wanted them. The kill unit was creating more scoring chances than Edmonton's power play, thanks in large part to the outstanding play of Kris VERSTEEG (now shut the fuck up about the spelling) and Dave Bolland, who created the rush that led to Brent Seabrook's shortie.
Taking the body. Johnson was a hitting machine, and Dustin Byfuglien was hitting Oilers all night too. They're playing playoff hockee in October.
Patrick Sharp. A goal and an assist. Guess last season wasn't a fluke.
The Bad:
Jonathan Toews' luck. He's playing much better hockey, winning faceoffs, playing tough on the boards, even set up Patrick Sharp's power play goal. He just hasn't found the back of the net yet. Every time he's open and gets a chance, either the puck bounces, or he just misses, or, like last night, he shoots the puck right into Oilers' goalie Dwayne Roloson without Roloson ever seeing the puck. The goals will come, but it's frustrating to watch.
The Ugly:
Can anyone on this team win a fight? Matt Walker looked like Dumb Donald from Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids during his fight with Stortini, and Colin Fraser got his ass kicked by Smid. You won't find bigger tomato cans at Costco.
So, a nice win against a team the Hawks will probably be jockeying with for a playoff spot. Next comes Detroit on Saturday night. Nice to go into that one on a roll.
Man I'm feeling for Toewes. If I could use some 1999 lingo, the kid just needs to get off the schneid and pop his cherry.
Also, I loved how Quenneville backed him up to reporters.
I was glad to see Buff not only throwing his weight around, but doing so within the confines of an all-around good game. He finally seemed into it. Might Quenneville have already had an effect on this kid?
Reply to this
He hasn't lit the lamp up yet, but Toews' no look pass to Sharp was beyootiful. Byfuglien played his best game, but he needs to keep his large ass planted in front of the net more.
Reply to this
Do you guys agree with moving Buff back to the blueline?
Reply to this
I think he is better suited for the front of the net.
Reply to this
I don't like the idea. He's too goddamn slow for the blue line in today's game.
His ass should be parked in front of the net
Reply to this
The Hawks have two of the fastest D-men in the league in Campbell and Keith. Seabrook is slow as molasses. I really don't think the Hawks need another Seabrook back there. Leave Buff up front.
Reply to this
Here's the odd thing about all of this: to play in front of the net, you really need active footwork. People say Holmstrom 'plants' himself in front of the net, but it's not true. Watch how he's active in front, he's always moving, and always keeping pressure on the defense. Buff is getting in front of the net, but he's not active.
This doesn't mean that you can get away with being INactive on the blueline, either.
Any which way it'll be interesting to see what Q does with him.
Reply to this