ANOTHER GAME, ANOTHER RANT: Blackhawks 3, Penguins 2 (SO)
This shit won't be easy. They will neither just sack the fuck up and take charge of a playoff spot, nor will they just flame out and end the suspense. It's going to be nailbiters for the next 50 days. Buckle up.
The Chicago Blackhawks beat the 20 guys the Pittsburgh Penguins were able to dress 3-2 in a shootout today. Patrick Sharp and Bryan Bickell scored in regulation, and Patrick Kane scored the lone shootout goal as Corey Crawford stood tall.
Let's get to this:
THE GOOD:
You know what? No. I'm not doing this.
Instead, let's talk about Mario Lemieux. He decided this week was a good time to make a statement criticizing the NHL for not protecting "the integrity of the game", and basically saying that if the NHL didn't change their policies, he wasn't sure he wanted to remain a part of the league.
Hey Mario?
Fuck you.
You're all asshurt because a Pens/Islanders game turned into a Wild West show. Where was this outrage when Marc Savard took a headshot last season that he still hasn't recovered from? Oh, that's right...that headshot was applied by Matt Cooke, known douchebag. Cooke's paychecks are signed by Mario Lemieux.
Cooke headhunts and slewfoots. Both are tactics that are with intent to injure. Twice Cooke has inflicted 3 headshots in a season that injured players. What did Mario do to protect the integrity of the game when a cheapshot artist like Cooke was involved?
Gave him a 3-year contract.
Every team has a guy or two who are chippy players or divers. Don't kid yourself, the Hawks have them too - there's a reason guys like Tomas Kopecky are always drawing penalties. But don't get all indignant when you have Jagoff Number One in your employ.
In short, Mario...if you lay with dogs, you forfeit the right to bitch about fleas.
*takes deep breath & shot of Malört*
The Hawks strap it on again tomorrow for a President's Day matinee with the Blues, who are run by John Davidson. A decent human being. And coached by Davis Payne. A jagoff.
An uncanny ability to skate on his knees?
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That and a helmet that's two sizes too big.
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I certainly didn't expect the Hawks to walk away with another Cup. I did, however, expect them to make the playoffs. The way they're playing now you'd have to be an idiot to think the odds are highly in favor of them getting in. They don't seem to be playing at a high enough level and there are too many teams alive and ready to win.
Complacency isn't something I thought I'd see from a Toews-led team but I don't think this is his fault. There's clearly some dead wood here and I think more than anything, I'm actually looking forward to the offseason to see how Stan deals with it.
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I'm pretty sure Stan and QStache will have to rebuild the 3rd and 4th lines from scratch.
The only FAs that I would bother bringing back would be Seabrook, Brouwer and Crawford. There will be more Cap space this summer, so they can afford to go out and pick up some veteran players to backfill, and fit player to need, rather than this year when they had to try to get players to fill roles they weren't suited for.
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Hey, did you hear about the Blackhawks' viewing party coming up this week?? It's being hosted by Billy Dec, the guy who owns the restaurants and club that the Blackhawks went to last year with the Stanley Cup after their win. There's gonna be awesome giveaways from tickets to swag to food and drinks. Thought you'd like to share with your readers! http://bit.ly/dMJ1FW
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