[A] Blackhawks (12-6-3) vs Sharks (12-5-1) - 11/23 - 9:30 PM

[dlrob315]

Believe it or not, the Blackhawks are still one of the top teams in the NHL, sitting at number two overall and number two in the Western Conference. The Blackhawks upcoming game against the Sharks, the number three team in the Western Conference, will be no cake walk for the struggling Blackhawks. The Sharks are one of the top physical teams in the NHL and the Blackhawks have not fared well against physical teams in the early goings this season, but on the bright side, the Blackhawks are almost guaranteed to improve their goals against in this game compared to their last two games.

[2] Blackhawks (12-6-3) 27 pts @ [3] Sharks (12-5-1) 25 pts



Last 10: Chicago 5-4-1, San Jose 7-2-1



Wednesday, 11.23.2011 - 9:30 PM



Live On: CSN (HD) - Radio: WGN 720​

Click here to view the article

 

[chasman]

I'll be able to watch all of this game, hope the Hawks make it worth my time.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Game is on too late... **** that.



LMAO @ Your new avatar, Al. I see Avery's fashion sense is spreading rapidly over the IHN avatars.



Hawks lose 3-1.



UNLESS SEABROOK IS BACK! Then the Hawks win Ninety Tree anda Half to one.

 

[supraman]

Oh we are going up against a physical team...well we lose this one.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Oh we are going up against a physical team...well we lose this one.

Luckily hitting doesn't matter nor does it somewhat affect the outcome of games.

 

[winos5]

60 minute effort and the pucks will bounce our way. Eliminating turnovers at our blue line would be nice as well. Please and thankyou

 

[LordKOTL]

All I want is for the team to show up and play like we all know they can.



Let's go Hawks!!!!

 

[Pez68]

I have a bad feeling that the book is out on the Hawks. Soft team that crumbles when you forecheck them and play them physical, with a slow defense that can be exploited in transition. Hope I'm wrong and the Hawks sort shit out.

 

[Maiden]

I have a bad feeling that the book is out on the Hawks. Soft team that crumbles when you forecheck them and play them physical, with a slow defense that can be exploited in transition. Hope I'm wrong and the Hawks sort shit out.

I thought all the off season additions were made to make this team tougher than the year previous?

 

[roshinaya]

How about a reprise of that Sharks game a couple of years ago, which included 3 shorties.

 

[Pez68]

I thought all the off season additions were made to make this team tougher than the year previous?

The core is soft, and keeping guys like Frolik and Stalberg didn't help matters. Bickell playing like he's Kane's size is also a problem. I have a feeling a lot of the lack of physicality is on the coaching staff as well. This team lacks the snarl they had in guys like Ladd, Eager, Burish, Buf, and even Versteeg. Still haven't replaced it.

 

[supraman]

I thought all the off season additions were made to make this team tougher than the year previous?

Nope still have the same non hitting coach as last year.

 

[supraman]

The core is soft, and keeping guys like Frolik and Stalberg didn't help matters. Bickell playing like he's Kane's size is also a problem. I have a feeling a lot of the lack of physicality is on the coaching staff as well. This team lacks the snarl they had in guys like Ladd, Eager, Burish, Buf, and even Versteeg. Still haven't replaced it.

Bickell has buff syndrome, big as hell and doesn't know it. Q needs to tell him to go out there and hit someone. Hitting doesn't always win games but it helps, it is a factor and part of the reason we have playoff success. We hit in the playoffs, just don't do it in the regular season. Seriously look at the last 3 nucks series we played them VERY physically and they folded. The nucks are a team that can dish it out but can't take it and fold, that is the key to beating them on the scoreboard, kick their asses all over the ice and they yield. Look at game 7 of the finals against Boston, Boston started out physical and never let up and by the 3rd the nucks didn't look like they belonged in the finals.



Anyway hitting doesn't get you goals directly but they factor in indirectly.

 

[Maiden]

Nope still have the same non hitting coach as last year.

Greg Walker is with the Blackhawks now?

 

[Pez68]

Hammer doesn't hit anymore. Seabrook hardly hits anymore. None of the rest of the team hits with any regularity except Carcillo, who has stopped hitting recently. The Hawks are STILL very easy to play against. Bickell has to be the physical guy on the shutdown line, and he's a creampuff.

 

[dlrob315]

The core is soft, and keeping guys like Frolik and Stalberg didn't help matters. Bickell playing like he's Kane's size is also a problem. I have a feeling a lot of the lack of physicality is on the coaching staff as well. This team lacks the snarl they had in guys like Ladd, Eager, Burish, Buf, and even Versteeg. Still haven't replaced it.

Poor choice of words, the core is a finesse group and that is okay, when you say "soft" that comes off as a negative when it isn't when you speak of Kane, Sharp, Toews, Hossa. Get the right type of horses around them like you stated, but don't call those 4 soft. I agree with you about bringing in more finesse players with the core and that should have not happened. And yes, I would call Bickell soft and John Scott soft.

 

[Rex]

I wouldn't call Frolik soft. He battles in the corners and hits much more than Bickell while being half his size.

 

[Rex]

loving your new avy too, Al

 

[Pez68]

I wouldn't call Frolik soft. He battles in the corners and hits much more than Bickell while being half his size.

Frolik isn't soft huh? Maybe not in the context of the Hawks, but he is a soft player. I watch a lot of other teams, and the difference in physicality is astounding. Hawks are probably the least physical team in the NHL. Other teams at least hit back when they start getting knocked around. The Hawks just don't fight back enough.

 

[Rex]

Frolik isn't afraid to go into the corners and throws checks. I don't want a team full of Ben Eagers, but Frolik throws his weight around more than some people on the team. If I was going to call out the overly soft players, Frolik would not be on my list.