Are the Blackhawks vulnerable?

[DMelt36]

This article suggests that, for the first time in almost a decade, they really are.

For more or less seven years, the Blackhawks have just been dominant in every facet. In two of their three Stanley Cup years (2009-10 and 2012-13), their 5-on-5 performance screamed elite status. Even last year the Blackhawks looked pretty great – maybe not to the degree of years past, but certainly good enough to compete for the big prize.

This year, though – there’s something that seems a bit off. The team’s scoring chance numbers have really flatlined in the last couple of months, and the shot differentials they have grown accustom to purely dominating have sunk below break-even for the first time ever. (If that doesn’t put into perspective how great this team has been for almost a decade, I’m not sure what will.)

The goal aspect of this is curious too. If you knew that the Blackhawks were currently playing at a 105-point regular season pace, you’d likely guess that they’d be breaking pretty favourable in pure 5-on-5 goal differential. But that’s actually not the case. At evens, the Blackhawks have scored 109 and conceded 109. If you’re curious about who sits right behind them, it’s Ottawa (+124/-127).

 

[ClydeLee]

Not according to Steve Konroyd's basis based on Daryl Sutter's view that total goal differential is all that counts, not that 5 on 5.

Then again.. the last fews games of both special teams units being slop hops is nah so good

 

[clonetrooper264]

Ima guess no, but they're playing like booty lately

 

[DMelt36]

Not according to Steve Konroyd's basis based on Daryl Sutter's view that total goal differential is all that counts, not that 5 on 5.

Then again.. the last fews games of both special teams units being slop hops is nah so good

It's just strange to see how much the Hawks have regressed at 5-on-5 hockey.

 

[Ares]

It's just strange to see how much the Hawks have regressed at 5-on-5 hockey.

They are a puck possession team that has struggled to control the puck lately.... their passing in particular goes through these stretches where it is absolute shit across the board. Long stretch passes missing and going for icing.... offensive zone passes on edge getting coughed up and heading the other way... defensive zone passes doing the same thing and giving up chances.

And making it worse is their tendency to always try an extra pass or two looking for a better or perfect opportunity to shoot.... when your passing is like 50/50.... half the time that extra pass is taking the puck the other way.

 

[MassHavoc]

I blame Kruger.

 

[Ares]

I blame Kruger.

Me too.... quits on his team for 4 months, loses his jersey number.... why da fuq do we pay dis dude?

 

[LordKOTL]

They're as vulnerable as man gettin a prostate exam.

I think the problem is mental, though. I suggest liberal use of high voltage to motivate the top 6/top 3.

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[BlackHawkPaul]

It's just strange to see how much the Hawks have regressed at 5-on-5 hockey.

They've regressed more on the PK.
Again, just get into the dance.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Kruger will obviously help strengthen the PK. I'm sure most can remember the Hawks going into a downward spiral almost every spring before the start of the POs, with lots of panic among the ranks. Makes it interesting for the playoffs because they appear so vulnerable.

They were without the trade acquisitions during the 12 game streak. With the new guys they can and should be better once they get out of this slump. Didn't they play the Caps, the Caps that had the best record in hockey, and beat them.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Nope. We're a juggernaut with the mental stretch of an unrivaled king. I'd rather be going through this stretch now than in May. When the playoffs roll around, nobody will want any part of us.

Like I've been saying, it's going to take a supremely talented team with elite mental strength. I'm just not sure there is a team out there who can beat us 4 times in a 7 game series.

Look, maybe we won't win the Cup -- but how many teams are truly capable of eliminating us? Not many. Beating us will be extremely difficult.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Nope. We're a juggernaut with the mental stretch of an unrivaled king. I'd rather be going through this stretch now than in May. When the playoffs roll around, nobody will want any part of us.

Like I've been saying, it's going to take a supremely talented team with elite mental strength. I'm just not sure there is a team out there who can beat us 4 times in a 7 game series.

Look, maybe we won't win the Cup -- but how many teams are truly capable of eliminating us? Not many. Beating us will be extremely difficult.

Both the Ducks and Kings match up well. Well enough to win in 7.
St. Louis would probably lose to the Hawks in 6.
Dallas is overrated, but it depends if the Hawks want to get into a shootout with the Stars. If that happens, Stars win in 7.

I don't think there's a team in the East that would beat the Hawks in 7.

 

[HawkWriter]

Both the Ducks and Kings match up well. Well enough to win in 7.
St. Louis would probably lose to the Hawks in 6.
Dallas is overrated, but it depends if the Hawks want to get into a shootout with the Stars. If that happens, Stars win in 7.

I don't think there's a team in the East that would beat the Hawks in 7.

Capitals should be taken seriously out of the East. Holtby, a very solid defense (with Carlson healthy), very deep up the middle, and one of the best top 9 groups in the league. They have played very, very well versus the West this year.

 

[DMelt36]

The Central Division does not scare me. The hope is that the Pacific Division comes down to a Ducks/Kings final and the teams beat the shit out of each other enough to help the Hawks in a possible WCF matchup.

 

[ChiSoxCity]

Hawks might be done--their last quality win was at home against Washington. I don't see them getting back to the SCF this year.


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[Spunky Porkstacker]

Hawks might be done--their last quality win was at home against Washington. I don't see them getting back to the SCF this year.


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Maybe just stick to being a Sox fan. :bizarro::X:bizarro:

:aj:

 

[ChiSoxCity]

Maybe just stick to being a Sox fan. :bizarro::X:bizarro:

:aj:

Cuz why?


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[CLWolf81]

After what I saw in Dallas, I'm thinking the more important issue is the defense. We've seen moments where the defense themselves laid Crawford out to dry, and I've also seen that during 5 on 5s.

Its been rough since Oduya was traded and the results are only showing up now due to the fact we haven't been scoring either...

 

[Ares]

Cuz why?


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You hide in the Sox forum and then the Hawks hit a slump and you come in here to predict they won't do well in the playoffs.... are you the new Capt Serious?

 

[ChiSoxCity]

You hide in the Sox forum and then the Hawks hit a slump and you come in here to predict they won't do well in the playoffs.... are you the new Capt Serious?

Look, you wanna hide your head in the sand and ignore what's going on with the team, go right ahead. But don't get all weepy when mature people wanna have an honest discussion about a team they love.

The Hawks aren't defending their zone and their penalty killing is dead last in the league. If they don't settle down and find some chemistry with the new players they added, it's going to be a short postseason. They won't get past the Stars, Ducks, Kings or Blues playing like they have been the past month.


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