How Good Are We?

[Jntg4]

Were we overachieving early? And how much are we underachieving right now? Where do you think we sit in reality overall?

I think we were overachieving early, but only a little bit.

I think it goes like this:
1. Chicago
2. Los Angeles
3. Vancouver
4. Anaheim
5. San Jose
6. Detroit
7. Dallas
8. Nashville

 

[nwfisch]

I'd say the Blackhawks are about 5th best team in the NHL.

Right now, they're playing like the 25th best team.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Hawks are very good. Currently, they are playing like awful shit. It's been lazy, uninspired, borderline unwatchable hockey.

It happens. The Kings just broke a 5 game losing streak. Wings had a 6 game losing streak earlier. Hawks are in the middle of a 3 game slide. The sooner it ends, the better... it all depends on when the guys feel like playing hockey.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Were we overachieving early? And how much are we underachieving right now? Where do you think we sit in reality overall?

I think we were overachieving early, but only a little bit.

I think it goes like this:
1. Chicago
2. Los Angeles
3. Vancouver
4. Anaheim
5. San Jose
6. Detroit
7. Dallas
8. Nashville

Anaheim isn't that good.

Dallas is better. They're not a fluke.

 

[icehogfan08]

Edmonton isn't a push over either. They could be added in up there

 

[HawkWriter]

Hawks are very good. Currently, they are playing like awful shit. It's been lazy, uninspired, borderline unwatchable hockey.

It happens. The Kings just broke a 5 game losing streak. Wings had a 6 game losing streak earlier. Hawks are in the middle of a 3 game slide. The sooner it ends, the better... it all depends on when the guys feel like playing hockey.

Bingo.

As you noted, only a couple games here but everyone is freaking out because of how they lost.

Don't forget, the Wings got absolutely crushed by the Capitals earlier this season...it happens to just about every team throughout the season and I would expect the Blackhawks to return the favor.

 

[Jntg4]

Anaheim isn't that good.

Dallas is better. They're not a fluke.

I thought they'd be like 13th at this point, but yes, they are good. But I don't think they're this good. IDK, I'm just high on Anaheim.

Edmonton isn't a push over either. They could be added in up there

A little too early to tell if they are actually good or just overachieving IMO. I wanted to put them in, but decided against it.

 

[southern_cross_116]

... the thing is (and there is one), the PowerPlay is an issue, which is over and above a few games at this point. Most teams that have poor powerplays, don't develop into good teams during those seasons.

At the moment, the Hawks have won despite regularly not performing on the PP. However that is something that can and does bite everyteam.

I don't know how good they are, it really depends upon their ability to turn that around. PK is another factor, although I hope the giving up 5 PP goals to Vancouver was a fluke as opposed to a speciality teams' flaw that is longer term.

In fact if that starts to give out (the pk), combined with a non-performing PP, then this team will be lucky to end up mediocre this season.

 

[DewsSox79]

the ducks are pretty solid. dallas is ok too.

The hawks arent as bad as their losing streak

The Hawks arent as good as their hot streak

frolik being in the top 6 along with carcillo is reason enough to be concerned. Add the fact that their power play is just awful.

 

[tbo41fan]

Hawks are very good. Currently, they are playing like awful shit. It's been lazy, uninspired, borderline unwatchable hockey.

It happens. The Kings just broke a 5 game losing streak. Wings had a 6 game losing streak earlier. Hawks are in the middle of a 3 game slide. The sooner it ends, the better... it all depends on when the guys feel like playing hockey.

Exactly...every team goes through stretches like this

we also have the circus trip coming up so dont expect a 10 game win streak coming off this slump

it's a tough stretch of the hawks schedule

 

[Dementia]

Let's just be glad that playoffs are seven game series. Like I said before, I don't Chicago are the best in the West but we are definitely top 3. It has been difficult to watch them this year, sometimes great but sometimes downright awful.

 

[ClydeLee]

We wont find out tonight, but if the struggles continue against Columbus you know it isn't a good thing at this point in the year.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

I think the Blackhawks are probably the second or third best team, but they have the potential to be the best team.

The power play is a major problem along with terrible defense.

If the power play can get going and Scott stops playing, and the defense stays solid the Hawks should be one of the best in the league.

They're on a small skid, but playing the Blue Jackets will help because they will win and gain confidence.

I think a lot of fans got excited when the Hawks were playing very good hockey recently and the skid that all teams go through just made some fans a little worried. They'll be fine. There's 82 games in a season. A 3 game losing streak isn't going to kill the Hawks, but they have to fix their issues.

 

[X]

Good win tonight -- should help confidence. 2 goals on PP -- 'bout time.

 

[derosabomb]

i dont even think they were playing that great before this last 3 game losing streak. yeah they were getting points, but they didnt look great.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Hawks woke up the Canucks...way to go fellas. :clap:

 

[X]

Hawks woke up the Canucks...way to go fellas. :clap:

when and why did you feel the need to turn into the jay mariotti of ccs?

 

[DewsSox79]

Hawks woke up the Canucks...way to go fellas. :clap:

how do you figure? because the nucks beat the hawks?

 

[southern_cross_116]

Yeah wow, Vancouver won the game after beating the Hawks ... it's winning streaks like that that get Cub fans excited. :/

__

2 PP goals against a bad team isn't really that much of an accomplishment. Give it a few weeks and then put it into context.

__

Also, when analysing that a team has poor defense (or poor defencive trending), and a poor powerplay, it doesn't seem logical to come to the conclusion that Chicago can be a top team without those areas performing consistently. (And with any luck that will happen).

Who knows, maybe Prospal might become available later on - would look good depthwise.

 

[LonghornBob]

I think we're a good team with obvious holes. Hopefully Bowman fills those by the trade deadline.

In my opinion, if we want to win the Cup, we've got to do a few things:

1) Figure out what is wrong with our power play. If the first group doesn't score we're generally screwed. I don't like the whole 2-2-1 cross ice passing thing where we're trying to set up Sharp or Toews for a ***** of an angle shot. I'd rather see some net presence and a rifle from out front that leads to rebounds. Of course that works a lot better when you've got a Ladd or a Byflugien in front of the pipes, but Hoss and Toews and Carcillo should be able to get that job done also.

2) We have to do something about shifting Keith and Seabs into an early grave. Leddy is a future Norris winner, and Hjalmarsson is solid, but I don't think Montador is living up to his billing and Lepisto is okay but not spectacular. We really need the 5, 6, and 7 guys to step up their play. Keith getting his shit together night in and night out would be nice too...

3) We've got to pick a story and stick with it on the lines. I get SO SICK of Q shuffling the lines all the time I could puke. Guys need to learn one another and get a feel for the guy with whom they're playing.

4) We need the B-team type guys to step up. Toews, Kane, and Hossa are going to be Toews, Kane, and Hossa, but we need to see some scoring from Brunette, Bickell, Davey B, et al.

5) We need someone to come up from Rockford and be a player. We always seem to have a young guy who comes up and rocks, and we need Beach or Morin or Smith or Kruger to not just come up and take some shifts on the 4 line or in the last defensive pairing, we need one of them to come up and seriously contribute.

6) We REALLY need a second line center. We shoulda taken Plekanec or signed Prospal when we could have had him for a pinch of monkey shit. I'm still pissed about that.

Of course, basically what I've said can be said for just about any team in the league.