IGT: 12/14/2011 Chicago Blackhawks @ Minnesota Wild

[icehogfan08]

More to come...

BLACKHAWKS (18-8-4) at WILD (20-8-3)

TV: VERSUS (HD), TSN2

LAST 10: Chicago 6-3-1; Minnesota 7-3-0

Season Series: This is the first of four meetings. Chicago has dominated the series in recent seasons, going 6-1-1 since the start of 2009-10, including a 4-2 win in their most recent encounter on Feb. 28, 2011.

Big Story: At long last, the Western Conference's top teams will face off on Wednesday. Though Minnesota holds a three-point edge (43-30) in the standings and has won seven of eight, the Wild arguably have more to prove against the established Blackhawks. The matchup, which pits Minnesota's resourceful, team defensive scheme against Chicago's potent attack, will go some way in determining the cream of the Conference.

Team Scope:

Blackhawks: Chicago may be winning more often than not, but no one would accuse the Western's second-best team of doing so with ease. It has taken at least overtime to determine four of Chicago's last five, and Chicago has prevailed in the last two thanks in large part to one player: Patrick Sharp. Sharp has back-to-back overtime winners to run his recent goals tear to nine in his last eight games. After he scored his most recent on Sunday against San Jose, Sharp said winning late - and winning ugly - would be keys for Chicago's progression.

"We stole it in overtime," Sharp said. "It wasn't the prettiest game, but it's what we'll have to do down the stretch the rest of the way - win games like that, find a way to win the ugly ones."

Chicago will stick with Ray Emery (6-1-2, 2.69 GAA) after he made a season-high 35 saves against San Jose.

Wild: After winning seven in a row overall - and seven straight on the road - Minnesota fell in Winnipeg, 2-1, on Tuesday night. The Wild have a quick turnaround as they travel home to face Chicago, and that means there's little time to regain focus and fix what coach Mike Yeo called "loose" play.

"I thought we were pretty loose in a lot in of areas, in particular with how we played with the puck," Yeo said. "It just lead to a little too much open ice for them and a little too much back-and-forth, and when you do that, you turn it into a 50-50, game which is what it was."

"There does come a time where, like it or not, it's tough to keep your urgency level up as high as it is," Yeo continued, "and keep the same focus going into every game, and I didn't feel like we had it tonight."

Who's Hot: Chicago's Marian Hossa has five points in his last two games. … The three players who combined for Minnesota's lone goal Tuesday - Gabriel Latendresse, Mikko Koivu and Dany Heatley - all continued impressive streaks. Latendresse has four goals in five games, Koivu has a five-game points streak and Heatley has recorded a point in seven straight.

Injury Report: Chicago is healthy. … For Minnesota, key forward Devin Setoguchi (left ankle) is on injured reserve, and center Matt Cullen (flu-like symptoms) and backup goalie Josh Harding (head) missed Tuesday's game against Winnipeg. Defenseman Justin Falk is also on injured reserve with back spasms, and center Pierre-Marc Bouchard left late in Tuesday's game after being driven into the end boards by Winnipeg's Zach Bogosian.

Stat Pack: Along with Sharp (31 points), three other Hawks - Jonathan Toews (32), Hossa (31) and Patrick Kane (31) - are in the top 16 in the League in scoring, and Chicago is fourth in the League with 3.20 goals per game. The Hawks will face a stout test in the Wild, who are fourth in goals allowed (2.10) and bring a physical brand of hockey to the ice.

Puck Drop: "We didn't play [well] enough today. They were better, and we got a little bit lucky in the second period and thought we played OK, but, you know, it's not good enough for us." - Wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom on Tuesday's loss, Minnesota's first in eight games.

 

[icehogfan08]

Twitter feeds

Quenneville on Bickell back in lineup tomorrow: "With his speed and size and his presence. .. he should be more of a factor."

Coach Q: Ray Emery will get the nod in goal tomorrow at Minnesota.

top two lines remain the same. Third: 29-36-15, fourth: 13-22-67.

 

[HawkWriter]

If I was Bickell...come out and throw a big hit and engage in a fight...ASAP.

Also, don't take any high rising wrist shots from the blue line.

 

[DewsSox79]

If I was Bickell...come out and throw a big hit and engage in a fight...ASAP.

Also, don't take any high rising wrist shots from the blue line.

right, because that might help him not suck.

 

[HawkWriter]

right, because that might help him not suck.

Typical reply from you.

Doing something like that would go a long way. It would get Bickell back into the game after his healthy scratches - adrenaline can do wonders. It would go a long way with the coaching staff and the other players on the team knowing that he is willing to do that.

I specifically remember one of Bickell's best games last year was against the Flyers when this happened...

Scott Hartnell vs Bryan Bickell, Jan 23, 2011 - Flyers vs Hawks - hockeyfights.com

Can't wait for your educated reply now.

 

[icehogfan08]

Typical reply from you.

Doing something like that would go a long way. It would get Bickell back into the game after his healthy scratches - adrenaline can do wonders. It would go a long way with the coaching staff and the other players on the team knowing that he is willing to do that.

I specifically remember one of Bickell's best games last year was against the Flyers when this happened...

Scott Hartnell vs Bryan Bickell, Jan 23, 2011 - Flyers vs Hawks - hockeyfights.com

Can't wait for your educated reply now.

The cawks don't understand that part. It's only goals assist and save %. If your not producing any of them the player is considered a bum

 

[TheChicagoFan]

I read an article today about Bickell. He's ready to be back out there. I expect him to do something good. It's amazing what sitting on the bench for awhile will do.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Yeah, Bickell needs to make himself known in a physical way. That's why he's here and that's when he's most effective. He needs to hit anything that moves, get to the net and not be a complete sally on the boards.

With his size and apparent skill- there's no excuse for the way he had been playing prior to his time off. He needs to help Frolik and Bolland get chances because they have been flatter than hammered shit offensively.

 

[derosabomb]

The cawks don't understand that part. It's only goals assist and save %. If your not producing any of them the player is considered a bum

gotta love "cawks logic"

 

[TheChicagoFan]

Yeah, Bickell needs to make himself known in a physical way. That's why he's here and that's when he's most effective. He needs to hit anything that moves, get to the net and not be a complete sally on the boards.

With his size and apparent skill- there's no excuse for the way he had been playing prior to his time off. He needs to help Frolik and Bolland get chances because they have been flatter than hammered shit offensively.

That line was really good right at the beginning of the season and the playoffs last year. They can be really good. The problem is that Frolik and Bickell haven't played as well as they should. I hope to see at least one goal from that line tomorrow.

 

[DewsSox79]

Typical reply from you.

Doing something like that would go a long way. It would get Bickell back into the game after his healthy scratches - adrenaline can do wonders. It would go a long way with the coaching staff and the other players on the team knowing that he is willing to do that.

I specifically remember one of Bickell's best games last year was against the Flyers when this happened...

Scott Hartnell vs Bryan Bickell, Jan 23, 2011 - Flyers vs Hawks - hockeyfights.com

Can't wait for your educated reply now.

So that has happened? coincidence? did it help? no one will know.

adrenaline can do wonders? it cant make you good, a short burst maybe....and when i mean short, i mean in minutes.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

So that has happened? coincidence? did it help? no one will know.

adrenaline can do wonders? it cant make you good, a short burst maybe....and when i mean short, i mean in minutes.

Wait, how long is a shift in hockey? Oh yeah, usually less than two minutes.

 

[DewsSox79]

Wait, how long is a shift in hockey? Oh yeah, usually less than two minutes.

which doesnt improve his overall gameplay. 1 fight will not earn him respect from his teammates and coaches and whatever other irrelevant variables there are that may contribute to his success. you might actually have to admit to yourself that he is actually really bad. but than again its hawks fans here we are talking about where no player on the team is bad.

 

[derosabomb]

which doesnt improve his overall gameplay. 1 fight will not earn him respect from his teammates and coaches and whatever other irrelevant variables there are that may contribute to his success. you might actually have to admit to yourself that he is actually really bad. but than again its hawks fans here we are talking about where no player on the team is bad.

john scott is really bad. bickell is not.

 

[DewsSox79]

john scott is really bad. bickell is not.

fine, scott is really bad, and bickell is just bad. both bad, one worse than the other.

 

[tbo41fan]

fine, scott is really bad, and bickell is just bad. both bad, one worse than the other.

where did skille fit in this formula?
:flipa:

 

[derosabomb]

fine, scott is really bad, and bickell is just bad. both bad, one worse than the other.

bickell has been bad, hopefully he can turn it around. :dunno:

 

[DewsSox79]

bickell has been bad, hopefully he can turn it around. :dunno:

we can hope. a lot of the physical players are not showing up.

where did skille fit in this formula?
:flipa:

skille isnt a part of this discussion.

 

[tbo41fan]

we can hope. a lot of the physical players are not showing up.



skille isnt a part of this discussion.

but he was good right?

 

[icehogfan08]

where did skille fit in this formula?
:flipa:

Dont you know the jury is still out on him