TGDT: 2/18 Blue Jackets @ Blackhawks 7:30PM CSN

[Chief Walking Stick]

The entire top line played great.



Unfortunately this teams grinding lines, suck and the 2nd line has a missing Hossa.



It is what it is. I knew when they didn't cash in on the THREE wide open nets in the first period alone it was going to be a long night.



Crawford was a little goofy on two of the goals. Although one most definitely should have been whistled and wasn't.

After the 1st period I honestly was excited because that's how the Hawks played ALL last year. They were outworking the Blue Jackets in every aspect of the game and looked like the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Then everything went to shit and they allowed 3 goals in 6 minutes and blew yet another 2 goal lead.



It just seems like this team can't finish and has no killer instinct like last year. Also, last year it seemed like no lead was too big for them to come back from... this year when they're down a couple goals it almost seems inevitable that the outcome is going to be an "L".



I know comparing this team to last year's team is dumb because of all of the depth that they lost and we were spoiled. But after the next few games if they don't string together a couple in a row... you can count me into standing on the ledge as far as playoffs are concerned.



I know the west is a complete crapshoot and it's only a few points separating the 11th seed from the 4th seed but this team has not shown me anything all year that suggests they should be in the playoffs besides that 4 or 5 games win streak a month ago.



This season is determined by the next 6 games, 4 of which are against teams that are slightly ahead of the Hawks in the standings:

vs. Pittsburgh

@   St. Louis

@   Nashville

vs. Phoenix

@   Minnesota

vs. Calgary

 

[bierboy]

I believe only 1 goal was his fault. "Not one bad goal does a game make"... the 1st two periods he was OUTSTANDING.

There's plenty of blame to go around, and Crawford shares in that blame. And NO, he was NOT outstanding....he was average at best....

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

There's plenty of blame to go around, and Crawford shares in that blame. And NO, he was NOT outstanding....he was average at best....

You must have missed the couple 4-5 save sequences then.

 

[bierboy]

You must have missed the couple 4-5 save sequences then.

Nope. Watched the entire game....and he should be judged based on the ENTIRE game, not just a few sequences....

 

[E Runs]

Columbus- 29 wins 23 losses 6 OTL. Goal differential on the season= -16

Hawks- 29 wins 23 losses 6 OTL. Goal differential on the season= +20



Someone please explain this to me.

Watch the 3rd period again and it's easy to see. The Jackets won every 50/50 puck, and the Hawks were manhandled. Sami Phalsson was a fucking beast out there. There was one battle where the puck was just inside their blueline and he literally shoved a Hawk 3 ft out of the zone.



I was in awe of the Jackets compete level in the 3rd. That was a team knowing what was on the line and responding to the challenge.

After the 1st period I honestly was excited because that's how the Hawks played ALL last year. They were outworking the Blue Jackets in every aspect of the game and looked like the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Then everything went to shit and they allowed 3 goals in 6 minutes and blew yet another 2 goal lead.

But then they put it in cruise control and the Jackets woke up.



Kinda like what happen in Dallas.



Kinda like what's happened all year...

 

[Shredder]

Four points behind 8th, three teams to leapfrog. The Hawks continue to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and now the task is starting to look daunting. Only one team between 1st and 13th place in the West has a worse record than the Hawks in the last 10 games and that's Dallas. We've gone in the tank at the wrong time, for sure.



The top line deserves some kudos as they've been dangerous almost every shift in the last couple of games. Unfortunately, the Hawks have pretty much become a one line team. If there was ever a time for Hossa to start earning his money, this is it.



As for the defense, it continues to be part inconsistent, part shambolic...

 

[Pez68]

Been saying it all fucking year. Glad people are finally starting to realize it. The intensity and focus is missing, and the other teams simply want it more. It's why we've had so many back to back goals scored against us this season. It's why we can look like champs one period, and chumps the next. I honestly think missing the playoffs is exactly what this team needs. They need that hunger back. This team reminds me of the Hawks in 2007-2008.

"We just have to hate to lose a little more,"

"Right now, we don't hate to lose enough."

 

[bierboy]

Been saying it all fucking year. Glad people are finally starting to realize it....

Keep patting yourself on the back; you may break your arm. Everyone here has seen it all year long....no big surprises...

 

[Pez68]

You shouldn't let it make you so cranky.