Tough to blame Yanic, or any faceoff coach for that matter with the rule changes. Again, so early into the season. Too much shooting from the hip.

With that said, Hawks did well considering the back to back nights and still facing a barrage of shots.

That McDavid assist was a beauty to watch, but someone should have been more physical on him. Then again, easier said than done at the pace McDavid moves at.

Toews missing that breakaway (and man, do anything but that shot) really came back to haunt them.

Onto Arizona.
- purepone

He should have had 6 goals last night.

The thing that disturbed me the most was how hard it was for this team to get back in the offensive zone on the 5 on 3
- BetweenTheDots

My wifes ears are still ringing from me screaming "dumping the puck on a 5-3 - WTF!"

PP continues to suck. At least the PK is better (I think its current 7th), But my God that power play is just awful. 0-5 last night including a 5-3. Didn't care for either of the plays from the Oilers boarding from behind - both times a defenseless player who could have been severely hurt. Both should have been gone.

Hammer time up next.

PP continues to suck. At least the PK is better (I think its current 7th), But my God that power play is just awful. 0-5 last night including a 5-3. Didn't care for either of the plays from the Oilers boarding from behind - both times a defenseless player who could have been severely hurt. Both should have been gone.

Hammer time up next.
- DK002

PK much better. Thank you Saad!

Toews looks to be trying too hard. Whiffed on a chance, missed a breakaway, and failed on numerous other chances.

For those who sent John the Seabrook pylon gif, did they put Keith in there after he was unaddressed, spun around like a top by McDavid on Edmonton's 1st goal?

The most baffling thing to me continues to be the lack of a PP this team has. With al the skill, they continue to be a perimeter based and very timid in their approach. In todays' NHL you can't have a horrific predictable PP which the Hawks seemingly have and why they don't hire a PP specialist to run this and maximize the talent on the roster is just stupid.

Tough to blame Yanic, or any faceoff coach for that matter with the rule changes. Again, so early into the season. Too much shooting from the hip.

With that said, Hawks did well considering the back to back nights and still facing a barrage of shots.

That McDavid assist was a beauty to watch, but someone should have been more physical on him. Then again, easier said than done at the pace McDavid moves at.

Toews missing that breakaway (and man, do anything but that shot) really came back to haunt them.

Onto Arizona.
- purepone

Everyone in the building knew Toews was going 5-hole. He is so predictable that goalies are leaving all the corners open, fiercely protecting the 5-hole region.

#19 also and #2, #50 depending who you talk to, definitely #15.
- Hawkjet

#50 ummm no: see Price, see lundquist, see rinne, see quick...

he has been their best player for several years next to kane...he and his contract are great value.....without him playing at a high level just a about every game; all things being equal this team is on the outside looking in....sorry that's the way it is

#50 ummm no: see Price, see lundquist, see rinne, see quick...

he has been their best player for several years next to kane...he and his contract are great value.....without him playing at a high level just a about every game; all things being equal this team is on the outside looking in....sorry that's the way it is
- bogiedoc

+1.

It looked to me like the ice was bad. Pucks were jumping off sticks from both teams
- bjphawkfan

You hit the nail on the head without realizng it. It's the whip in the STICKS that creates the english that makes the pucks bounce, not the ice. Then factor in all the chopping the defenders do with their sticks on the puck carrier. If the players hands aren't real good the puck will bounce. And the pucks are not what they used to be either. Even though they freeze the pucks, the pucks are not as hard since they switched to Inglasco shortly after Bettman took over. The old Viceroy was harder and didn't have as pronounced an edge so they didn't catch on every little rut or clump of hardened snow that inevitably builds up on the ice as the game is played. Just because one reporter once upon a time who never played or knows poop about the game quoted a losing player blaming ice as the reason he (frank)ed up and it gets blown out of proportion in national media doesn't mean it's always the ice is bad. Any bantam player with any kind of slapshot can ring the puck around the UC two times when the ice is fresh. It's edged continualy and flat as can be.
It's like a golfer blaming his clubs. It ain't the club, and it ain't the ice.

Toews looks to be trying too hard. Whiffed on a chance, missed a breakaway, and failed on numerous other chances.

For those who sent John the Seabrook pylon gif, did they put Keith in there after he was unaddressed, spun around like a top by McDavid on Edmonton's 1st goal?

The most baffling thing to me continues to be the lack of a PP this team has. With al the skill, they continue to be a perimeter based and very timid in their approach. In todays' NHL you can't have a horrific predictable PP which the Hawks seemingly have and why they don't hire a PP specialist to run this and maximize the talent on the roster is just stupid.
- SteveRain

not surprise at all...its been that way since Q arrived...middle of the pack or lower didn't need it 09 - 15; they were the best 5 on 5 team in the league....but that is over so the pp woes really hurt and are noticable

#50 ummm no: see Price, see lundquist, see rinne, see quick...

he has been their best player for several years next to kane...he and his contract are great value.....without him playing at a high level just a about every game; all things being equal this team is on the outside looking in....sorry that's the way it is
- bogiedoc

You are correct, however for years people have labelled Crawford as an average goalie (at best) and his contract an anchor (apparently he's a $3 million goalie).

Toews looks to be trying too hard. Whiffed on a chance, missed a breakaway, and failed on numerous other chances.

For those who sent John the Seabrook pylon gif, did they put Keith in there after he was unaddressed, spun around like a top by McDavid on Edmonton's 1st goal?

The most baffling thing to me continues to be the lack of a PP this team has. With al the skill, they continue to be a perimeter based and very timid in their approach. In todays' NHL you can't have a horrific predictable PP which the Hawks seemingly have and why they don't hire a PP specialist to run this and maximize the talent on the roster is just stupid.
- SteveRain

While we're lamenting the power play, let's spend some time on the 5X5 failures:

In the last 6 games - the season not including the first 2 outliers - this group has scored a total of 13 goals:

PP = 5 (in 31 chances to be sure, but not an awful percentage)
3X3 = 1
5X5 = 7

Only 7 goals in 6 games 5X5. Reminiscent of two years ago.

I doubt that gets it done.

While we're lamenting the power play, let's spend some time on the 5X5 failures:

In the last 6 games - the season not including the first 2 outliers - this group has scored a total of 13 goals:

PP = 5 (in 31 chances to be sure, but not an awful percentage)
3X3 = 1
5X5 = 7

Only 7 goals in 6 games 5X5. Reminiscent of two years ago.

I doubt that gets it done.
- StLBravesFan

Don't disagree at all.......I think the experiment of 38 up with Kane needs to stop. He's not skilled enough to handle that role. 8 is there truly by default as 15 is far too slow to skate with 88 unless you give him a talent like a 72 type player..

Only 8 games......but the warts are starting to come to the surface quickly.

While we're lamenting the power play, let's spend some time on the 5X5 failures:

In the last 6 games - the season not including the first 2 outliers - this group has scored a total of 13 goals:

PP = 5 (in 31 chances to be sure, but not an awful percentage)
3X3 = 1
5X5 = 7

Only 7 goals in 6 games 5X5. Reminiscent of two years ago.

I doubt that gets it done.
- StLBravesFan

after the first two games of 15 goals....yep fallen off the rails thas for sure...

ice
- 6628

When the ice is bad, it's bad for both teams. I don't see it as an excuse for losing, but it makes for less entertaining hockey as plays are broken up by an erratic rolling, bouncing puck, ruining the flow. It can definitely make players look like crap.

Whether its the new pucks or sticks like you say, I'm not sure. It does seem to be worse (to my eye) at the UC. Puck is more flat and predictable when I watch games at the Bell center or in Ottawa. Maybe I'm just nuts. Shrug.

Lol Seabrook again. Lol Lucic more.

Anyway, pretty bleh. 40 shots is a lot of shots to give up and that differential is ugly.

Otherwise, take the point and keep building. Its a process and such.

Anyone else discouraged that the loss to St. Louis has us gauging team effort level on a game by game basis? LOL

When the ice is bad, it's bad for both teams. I don't see it as an excuse for losing, but it makes for less entertaining hockey as plays are broken up by an erratic rolling, bouncing puck, ruining the flow. It can definitely make players look like crap.

Whether its the new pucks or sticks like you say, I'm not sure. It does seem to be worse (to my eye) at the UC. Puck is more flat and predictable when I watch games at the Bell center or in Ottawa. Maybe I'm just nuts. Shrug.
- kinigitt

And how does the bad ice account for all of the passes into opponents skates or trying cross ice passes through multiple opponent sticks, inevitably leading to TOs?

And how does the bad ice account for all of the passes into opponents skates or trying cross ice passes through multiple opponent sticks, inevitably leading to TOs?
- StLBravesFan

It doesn't. Their chemistry has been off. It was just an observation.

Strangely, a growing number of those passes through multiple opponents are coming from Toews. Uncharacteristic, just like the "sometimes" back-checking and "aircraft carrier" turning circles (as Snap describes it). I don't like ripping on him but I'm not the only one seeing it.

Another great observation, Rick. We micro-analyze which way Seabrook or Keith turn on plays and we forget that crisp, smart execution is built through continuity and knowing where your teammates, linemates and partners are going to be.

I would just like to see them settle on some pairings at minimum, if not the top 3 lines and stick with it for the sake of continuity.

I did not think Kero was very good last night or the las time he played.
- John Jaeckel

I think Kero got his knee dinged up a bit in either the Toronto or Montreal game, so maybe he has an excuse.

However, at least this year there are some replacement bodies down on the farm who might just be better than Kero (and a few of the other forwards on the roster). You mentioned Highmore yesterday for one, Kampf is another, Dauphin. The problem is that the AHL season is just getting started - 3 games played to date.

Lets get Shaw back

Lol Seabrook again. Lol Lucic more.

Anyway, pretty bleh. 40 shots is a lot of shots to give up and that differential is ugly.

Otherwise, take the point and keep building. Its a process and such.
- fattybeef

Are we just going ignoring Keith being taken to school by McDavid?

I'm sure Foley had a tear slowly going down his cheek after that one.........

I think Kero got his knee dinged up a bit in either the Toronto or Montreal game, so maybe he has an excuse.

However, at least this year there are some replacement bodies down on the farm who might just be better than Kero (and a few of the other forwards on the roster). You mentioned Highmore yesterday for one, Kampf is another, Dauphin. The problem is that the AHL season is just getting started - 3 games played to date.
- RickJ

So kero is the new whipping boy because he replaced the immortal Marcus Kruger....got it.

Pretty sure Kero isn't the reason this team is having issues, or a large reason this team is having issues.

Are we just going ignoring Keith being taken to school by McDavid?

I'm sure Foley had a tear slowly going down his cheek after that one.........
- SteveRain

Not being flippant, but isn't it only reasonable that McDavid would school Keith at this point? I don't even think Keith did all that bad on the play. How do you contain a force of nature like 97 once he's driving the net? Tackle him?

Not being flippant, but isn't it only reasonable that McDavid would school Keith at this point? I don't even think Keith did all that bad on the play. How do you contain a force of nature like 97 once he's driving the net? Tackle him?
- kinigitt

Seems to be a defensive skill other teams have used for years.