Well-deserved shutout. Philly played well and drove the net constantly.

Nice pace to the game.

Pains me to say it but Seabrook was the weakest link. Just trampled... Hope he regains his form soon.
- kinigitt

i don't think that is likely...he is the downsloping treadmill of his carreer

Fair point. No offense taken whatsoever.

In fairness, JJ didn't live in Chicago.
- Justin Lowe

He was included in that.

Well-deserved shutout. Philly played well and drove the net constantly.

Nice pace to the game.

Pains me to say it but Seabrook was the weakest link. Just trampled... Hope he regains his form soon.
- kinigitt

Though I agree he is struggling, he was left alone a lot tonight. Rutta was getting beat all night.

Heck, Australia isn't even a real country


- AusHawk

Not according to the English anyway.

Right? Especially those ones that aren't even in the same time zone.
- Justin Lowe

We’ve got some here in a different hemisphere.

Streaming games, Center Ice, Internet to keep up with the Chicago press - locality is becoming irrelevant.

I don't know if any of the stats-hogs are on, but I'm curious to know just how many of those grade-A chances were against the second pairing.

Right? Especially those ones that aren't even in the same time zone.
- Justin Lowe

Time zone? You aren't even in the same country.

Time zone? You aren't even in the same country.
- TTtime

Touche.

Only a quick 1-hour flight away. I can barely get a drink downed before we're landing usually.

Time zone? You aren't even in the same country.
- TTtime

Those guys are the worst!

Touche.

Only a quick 1-hour flight away. I can barely get a drink downed before we're landing usually.
- Justin Lowe

You do know I am only messing around with ya, right?

Those guys are the worst!
- DarthKane

Just those in the Vancouver area.

Just those in the Vancouver area.
- TTtime

Don’t get me started on those dirty Canucks!

You do know I am only messing around with ya, right?
- TTtime

I was hoping so.

This was a lot of fun already, gang.

I'm putting the finishing touches on Blog #1 and it will be out tomorrow morning.

Let's keep this banter going then.

Nice win tonight for the Good Guys.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

Good reward for #12. He has played a decent game. Came away with a lot of pucks in the Hawks end and started plays the other way.
- breadbag

"A decent game" is DeBrincat's ceiling at this stage in his career, and that isn't good enough for a team trying to get its groove back. A couple of months in Rockford could really help him get used to the pro game and come back hungrier. In the meantime, it'd be nice to see what some of the other Icehogs can do for the Blackhawks.

"A decent game" is DeBrincat's ceiling at this stage in his career, and that isn't good enough for a team trying to get its groove back. A couple of months in Rockford could really help him get used to the pro game and come back hungrier. In the meantime, it'd be nice to see what some of the other Icehogs can do for the Blackhawks.
- matt_ahrens

DeBrincat has played only 13 games, it’s a little early to be talking about his ceiling.

Careful he could be Mexican.
- eagle50

The definition of "TL:DR"

Hey Everyone... sorry for the delay, but I can finally let the (Debrin)cat out of bag (<- sorry terrible joke).

I will be your new writer here at HockeyBuzz for all things Blackhawks.

I didn't post a game day blog as I was finalizing details to get up and running here. Plus, I didn't force it out of respect to JJ.

More to come tomorrow about who I am and my vision moving forward here... exciting stuff ahead, I promise!!

In the meantime, follow me on twitter for some banter tonight; my first official tweet below:


@JustinLoweHB

Hey #blackhawks fans - BREAKING NEWS: I will be your new writer over at @HockeyBuzz!

New/Intro blog coming tomorrow AM!
- Justin Lowe

Congrats, Welcome

DeBrincat has played only 13 games, it’s a little early to be talking about his ceiling.
- DarthKane

Same negativity about Schmaltz bc he blew a few coverages.... see veterans doing the same thing. Our 1C took two bad penalties.

What I’m most concerned about is all the odd man rushes. Hawks trying to pressure in the ozone and everyone gets caught too low. Teams overall positioning and structure was still pretty meh despite the outcome.

DeBrincat has played only 13 games, it’s a little early to be talking about his ceiling.
- DarthKane

"at this stage of his career," meaning, early in his first year. I'm not talking about his career ceiling, I'm saying it is going to take a while for him to be an impact player and he and the Blackhawks are both probably better off with him playing in Rockford for a while.

Same negativity about Schmaltz bc he blew a few coverages.... see veterans doing the same thing. Our 1C took two bad penalties.

What I’m most concerned about is all the odd man rushes. Hawks trying to pressure in the ozone and everyone gets caught too low. Teams overall positioning and structure was still pretty meh despite the outcome.
- bhawks2241

Then the Blackhawks sent Schmaltz to Rockford for six weeks and he came back a better player. Why not do the same for DeBrincat.

Then the Blackhawks sent Schmaltz to Rockford for six weeks and he came back a PO'd, more confident player. Why not do the same for DeBrincat.
- matt_ahrens

*fixed

http://windycitychronicle...kid-with-win-over-flyers/

Meaningless if you want to be a top six center. MUST. PLAY. DEFENSE. WELL. He blew coverage three times in the first period, two of which led to breakaways. Not saying he might not eventually have it in him, but he is NOT an NHL 2C.

ADB also sporting another good dose of nothing tonight.
- Return of the Roar

And this
Moreover
Remember being trounced by Nashville last playoffs?
Too many weak sisters like ADB & Schmaultz shortcomings you describe
Means that McDonough can see necessary corrections
Dineen will not have to speak up

"A decent game" is DeBrincat's ceiling at this stage in his career, and that isn't good enough for a team trying to get its groove back. A couple of months in Rockford could really help him get used to the pro game and come back hungrier. In the meantime, it'd be nice to see what some of the other Icehogs can do for the Blackhawks.
- matt_ahrens

That may be an ok switch
Or leave him on a top two scoring line, but switch him to the third line if you want to give second line a different look some moments in any particular game

One concern if in Rockford: growing his game is better for his development when playing with better players, faster pace in NHL

What stood out to me was how often the Flyers were able to make odd man rushes out of nothing. The Hawks had players back and they just got beat near the Hawks blue line repeatedly. The saving grace was that the Flyers couldn't hit the net.
- breadbag

That stood out to me as well. I think part of it is, like a bunch of other teams, the Flyers are making quick passes to not only exit the zone but to also get through the neutral zone to start the attack. The Hawks did a great job of that in the first 2 games and gave us a breath of fresh air with hope of a new exciting system. Yet the team seems to have reverted back to their old self of diddly daddling in their own zone, playing catch, and often times getting forced into a turnover or ill-advised pass that results in 50/50 pucks.

I thought Ulf's defensive scheme was to have a strong quick pass out of the zone and move the puck just as quickly through the neutral zone to start the rush? What happened to that? Is Q squelching that strategy?