The Blackhawks and Canucks rivalry

Over the past few years, the rivalry between the Blackhawks and the Canucks has grown. Last year, the rivalry rose to new heights. You all know the story, the Hawks were down 0-3 and made a great comeback to force game 7. In game 7, Toews had that great goal and then the OT didn't really go as planned. The Canucks "slayed their dragon" and thought that they would win the Stanley Cup as soon as they beat the Blackhawks. Some of the comments after the series against the Canucks made Blackhawks players angry. Stan Bowman went out and signed Dan Carcillo and one of the immediate things that Carcillo addressed in his press conference was that he was going to be going after certain Canucks players.

The Blackhawks essentially accomplished this goal of going after the Canucks players in their first meeting this year. The one thing they forget was that they were playing hockey and had to score goals and play defense. They played terrible in that game and didn't seem like they had the motivation to win. They made it seem like their number one goal was to beat up on the Canucks and just hit them as many times as possible.

I have a plan for the Blackhawks in this game. They need to keep playing hard hitting hockey, but they need to actually play defense and try to score some goals. They shouldn't stop playing tough hockey, because that's one of the reasons they didn't win in the playoff series. Carcillo and Mayers can still get in fights and hit hard into the boards, but they need to play smart hockey. I would love to see Carcillo score. That would honestly mean more to me than Carcillo getting in a fight with Bieksa. I want a Blackhawks win tonight, not a Blackhawks beat-down.

Blackhawks after 10 games

Through the first ten games the Blackhawks look impressive during some games and sloppy during others. Some old problems and some new problems are haunting the Hawks. They still don’t play in the third period when they have a lead, Toews has had another slow start, and they can’t seem to get the power play working. Granted, through the most recent games they have been better on the power play and third period play, they are still lacking in some areas. It’s a good thing that the good outshines the bad to this point. Kane at center has been very successful, Hossa looks to be back in it, until the recent suspension Carcillo has looked very good, the checking line is probably one of the best and yet unnoticed in the NHL. Corey Crawford is solid in net and there is no sign of a sophomore slump. All these good things and yet, the Blackhawks are under the radar. With the surprising success of the Leafs, the dominance of the Capitals, the failures of the Bruins, and the great play as always by the Red Wings, the Blackhawks have gone unnoticed and yet in those ten games they are 6-2-2. A pretty good record considering that fact that last year they were 5-4-1 in their first 10 games.

There is obviously more the Blackhawks could be doing and they probably will improve in the future. Toews is starting to heat up and Keith isn’t in as big of a slump as the beginning of the season. The Blackhawks only have two true losses. One of those losses was the very first game of the season, which was a preseason game for the Hawks and regular season game for the Stars. They were outplayed all over the ice. After watching that game, I was worried. Absolutely none of the players looked ready to lay and the big season I expected looked like it would be a disappointing one just like last season. The next few games were a little more convincing, but the game against the Bruins was a realization. The Blackhawks still had some of the same problems. They didn’t play in the third period. The Blackhawks have a good team that can go far in the playoffs. They have great players and great teamwork. This team can win the Stanley Cup if they fix some of their problems. If the Hawks continue to play the way they have, they will be very successful this season.

Hawks lose first game 2-1, play home opener tonight

I didn't get to catch the game last night, but what I heard from other fans, it wasn't very good. Q decided to change the lines as much as he possibly could. Even Montador got a chance to play wing last night. The team was crazy and everywhere. Confusion and Lehtonen are what killed the Hawks last night.

There were some positives, though. The Sharp, Toews, and Kane line was reunited and looked like the only line that wasn't completely lost. This means that Kane probably won't be playing center as expected. Q might use him there every once and awhile, but he can't deny the chemistry between those three elite players. Nick Leddy scored with 14 seconds left in the third period to prevent the shutout.

Hopefully the Hawks can get a win tonight at the United Center. They are playing the Stars again and maybe this time Q has his lines figured out. Kruger was recently recalled from Rockford and will probably be used at center on one of the lines. With Bolland and Smith out, the team looks a lot worse. When they come back, the Hawks should start clicking. But, as Patrick Sharp said, "2 points in October is just as important as 2 points in April."

Crawford didn't play extremely well and hopefully improves tonight. The Kane, Toews, and Sharp line should be together for most of the game and I predict that they'll get at least one goal. I'm predicting a Hawks win tonight.

Blackhawks Season Preview: Part 4, Goalies

New Additions

Ray Emery- He was invited to camp to compete for the backup position. Depending on how he plays on Saturday, he might be the Blackhawks backup goalie.

The Young Ones

Alexander Salak- He was acquired along with Michael Frolik in a trade for Jack Skille last year. He is a feisty goalie and depending on whether or not he out-plays Emery he could be the backup goalie for the Hawks.

The Veterans

Corey Crawford- With one year under his belt, he should be better. He will be the undisputed starter this season unlike last season. He showed how good he can be during the playoffs last year and hopefully he can play that way throughout the season.

Breakout Player

I think Crawford will be a breakout player of sorts. He didn’t get to show his complete talent last year. He had a short time period to play. He will get a lot more starts this year and will show how good he really is.

Predictions

Crawford will help lead the Hawks on what could be a cup run during the playoffs. He is a solid goalie that will be trustable during the playoffs. Goaltending won’t be a problem like it was for part of the year last year.

Blackhawks Season Preview: Part 3, Defense

New Additions

Sean O’Donnell- He was signed this offseason and will probably used on the third pairing.

Steve Montador- He was also signed this offseason and will also be used on the third defensive pairing. He might switch off rolls with O’Donnell or both of them will be used at once.

Sami Lepisto- He was signed to solidify the fact that Chris Campoli would not be returning. He will probably play on the second or third pairing this season.

The Young Ones

Niklas Hjalmarsson- He has been with the Hawks for a couple years now and is looking to have a breakout season. Now that some players have moved on, Hjalmarsson will have a bigger role on the team and could have a breakout season this year.

Nick Leddy- He didn’t play the whole season last year, but he will this year. He showed that he has a lot of talent and can be a very good defenseman last year. He has some things to improve on, but will be very good in the future.

The Veterans

Brent Seabrook- He has been consistently good in the past few years. He will probably continue to be good as long as his linemate can be good too.

Duncan Keith- After winning the Norris trophy last year, he didn’t perform well the next season. Now that he is rested and doesn’t have the pressure of being the Norris winner, he should have another good season.

Breakout Player

I think it will be Hjlamarsson. He doesn’t have Campbell as his linemate anymore and will get more attention. He is more important to the team this year, so he will probably step up and have a good season.

Predictions

The defense will be one of the strong points for the Blackhawks this season. Seabrook and Keith are one of the best pairings in the NHL, but now the Hawks have depth at defense and will be much better in that area.

Blackhawks Season Preview: Part 2, Forwards

New Additions

Jamal Mayers- He will most likely play center on the 4th line. He was added in an attempt to make the Blackhawks fourth line a little stronger and grittier.

Dan Carcillo- He will be playing on the 4th line and was also part of the campaign to make the fourth line better. As long as he can stay disciplined, he should be a good addition to the team.

The Young Ones

Marcus Kruger- Last year, as a rookie, he showed that he had talent and could play the game. The Hawks are unsure about him as a second line center and also unsure about him as a fourth line center. He will probably be used on the fourth line and have the same position as Stalberg and start every few games.

Ben Smith- Also a rookie last year, who showed that he had some talent and could score goals. He scored 3 goals in one round of the playoffs. He might play on the second line or on the third or fourth line. As long as he does well in training camp, he will be on the team. He works hard, has talent, and has hockey smarts. He will be a great piece on the Hawks in the next few years.

Brian Bickell- He also played well in the playoffs last year and looks to have a breakout season this year. He has been good playing with Dave Bolland so far in his career and will probably stay on the left wing of the third line.

Michael Frolik- After being acquired in a trade from the Panthers for Jack Skille, it took him awhile to warm up to playing on the Hawks. Towards the end of the season and in the playoffs he was a helpful part of the team. He will probably play on the second or third line most of the year.

The Veterans

Patrick Sharp- He had an outstanding season last year, but looks to top that. He might have to play center for a good part of the season because the Hawks have nobody else that can play the second line center position. He is a better goal-scorer when he is on the wing, but is still a good asset when playing center.

Jonathan Toews- Year after year he is good and then gets better the next year. That trend will probably continue. As long as he stays healthy, he might be in Hart trophy/MVP talks. He is a great leader and will be centering the first line, as always.

Patrick Kane- He has bulked up this summer and looks forward to having a big season this year. He should be 100% healthy for the season opener after injuring his wrist during a workout this summer.

Marian Hossa- He is always a huge contributor on any team he plays for. He will be playing the right wing on the second line most of the year and looks to increase his points number that was lower than expected last season.

Breakout Player

I think the breakout player this year will be Michael Frolik. He wasn’t very successful in Florida, but it looks like he has better chemistry with the Blackhawks. He will either play on the second line with Hossa and Sharp who are both great forwards or with Bolland and Bickell on the third line. He will have chances and will probably take advantage of those chances.

Predictions

As long as Carcillo can keep himself from being suspended, the project of improving the fourth line should be a success. If the young players like Bickell, Smith, and Frolik all step up the Hawks will be a force to reckon with. With Selke runner-up, Jonathan Toews, and one of the best defensive forwards, Dave Bolland, on the team, the Hawks defense should be strengthened by some of the great defensive forwards. 

Blackhawks Season Preview: Part 1, Introduction

In 2009-2010 the Blackhawks had an outstanding team that went on to win the Stanley Cup. After the celebration, the realization that the Blackhawks could not afford to pay all of those great players set in. They had to let go key players like Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Antti Niemi, Kris Versteeg, and Ben Eager. It was easy to see that the 2010-2011 team would not be as successful as the team from the year before. The Hawks battled through injuries and barely made it into the playoffs thanks to a Dallas Stars loss. The first three games of the playoffs were dead and sleepy, but the next 3 were the Blackhawks that all fans knew and loved. They had a reason to fight and were fighting with all they had. Game 7 was intense. The Canucks scored quickly and held the lead until Jonathan Toews scored a shorthanded goal with 3 minutes left that I think defines who the Blackhawks are. There was a look of determination in his eyes and he knew that he had to step up. He was going to make sure that puck went in no matter what, even if he had to shoot while he was on the ground. It showed the heart of the Blackhawks. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks didn’t win the game. Now the big question is whether or not the Blackhawks can return to glory.

Stan Bowman made a lot of moves this offseason to help the Hawks become a better team. He got rid of Troy Brouwer, Brian Campbell, Tomas Kopecky, and Jake Dowell. Using the freed up cap space, he signed some grit for the fourth line including Jamal Mayers and Dan Carcillo. He also added some defensive depth with O’Donnell, Lepisto, and Montador. He also added the veteran forward Andrew Brunette.

Over the next few days, I’ll be taking a look at each part of the team and then in the last part of this mini series, I will make some predictions.