Have The Hawks Finally Found Consistency?
Al Cimaglia | Nov 29, 2010 | Comments 29
The Blackhawks had quite a Circus road trip. The Hawks came up with their worse effort of the season against Calgary and their best performance of the year versus the LA Kings. In total, capturing eight out of twelve possible points on a long trip is very good and the Hawks showed strong character in winning their last two games.
Here are few observations concerning the road trip.
There is more to team toughness than winning fights.
The San Jose Sharks showed how to defeat the Hawks, but really it isn’t a secret. Every club knows they need to play a physical game against the fast, skillful Hawks.
The Hawks have been guilty of being a soft team not because they don’t fight but because there is not enough commitment to finish checks and punish opponents.
It takes a lot more energy to commit to a physical game. The effects of pounding skilful offensive players may take awhile to play out. The same with making defensemen weary of turning their back to chase pucks. But over time the physical punishment can change the behavior of an opponent.
The Hawks need to be physical and only one or two players each game won’t be able to do it. Everyone has to buy into playing with a physical edge.
There are reasons to fight, but winning a scrap doesn’t necessarily translate into becoming a successful team.
How often did the Minnesota Wild qualify for the playoffs while heavyweight champ Derek Boogaard played there?
The answer is twice out of five seasons.
Last year the Hawks were physical enough to hold their own. They also didn’t fight very often. But Adam Burish and Ben Eager knew when not to fight. The Hawks seldom engaged in a tussle when they were winning a game. Burish and Eager didn’t fight very often when their teammates were playing well.
A fight can help energize an opponent as much as derail their effort. Actually the other night in LA was an example of how losing a fight still provided energy for an opponent.
When John Scott pummeled Kevin Westgarth and the young guy left the ice bloodied but still clapping his hands….His teammates took notice.
Before the fight the Hawks were controlling the game and just scored a goal to take the lead. Westgarth was looking to provide a spark and seemed to challenge Scott.
I don’t fault Scott for fighting because he needs to justify his job. Scott doesn’t get many chances to fight. Partly because he hasn’t been dressed and when in the lineup he can’t find an opponent.
But make no mistake, even though Westgarth took a beating he did spark his club.
Up until the fight the Hawks were outhitting LA and were playing their most physical game of the season. After Westgath’s blood was scraped off the ice the Kings got a lot more physical. Actually from that point on the Kings had the next six hits. Both teams finished the contest with 31 hits on the night but before the Westgarth beat down the Hawks had a sizeable edge.
Especially with the injury to Fernando Pisani, Scott will probably stay in the lineup versus the Blues. Cam Janssen won’t be afraid to fight Scott, and if ever Scott is going to dress it should be when playing the Blues.
Without the injured TJ Oshie the Blues are at a disadvantage. Scott needs to be careful not to help the Blues regain momentum by fighting when it really isn’t necessary.
Whether Scott is in the lineup or not the Blues will be throwing as many hard checks as possible. Winning a fight won’t change the St. Louis battle plan. The entire Hawks’ team has to respond with physicality.
Corey Crawford appears to have come of age.
The Hawks played a good game against Anaheim, although without Teemu Selanne the Ducks are a one line team. But if it wasn’t for the play of Crawford the Hawks might have been trailing going into the final period instead of tied. Although facing only 15 shots through 40 minutes in Anaheim, Crawford came up with many big saves.
Crawford’s performance against the Kings was almost flawless. Crawford has been big and solid in his net while controlling rebounds.
The big question is whether Corey can become a consistently good and there is no way to tell unless he gets more starts.
The Hawks front office would love nothing better than Crawford becoming the affordable starting goalie for the future. Marty Turco won’t be pushed out of his starting role but over time Crawford could emerge as the #1 in Chicago.
For the first time this season, Brian Campbell has been pitching in on the penalty killing unit. This wasn’t Joel Quenneville’s first choice but appears necessary. Unfortunately the Hawks don’t have a physical crease clearer except for Brent Seabrook. But Seabrook and Duncan Keith need some help.
Niklas Hjalmarsson finally resembles his form of last season. Nick Boynton and Jassen Cullimore aren’t the answer when the Hawks are down a man. So if Campbell can help out on the PK the Hawks will be better off. Certainly Hjalmarsson appears more comfortable playing alongside Campbell.
The penalty killing unit has sunk to 25th in the league, improvement is needed.
The first home game after a long road trip is always difficult and the Hawks need to bring back the buzz to the United Center. Compared to last year the crowds have been dead, but losing always dampens enthusiasm.
Tomorrow night the Hawks will need to go north and south and make things difficult for Jarolav Halak.
If the Hawks can bring the same effort they displayed against the Kings for the Blues’ game and into December they can get on a nice roll.
Al’s Shots
The officiating in the LA game was dangerously poor.
I like the way Viktor Stalberg is trying to play more physical but…
His check on the pesky Wayne Simmonds late in the middle frame was a dangerous play. Stalberg should have gotten at least four minutes for boarding and could have deserved a major. Instead Stalberg received only a two minute minor for boarding.
Stalberg will learn he needs to keep his head up, especially after making that type of hit.
Dustin Brown made an even more dangerous hit in the third period on Stalberg.
The Kings captain took steps and hit Stalberg late and while he was away from the boards.
Brown saw what Stalberg did to Simmonds and went out of his way to make a point.
The officiating once again spit the bit as Brown was received only a 2 minute minor for roughing….Which was a joke.
The Brown hit was a text book example of either charging or boarding, plus it was late.
The hard hitting Brown retaliated even though the game was close. There was no fear of any retribution coming from Scott as Stalberg was almost knocked into next week.
Is was great to see all the Hawks come to the aid of Stalberg, led by captain Toews. That type of reaction has been missing this season.
Having the injured Pisani sure would have come in handy while the Hawks were shorthanded late in the third period. Fortunately the PK unit came through because the Hawks really deserved two points.
Filed Under: Al Cimaglia • Chicago Blackhawks • Featured
Al, excellent review of the current situation.
I suppose the debate will continue about how fighting impacts the tenure of a game.
The Kings had just three shots in the second period, and didn’t do anything offensively in the second half of that period after the one sided slug fest.
For what it’s worth, Patrick Kane was quoted as saying Scott’s pummelling of Westgarth made an impact. Patrick Sharp had a more measured view: “I give the other a guy a lot of credit for standing in there. It’s not an easy job that those guys have. Johnny got him and that was impressive, but give the other guy credit.”
More importantly, Kane’s fluke goal to open the third was an example of what the Hawks need to do–go to the net.
I give the Blackhawks credit for giving up only one goal on the 5×3 shorthanded situation. The Kings’ commentator Jim Fox said he felt the Hawks did an excellent job of collapsing around their own net and protecting ‘the house’.
And as you say, Crawford is playing solid hockey.
The Kings are a fast, skilled, tough, young team, and a number of observers have favored them to win the Pacific Division, so for the Hawks to go into LA and win a tight game like this one is encouraging.
According to his quote, Q hopes the Hawks have learned something: “When we play with an attitude like we did in 5 out of the 6 games, we’ll find a way to get points.”
However they do it, the Blackhawks simply have to bear down. As Stan Bowman underlined to the reporters, “We’re here to win hockey games,”That’s the bottom line.”
My view is the Hawks were taking the game over before the fight…that fight wasn’t necessary for a spark although Scott did his job.
The team toughness they showed made for a winning outcome.
Al, agreed on that point, re: ‘team toughness’…
Kings color man (and former defenseman BTW) Jim Fox also noted during the telecast that the “Hawks (were) taking away the centre of the ice”, not allowing the Kings any skating and/or passing room.
That kind of defensive discipline is something we have not seen often enough from the Blackhawks this year.
The Blues are sputtering (3-6-1 in their last 10, and two straight losses), so it’s essential for the Hawks to maintain their new found edge when they return to the UC.
With the competition being so close (3 points separating 4th from 11th), anything less than winning the Division, means a playoff spot is questionable.
Every point counts from here on in, and mental toughness to match physical toughness will be the order of the day, every day.
Al,
Tired yet of the half-baked advocacy and defense of fighting?
I assume that DM meant to write tenor and not tenure in his comment above.
Hopefully some day the players, coaches, league execs and commenters will realize that fighting as an accepted practice is detrimental to Hockey.
Many fights are actually pre-arranged which comes off as a little WWF to me and others.
The Scott, Westgarth tilt was definitely agreed to prior, even if only seconds before.
Westgarth, probably feeling pressure to do something got his opportunity and Scott obliged and proceeded to bloody his challenger’s face.
At the end of the fight you can see Westgarth tap Scott sort of on his back and under his arm as if to say I have had enough. Westgarth wasn’t done, he felt the need to celebrate his beating with emphatic clapping.
The lasting effect of the fight on the “tenor” of a team seems to be at the center of the debate.
I will cede that for a shift or two after there may be a burst of adrenaline fostered by the fight or the resulting energy in the building. However, the effect a fight has seems to be ramdom and sometimes detrimental to the team that intitiated it.
I would offer that any player looking to inject some enthusiam into the game and change the “tenor” spend his time thinking of something productive to do.
Fighting does nothing for the game.
Duncan Keith getting seven teeth replaced by a puck and then continuing on with his business is inspirational and can have an effect on the “tenor” of his teams’ play
Toews relentlessy selfless play occassionally jolts his teammates to elevate their play. It is on display night after night.
I could go on and on about players and things they do that actually do inspire and change the “tenor” of the game.
For those that think roster spots should be taken by players whose only “value” is to fight or intimidate I urge you to please reconsider for the good of the game we all love, fans and participants alike.
Hockeynut> I did mean ‘tenor’ ;-) though ‘tenure’ could apply if one considers the language as being elastic, (or the definition of tenure as being “The act, fact, or condition of holding something in one’s possession”). But with no spell correct on these boards, we’re at the mercy of our lapses and Freudian slips…
Well said Nut…
I did notice the Scott fight wasn’t shown the next morning on the NHL network highlight show….
I think fighting will be a part of the game but….the staged fighting etc…as well as dressing a sheriff are a thing of the past for the most part.
The Hawks needed Pisani in the lineup more than Scott.
The outcome of the game would have been the same without Scott.
Al, Nut…I think we all agree the NHL has made some progress since the days of the Eddie Shack-Larry Zeidel and Ted Green-Wayne Maki incidents.
My personal view is that hockey is better off without fighting…but with the popularity of UFC and other such spectacles, it appears the fisticuffs will remain on the menu.
IMO of greater concern is the headshot issue…young men are suffering brain damage at all levels of hockey, starting in junior and even earlier. This is a subject which does not get enough attention.
Clear the track, here comes Shack!
I wonder how many people get that one (or at least now have the tune in their head).
I wrote an updated version for PPP on SBN for Colton Orr called “Clear the Box, Here Comes Ox” ;)
You continue to lose credibility on your blatant vendetta against John Scott.
Your attempt to spin Scott’s fight as a victory for LA is pathetic and clearly shows that you cannot make reasonable or objective observations.
You are too worried about being proved ‘right’ then offering insight and accurate analysis.
The good news is I won’t have to waste time reading this site anymore.
You are too concerned with my opinion not being credible because you don’t agree with it.
The even better news for you would be to only read things you agree with….That way you will always be ‘right’.
Bill – the good news for you is that there are lots of sites that glorify hockey fights so you won’t need to waste your time here.
I don’t mind if two hockey players fight (remember Iginla and LeCavalier getting into in the SCF one year) but if you are going to have fighting specialists like Scott or whoever then the fighting is an event unto itself – completely apart from the game.
I know lots of fans love it – some of them are friends of mine – so I don’t judge anyone for liking it, I just think as Nut said that the “hired gun’ fight adds nothing to the actual end result of the game but is really only sanctioned by the league as it’s own and separate form of entertainment. (One that I don’t happen to enjoy).
I think the NHL believes they’ll lose customers if they kicked players out for fighting disregarding the new customers they could attract. Thankfully IMO it actually has improved since the Broad Street Bully days!
Al, I think the Hawks PK has been bad because nobody was sacrificing themselves to blocking shots until the last two games everyone did and that just simply makes a huge difference. It makes the opponent second guess.
I agree Vito….That’s part of team physicality too.
AL,
I think you just followed up on JJ’s (HB) attacks on Scott. In the beginning of the season you did not say anything about Scott. After Jackel blasted him on a continuing basis you fell in line. All last year people cried we aren’t tough enough, we need an enforcer. Which was proven wrong, but now we got one. Not a skating gem mind you, but serviceable and keeps the other goons honest.
Just because you have a tough guy on your team, doesn’t mean the other team is gonna stop hitting and vise versa.
John Scott has never been the problem this year that people and writers make him out to be. But you wouldn’t know that reading the blogs!! Our top players were our problem in the beginning of the year. Hopefully they have turned the corner….
Moots> John Scott has certainly elicited some heated debate among certain Hawks bloggers and fans.
I agree with you that Scott has *not* been the problem when the Blackhawks have struggled. IMO he knows what he is paid to do, and IMO he does it at better value than the others (Parros, Boogaard, Hordichuk, Ivanans, Neil, et al) in his category.
It appears, though, that the arguments over whether teams should have ‘enforcers’, will continue to be very contentious.
Moots,
I usually try to read JJ’s blogs…. sometimes we agree and sometimes we don’t.
With all due respect I don’t tag along with anyone…I say what I feel.
To be frank I didn’t read a specific blog of his centered on Scott. But if he believes Scott shouldn’t be on the team…. I agree.
I have done this a long time…sometimes I am right and others time not…But I always write my own views.
Ever since I saw Scott at training camp my opinion hasn’t changed much. I have been consistent in my blogs and what I have said on XM.
Below are only a few samplings of what I have written.
You can check the dates….
Like JJ sometimes says….Aim before you shoot….
From 10/1
A third pairing including Scott is a scary thought. Boynton isn’t getting a faster and Scott certainly isn’t a speed demon. Hendry can skate but he struggles with consistency and hasn’t shown to be a physical presence.
When in the lineup Scott will help protect the skill players. It is good thing he has a huge reach because there will be many quick forwards challenging him. But Scott may struggle if he isn’t shielded from top line players.
From 10/8
Scott is going to be a thrill a minute when on the ice, and it looks like he will be in the penalty box often even if he doesn’t fight. There is no reason to call Scott anything but slow and unless shielded from top players he will be a defensive liability. When caught out of position Scott has no choice but to hook or hold his opponent. Referees will have a bulls- eye on his back.
From 10/23
This past summer a friend, who was a former NHL player, shared his thoughts as to why John Scott was signed by the Hawks. He commented Scott would help keep the flies off the Chicago skill players. By that he meant Scott would deter another team from constantly finishing every check, legal or not. In his view Scott was brought to Chicago to cause opponents to take pause, so the physical pounding against the Blackhawks would be curtailed.
Last night the Blues were all over the Hawks as if they were flies on a pile of steamy dog feces. There is no doubt Hawk management knew the Blues and a few other team would approach the Hawks in that way. Hit, hit and hit again. The oppositions’ intent being that constant physical punishment would wear out a skilful opponent.
It is safe to say the presence of Scott in the lineup did not alter the Blues’ game plan.
For those thinking Scott could cause a spark by dominating a fight….Keep waiting. Scott finally found a dance partner in Brad Winchester but the outcome wasn’t decisive enough to spark the Hawks energy level. Keep in mind Winchester isn’t considered a top flight NHL heavyweight. But give Winchester credit as he hung in against Scott who is the bigger man.
There is more…But I don’t think anymore is needed.
Lastly….
I have never said Scott was the direct cause of the Hawks losing a game.
I just believe this team, as it is comprised, can’t afford to waste a roster spot on someone like Scott.
Al, the regular readers of your blog know you are always fair in your view. And you are as consistent in your opinions, as you are ready to defend them.
I believe it is possible to agree and/or disagree while maintaining a sense of humor and civility.
People will argue over whether John Scott belongs on this Hawks team, but my view is that the answer will come when the season is done.
One must remember that John Scott is, as his scouting report at Faceoff.com suggests, ‘a physical utility player’…which is a euphemism.
In the meantime, management got themselves the best player of that type in the NHL for the best price.
Whether that was a wise investment or not, remains to be seen.
Dave,
I think disagreement is healthy but….
Getting personal and attacking credibility doesn’t go…
And it won’t fly in the comment section here.
AL, If Hawk fans want to read facts and opinions on their team then this is the right place to be. Hands down!
Thank you sir..
I have to agree with you here Dave. Only time will tell us if John Scott was a good signing or not. I don’t think with Ladd on the team we would be hit any less. Look at Crosby, he has an X on his back every game. That is the price of winning a cup. People want to knock you off your pedestal.
Didn’t mean to blast you Al, just don’t think he is getting a fair shake.
Never thought Scott was a skating gem but I would rather let things play out and see what unfolds. Q seems to think he is ok. Or at least that is the way he last spoke about him.
keep up the good work. I’ll continue to read your pieces!!!!
No problem Moots…
Just remember Q. also spoke highly of Scott when he was playing defense.
He is what he is… as Dave said.
When Scott can replace Boynton or Cully… or play forward as well as some of the 4th liners I will admit my thinking wasn’t correct.
Until then the roster slot could be better used on someone else..imo.
We are all wasting a lot of key strokes on a player who has played in less than 70% of the games.
Scott has to do his job tomorrow night and not let the Blues seize any momentum.
It seems that the argument about Scott is more of a proxy battle over the value of an enforcer on today’s teams.
I’d be curious is anyone thinks there is a way to prove their value either way. Would less hits per game when an enforcer is playing be convincing? Fights per win? What?
There are a lot of factors…
But to start, in today’s game, the player has to be able to contribute more than fighting…That would be my first criteria.
But maybe others think differently.
With the inistigator rule…a player can’t just go and retaliate against someone who was chippy.
So usually the two sheriffs just fight each other and the others who want to run around and go head hunting still do.
Big difference now as the game has changed.
I’m just glad John Scott is making John Scott money and not Derek Boogaard money.
Always like you to look at the bright side….lol
Al, as we all know the key for the Hawks right now IS consistency…for all the ‘good vibes’ the team may be feeling about coming out of the road trip with 8 out of 12 points, they are obliged to play at that level or higher for the rest of the season because of their mediocre start.
And the Blackhawks can’t let any more points get away from them at the UC.
We’ll see if they’ve got that ‘team toughness’–mental AND physical–tonight.
Well, we still don’t know the answer to Al’s question…but the Hawks win, and that makes three in a row.
December may be very interesting.