Blackhawks

[b1e9a8r5s]

Ok, I've resisted the urge after the Sharks (5-0, nothing wrong with it) thread, but the Blackhawks are now 9-0-2 and have only played 2 home games. That's pretty absurd. Hopefully they can keep it up, but it appears to me, that they are the team to beat, as we are close to 25% through the season. Obviously a lot can change, but 9-0-2 with 2 home games is riddic.

[b1e9a8r5s]

Just a follow up, I didn't want this to be a taunting thread. I'm always interested in hearing other fans opinions of my team. I'd love to hear other folks take on the Blackhawks. Just thought it was thread worthy, maybe not. Full disclosure, I was a little drunk when I got home from the bar and wrote this, lol. Forgive me.

[jrice9]

Blackhawks are pretty sweet this year.

But the record overstated.

They don't have the best pythag in the league. Their +10

Tampa is +17, San Jose +13, Pitt +10, Ottawa +10 and several others are at +9.

They've been lucky but still if you have a top 10 offense and a top 10 defense your a great team early. They've faced around an average schedule.

Another thing is their getting a certain amount of shooting luck on offense.

Their obviosly really talented and a Cup contender do I think their the best team in the NHL? I'm not sure about that. I'm not completely certain all of it is sustainable (goaltending looks fuzzy too).

We'll see but don't get me wrong their definitely a top 10 team in the league and likely top 5 this year.

[RedWings13]

Blackhawks have been incredible. Still disappointed the Wings couldn't take advantage of a clearly exhausted Hawks team after playing like 5 games in 8 days.

[b1e9a8r5s]

Blackhawks are pretty sweet this year.

But the record overstated.

They don't have the best pythag in the league. Their +10

Tampa is +17, San Jose +13, Pitt +10, Ottawa +10 and several others are at +9.

They've been lucky but still if you have a top 10 offense and a top 10 defense your a great team early. They've faced around an average schedule.

Another thing is their getting a certain amount of shooting luck on offense.

Their obviosly really talented and a Cup contender do I think their the best team in the NHL? I'm not sure about that. I'm not completely certain all of it is sustainable (goaltending looks fuzzy too).

We'll see but don't get me wrong their definitely a top 10 team in the league and likely top 5 this year.

You make some good points. But they are up to +14 after last night which is 2nd behind Tampa (+15).

I don't know how you call any schedule with 2 home games and 9 road games average.

Their goaltending has been better and will be a question going forward but the biggest difference in this team is their special teams. Last year their PP was 26 (15.2%) and PK 27th (78.1%). This year the PP is 16 (18.8%) and PK is 1 (92.7).

[b1e9a8r5s]

Blackhawks have been incredible. Still disappointed the Wings couldn't take advantage of a clearly exhausted Hawks team after playing like 5 games in 8 days.

I was shocked when they won that in OT. That game and the game in Calgary (outshot 47-19 i think) were our two most undeserving wins.

[kevin13697]

Patrick Kane finally made it back from the bar room.
Now he's second in the league in scoring.

[kevin13697]

Patrick Kane finally made it back from the bar room.
Now he's second in the league in scoring.

[jrice9]

You make some good points. But they are up to +14 after last night which is 2nd behind Tampa (+15).

I don't know how you call any schedule with 2 home games and 9 road games average.

Their goaltending has been better and will be a question going forward but the biggest difference in this team is their special teams. Last year their PP was 26 (15.2%) and PK 27th (78.1%). This year the PP is 16 (18.8%) and PK is 1 (92.7).

I didn't have last night's data but yeah their ****ing good.

They havn't played very difficult teams so far. The road/home difference is a good point.

Special teams have been great though considering how many good special teams players (at least I think their good) the team has that makes sense. The PP being mediocre is still really weird and I might say bad coaching.


I'm not sure they are better than San Jose but its close for the top spots early.

[jrice9]

Patrick Kane finally made it back from the bar room.
Now he's second in the league in scoring.

He also is shooting 26% which helps

[b1e9a8r5s]

Kane has taken his game to a new level. He's so dangerous with the puck. I hope this means he's matured and focused on the game instead of partying. He could win the art ross this year, he's playing that well.

[Ezekial]

Unfortunately the Hawks have been astounding so far. IMO Team to beat but that's cuz I'm a wings fan they're always a team I want to beat lol.

And I get updated via 3-5 text messages every Hawks game... fun times.

[b1e9a8r5s]

Hawks win again with a 3-0 shutout against Nash. First shutout for them since march 2011. They are playing incredible. And now they have a 7 game homestand. Wow. 10-0-2

[Boom!]

Hawks win again with a 3-0 shutout against Nash. First shutout for them since march 2011. They are playing incredible. And now they have a 7 game homestand. Wow. 10-0-2

They have played almost half of the 24 road games that they have this year...and haven't lost one in regulation. Pretty impressive but the upcoming homestand scares me a little. Need them to play simple hockey (like they do on the road) and keep it up.

[kmo429]

They're the best team in the league. If Crawford continues to play great, they will be the team to beat. They have a STACKED and incredibly dynamic offense, and a stacked defense too. Once again, if they can get good consistent goaltending from Crawford all year, they are easily the team to beat. This was even the case last year, but he played like crap. He's the difference between an average playoff team and a Cup contender.