Our Blackhawks (Post TDL) in the Post Season

I realize this is a tad, presumptuous, since we aren't officially a lock yet, but we are pretty close. However, I wanted to voice some thoughts and hopefully give some a reality check about this team.

First, yes, this team still has some issues. Our goal tending is below average, even with Corey looking a bit better of late. And our Power Play is beyond terrible. If we have one issue in the playoffs that cause us to get knocked out, it will be the PP. Teams like Vancouver can take runs at us all night, drawing penalties, without fear of us scoring on them. Not good.

That all being said, while many of us tend to focus on those two items, and all the bad things about this team, consider this: There is not ONE team in the Western Conference playoffs that wants to draw the Blackhawks as their first round match-up. Not a single one. As worried as we all are with our team, other teams are more worried about the Hawks, and well they should be.

- Our team has been playing very good puck possession hockey of late. The best I've seen it played this season by us. Our goal tending may not be the greatest, but we are holding onto the puck so well lately that we aren't giving the other team quality chances.

- Our team defense has improved, and we are still playing good defense even without Montador as a #5 and of late, missing our #1 in Keith

- Team work between Kane and Hossa has been dynamic since the TDL

- Team work between Sharp and Stalberg has really picked up as of late.

- The above have been two good scoring lines WITHOUT Toews. Add him in the mix and his scoring ability, not to mention his defense, and this team will be even better.

- Welcome back 3rd / Shutdown line! The Bickell-Bolland-Shaw line is about in playoff form right now. Bickell has his game back and has been playing great, Shaw has been scoring a lot more than Frolik ever did last season, and he is every bit the agitator that Bolland is, and Bolland has been benefiting from real line mates. Bolland was a -9 just 3 weeks ago (and would complain in interviews that he hates his +/-) but as of last night, he is back to even. This line isn't just shutting down, its starting to score again, and this is good for the Hawks come playoff time

- On several occasions, this team has started playing physical, most notably against the St Louis Blues the last couple of games, with even Kane throwing some checks. If we play like that during the playoffs --- and it's encouraging to see us get into this mindset now --- that will bode well for our chances

I'm not trying to hand out rose colored glasses here, nor will I say that we are a favorite to get to the Cup finals, but I do want all the pessimists out there to realize that this team is starting to play well at the right time, and getting our key players back at the right team, and other teams will be afraid to play us the way we have been playing as of late. There is reason to think we have a good chance to do some damage this season, and have turned things around a lot since our 9 game losing streak. As worried as we are about our flaws, other teams are more worried about our successes of late.

I'm ready for the post season to begin.

We'll need some breaks and we'll need some unexpected rises in performance but if they come, then it's up for grabs. The Hawks have playoff performers:

Toews
Kane
Sharp
Bolland
Keith
Hossa (defensively)
Crawford (need to see if it was a one year thing or just how they are)
Bickell (need to see if it was a one year thing or just how they are)
Frolik (need to see if it was a one year thing or just how they are)

They'll need most of these guys to play at that high level and couple others to emerge (maybe Stalberg), but it is possible this team could make the finals, just not in spite of anything due to the lack of depth.

It is quite obvious to me that our play behind the hash marks in our own end is our biggest weakness (PP aside) .... and teams will be trying to exploit that. That deficiency needs to be countered by the dmen (or forward) moving the puck out quickly and decisively whenever possible, preferably with a good first pass, but dump it out if they have to. Assuming CC will be the starter, he must be smarter as well. More than once last night he made poor decisions and left his dmen scrambling to keep possession.

If the above is executed properly, our puck possession game should be effective. Easy to say I know.

I think the PP is a huge problem...maybe as much as the goaltending.

Like you say...I worry about other teams, particularly the Canucks, constantly cheapshotting us because they figure they have nothing to worry about on a 5 on 4...or even 5 on 3!

I think the PP is a huge problem...maybe as much as the goaltending.

Like you say...I worry about other teams, particularly the Canucks, constantly cheapshotting us because they figure they have nothing to worry about on a 5 on 4...or even 5 on 3!

Worked for them last year.

PP is a huge problem. We're as good as anyone 5 on 5, but if we're going to go anywhere, we need our special teams to play at least as well as our opponent's.

Stats that show the ineptitude of our special teams. Despite being on the PP 35 more times than we've been short handed, we've allowed 8 more PPGA than we have PPG. Not gonna win in the playoffs like that.

Maybe the Hawk's are saving their new revamped secret PP plan for the playoffs..:laugh:

I would say this team looks deadly and ready for a cup run. But the terrible goaltending will likely bite them at some point.

We have a team that has many players who seem to step it up in the playoffs. I think we could surprise people... and by that, I mean ourselves because .... just look at us.

I would say this team looks deadly and ready for a cup run. But the terrible goaltending will likely bite them at some point.

Well, on one hand, our puck possession and teamwork (line chemistry) was apparently missing all season and started really coming together the last few weeks. We can hope (long shot, I admit) that our PP chemistry comes together in the next few weeks too, just in time for the playoffs. Toews may help some there too.

As others have said the powerplay is really going to hold this team back.

I can see Crawford coming up big like he did last year. I can see the defense tighting up when the chips are really on the line.

I don't see the PP magically turning into a positive for this team. And without a stable PP the Hawks are likely a second round exit.

Just my prediction.

Unlike last season, where we peaked a bit too early (around February), we had our deep funk then and are peaking at the right time. I have a lot of confidence in this team, and adding Toews will be just like a blockbuster deadline deal without us having to give up anything. I can't wait to see him injected into the lineup. We'll be scary.

Unlike last season, where we peaked a bit too early (around February), we had our deep funk then and are peaking at the right time. I have a lot of confidence in this team, and adding Toews will be just like a blockbuster deadline deal without us having to give up anything. I can't wait to see him injected into the lineup. We'll be scary.

I really hope it's not like Crosby where he got injured again almost immediately. I guess just wait and see...

Don't think you are going to win in the playoffs unless Crawford turns in a performance like he did against Vancouver consistently. Even then, unless the PK and PP both improve, this team will not go too far in the playoffs.

Our PK is good since we added Oduya
Our Team plays good and strong since the TDL

Can our Goalies keep us in and win us a game here or there in the POs? That's the question.

I am dumbfounded by the fact that we are so much worse with an extra man that an even strength.

That just doesn't add up.