The Low Down in The Chi Town: Blackhawks vs. Blue Jackets
Photo courtesy of ChicagoNow.com
Mathematically it seems the Blue Jackets are out of the 2010 playoff picture but the Blackhawks should not take this game for granite. Chicago coming off of a huge and much needed win against the blazing hot Phoenix Coyotes will be playing the deflated Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jackets look for a win to snap a 2 game losing streak, and on the other side of the puck, the Hawks look for their first 2-game win streak since the beginning of March.
Hossa said in a post-practice interview today, "a few games before the playoffs we need to get better and better," when comparing the two games the Blackhawks just finished against the Coyotes, they did get better but is it enough? The Blackhawks probably will not be sweating the Blue Jackets as much as they did the Coyotes last game, which many Blackhawks called, "One of the biggest games of the year," but with only 10 games left in the season our defense needs as much competition to gear up for the playoffs as possible.
This will be the 5th time these 2 franchises have met this year and the Blackhawks have taken a "W" home in every game so far. Over the last 4 meetings the Blackhawks have chalked up 18 goals vs. the Blue Jackets 12 this year, 2 games ended in a shootout, while the other 2 the Blackhawks won in regulation.
Huet will get the start in goal for the first time since Saturday, March 13 against the Philidelphia Flyers. Chicago fans remember that heart-breaking loss all to well as Chris Pronger scored the game winning goal with only 3 seconds left in regulation; Huet went 31/34 in saves in the 2-3 loss.
Even though these 2 teams are 29 points apart from each other, the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets Power Play percentage is about the same. Even though the Blue Jackets are in a 29 point deficeit to the Blackhawks their 81.8% Penalty Kill percentage is quiet good and with the Blackhawks only scoring rought 1:6 PPs could put up quite a challenge for the Hawks.
Quenneville said in today's post-practice interview, "Huet hasn't played since phili game and did well and we want to get him going as well." Is Q-Stache looking to give Niemi a rest after Niemi posted 2 shutouts in his last 3? Doesn't really make sense if you ask me, but I am not really the best person to answer that question, for last month, I joined the Facebook group "For the love of God! Why isn't Antti Niemi the Blackhawk's starting goalie?"
When asked about a starting goalie for the playoffs, Quenneville said he might make that decision with about 5 games left in the season but did say, ""We might go with one guy" ... "we want both guys confidient in net." With our defense as questionable as it is currently, I can't argue with Q-stache even though I do believe Niemi made a huge statement last game against the Coyotes.
It was GREAT to see Q-Stache smile when discussing the defense's last performance against the Coyotes, however, Quenneville did say "We need do a better job clearing pucks, Knocking people down" he also said, "we could manage the puck a little better, " and ""awareness was in place, execution could be better." Seabrook played great and really got everyone pumping as Byfuglien follow closely and Hjalmarsson had great net-minding.
Kim Johnsson hasn't skated since 3/13 due to an upper body injury and is still day-to-day but more than likely will not play against the Blue Jackets tomorrow. Every game is important to the Blackhawks now, however, this game is not worth risking further injuries to Kim Johnsson.
Passing, puck control, and fewer turnovers will always be concerns of the Blackhawks and tomorrow will hopefully be a great opporunity to work on all of our concerns. The Offense always does a great job and they need to keep that going. The only thing I would like to see is our Power Play to improve and actually get some good PP goals in. Defense, as Q said, needs to keep being phyiscal, keep pressing the puck, force turnovers, get and keep the puck out of the D zone and fast. If we hit rock bottom Saturday against the Coyotes, this incline is coming at the right time.
If the Blackhawks keep improving upon their defense and overcome their multiple challenges this game will result in a win, which is what everyone wants in life! So put on your Blackhawks jersey, grab a Miller Lite and gear up for a much needed and quite possible 2-game win streak as THE Chicago Blackhawks head to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets!
Hossa said in a post-practice interview today, "a few games before the playoffs we need to get better and better," when comparing the two games the Blackhawks just finished against the Coyotes, they did get better but is it enough? The Blackhawks probably will not be sweating the Blue Jackets as much as they did the Coyotes last game, which many Blackhawks called, "One of the biggest games of the year," but with only 10 games left in the season our defense needs as much competition to gear up for the playoffs as possible.
This will be the 5th time these 2 franchises have met this year and the Blackhawks have taken a "W" home in every game so far. Over the last 4 meetings the Blackhawks have chalked up 18 goals vs. the Blue Jackets 12 this year, 2 games ended in a shootout, while the other 2 the Blackhawks won in regulation.
Huet will get the start in goal for the first time since Saturday, March 13 against the Philidelphia Flyers. Chicago fans remember that heart-breaking loss all to well as Chris Pronger scored the game winning goal with only 3 seconds left in regulation; Huet went 31/34 in saves in the 2-3 loss.
Even though these 2 teams are 29 points apart from each other, the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets Power Play percentage is about the same. Even though the Blue Jackets are in a 29 point deficeit to the Blackhawks their 81.8% Penalty Kill percentage is quiet good and with the Blackhawks only scoring rought 1:6 PPs could put up quite a challenge for the Hawks.
Quenneville said in today's post-practice interview, "Huet hasn't played since phili game and did well and we want to get him going as well." Is Q-Stache looking to give Niemi a rest after Niemi posted 2 shutouts in his last 3? Doesn't really make sense if you ask me, but I am not really the best person to answer that question, for last month, I joined the Facebook group "For the love of God! Why isn't Antti Niemi the Blackhawk's starting goalie?"
When asked about a starting goalie for the playoffs, Quenneville said he might make that decision with about 5 games left in the season but did say, ""We might go with one guy" ... "we want both guys confidient in net." With our defense as questionable as it is currently, I can't argue with Q-stache even though I do believe Niemi made a huge statement last game against the Coyotes.
It was GREAT to see Q-Stache smile when discussing the defense's last performance against the Coyotes, however, Quenneville did say "We need do a better job clearing pucks, Knocking people down" he also said, "we could manage the puck a little better, " and ""awareness was in place, execution could be better." Seabrook played great and really got everyone pumping as Byfuglien follow closely and Hjalmarsson had great net-minding.
Kim Johnsson hasn't skated since 3/13 due to an upper body injury and is still day-to-day but more than likely will not play against the Blue Jackets tomorrow. Every game is important to the Blackhawks now, however, this game is not worth risking further injuries to Kim Johnsson.
Passing, puck control, and fewer turnovers will always be concerns of the Blackhawks and tomorrow will hopefully be a great opporunity to work on all of our concerns. The Offense always does a great job and they need to keep that going. The only thing I would like to see is our Power Play to improve and actually get some good PP goals in. Defense, as Q said, needs to keep being phyiscal, keep pressing the puck, force turnovers, get and keep the puck out of the D zone and fast. If we hit rock bottom Saturday against the Coyotes, this incline is coming at the right time.
If the Blackhawks keep improving upon their defense and overcome their multiple challenges this game will result in a win, which is what everyone wants in life! So put on your Blackhawks jersey, grab a Miller Lite and gear up for a much needed and quite possible 2-game win streak as THE Chicago Blackhawks head to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets!
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