These Blackhawks are Hard to Figure Out
Hey Cristobal, Look Lower!
For a few months now, we’ve talked about how important it is for the Blackhawks to be peaking around this time of the year going into the playoffs. Two weeks ago, it was time to lift the lid over the panic button. Then the Hawks went on a five game point streak that included three wins, meaning it was almost time to close the protective cover on the button. Then, as they always do, Canada screwed everything up and after two lopsided losses, the red button is back in the open and Dr. Strangelove is awaiting on the speed dial.
Okay, so maybe this is all a little melodramatic, but the Chicago Blackhawks are not an easy team to figure out. A spectacular first half of the season had us wondering if they were Cup contenders and now we’re just wondering which team will show up on a nightly basis. Is it the team with young talent that can fly around the ice and trade goals with anyone, or the one that makes stupid mistakes in its own zone and hits the net with the regularity of the special kid who gets into the intermission contest?
This week has been anything but special. The only positive to come out of games against Vancouver and Montreal was that the Blackhawks showed the Canucks that they were not intimidated and had plenty of ‘fight’ in them despite the deficit. The message was sent in case they meet in the playoffs. However, with the inconsistency they’ve shown and the Red Wings waiting for the last two games of the season, that playoff series looks like it will be held with Calgary or Vancouver having the home ice advantage. The Hawks have a game in hand on both, but trail them by one and two points respectively.
Mental lapses like Duncan Keith’s last night against Montreal will not fly this time of the year. While it’s great that the Hawks are likely headed to their first postseason in a while, it is not good that they have such insufficient playoff experience. If it’s time to start thinking like a playoff team then you can’t be setting up one of the premier scorers on the other team right in front of your own net with a no-look pass. Lesson learned. Also, 0-6 on the power play has to turn some heads.
It’s back to the United Center tonight against St. Louis, then Nashville comes to town on Friday night. We’ll see which squad shows up for those games and in the meantime, I’ll keep a close eye on that panic button.
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Comment from Clapp
Time April 1, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I really have no idea what to expect with them in the playoffs. Will be happy just to see them there for once though.