Shark Bait?

Just not sure bout this Hawks team, I have some concerns. Sure the Hawks own the best record in the NHL but…  in my opinion they are not the best team in the NHL.  I realize you have to be lucky to be good and good to be lucky but I have a number of concerns with this team and the time to improve and experiment is now, during the season.  The Hawk power play, which in spite of all kinds of star power, was awful last year.  This young season has seen the Hawks slide to 15th in the league, going 1 for 8 against the Ducks, including a couple of 4 on 3's.  Someone has got to explain to Q that Sharpie should not be on the point on the PP when you have Seabs sitting on the bench who has one of the hardest shots in the league.  Also, the opponents know the Hawks, nothing has changed… backdoor all of the time or a set up for a timer.  My suggestion, the blueline on the PP needs to improve significantly if this team is going to have a deep run in the playoffs.  How bout faceoffs… it would sure be nice if the Hawks could land a second line center to take the pressure off Tazer for game critical faceoffs.  It’s a blessing that Tazer was 74% against the Ducks in key situations.  Acquiring a second line center would also help Sharpie who has been in a funk.  The Rat has a tendency to dump and chase and with Kane and Sharpie as your wingers, puck control is their specialty, not dumping and chasing.  I mean ****, when was the last time you saw Kaner go hard into a corner for a puck that was dumped in, with a 225lb defenseman, defending him.  Not blaming Kaner but that’s just not his game, puck control is.  Next for improvement is the the Hawks shootouts.  The Hawks have not been great and as I mentioned yesterday if the Hawks next shootout is tonight, Big Hoss gets his turn as the #3 shooter.  The Hawks problem has been finding a consistent third shooter.  Sharpie, Leddy and Saad were all given opportunities this season, but failed to score.  Lastly, the Hawks need to against bigger and more physical teams.  Rumor has it that the Hawks are exploring the possibility of acquiring some additional size and toughness on wing so stay tuned.

Tonight, the Hawks face a rested Sharks club, who are in the middle of a six-game road trip, have lost six consecutive contests overall and are looking to even the season series between the two teams.  Maybe, I am in a funk but I see tonight's game going to the Sharks, 3-1.  Hope I'm wrong.

Below are the two teams (NHL Rankings):
Sharks 7-3-3   17pts:
Goals for:  2.62 (19)
Goals against:  2.08 (5)  
PP%:  21.2 (9)
PK%:  87.0 (6)

Hawks 10-0-3   23pts:
Goals for:  3.31 (2)
Goals against :  1.92 (3)
PP%:  18.2 (16)
PK%:  91.5 (2)


Did you know:
1) Car Bomb took to the ice yesterday and is now practicing.
2) The Hawks dropped to 1-3 in shootouts this season with Tuesday's shootout loss to the Ducks.
3) Big Hoss hasn't taken a shootout chance this season and hasn't been used much in recent years. He was 0-4 in shootouts last season, 0-2 in 2010-2011 and 2-5 in 2009-2010. He's 12 for 40 for his career.

Tonight's expected Hawks lineup
Offense:
Saad Tazer Big Hoss
Sharpie Rat Kaner
Bicks Shaw Stalberg
Bollig Krugs Frolik

Defense:
Seabs Keith
Hammer O-do-ya
Rozsival Leddy

Netminder:
Razor

GO HAWKS!