Chicago Hawkie

@goalnut3133 I like the way Pat Foley (Blackhawks TV commentator) says Sharks every time the Hawks play them ... Shaaaaarks, kind of like he's water-logged. I think the St. Louis Blues are quickly climbing to the top of the Hawks' Dread list.

@yave1964 Yeah, it does seem like the Wings and Sharks have met quite a bit in the postseason ... I think the Coyotes, with Mike Smith, have given many teams fits back in 2011-12, too.

@goalnut3133 Yeah, I think current vs. former Hawks will be a big story since there are 3 of them on the Jets ... although I think the 3rd period could also be a deciding factor if those former Hawks end up on the scoreboard. And then there's Buffy the Bulldozer ...

Which team(s) does you team(s) seem to have the most trouble winning against? For the Blackhawks in recent years, the Edmonton Oilers seem to have given the Hawks the most problems. They handed the Hawks one of their rare losses last season and practically blew up the scoreboard in a couple of games in the 2011-12 season, where the Hawks gave up 15 goals in two games against the Oilers.

This is going to really be an interesting game. With the former Hawks on the Jets, it will be a game within a game. Will Big Buff stop the Hawks' attack? How will Ladd and Frolik do against their former team? Who will win the Battle of the Kanes (Patrick vs. Evander)? How will the Hawks handle perennial Hawks-killer Devin Setoguchi (Is it just me, or does he always score against the Hawks?). What will happen in the third period? Since the Hawks have had some issues tightening it up in the third period this season more often than not, will they have more success holding a lead, if they get one, in the third period? Stay tuned ...

Blackhawks--Jets tomorrow afternoon!! This is going to be a great game, and with the former Hawks on the Jets, it will make for an interesting "game within a game". I can't wait ...

I could look for some Chicago sports boards ... but I like this one so much that i'll stay here. Besides which, I'm so tired from work on most days that I don't have much time to spend anywhere else. There may be some good local boards around ... but I haven't the time to look now.

Wow ... on NBC sports network last week, the Sabres-Bruins rivalry was featured and it was mentioned that John Scott was brought in to Buffalo to give the Sabres a gritty edge. That episode was ahead of its time ...

Injuries seem to have a lot to do with it. I can only imagine how far the Wings would have gone last season in the playoffs had there not been so many injuries. Some of their other problems seem to have mirrored the Hawks' issuws before the Hawks broke out of it last night.

@goalnut3133 It was a great game ... the kind that has typified Blackhawk hockey last season. Unfortunately, I had to DVR much of it because I was tired from work and went to bed early. What was amazing was that the Hawks' onslaught began late in the 2nd period after the Wild tied the game.

Also ... Sedins as bobbleheads? I can so picture that That Wizard of Oz munchkin in the middle ... kind of looks a little like Stan Bowman. My dad always says that Nashville coach Barry Trotz reminds him of Edgar G. Robinson and I can imagine him saying something like, "Where's your MVP now? Maaaahhhhhh!".

@jammer2 I think he is underrated, also. He's not a flashy player, but he is steady (like Nicklas Lidstrom, who was a mainstay on the Wings' blueline before he retired). On a funny note - I hope they air those Ikea commercials with him in them again ... those were great!

@hf101 We'll have to win on the road, unfortunately. The Hawks did not look too good at all last night, in my opinion. Too much time in the box. I think, though, that the Hawks will pull it together Monday night, but it's won't be easy ...

@goalnut3133 I can't wait! It's going to be a long month 'til then, though ...

I don't think it should be banned although I can't say I'm a fan of "meaningless" fights (e.g. each team's goon throwing down for no reasin than just because), either. For me, it depends on the reason for a fight. I'm thinking back to the Hawks-Sharks game last season where Jamal Mayers (who is a better Hawks enforcer, in my opinion, than Dan Carcillo was) dropped the gloves with Raffi Torres during the first game Torres had against the Hawks since his hit on Marian Hossa (when he was with Phoenix, and during a playoff game, no less). I thought that was better than if Mayers had instead taken a cheap shot or made a dirty hit on Torres. Since then, I think the Hossa/Torres issue is done.

I hope so At this point, however, I am a little concerned that they are allowing goals in the third period, particularly when they are leading in the third period, so hopefully they can shore up that issue. I think they will work it out. Big home-and-home series with last season first-round opponent Minnesota stating tomight ...