Time Machine: Blackhawks and Predators

 …but they don’t call the new place the Madhouse on Madison for nothing.

Hawks fans are more and more becoming like Cubs fans (note: Fans not Teams), extremely devoted, and knowledgeable about the game. IT is becoming a way of like for the Cold Season, like the Cubs are for the Fields of Green. The old fans are back (those of us who went in exile during the dark days of Dollar Bill in protest), and the Hawks like the Cubs are driving the Heritage/History of the team. Their is an expectation of winning now, not a hope like the Cubs. That being said

I would fully expect the roof of the UC to be blown off on Friday just for the Anthem, and the whole building Vibrate for every goal, and the Whole City know just when (and if) they win.

D-Men Pairs is what I’m looking at, not individuals. DK is a legit Norris Candidate, while Biscuit and Hammer have played very well. I’m not knocking your guys, I know it is not the first time I have mentioned it, but the Preds D is my biggest concern. It is at the Blue line where I think for all three pairings, the Hawks beat out the Preds. The Offensive potential or contributions. They do not need to score the goal, or even get the primary or secondary assist, but their play at the Blue Line to the Half Boards is what lets the Hawks forwards do their best. Then the D-game they play back to and into the zone, shows up in SAG, the league lowest. BUT missing Soupy and the Dead Guy (Campbell and Johnsson) really does hurt, especially for our Clown Shoes Exposition (aka PP). Buff is doing admirably for a FWD being thrust into the D-Role, Sopel does at least know how to get in way of pucks, and that leaves who ever Q picks from a hat for the night.

I’m not saying the Preds D is bad at all, and once again my biggest concern on the Preds. But for both sides of the line center line 1-3 pairings, I give advantage Hawks, not by a massive margin, but an advantage. I expect the Hawks to get more pucks on net, creating more chances (unless Rinne is a sponge and no rebounds). I also expect the Hawks D will be more active in the O-Zone than the Preds, unless things turn ugly than all hell breaks lose, cats and dogs live together, and the sun fails to rise in the morning. At that point, it is your game to win. If the Preds D can Hold the Zone and/or Clog Center Ice, this series is wide open, this will level the field drastically.

For either side it will depend on the Goal Tender from that point stopping the shots that get through, and the FWDs to keep the slot clear, to finish up the D-end of business.

Weber and Suter are both studs, and definitely showcased their talents during that tournament. Look, I think they’re both better than Seabs, but saying they “outplayed” him is a bit unfair, since he didn’t get much ice time. However, I didn’t think either Weber or Suter significantly outplayed Keith. I thought Keith and Weber were Canada’s two best defensemen, and the numbers suggest that’s true.

I’m not trying to be nit-picky or anything, it just seems like the common perception of how your team’s guys play in the Olympics is very skewed (not singling out Nashville fans, I’m talking about everyone here). I read a comment here on OTF (actually, I think it was a post from Dirk) a couple days ago about how Kane didn’t really show up in the Olympics. Meanwhile, I thought he was USA’s second best forward during the tournament behind Parise (though Kane was horse poop during the first game against Switzerland). In any case, it will be fun to watch 4 of the best defensemen in the game grind it out for 4 games (I won’t say who I think wins ;)

Just noting Niemi has been playing well. Backup Goalie, well hmmm Huet, well sure.As well noted above I’m calling advantage to Hawks on the D-Men. We have not discussed Forwards I’m not calling the top Two lines Close, Significant Advantage Hawks. Bottom two lines, calling advantage Hawks, now. That is based on the way the have been playing as of late. But if Eager or Kopy loose their brain or equilibrium again, 4th line is mush. If Versteeg keeps ignoring the “Dump Puck Here” sign at centerline when their are 2-3 opposing players in front of you, than Mad-Dog’s 3rd line becomes just a hold it line, and not a scoring threat, but a TO threat.