Question Answered, and Plans for the Season.

My Dearest Readers, sorry it has been so long since I have posted on here. I promise throughout the rest of the season I am going to make a more conscious effort to post regularly. That being said let me get started:

Recently, I was at work and was dumbfounded when asked a question about the Hawks. Before I tell you what the question is I must say that this is not the first or the most recent time I have had this question poised to me. How can the Hawks beat some of the best teams in the league and struggle against teams that will miss the playoffs?

I must say if you can't figure that out for yourself congratulations you are an incredibly motivated person driven by a force I cannot even comprehend. In essence that is the key- motivation.

Why exactly would you go out and play as hard as you can for 60 mins every 2-3 nights when you are incredibly talented, getting paid, and will make the postseason regardless. The Hawks only have one major flaw (many minor and a few mediocre problems, but that is only if you are being extra picky) and that is motivation.

It is obvious when they face the top tier teams that the talent is there. You look at the last 4 game stretch that the Hawks had against Colorado, Boston, Anaheim, and Detroit. They went 2-2 falling against the Avalanche and Red Wings who were the lesser of the 4 opponents that Chicago has recently faced. Colorado is an up-in-coming club with tons of young talent and the injury depleted Detroit squad that seemed to only have Zetterburg available. Where as the Bruins and Ducks are the top of their respective divisions. Get it?

I really don't know why I felt the need to write about something so blatantly obvious, but I did. Anyways, I am going to share my post-game thoughts on tonight's game against Winnipeg and around the league, and with that Let's Go Hawks!

Follow me on Twitter: @Matthew_Wenzel

Why Am I So Frustrated With Hawks Fans, Glad You Asked!

Hello All!

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. A lot has taken place and our Chicago brethren are off to a 6-1-2 start so far this season.

Let's recap the season thus far before I further explain my frustration with the Blackhawk faithful:

Beat the Caps.
Lost to the Lightning in a shoot out.
Lost to St. Louis. (I was there and will vent about this game later).
Beat the Islanders.
Beat Buffalo.
Beat Carolina.
Lost to St. Louis in a shoot out.
Beat Toronto.
Beat Florida.

On paper the season doesn't look to bad, but why have Hawks fans been complaining?

Because last year the Blackhawks were magical. They dominated the Western Conference with so much talent that it was almost unreal. So of course, after Lord Stanley visited town, fans expectations to go on the same exact run were the buzz of the town.

Well I hate to break it to you folks, but it isn't going to be that easy this time around. In fact, it's hard to argue that the Hawks are the best team in a weak Western Conference right now. They have come up short a few times against an uprising St. Louis squad and have failed to close out games that should have been cake walk with last years squad.

So why is this year so different?

It's tough. The Stanley Cup hangover exists whether you believe it or not. I'm sure I am not the only one who has noticed, the Hawks look slow. They look tired, exhausted, whatever term you want to use to describe it. Of course, it doesn't help that guys like Joakim Nordstrom are being counted on in huge roles to begin the season. Just like Frolik and Kruger these two are going to have trouble learning how to be a top penalty killing unit, but it will come in time. We also lost Ray Emery, who was extraordinary in relief of Crawford whenever he needed to be and to be honest Khabibulin isn't going to be able to fill in like our Flyer friend did.

As I mentioned before I was at the game in St. Louis that lovely Wednesday night of October the 9th. Being a student of the University of Missouri, I asked my friend George to come along with me. Before we left, I told him it was going to be a close game, possibly going to overtime and I had no idea who would take the victory home.

About halfway through the game, tied 2-2, I turned to George and said, "Corey still has one bad one to give up". Low and behold with about 20 seconds left in the 3rd period did he prove me right.

That game was supposed to go into overtime. Supposed to, but it didn't.

That along with two other shoot out loses doesn't bother me as much as it seems to have bothered a lot of other Hawks fans. You want to know why? Because in the post season shoot outs do not exist, and neither does a 5 minute period of 4 on 4 hockey.

Yes, I understand that if you win the shoot out that's another tally in the win column and another point in the standings, but let's be honest here. You didn't lose a game... You merely lost a way to settle a tie that doesn't take a unknown amount of time so that you can get back on the plane and resume practice the next day. Realistically I look at the Hawks and see they have one legitimate loss, and knowing the struggles of the 90's and early 00's, that outcome is fine with me.

So here is my point. Everyone loses a few bad games. The Blackhawks are not going to miss the playoffs and I only see them figuring out their problems and improving as the season goes on.

Stop trying to be the coach and let Q do his job. Please, just stop the negative Facebook and Twitter posts, the pointless banter, and enjoy the hockey season. The Hawks are going to be ALRIGHT.

Game 3 Preview: We're Shippin' Off to Boston!!!

The series is all tied up and we’re headed out to Boston.

I figured it would be a close series, but neither I nor anyone else would have guessed we would have 4 overtime periods in the books after two games. There are a few things the Blackhawks have to be able to change in order to come back to Chicago at least tied if not ahead in the series. If they fail to make these changes; the Hawks will be back in a 3-1 deficit situation they faced against Detroit (but we all know how that turned out).

Power Play:

First and foremost, let me say that our power play is useless. The Hawks aren't even developing enough momentum to carry them into some decent 5 on 5 possessions; but even worse than that WE AREN'T PUTTING THE PUCK ON NET.

I know a lot of people expect to score on every power play, but that just doesn't happen. (Although, I wouldn't complain if that were the case). The problem with our unit is what I have said all year long; The Blackhawks have a very stagnant power play.

Scoring on a power play starts with good entries and movement. The Hawks special teams can’t do either well. Pucks are getting swatted away at the blue line, or when we dump the puck only one red sweater was going to chase. In those situations it is necessary to keep the puck in the offensive zone. There should be 3 or more players, if needed, around every dump because keeps lead to possession, and possession leads to scoring opportunities.

When we do get the puck however, there is a lot of standing around by the Hawks star forwards. I believe a change in personnel on the power play line would be very beneficial to the Hawks. A line such as Brian Bickell, Andrew Shaw, and Brandon Saad; Get the hard working young players involved and they may pay dividends. (Plus, the three of them have been just about the three most productive players for the Blackhawks this series).

But, if the Blackhawks are going to keep their star studded power play lines intact the key to scoring is through Patrick Kane. He cannot play down in the trenches like Q has had him on the power play. Kaner needs the puck in between the circles and the blue lines because that is where he is a true play maker. Defenders will draw to him and open up space in front of the net for other players to score.

Offensive Zone Draws:

I don’t have the numbers for this, but my friend Dan pointed this out to me while we were watching game 2. Both teams are struggling to win offensive zone face-offs.

This is truly important because one of the only times you can run a set play in hockey is off a draw, and they can be very effective if you know your opponent and what everyone is doing on the ice. Offensive zone draws also allow you to keep puck possession, which gives the Hawks more opportunity to get scoring chances.

Shots vs Scoring Chances:

The Blackhawks have had no problem throwing the puck at the net in 5 on 5 situations, but they are struggling to come up with more scoring chances.

It always looks great to have more shots than the other team, but if Rask sees all of them coming or they are from tough scoring angles they aren't going to find the back of the net.
 

Now in a special team’s scenario I say the Blackhawks need to take all of the shots that they can because they aren't getting many anyways. But, in 5 on 5 scenarios we need to be just a little bit pickier with our shot choice. Too many shots have been taken from the blue line and in today’s hockey that can’t happen. Shot blocking by EVERYONE is preached by the coaches and too many shots from the point get deflected away.

Boston hasn't had nearly as many shots as Chicago and if you look at the stats during the first two games I believe they were always leading in chances. The way they run their offense is efficient and every role player knows what they need to do in order for their team to succeed.

I’m not saying Chicago needs to be Boston, but they should look at how they come up with so many scoring 

chances and try to apply these concepts to their own game.

Viktor Stalberg:

I love Coach Joel Quenneville, but what are you thinking!?!?!?

We don’t need a bigger line-up against Boston. So, why is Brandon Bollig skating against the Bruins. Viktor has shown he can be an impact player in very few minutes. His ability to skate makes him an asset to the Blackhawks line-up and I am furious that he didn't play in either game.

Brandon Bollig had a fatal mistake that turned the puck over and led to the winning goal for the Bruins. I personally would sit him even though I have to be a fan of him living in Missouri. He is my favorite big man for the Hawks, but that doesn't excuse that play and he is the perfect candidate to sit for Stalberg.

The Hawks are a great road team and the series is going to be close whether they make some of these changes or not. I believe the series is going to come back to Chicago tied 2-2. I have Chicago in overtime tonight, but only time will tell if I’m even close to being correct. I hope all of you have enjoyed this series as much as I have so far and with every game it’s going to get better. 

The Dropkick Murphy's couldn't have sung it better; We're shippin' off to Boston!

So with that said, Lets go Hawks!

Conn Symthe Trophy, Who might win?

Well, Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals is in the books.

Thankfully, the Blackhawks were able to rise above and capture a triple overtime victory against the Bruins.

The Hockey gods were on the Hawks side last night as Lucic and Seguin both fanned on wide open net opportunities in the first and second overtimes. Andrew  Shaw tipped in a blast from Dave Bolland in order to light the lamp 7:52 into the third overtime. Both teams looked exhausted and out of fuel. It was only a matter of time until Tukka Rask or Corey Crawford were to let in a goal and Crawford wasn’t going to have it.

So here it is, A list of who I believe is the front runner for the Conn Symthe Trophy and why:

Chicago:                               G             A             +/-          MINS     HITS

M. Kruger                             0              1              1              20:00       0

B. Saad                                 1              0              2              31:15       2

M. Rozsival                           0              1              1              30:10       1

D. Bolland                             1              1              2              28:21       3

A. Shaw                                1              1              2              24:03       9

J. Oduya                               1              0              0              37:20       5

Boston:                                G             A             +/-          MINS     HITS

M. Lucic                                2              1              1              38:14       4

D. Krejci                               0              2              1              38:41       2

P. Bergeron                           1              0              0              33:40       0

T. Seguin                               0              1              -1            29:18       3

Goalies:                               EV           PP           SV%

C. Crawford                          46-48     5-6          .944

T. Rask                                  57-61     2-2          .937

The front runner for the Conn Symthe trophy winner is: Corey Crawford.

If not for his spectacular play in the third period and through all three overtimes the Blackhawks would not have had a chance to win this game. (Although, the second goal scored by Lucic was a misplay by Hjalmarsson and a bad glove by Crawford). If it were not for the multiple miraculous saves he made in overtime Shaw never would have gotten the tip in. It doesn't matter how he started off. His finish and drive to keep pucks in front of him and not give up rebounds allowed this team more time to find a way to put the puck past Rask.

I do however believe that there is room for a close second, and that would be Lucic. The first two regulation periods he was a step ahead of everyone else. Posting 3 points with 2 goals and an assist and being one open net away from scoring the hat trick he lit up the scoreboard and the stat sheets.

The ability for him to play heavy minutes when his team was in need and everyone was exhausted also adds to why I believe if not for Crawford; Lucic would have been the MVP of game 1.

If game 1 was a mini preview of this series there is no doubt in my mind that this is going to a game 7. I cannot believe the game turned out to be so exciting. I’m pretty sure I woke up my neighbors when the puck finally went in the net, but that is beside the point.

Whoever wins this series is going to well deserve it, and the Conn Symthe Trophy will go the best player on that team, right now I would give a slight edge to Crawford, but that may be soon to change.

Finals Preview: Keys to Hawks Success.

Ah, it's finally here!

Finals time, and I'm not talking about those tests you take in high school and college that are worth a majority of your grade. No, I am talking about the Stanley Cup Finals; the greatest 7 game series in the history of sports. The winner takes all contest for Lord Stanley's beloved trophy. Hoisting the trophy has been the dream of these men ever since they put on their first pair of skates, and for some it will come true in the coming days.

Hockey is the game I love, and the Blackhawks the team I love. Nothing excites me more than the chance of winning another Stanley Cup. Only one problem, the team that stands between Chicago and the ultimate prize is Boston.

Had this been a few weeks ago we were talking about a young Boston defense, Chara playing far too many minutes, and a game 7 against Toronto after dropping two straight I would have laughed at you.

But, this isn’t the same Boston team that dropped 2 straight to go to a game 7. This is a Boston team that has pulled off a miracle, scoring two goals in the final two minutes of that game 7 to send it to overtime, and winning in that overtime. That same Bruins squad travelled to Pittsburg and embarrassed the Penguins on their home ice. They took that series home and finished off the sweep.

I don’t think anyone would have chosen the Bruins to sweep the team who many chose to win the Stanley Cup with some ease.

After seeing what has transpired this postseason I am terrified of the Boston Bruins, as all Hawks fans should be. Here are some keys for the Hawks to win this series, and bring a championship to Chicago.

Power Play:

The Bruins have made it to Finals with a stout defense and finesse on offense, and as long as they continue to play such good defense the Blackhawks will struggle to come up with goals on offense. I believe the key to this series is in the Blackhawks special teams. They need to come up with goals on the power play, and their penalty killing needs to remain spotless. I have noticed all season on the man advantage the Blackhawks tend to be very pass happy. Coach Q needs this to change if he wants to take home his second Cup in Chicago. 

Player rotation and putting bodies in front will be key, as shown when beating Quick in the last series (even though Tuuka Rask is a different goaltender, the idea remains the same).  

The amount of opportunity the Hawks see on the power play doesn't matter if they remain the stagnant pass happy offense they are on special teams.

Defense men:

The Blackhawks have some of the best offensive defense men in the league. There are two ways I believe the defense could be pivotal in this series:

 Pitching in on offense. The D-men will need to be able to contribute on offense, but not by scoring goals. Coach Q will ask them to do what they have done a majority of the season. They will pinch and pinch hard. It is very important for the D-men to keep pucks in the zone, and keep the possession. The longer we have the puck, the more chances we have to score, and most importantly the less time the Bruins have to score on us.

Shot Blocking. Everyone on the Hawks is fantastic at this. Getting your body in front of pucks and taking one for the team is how we’ll have to stop Boston. No matter how many amazing saves Crawford makes he needs to see less shots per game this series.

Patrick Kane:

Patrick Kane’s play in game 5 of the Western Conference Finals was spectacular, and his teammates are going to need him to play at that high level for the entire series. Johnathan Toews and Kane will feed off each other and need to return to Star form for this series quite like they had in the last game.  Although, I believe (besides goalies) Patrick Kane will need to be the most productive player on the ice in order for the Cup to come to Chicago.

The road ahead is long and brutal road. Although I believe the Blackhawks are the best team in the NHL, Boston is too hot. If they play the way they did against Pittsburgh there is no stopping this team.

My prediction is Chicago in 7. I think that home ice advantage and the forward play of Chicago will be too much for Boston to handle. It may go to an overtime or double overtime in game 7.

I do know that this is going to be an amazing series to watch, so strap in my friends were on the Road to the Cup: Chicago.

Dethroning the Kings, Once and for all.

Tonight is the last game of the 2013 season for the LA Kings.

You're probably thinking... Matt? What are you talking about? The series is only 3-1 and Mike Richards is back in the lineup tonight!

And yes, you would be right dear reader. There is still a game 5 to play tonight, but I have a few reasons as to why the reigning champs will be golfing next week instead of playing in the finals:

First off, the Kings STINK on the road. They have just been lousy to say the least. It's not even funny. Their 1-7 road record speaks volumes as to why this series won't continue. The only game they have won on the road in the playoffs was handed to them on a silver platter by Blues goaltender Brian Elliot (Who played fantastically up until game 5), and that was in the opening round. The only thing that keeps them in road games is Johnathan Quick who has been a non factor for the most part during this series.

Secondly, the Blackhawks have one of the most dynamic offenses in the league. Although they haven't looked it as of late this is the Presidents' Trophy winning team were talking about. The same team that went on a 24 game point streak in the beginning of this season. I believe the dynamic duo of Toews and Kane are about to return to 2010 form. Not even Quick will be able to keep the scoring below 3 goals with how many star forwards are in Chicago.

Lastly, LA has had a hard time scoring against Crawford as they have only scored 7 times in 4 games against the Chicago Blackhawks. A legitimate argument could be made that Corey Crawford has been the best goalie this playoffs. Crow is posting a 1.72 GAA (which is the lowest in the 2013 postseason) with an 11-5 record and a 0.936 save percentage. But, because of the powerful Chicago offense he will never get the credit that he truly deserves.

So with those reasons, I can certainly say...

Welcome to Chicago, Boston.