GDT: - Hawks at Blues - 7PM CT on NBCSCH+ -Twas the Game Before Christmas Break (2024)

Northernhawk said:

Last year the Blackhawks PLAYED FOR Alex Stalock and Jaxson Stauber…that’s all I want to see…

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Last year the roster had a bunch of stick together veterans battling. They have some this year, but it's not the collective or identity. They're not going to have that in them with do many rookies or low effort vets

TLEH said:

Seems like a situation where you are trying to grind a guy to play better and you’re hyper focused on everything they do.

They were legit good tonight.

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Even if Reichel isn't your guy Guttman is a speedy water bug. Have him give guys shifts off.

TLEH said:

Seems like a situation where you are trying to grind a guy to play better and you’re hyper focused on everything they do.

They were legit good tonight.

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It’s the same criticism over and over. Luke doesn’t know how to coach talent, only to tell his players to grind harder. It’s becoming obvious nothing will change as long as he’s around.

Northernhawk said:

Reichel ice time has to do with the fact he’s not a penalty killer

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And LuRich sucks.

No Fun Shogun said:

Eyes on the prize.

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The meltdown when we get #1 again will be delicious.

DisgruntledHawkFan said:

They were making things happen. Puck kept dying on Reese's stick. I don't get it man.

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Reese can’t disappear from this team soon enough. Both Johnsons actually.

TLEH said:

He said it wasn’t the fourth lines night and they were 10-1 on shot attempts while they were on the ice. Almost baffling for a guy to say that. It’s like he didn’t comprehend what he was watching which I find almost impossible for a guy who played that many games. Which means it’s like.. confirmation bias every time Reichel does something bad.

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Really?

That line was killing it all game, WTF.

MarotteMarauder said:

The team is fast, they play much more physically than recent past. Not big hitters but most guys take a piece of the body and rub guys out over the entire ice surface.
Effort is there and that can go a LONG way
Need Reichel to figure things out a bit more IMO

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The title of that thread was-"The Hawks are fun to watch again"
What happened since October?
Isn't a well coached team supposed to improve?

When you have a terrible roster with an AHL goalie and coaches these things happen. It was unfortunate and you could see the frustration with Bedard breaking his stick at the end, need more talent plain and simple. I can’t see them just letting/hoping/praying a significant number of these baby draft picks develop into stars over the years, they need more talent for Bedard to play with after this season. Not saying a complete go for it by any means but a few pieces, the kid is going to run out of sticks at this rate……

And that goal of his was amazing, he is the real deal even at 18

Despite all the criticism, this team is so much worse when Seth Jones is out. Add Vlasic to the sidelines and the D corps is cooked.

One also has to question the team's conditioning. After playing the night before, they were skating in mud in the 3rd period.

BobbyJet said:

Despite all the criticism, this team is so much worse when Seth Jones is out. Add Vlasic to the sidelines and the D corps is cooked.

One also has to question the team's conditioning. After playing the night before, they were skating in mud in the 3rd period.

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He also benched a line in the 3rd, making everyone else of course more tired down.

Yeah, but that's on not playing everyone

DisgruntledHawkFan said:

The guy with the .854sv% behind a team as good as Carolina you think is the solution?

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We’ve se n enough of raanta over the years to know he’s a much better goalie than Soderblum

Soda is a good goalie to have for the tank. Call it bad luck, call it whatever you want. He’s playing the same way Mrazek played last year - team has to score 4 to 5 goals a game any night he’s in net.

I never felt comfortable at any point in the game last night.
Up 3-1? Nope.
Up 4-2? Nope.
Up 5-2? Nope.

I could just tell that the lead wouldn’t be safe. The second the Blues made it 5-4, I knew it was curtains. The Hawks generated 2 shots in the third and gave up 22 against.

It’s comedic how they’ve looked so bad against meh teams this season yet they’re 2-0 against the Leafs.

Did Luke call a timeout at all during the game last night when the Blues had them on the ropes?

Anyway, much like last season, the more losses the Hawks accumulate this year, the better. Dead last would have them picking no worse than 3rd and to be honest with everyone I don’t expect the Hawks to have the same luck with the lottery like they did last season.

On that note Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everybody!

Backyard Hockey said:

We’ve se n enough of raanta over the years to know he’s a much better goalie than Soderblum

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Was.

Backyard Hockey said:

We’ve se n enough of raanta over the years to know he’s a much better goalie than Soderblum

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"Over the years" isn't nearly as important as how Raanta is performing this season. And he is not a significant upgrade right now, considering how he has played this season.

DisgruntledHawkFan said:

Was.

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Almost every goalie that has played NHL games this year has been better.