Morning Skate: Look at Baby Brother All Grown Up
by Amerinadian on Dec 17, 2010 7:09 AM CST
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PrintDefending Stanley Cup Champions. I still can't believe it when I type it, and not in a good way. The Red Wings are full of free curly fries and looking to make yet another statement to a divisional opponent. They're headed west to my neck of the woods for a tilt against the Blackhawks. The Hawks are coming off a home-and-home series against the Avs where they were outscored 11-8 while losing both games. I was hoping that somehow the earth would open up and swallow both of the teams as well as all of their fans, but was disappointed.
The Hawks are led on offense by Patrick Sharp, who has 31 points in 32 games. In all, the Hawks have 3 players over 10 goals, and Marian Hossa would be there had he not missed time due to injury.
Second City Hockey is your SB Nation Blackhawks' site. Venture over if you dare.
Jump past the.....jump.....where we'll hit the highlights to look for as well as making your predictions.
- Like the Blues, the Hawks are dealing with some injury issues. Marian Hossa is on IR, Viktor Stalberg is out after taking a high hit from Ryan O'Byrne against the Avs, and Fernando Pisani is banged up and expected to play. However, the big news is whether Patrick Kane is going to be able to go. As of this writing, he's listed as "doubtful", which is code for "I don't want my mouthguard to be ripped out of my mouth by Johan Franzen again, so I'm going to take one more game off". He's supposedly got a "lower-body injury" of some kind, and you can decide for yourself what that entails.
- Remember when people said that losing Tomas Kopecky was going to hurt the Red Wings? Hey: stop laughing. Well, I guess the novelty has worn of for many Hawks fans, as evidenced by this recap of their latest game. He may be approaching Jason Williams-levels of ineptness, and he's no longer our problem.
- The Red Wings would be wise to stay out of the box tonight: the Blackhawks have the 2nd best PP in the league with a success rate of 24%. However, they have the 28th ranked PK, so if they decide to goon it up like the Blues did, the Wings can make them pay in the only area that really matters: the scoreboard.
- That Marty Turco signing sure seemed like a good idea at the time, eh? Corey Crawford has come in and played well enough to pretty much take Turco's job, and Crawford will get the start tonight against the Wings. Hmmmm: a rookie coming in and out-playing an established veteran with a shaky history? I feel like I've seen this before.
- The big story from Wednesday night was Nicklas Lidstrom becoming the oldest defenseman in NHL history to record his first hat trick. However, lost in that was a 4 point night from Henrik Zetterberg, who looked a little rejuvenated against the Blues. The Circus has been good lately, but they haven't been blowing up the scoresheet. They'll likely be matched up against Toews and Sharp. Which is more important for the first line: shutting the Hawks down or scoring themselves? (and don't say both, because that is obviously win-win)
- The Hawks are currently sitting 11th overall in the Western Conference, despite having played the second most games in the conference. They have 35 points in 33 games, and they have already lost more games in regulation at home now (9) than they did all of last season (8). This is a game the Wings can win, and a victory here would go a long way to continuing the Wings' mission of taking back the division championship.
- Score Prediction: I've picked against the Wings 3 times in the last week or so, and they've won each time. Why mess with what's working? 3-2 Blackhawks.
- Player Prediction: Johan Franzen is due for a monster game, and the Hawks awaken the beast within.
- Around the League: The Ducks lost to the Islanders, which should be worth negative points. Dion Phaneuf's return to Calgary was not a happy one as the Flames pounded on the Leafs, and both the Oilers and Blues scored 6 goals en route to victories.
- Off-Topic Discussion: We're a week away from Christmas Eve, so what is the most memorable present you have ever received? It can be good or bad. Mine's a tie between my autographed, game-worn Steve Yzerman jersey and my youngest daughter.
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3-2 Detroit
Flip.
Most memorable present – Big sis got us both tickets to the Chicago Winter Classic. Amazing experience.
Shutting down Toews and Sharp is more important to me from the first line. We have depth scoring, they don’t.
Screw the Chargers.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 17, 2010 7:38 AM CST reply actions
Almost went
That was the year my daughter was born, and my wife ended up in the hospital with an infection right before New Years, so family took precedence (which I don’t regret). I did get to watch it on TV, and proudly wore my Datsyuk jersey into the office the first chance I got.
Alex Smith tried to lure the Chargers into his van, only to learn that the Chargers are a 350 lb ex-con who just got out of prison and was looking for a good time.
Chiefs suck
They will fold under the pressure, and the Chargers will take the division…..again.
And while JJ may not like the Chargers, I’m pretty sure he’d take them over the Chiefs (or am I overstepping when I say that?)
by Amerinadian on Dec 17, 2010 12:35 PM CST up reply actions
That's kind of a tough one
I wasn’t horribly enamored with the Chiefs for a long time after a bad experience at Arrowhead stadium wherein a then-14-year-old J.J. from Kansas was assaulted by a drunk 50-year old during a preseason game. PRESEASON.
Since then, I’ve learned that one person doesn’t represent an entire fanbase. I really only hate the Broncos and Raiders in the AFC West. I guess if I had to pick one team or the other, I might actually have to go with the Chiefs just because of Rivers.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 17, 2010 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
I was going to get upset with you
But then I read that “one person doesn’t represent an entire fanbase” comment and got horribly confused. I thought that if you have one negative experience with an opposing fan, that automatically meant that said fanbase is composed entire of dicks and assholes. Is this not true? Have every other SB Nation website’s commenters lied to me?
My world no longer makes sense.
by Amerinadian on Dec 17, 2010 12:50 PM CST up reply actions
Do us a favour?
Please allow the Chargers to destroy you in the last game of the season. We’ll be you friend. Promise.
way out of hope for the playoffs
as a fan, i hate tank nation. you’ll have to ask the team if they’ll be willing.
also
my best friend’s a Chargers fan. seeing him pissed off when the Chargers lose especially to the Broncos is funny
we always take shots at each other over football
and i always get it from him about how no one in America (and especially no one else among my friends) cares about hockey. otherwise, we’ll settle it on the blacktop courts near his house.
No worries
I hate the Broncos significantly less since Mike Shanahan moved on. I’ve just never been very high on Denver in general.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 17, 2010 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
Nuthin I hate worse
than the Broncos. Horse face is gone now, but coming back at some point to some cushy front office job. Too bad they fired McDon’tyall cuz they wouldn’t have been very good with him there – ever (woulda been fun to watch at least). I’ve heard there isn’t a moving van large enough to fit Josh’s ego in it for a move, so it may be an issue getting him out of town.
The Raiders – yuk, crazy fans and bad football. Yes I’m old, so I remember Ben Davidson spearing Len Dawson back in the day (I watched it in my home in Royal Oak on NBC with Curt Gowdy announcing), so whatever “hatred” I might have for them still eminates from that. But they’ve been pretty much a laughingstock lately, so what’s to hate??
Chiefs are on their way back….maybe not this year, but they’re coming. After the last 3 seasons, I’ll take 6-0 at home so far, and 8-5?, oh yeah, i’ll take that too.
Smitty
Chargers – nothing really to hate about them – they’re playing awfully good football right now. We beat them on national TV MNF in the first game of the year, and it was a blast, even if we were soaking wet.
For the Wings' first line
I think it’s more important to shut down Toews and Sharp. The Wings probably have the most scoring depth in the league and if we can keep them off the score sheet, those secondary scorers will have a chance to step up and win it.
•That Marty Turco signing sure seemed like a good idea at the time, eh?
Only if you were one of those bandwagon Hawks fans. Anyone who’s paid attention to hockey for more than 5 seconds knew that was a bad idea from the start.
My favorites are the Starter Red Wings pull over I got in 8th grade and when my wife said “Yes”.
Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen
I’m still not going to do a prediction. I hate feeling like a jinx, either way.
Best present has to be my horse. Even though it wasn’t Christmas time, she was my Christmas present that year.
I think shutting down Sharp and Toews is more important. I’d rather see a defensive game in which the Hawks are shut down than a battle of “who can make it look like a football game?”
It'd be a great battle...
…like Napoleon at Waterloo
…or Custer at Little Big Horn.
Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen
3-1, Detroit - Cleary
I’m hoping buckets gets fired up on another goal streak again.
Oh, and I say the first line shutdown is the way to go. As others pointed out, we have depth and can score on other lines.
4-1 Wings...Franzen as POG
I think games like this make the Red Wings’ mouths water. I think they will be pumped up to make another statement. However, they will have to fight off an early rush by the Hawks. I agree with Amerinadian that Franzen is due. This should be fun, methodical demolition tonight….GO WINGS
Just joined,
and did the prediction, 5-2 wings, cleary….
do the results show up on this page after the game?
we usually do a poll in the game recap and everyone votes—most votes=winner.
by Casey Richey on Dec 17, 2010 8:57 AM CST up reply actions
I keep picking 4-1 Wings
It’s going to happen eventually. or they can just keep winning, that is ok with me too.
good recap but
needs more “last place in the central division”
Haha
I wrote the bulk of it last night when the games were still happening. I forgot to mention that the Hawks are DEAD LAST in the division.
submitted 4-3 hawks
Mule player of the game….yep i am working the reverse psychology tonight
LETS GO RED WINGS!
2011 will be the year....better be....
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
Hope you guys are all right about Mule tonight..
..that’s the shirt I’m wearing today..let’s hope he lives up to it. Nick certainly did when I wore my “Lidstrom” shirt Wednesday.
I corrected some dumbass on my Facebook feed who put something
about “congrats Lindstrom on the hattie.”
People sometimes. And you made me look twice to make sure I spelled it right….
I always have to cehck myself on ZetterbErg
I live in a town called FitchbUrg, we’re always talking about PittsbUrgh, I had a bUrger for lunch.
So I usually refer to #40 as Hank, or just as Z, cuz I’d probably screw it up in the heat of a game thread.
I'm expecting 100% improvement from the Lions this season.
I think its funny
all of the talk about the national anthem over at second city and the article that Rob Otto wrote over a year ago. I can’t believe they still give a shit about it. Also, I don’t know how much of a tradition that actually is. I was at a game on Dec 23 2005 (the game where the wings scored two goals in the last minute to tie it and then won on the last second overtime…but I digress) and there were maybe about 6,000 people in the stands and half of them were red wings fans. I didn’t hear to much cheering at all during the game, let alone during the national anthem.
Really strange you mention that game.
That’s one of the first Wings games I really remember watching and caring about. I was trying to figure out the other day what year that was.
that game was awesome
I lived in chicago at the time and I bought my dad, uncle, and cousins tickets as a christmas present to come and watch. I was pissed the whole game because I bought those damn tickets and the wings were about be shutout by an also-ran franchise.
by Eric @ PRBU on Dec 17, 2010 10:28 AM CST up reply actions
Holy shit
I was at that game too. I remember telling a fellow Wing fan in the 2nd intermission that they were going to come back and win even though they were down by 2 at the time. It was a crazy game. Twice I have been to games where the Wings tied it up late and it went to OT, but they are 1-1 in those games. I had seats on the Hawks’ end in the 200 section in the first row. Kick ass seats for a kick ass game.
by Amerinadian on Dec 17, 2010 10:35 AM CST up reply actions
i had upper bowl, center ice tickets. on the penalty box side
by Eric @ PRBU on Dec 17, 2010 10:39 AM CST up reply actions
It used to be so easy to get tickets. One night, my father-in-law called me the morning of a Wings-Hawks game and said he could get tickets for the game that night, and we went on a whim. Maybe 12K people in the building, and 40% of them were Wing fans. Now it’s damn near impossible to get tickets, but that could change if the Hawks keep struggling.
by Amerinadian on Dec 17, 2010 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
hah!
I know. people can rag on detroit for attendance issues but that building always has fans in it, even if it isnt capacity
by Eric @ PRBU on Dec 17, 2010 10:43 AM CST up reply actions
also
do you remember who the tying and game winning goals? I think holmstrom maybe deflected a lidstrom shot for the tie and datsyuk got the game winner? maybe?
by Eric @ PRBU on Dec 17, 2010 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
Boy
I think it was Datsyuk with the winner, but can’t remember the tying goals. I remember they had to review the GWG for some reason (it’s escaping me why, though).
by Amerinadian on Dec 17, 2010 10:43 AM CST up reply actions
it was reviewed
because they had to make sure it beat the clock. it was literally the last second of overtime. Also, I just looked it up, lidstrom got the tying goal
by Eric @ PRBU on Dec 17, 2010 10:44 AM CST up reply actions
I was just thinking
and this could be dangerous. But has anyone else noticed:
*S*econd
*C*ity’s
*U*ltimate
*M*asters
Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen
by Robocop on Dec 17, 2010 10:30 AM CST reply actions 11 recs
Rec'd
I’d love for someone to post that over at SCH (with an intro so they know you’re joking)
by Amerinadian on Dec 17, 2010 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
If I make it to the game thread, I'd volunteer for the duty
I wander over there occasionally, though not any time lately.
I'm expecting 100% improvement from the Lions this season.
this made my day....thank you lol
and rec’d
by HockeyGuy9125 on Dec 17, 2010 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
4-1 Red Wings, Datsyuk
i think scoring should be more important for the Circus. 1) puck possession in the offensive end means no chances for Toews and whoever’s not injured. 2) Blackhawks’ defense is having an inconsistent (at times awful) year, especially Seabrook and Hjalmarsson (not that they’re the d-pair, but both players have been nowhere near the level they were last year). 3) keep the Blackhawks’ defensive cold streak going. 11 goals against in 2 games against the Avalanche (Tomas Fleischmann had 6 points i think[?]) should bode well for a flurry for the Red Wings.
4-3 Wings
Datsyuk POG.
Blatant Twitter Promotion, rarely updated, occasionally funny
by rock n rye on Dec 17, 2010 10:44 AM CST via mobile reply actions
3-0 Wings, Bertuzzi POG
I have lived in Chicago for the last 4 years now, not one person gave a sh*t about the Hawks until they made the playoffs as far as I am concerned the “fans” here are all bandwagon jumpers, some of them even needed to jump on a bandwagon to get to the bandwagon.
I work in sports here and being from Detroit you can only imagine the hell of a summer I had here. getting into work during the parade made me want to vomit in terror at the “SCUM” that crawled out of the sewer with their freshly pressed Niemi Jersey shirts on. all coming to see that drunken 12-year old – Theo Fleury – in rehab by 30 wannabe (Patrick Kane) give his speech. they actually cheered when he made jokes about cab drivers. It hasn’t been any better this year either. Even yesterday a “fan” told me its still early in the season we will make a comeback. I just wanted to scream “EARLY, IT’S ALMOST THE HALFWAY POINT YOU DUMB F*CK, YOU’RE 8 POINTS BACK AND WE HAVE 3 GAMES IN HAND!”
I can’t wait for them to implode so no one here cares anymore. That way I can have my sport back, it’s all I have here.
sorry for that explosion of rage, GO WINGS!
You just got Kronwalled!
by DeathtotheHawks on Dec 17, 2010 10:51 AM CST reply actions
more rage
I want Kronwall to “Havlat” the entire team in one shift then score the game winner and immediately turn around and give Crawford a facewash
You just got Kronwalled!
by DeathtotheHawks on Dec 17, 2010 10:57 AM CST reply actions
Update
SCH has their morning skate up, and Kane is OUT.
Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen
"Amerinadian was right."
You should make that signature. Just saying.
I told my wife what you said. Her reply: “Clearly they’ve never met you in person.”
by Amerinadian on Dec 17, 2010 11:28 AM CST up reply actions
I'm in a jovial mood
Hence, I shall give it a trial run. If the Wings win tonight it’ll secure greater longevity.
Amerinadian was right.
I had to send in a second prediction
Don’t know if I screwed something up by doing it, but I forgot to label Detroit as the winner. 3-1 Pavel Datsyuk
4-2, Wings, Helm
Friday games are ballbusters as I always have other plans. Here’s to hoping that my 4-2 prediction is wrong and my dream of 17-0 Wings win happens.
4-2, Wings, Cleary
Buckets is silently having the best season of his career, and never fails to impress me. His work ethic is inspiring, and he’s just never bad. He’s a fucking gem.
We may call him Charlie Buckets
But the boy definitely works hard to hold onto that ticket
by Red, White and a Mile high on Dec 17, 2010 12:27 PM CST up reply actions
Chicago means
‘smells like skunk’ in Ojibwa. Just throwing it out there.
Ban Devorskis from officiating Wings games.
2010 Big Ten Champs- On Wisconsin!
by Mardiros Efendi on Dec 17, 2010 1:05 PM CST reply actions
3-0 Wings, Flip starts another goal streak
The Ducks lost to the Islanders, which should be worth negative points….
This comment made my day… Look for a 4th liner to get a goal today (Draper if he’s in the lineup)
by WingedWarrior27 on Dec 17, 2010 1:55 PM CST reply actions
4-2 Wings, Fil
It’s the last weekend/week before Christmas which means I am a slave to the retail business and will be missing the next two games.. sigh. But I will have my phone on me (against my store policy) to be checking the score.
Lets Go Red Wings!!
Called it 4-3 wings
Can’t recall who i picked for pog, that was a few hours ago.
I'm expecting 100% improvement from the Lions this season.
Shouldn't the title be...
Awwww….wook at whittle baaabyy bwother – all gwown uuupp!
That is except for .20 Kane – who still has his pacifier in his mouth all the time. Every time he scores and goes all stupid crazy, I just wanna go Marcus Allen on him and say, “Act like you’ve been there before”!!
Smitty
I hope this isn’t a jinx – POTG – Ozzie – he gets #400 and we celebrate on Chicago slop (I mean ice) again!
Having a 2 year old and 3 year old, I am finally past the point of baby talk, so I didn’t think of it. Kane’s a douche, plain and simple. There are only 3 players on the Hawks I can stand: Toews, Keith and Sharp.
FYI, Ozzie isn’t playing tonight. Jimmy’s in, and Osgood get’s the start on Sunday against the Stars at home.
ooops - living in the past
I read earlier this week that Oz was in tonight. #400 at home would be better – nice call Babs! Stars are tough though – beat us down in Big D earlier this year.
Agree on those three players – I think Keith is a bit over-rated. Toews is a stud (a bigger version of Stevie Y), and Sharp can be a handful when he gets it going as he has this year.
Still the SCTV boys are only @ .500 this year, and the Wings pretty much own Turco (he’s kinda our bitch), so I think we win without too much trouble.
Smitty
Chargers fan??? Oh man, really sorry Graham. We’ll just have to agree to disagree on that. I’m a Chiefs Season Ticket Holder!!
Turco gives them a chance to win...
…as long as he stays on the bench.
Their “backup”, Crawford, is getting the start tonight.
Dancing Datsyuk Decidedly Dazzles Dainty Defensemen
all i can say now is....
if chicago’s tire doesn’t get a million recs tonight, every last one of you has no soul!
Harvester of tires, master of bad humor.
Troll nation unite!
That’s not fair; you know I’m only allowed to rec things once.
by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 17, 2010 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
okay, i settle for .001% percent of 1 million.
Harvester of tires, master of bad humor.
Troll nation unite!
4-2 Franzen
C’mon Mule, you and flip need to get goin again.. where’s the 70 point season from these two that we’ve been hoping for?!?
by kylegroombridge on Dec 17, 2010 4:58 PM CST reply actions
won't be here for the game
so fuck the hawks and Go Wings!
LETS GO RED WINGS!
2011 will be the year....better be....
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
i think you sir...
are delusional… have you been taking drugs tonight?
Harvester of tires, master of bad humor.
Troll nation unite!
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