What I learned on my Florida vacation
March 28, 2017, 1:06 PM ET [87 Comments]
John Jaeckel
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
Unfortunately, I didn't get a vacation. But the Hawks did, if you can call getting one point in two games and outscored 11-4 a "vacation."
I'm just one observer, but I saw a couple of issues that led to this mini-swoon. The first is, the Hawks, as a team, look tired.
Road trips late in the season can be like that, and the Hawks are coming off a long stretch of regular hockey, not to mention still playing "chemistry set" with the likes of Tomas Jurco and John Hayden.
Another factor is that the Hawks, with all the new faces, played structurally poor hockey on this trip, with the exception of the first periods, and really struggled to generate transition out of their end and up the ice.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper was smart enough to see that last night and unleashed the hounds, jumping all the Hawks' cute horizontal puck movement around their blue line and the neutral zone, creating turnovers and scoring chances. Jonathan Drouin and a handful of Lightning players quite literally skated circles around the Hawk defense for much of the second period.
And even in the third period, where the intrepid CSN broadcast team kept trumpeting a shot disparity that tilted toward the Hawks, it clearly appeared the Hawks were playing for OT.
So as far as fatigue goes, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The Hawks, with the exception of Artem Anisimov, seem fairly healthy and ready—as much as any other team.
As far as the new faces, sloppiness and necessary fine-tuning to the Hawks' structure, gaps, and transition, Joel Quenneville needs to get the right players on the ice and lock the technique down. Soon.
Because you can pretty much guarantee the Penguins, who have the horses to pull it off, will pursue the same strategy the Lighting and the Panthers did, with similar results. The Hawks have surged into first place and likely home ice through the playoffs, but you don't want to go all "Minnesota Wild" psychologically at this critical stage of the regular season and back into the playoffs while playing poorly overall.
The "they'll be fine" mantra may reassure some, but the schizoid nature of this team all season long indicates that's something you can't necessarily count on when the competition gets tougher in 3 weeks or so.
Hopefully Q will give Ryan Hartman a reprieve from the doghouse soon—the Hawks can use his energy right now.
I'll have a Pens preview tomorrow.
March 28, 2017, 1:06 PM ET [87 Comments]
John Jaeckel
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
Unfortunately, I didn't get a vacation. But the Hawks did, if you can call getting one point in two games and outscored 11-4 a "vacation."
I'm just one observer, but I saw a couple of issues that led to this mini-swoon. The first is, the Hawks, as a team, look tired.
Road trips late in the season can be like that, and the Hawks are coming off a long stretch of regular hockey, not to mention still playing "chemistry set" with the likes of Tomas Jurco and John Hayden.
Another factor is that the Hawks, with all the new faces, played structurally poor hockey on this trip, with the exception of the first periods, and really struggled to generate transition out of their end and up the ice.
Lightning coach Jon Cooper was smart enough to see that last night and unleashed the hounds, jumping all the Hawks' cute horizontal puck movement around their blue line and the neutral zone, creating turnovers and scoring chances. Jonathan Drouin and a handful of Lightning players quite literally skated circles around the Hawk defense for much of the second period.
And even in the third period, where the intrepid CSN broadcast team kept trumpeting a shot disparity that tilted toward the Hawks, it clearly appeared the Hawks were playing for OT.
So as far as fatigue goes, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The Hawks, with the exception of Artem Anisimov, seem fairly healthy and ready—as much as any other team.
As far as the new faces, sloppiness and necessary fine-tuning to the Hawks' structure, gaps, and transition, Joel Quenneville needs to get the right players on the ice and lock the technique down. Soon.
Because you can pretty much guarantee the Penguins, who have the horses to pull it off, will pursue the same strategy the Lighting and the Panthers did, with similar results. The Hawks have surged into first place and likely home ice through the playoffs, but you don't want to go all "Minnesota Wild" psychologically at this critical stage of the regular season and back into the playoffs while playing poorly overall.
The "they'll be fine" mantra may reassure some, but the schizoid nature of this team all season long indicates that's something you can't necessarily count on when the competition gets tougher in 3 weeks or so.
Hopefully Q will give Ryan Hartman a reprieve from the doghouse soon—the Hawks can use his energy right now.
I'll have a Pens preview tomorrow.
Yesterday at 7:08 am by Rocky
» Ports Authority notes the fate of the five berths in the Grand Faw Port
Yesterday at 7:03 am by Rocky
» MP: Why is the regional government fighting the civil banks war and leaving the core of the issue?
Yesterday at 6:57 am by Rocky
» Political researcher: The amendment will include sovereign ministries
Yesterday at 6:54 am by Rocky
» Retirement: End of service bonus paid to more than 7,000 retirees
Yesterday at 6:50 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani stresses the importance of the role of the Audit Bureau in combating administrative an
Yesterday at 6:48 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani and Al-Hakim discuss parliament’s approval of important laws
Yesterday at 6:47 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary consensus to pass controversial laws soon
Yesterday at 6:45 am by Rocky
» Currency Auction.. Increase in the Central Bank of Iraq’s sales of foreign remittances
Yesterday at 6:43 am by Rocky
» Interior Ministry dismantles 600 drug networks, electronic passport to be introduced soon - Press co
Yesterday at 6:41 am by Rocky
» utube 11/2/24 MM&C Report-Iraq 3 Presidents-National-Constitutional Entitlements-Open Market Operati
Yesterday at 5:22 am by Rocky
» utube 11/5/24 MM&C MM&C News Report-ICC-Investors-RIYADA BANK-Port of Faw-3 Presidents Seated-Removi
Yesterday at 5:20 am by Rocky
» Foreign Minister warns of major and dangerous economic repercussions
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Roadmap for Reform
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Government reshuffle looms over Al-Sudani’s cabinet.. The compass of change is heading towards 4 min
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary move to legalize foreign labor in Basra
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Parliament intends to amend the retirement law and return the service age to 63 years
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary move to question a senior official and complete procedures against the Minister of Com
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Legal expert explains the mechanism for forming the Kurdistan Regional Government
Yesterday at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Silk Road imposes a state of maximum alert suddenly
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Sheikh Raouf: There is an urgent need to find a constructive, corrective opposition in Kurdistan
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Green light from Baghdad to build the first waste recycling plant in eastern Iraq
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» MP: Al-Mashhadani discussed 3 important files with parliamentary blocs
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» MP: Al-Mashhadani's election will not affect the completion of legislation
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Oil: Investment in associated gas in fields exceeds 60%
Yesterday at 4:54 am by Rocky
» IMF: Foreign investment outperforms sovereign funds in generating growth in Gulf
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Categories exempted from the curfew in the population census.. Get to know them
Yesterday at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Kurdish investment trend in central and southern Iraq.. What are the reasons?
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Iraq exports more than 6 million barrels of oil to America in a month
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» The Private Banks Association supports the Prime Minister’s directives to localize private sector em
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary confirmation to support financial oversight in combating corruption
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Next Sunday.. Celebrating Baghdad Day
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Sayyid Sistani's commandments
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» New services for health insurance subscribers
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs ministries to leave (cash)
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Mr. Sistani sets a roadmap for Iraq’s prosperity
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» OPEC+ postpones production increase
Yesterday at 4:37 am by Rocky
» Government Advisor to {Sabah}: Turkish companies’ expertise has given them importance in implementin
Yesterday at 4:36 am by Rocky
» The future of smart cities in Iraq is on the table for discussion
Yesterday at 4:35 am by Rocky
» Expectations of achieving agricultural self-sufficiency within 3-5 years
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Ministry of Agriculture: Launches the Electronic Inquiry System Service
Yesterday at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Electricity contract employees demonstrate in Maysan to demand permanent employment
Yesterday at 4:31 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers holds its regular session headed by Al-Sudani
Yesterday at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil exports to America amounted to more than 6 million barrels during the past month
Yesterday at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Launching the major national campaign to raise awareness of the Social Security Law
Yesterday at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Private Banks Association: We support the Prime Minister’s directives to localize private sector emp
Yesterday at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee: The Social Security Fund has become sovereign and the legislation of the la
Yesterday at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Britain launches programme inside Iraq to combat 'Kurdish human trafficking gangs' in France
Yesterday at 4:23 am by Rocky
» Warnings of delay in forming the regional government: will push regional and international parties t
Yesterday at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Dollar prices rise again in Baghdad Stock Exchange and Exchanges
Yesterday at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani praises the assistance provided by the United Nations mission to Iraq in facing challenges
Yesterday at 4:18 am by Rocky
» The Private Banks Association announces its support for Al-Sudani’s approach to localizing private s
Yesterday at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Interior: We have achieved a very significant decrease in crime rates across the country
Yesterday at 4:16 am by Rocky
» The Private Banks Association announces its support for Al-Sudani’s approach to localizing private s
Yesterday at 4:14 am by Rocky
» Iraq, Saudi Arabia sign MoU for military cooperation, boost bilateral ties
Yesterday at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Transportation: Direct flights to 4 global cities
Yesterday at 4:11 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister stresses importance of Mr. Sistani's diagnosis of Iraq's needs
Yesterday at 4:09 am by Rocky
» “To enhance national security”.. Parliamentary Committee: Intelligence Service Law is ready to be pr
Yesterday at 4:08 am by Rocky
» Optimism for a bountiful agricultural season.. Kurdistan Region records record high rainfall amounts
Yesterday at 4:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Sistani’s “Seven Commandments” occupy Iraqi politics.. A reading of the position of the authority
Yesterday at 4:05 am by Rocky
» As the date approaches, will Article 140 hinder the population census?
Yesterday at 4:04 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister directs unification of efforts in the Iraqi Media Network
Yesterday at 4:03 am by Rocky
» “Framework” coups with Sunni facades on the map of local governments in preparation for the 2025 ele
Yesterday at 4:02 am by Rocky
» Parliament intends to extend the legislative session for a month
Yesterday at 4:01 am by Rocky
» Difficult tests facing Parliament.. What are the scenarios for the remainder of the current session?
Yesterday at 4:00 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Security: Iran will launch a new strike against “Israel” within a short period.. What
Yesterday at 3:59 am by Rocky
» Barzani to Romanowski: We have started negotiations to form the tenth government and no veto on any
Yesterday at 3:58 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs the localization of private sector salaries and sets a date for the departure of c
Yesterday at 3:57 am by Rocky
» Bakhtiar Haji meets a delegation from the General Directorate of Civil Defense in the Kurdistan Regi
Yesterday at 3:56 am by Rocky
» New Cities Authority sets timeframes for project completion, reveals details of its services
Yesterday at 3:54 am by Rocky
» Oil announces completion of drilling and rehabilitating 15 wells during the past month
Yesterday at 3:53 am by Rocky
» Ministerial Council for Economy: Taking the necessary measures and decisions that contribute to mark
Yesterday at 3:52 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Legal: There is a trend to extend the legislative term of Parliament
Yesterday at 3:50 am by Rocky
» What is the truth about extending the legislative term of the House of Representatives?
Yesterday at 3:48 am by Rocky
» The "Freedom of Demonstration" Law is Ready for Voting.. How Was It Amended?
Yesterday at 3:46 am by Rocky
» Mr. Al-Sadr on the US elections: It is shameful for an Arab to pin his hopes on a senile or insane p
Yesterday at 3:42 am by Rocky
» Laws stuck hostage to disputes between blocs
Yesterday at 3:41 am by Rocky
» Doubts after the decline in power supply at the beginning of each month.. Is there a deal between ge
Yesterday at 3:37 am by Rocky
» Integrity and the Financial Supervision Bureau agree to activate the cooperation agreement between t
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 5:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani faces 170 suspended laws.. Will they be approved or deported?
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 5:04 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary demands to cancel the security agreement with Washington
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 5:02 am by Rocky
» MP: Oil derivatives smuggling has decreased by 80% in Iraq
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 5:00 am by Rocky
» After years of controversy, the Minority Protection Act is submitted for the first reading
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:59 am by Rocky
» Al-Sayhoud: The ministerial reshuffle is useless for several reasons
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:58 am by Rocky
» Iraqi government makes changes to the General Secretariat: Al-Juhaishi succeeds Al-Halbousi
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:56 am by Rocky
» Extension of the legislative term of the Iraqi parliament for an additional month to pass laws
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:55 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: The necessity of strengthening Iraq's position to be at the forefront of the region'
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:52 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Transportation: We are determined to pass the Civil Aviation Authority Law
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:50 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Council: Study of the reality of companies applying to implement projects
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:49 am by Rocky
» Water Resources announces its control over the oil slick in the Tigris River
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:48 am by Rocky
» Reconstruction: A new government vision for distributing serviced lands among those entitled to them
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:47 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Immigration Committee demands increasing the amount of the return grant
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:44 am by Rocky
» Accreditation of specialized graduates to support quality control
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:42 am by Rocky
» Heritage markets and buildings in Mosul after its reconstruction
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:41 am by Rocky
» Specialized committee to ensure acceptance of cybersecurity outputs
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:40 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Interior issues mechanisms to regulate the work of private security companies
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:39 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Council: Study of the reality of companies applying to implement projects
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:38 am by Rocky
» Welcome to the trends of establishing an administrative capital
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:36 am by Rocky
» Securities trade more than 88 billion shares
Mon 04 Nov 2024, 4:34 am by Rocky