The Chicago Blackhawks will wrap up their five-game homestand Friday night against the San Jose Sharks at the United Center.
J-F Berube starts tonight in net. Jan Rutta returns from injury for Blackhawks.
I know we are all going to look at Wednesday?s shootout win over the Ottawa Senators as the turning point in the season, right? You know, that win that started the long winning streak leading to a surprise playoff birth? I WISH!
But the reality is, I am not sure if I even want the Blackhawks to win games at this point. What does Wednesday?s win, in an ugly and boring game, do for the franchise? They aren?t making the playoffs, so it only hurts their chances at a higher draft pick. Maybe that was Coach Joel Quenneville?s logic behind playing Tomas Jurco, of all people, with Patrick Kane.
The Hawks should look no further than their roommates at the United Center; I never thought I would say this, but the Blackhawks should be copying the Bulls. Play the young guys to find out what you have, while also losing games to help better your draft picks? But, I digress.
Despite losing to the Nashville Predators 7-1 last night, this San Jose Sharks team is very solid. As you can see above, they are incredible on special teams, often the difference between wins and losses for the Blackhawks this season.
Tonight, and every other night, the Sharks are playing to solidify their playoff spot, and I would expect them to play a great game. On the other hand, I would expect the Hawks, featuring Tommy Wingels and Jurco in the top six, to be less than stellar tonight. Nothing against Tommy Wingels, who has been one of the few Hawks who has been a joy to watch all season, but he is NOT a top six player.
As always, I hope it is at least an entertaining game, but like I said, I?m really not rooting for Blackhawks wins anymore, because they will NOT benefit the team down the road.
J-F Berube starts tonight in net. Jan Rutta returns from injury for Blackhawks.
I know we are all going to look at Wednesday?s shootout win over the Ottawa Senators as the turning point in the season, right? You know, that win that started the long winning streak leading to a surprise playoff birth? I WISH!
But the reality is, I am not sure if I even want the Blackhawks to win games at this point. What does Wednesday?s win, in an ugly and boring game, do for the franchise? They aren?t making the playoffs, so it only hurts their chances at a higher draft pick. Maybe that was Coach Joel Quenneville?s logic behind playing Tomas Jurco, of all people, with Patrick Kane.
The Hawks should look no further than their roommates at the United Center; I never thought I would say this, but the Blackhawks should be copying the Bulls. Play the young guys to find out what you have, while also losing games to help better your draft picks? But, I digress.
Despite losing to the Nashville Predators 7-1 last night, this San Jose Sharks team is very solid. As you can see above, they are incredible on special teams, often the difference between wins and losses for the Blackhawks this season.
Tonight, and every other night, the Sharks are playing to solidify their playoff spot, and I would expect them to play a great game. On the other hand, I would expect the Hawks, featuring Tommy Wingels and Jurco in the top six, to be less than stellar tonight. Nothing against Tommy Wingels, who has been one of the few Hawks who has been a joy to watch all season, but he is NOT a top six player.
As always, I hope it is at least an entertaining game, but like I said, I?m really not rooting for Blackhawks wins anymore, because they will NOT benefit the team down the road.
