Blackhawks: Did we just get a taste for the regular season?

The Blackhawks won their first preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings. We got to see more starters play last night. Wait… I mean the superstars as Johnathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, and Corey Crawford all played last night in the win. We also got to see Brandon Saad out there as well.

The reason I say is this just a taste for the regular season is for those superstars that played but, it was how well everyone played last night. The offense only scored 2 goals but, they were in the offense of zone a lot. They moved the puck around beautifully, there was only one Power Play that they had. They didn’t score but my did they come close. The Blackhawks set up and moved the puck with ease.

The Blackhawks scored from Brandon Hagel. Hagel scored of a mishandle from the Red Wings goalie Johnathan Bernier. Hagel went to his backhand and pulled to his forehand to score the goal. I also want to put in there that the Blackhawks puck handling around the net is amazing it looks like a much of Patrick Kanes out there, it’s really a great site to see.

The Blackhawks also scored from Duncan Keith who was assisted by Patrick Kane and Alexander Nylander. Going through the center ice Nylander passed it to Kane who stick handled himself over the blue line and was in between the dots then, a beautiful backhand pass to Keith who was on the Left Wing boards and loaded up for a hard slapshot that beat Bernier low blocker side. Keith scoring early in the preseason on the Red Wings possible starter is a good feeling for Hawks fans.

Now to move on to the Defense and Penalty Kill. If anyone blames Crawford for the goal on Detroit’s PP you aren’t watching the game or don’t understand the game. Crawford couldn’t make a play on the puck as the puck was deflected on a shot and found Hirose who was wide open and had a wide open net. I thought it was a pass at first but, after the replay it was blocked shot that no one could have done anything about.

With that being said the Blackhawks PK is looking better just had a terrible bounce. Also, didn’t help that the Blackhawks had back to back penalties. The PK looked great as they moved the puck out of the zone most of the time with ease and having an elite goalie helps out to as Crawford did leave his net a couple of time to help the PK. There is still room for improvement but, that take time. We shouldn’t have the worst PK this year maybe the middle of the pack.

With the Defense the Blackhawks are very aggressive and fly to the put and aren’t afraid to lay down the body. Fore checking looks great. Having Crawford and Lehner in net to help bail out the Defense when they do make mistakes.

In, Closing I’m happy to see the Blackhawks win. There is still some rust. But, the bright side is the team is coming together everyday and on the plus the starters and stars want to play in the preseason. The team is coming together. I hope it’s a year to remember.

The next game for the Blackhawks will play against the Stanley Cup runner up Boston Bruins at the United Center on Saturday at 7:30

Written by Kyle Svetich

Blackhawks Takeaways From Preseason

Game 2 against the Detroit Red Wings ends in another loss. But, who cares it preseason. What can we take away from this loss? Who stood out to you? Well, For me I can take away a lot from this. We saw Andrew Shaw back in a Blackhawks uniform, as well Robin Lehner.

Some of the starters played last night as well. Like, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, and Connor Murphy. I would put in Slater Koekkoek but, I’m not a 100% sure on him yet.

So with Andrew Shaw back into the line up what can we takeaway what he did. Well he did get an assist on Philp Holm’s goal that’s a big plus. But, I’m that’s not what I’m taking away from game 2. It’s his ability to get in front of the net, being that grinding forward who will jump into the middle of danger, take a hit or give one, fight on the boards, and stand up for teammates. Which I think has been lacking for the team since he left us(in a trade).

The biggest take away player from this game was Left Winger Dominik Kubalik who had 2 goals which accounted for 2/3 of the Blackhawks goals. He scored on a rebound shot from Dahlstrom and a Power Play goal where Holm set him up with a one-timer in the slot. This tells me that he can get to the front of the net and get those juicy rebounds and cash them in which has been missing from the Blackhawks. He can also sit in the slot on the PP can be able to snipe it in. Yes did have 2 back to back attempts but, he was able to his spot in cash in so that’s a bonus for PP even if he could be on the second line for that power play.

We also got to see Robin Lehner in the net, and I do have to say he is looking mighty strong in net. Yea, he let in 2 goals but, I’m putting blame on the Defense of play. He stopped 15 out of 17. He Played half of the game befoe Kevin lankinen came in. Lehner looked like he was on his game with a little off-season rust. He was squared to the shooter, good puck vision, and the ability to make very grade A stops. I can’t wait to see Crawford and Lehner duke it all season and see if the Defense can improve to make this team deadly.

Speaking of the Defense. I was a little disappointed with it since Murphy, Koekkoek, Caggiula, Strome, Shaw and DeBrincat was out there. Well, let me say DeBrincat, Strome, Shaw, Murphy and Koekkoek didn’t have a minus on the score board. But, Shaw and Strome were the only ones with points. It tells me that the Blackhawks played to much on their end of the ice and not enough offense of pressure.

The Red Wings were very physical and the Blackhawks answered but, while doing that they started to play the cat and mouse came instead of focusing setting up in the offense of zone and fore-checking.

Yet, it still is the preseason and players get put in different situation and see where players fit. That’s why if the Blackhawks lose it easier to see those flaws versus winning where certain things get over looked.

The Blackhawks come back to Chicago tonight to play the Detroit Red Wings again at the United Center at 7 pm

Let’s Talk Blackhawks

Last night the Blackhawks opened up the first preseason game against the Washington Capitals. Even tho they ended up losing in OT 4-3, we can take some good away from this.

But, first I want to talk about what the NHL preseason means to me and what you the reader to understand. To me is the losing means nothing and the winning means nothing to me. It’s about the how the prospects and veteran guys fight for a roster spot. The Blackhawks have the 3rd and 4th lines to fill and maybe a center for the 2nd line. With the 3rd overall pick from this year draft Kirby Dach out with a concussion(well the concussion protocol). There are 3 players from last night game to highlight

The first player we are going to highlight is Alexander Nylander. When the Blackhawks first acquired from the Buffalo Sabres for Henri Jokiharju. I had my concern with him, as reports said he was good but doesn’t put is effort at 110% most of the time. Now, you can well he was stuck in Buffalo didn’t play a lot in the NHL.

Besides, that he really took me back he seemed involved in everything setting guys up and cashing in on his own. He started by setting up Erik Gustafsson for a point shot that deflected in by Aleksi Saarela. Nylander found the back of the net when Adam Boqvist shot a one-timer and Nylander pick up the rebound on the back hand. Jeremy Colliton was impressed by Nylander saying he good working away from the puck, he can cause turnovers and can create opportunities for himself in transition.

Yes, it’s the first game in preseason and not against the Capitals top D or forwards but, to see him be involved in everything is a bright thing to see.

Now to move on to Collin Delia. We all know what he is capable of from last year going from the last ranked goalie in the Blackhawks organization to the 3rd ranked (some many say he was better the Cam Ward). But with the signing of Robin Leher, Delia knows his role down in Rockford.

Going on to the game he blanked the Capitals in the 1st but, gave up 3 goals in 8 minutes and 38 seconds in the 2nd. He didn’t give a goal until Tom Wilson scored in OT. There was a couple of times Delia was left out to dry by the Hawks defense but, he made mid-season stops. he bailed the team out quite a bit. You can’t cant really blame the lost on anyone since it’s a much of young bloods out there that haven’t played with each other to get a feel for one another. Colliton was impressed with him as well, saying things like he could be a No. 1 goalie and he wants that, he’s still young and has room for improvement.

I think he will eventually be the next big time goalie for the Blackhawks but, will have to wait on it for at least 3 to 5 years depending on which goalie wins the contract extension.

Now, for our final spot light it will be for Adam Boqvist. He has been waiting for a chance and this is his time to shine and he sure has in the first game. he had a helper and a goal of his own in the lost last night. He still has to development into a better defender but, being 19 he has time to do so. He finished the game with 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 shots, 2 takeaways, and 2 blocked shots on 16:10 of ice time.

Boqvist knows it’s hard to produce like that when the big guns are out there and he takes that into account and what happens if he stays on the roster or goes down he will take what he has learned from the game and his teammates and work on improving every day. Colliton mention how he’s a shooter and has great instincts, he can jump in to a play or create one and he can really zing the puck in.

I can’t be disappointed from the loss. I can take away that these young guys want to win and get a ring and that is what I want to see from them. They are the future of the Blackhawks and the future is mighty bright. But, can they keep it up for tonight against the Red Wings at 6:30.

#TBT

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Improving or Just Getting Lucky

2005 was a great year for the White Sox and their fans, they won the World Series. They dominated the post season that year only losing 1 game and sweep the Houston Astros (at the time were in the national league) in the World Series finals. Now correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t remember any time since then did any other team have only lost 1 game during the postseason. But, since they haven’t done nearly anything to make it to the post season. In 2008, they did make it to the post season but lost in 5 games and placed first in the A.L. Central. That was over 10 years ago. But something about this year is different. Now, they wont be great but, they are a sleeper who could slip in to a Wildcard, and finally have a winning record since 2013.

As off May 22nd they are 3rd in the A.L. Central division and a record of 21-26. They are going through a rough part of their schedule. 4 against Houston and 3 with Minnesota, these games are all away. But what is the real issue hear with heavy hitters like Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez, and Jose Abreu. Yes, it’s only 4 players but, these are players who can put a dent in ball. The issue is they are all producing at the same time. Now Eloy has been out with an injury but, came back in time for the start of the Houston series. But, it’s coming down to lack of pitching and batting of clicking together. Yes, they aren’t going to all the time. But, teams that are good those to elements will be clicking more then not. Now, pitching has seen 5 injuries ans Nate Jones and Carlos Rondon being the big pieces. They only pitcher that has stepped up that is active is Lucas Gioltio. His stats so far are 5-1 3.35 ERA and 501 strike outs.

At this point any win they get against a decent team will be all luck. Teams that they should be beating and taking series they are. But, that’s not enough, looking ahead they need to clean house on the front office and coaching staff. The front office failed to get Manny Machado. My if he was a White Sox things would be a little better but not great. Batting needs to get better with the heavy power the Sox have they should be getting at least one home run per game and at least 2 per home game which they have failed to do. White Sox fans want the production and looking for answers. What are the players and coaching staff doing right? It’s the effort, they play hard every pitch and at bat but effort and numbers are 2 different things. It’s time to let go of players and coaches feeling and run a business and bring light to this dark franchise.

For more stats https://www.mlb.com/

What is This?

Welcome to V-Tech talks sport where I just talk about sports. Oh by the way I’m Kyle Svetich. You want to know more about me go to the BIO page. But back to this site. Right now I’m mostly be talking hockey but I’ll get into more of baseball coming soon! also if your not a reader I also have Podcast about the Blackhawks and the NHL in general.