Hawks Weekly Update 3/25

I'm back.

It's only been about a week since I last posted. I traveled from Cali to Chicago while the Hawks did the opposite of that. God bless all of you for choosing to stay in Illinois.

So did I miss anything?

• Weekly Update
• Game Recaps
• Week Ahead
• Sick Bay

I'm also typing most of this on a plane that is going through some intense turbulence. It's actually pretty terrifying.

Weekly Update

I'm going to do my best to recap this week. Usually I'll keep track of happenings through Tweets and notes. I was a bit preoccupied this week as I had to go remind family and friends that I'm still alive.

An obligatory apology if I miss anything. Please feel free to call me names.

Reese Johnson has been in concussion protocol since the Ducks played in Chicago on March 12.

Colin Blackwell was unfortunately injured during the Kings game on March 19. His injury is listed undisclosed with an unknown recovery time on CapFriendly. Blackwell was hit hard against the boards in the third period and left the game looking like he was in discomfort. It really sucks to see him go down not because we need him to win games (I mean, we do) but because he has been playing his heart out ever since his return from his hernia.

Former Blackhawk Chris Simon passed away on March 18 at the age of 52. Although there isn't anything official (as of this writing), the cause of death is assumed to be related to CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy. He played 61 games with the Hawks in the 2002 season after being traded from the Caps. Simon logged 125 PIM's, 12 goals, and 6 assists.

One of the more exciting parts of the season for Hawks fans is here. The NCAA tournament is starting on March 29 (schedule here) and some of our more interesting prospects are going to be in it. With the likes of Frank Nazar, Ryan Greene, Oliver Moore, and a few others, it's absolutely worth watching. Similar to what I did with the World Juniors, I might be doing something to keep track of our prospects as they go through the tourney.

Did I miss anything? Can I stall any longer before I look at these games?

Game Recaps

As you may or may not know by now, I live in California now. The politics are like they are in Illinois, just sun tanned. But I don't have to deal with getting soaked in cold rain and snow while wondering the streets of Joliet like I did last Friday.

I look forward to when the Hawks come here because that means I get to see them play. Not this time. I was reliving the nightmare that is Chicago spring last week. I know. I've grown soft as hell.

Ok, enough stalling.

3/19 Hawks @ Kings - Hawks lose 6-2
The Hawks tried to crack the Kings trap but still came out short.

The talking point from this game is Wyatt Kaiser's return.

He played 17:56 and posted the following numbers at 5v5: 62.50 Corsi, on the ice for 0 goals, and the Hawks had an expected goals share of 41.36 when he was on the ice. Not horrible.

What was horrible was the Korchinski-Megna show. Particularly, Jaycob Megna who I caught just standing there like a traffic cone a few times. I'll excuse Korch and Kaiser all day long. But Megna, a 1.34 expected goals against isn't going to cut it.

While Kevin Korchinski had plenty of mistakes of his own, it's nice seeing him on the score board again. And folks, let's not freak out about the mistakes coming from the youngest defenseman in the NHL. We have something special here. Enjoy the ride.

3/20 Hawks @ Ducks - Hawks lose 4-0
Do I have to talk about this one?

I did end up catching this game at home. There were people over and I wasn't really focused a whole lot on the tactical side of things. Being on the wrong side of a 4-0 score against the Ducks should tell you all that there is.

Jarred Tinordi, from what I saw, was pretty bad. I love when he fights, but boy oh boy. Does this dude love picking the worst times to pick a fight. How many times are we going to spoil rushes when Tinordi displays the only thing he's good at?

I mean, look at this:

And this:

I get Richardson see's himself or something in Tinordi. I get he might be playing Tinordi more over Phillips because Phillips has to "earn" it (that's what I assume). But are we done with this guy? I love Luke, but the Tinman shouldn't be in the lineup over the kids anymore.

3/23 Hawks @ Sharks - Hawks win 5-4
When you see a Tweet like this pop up on your phone, you assume you have been spared from some ugly hockey.

I pretty much tuned out the Hawks to focus on whatever it was that I came to do in Chicago. My surprise the next morning when my bleary, hungover, and bloodshot eyes snapped open to see that the Hawks ended up winning 5-4.

This game seemed to do Ryan Donato some favors as he started pumping life back into this game with a goal in the second period and an assist on the second goal.

Lukas Reichel also looked like he was showing some good flashes. I might do a separate post on him next week just to take a look at how he's doing. Don't give up on him.

Week Ahead

With 3 games to close out March, the playoff season draws near and the draft lottery inches closer.

• vs Flames 3/26 @ 7:30
• @ Senators 3/28 @ 6:00
• @ Flyers 3/30 @ 6:00

As of Monday, March 25, the Flames are currently on a 3 game losing streak and looking at sitting the playoffs out this year. They're at 71 points and the Golden Knights hold the second Wild Card spot with 83 points.

The Senators have a pretty bad track record against the Hawks. They are on the losing side of a 30-9-2-1 record. Let's hope the Hawks can keep it that way.

The Flyers, who are 3rd in the Metro, are 4-4-2 in their last 10. They'll put up a fight against the Hawks as Torts seems to be the only coach to take the Hawks seriously.

Expect a couple of game previews and some recaps this week. I'll turn my focus towards the younglings on the Hawks as the season ends.

Sick Bay

• Taylor Hall – Knee/Out for season
• Connor Murphy - Lower Body/day-to-day
• Reese Johnson - Concussion/unknown
• Colin Blackwell - Undisclosed/unknown

Let's Go Hawks!