Zawaski's Shorties: Blackhawks' Rally Can't Hide Poor Effort
By Jay Zawaski-
(CBS) If one was to peruse the box score of of the Canucks' 5-4 overtime win against the Blackhawks at the United Center, on paper you'd see a pretty even hockey game. The stat sheet would show Chicago slightly outshooting Vancouver, 41-36, but falling just short at the end.
That's the problem with stat sheets. They can lie. Let's get to some observations.
Sloppy seconds ... and firsts: The Blackhawks submitted another in a string of disappointing efforts and needed two goals in the last 120 seconds just to force overtime against an average Canucks team.
"We had a very sloppy first half of the game," coach Joel Quenneville said after the game. "I didn't like the goals we gave up tonight because it seemed like every goal they had, we had the puck in a good position, and it'd end up going the other way and in our net. Whether it was coverage or poor plays with the puck, all led to back in our end there and into the net."
Throughout this recent slump of sub-par play for Chicago, the theme has been the same. The Blackhawks have been their worst enemies. Poor passing, bad decisions, miscommunication and overall defensive mistakes are hurting the Blackhawks.
"Some of the decisions we had with the puck were tough to watch," Quenneville said.
He's absolutely right. The errors are unforced and of the mental variety. That's what should give Blackhawks fans some hope. Chicago has proved it can turn it on when needed.
D-pressing: Since Quenneville broke up the traditional top defensive pairs (Duncan Keith with Brent Seabrook and Johnny Oduya with Niklas Hjalmarsson), the team has struggled. 670 The Score host Matt Spiegel reported, citing sources, that Hawks management is behind the current defensive pairs. It's not a mandate per se, but there seems to be an encouragement to keep the current group together.
The logic is to force Quenneville to play all six defensemen. I don't hate the idea of Quenneville not grinding Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson into the ground, but at the same time, the play is trending in the wrong direction. Something is going to have to give here. We'll see whose way wins out -- Quenneville's or management's.
He is Hossa and you are not: Remember when you were worried about Marian Hossa? Well, he's absolutely on fire right now. He has six goals in his last three games, and his shooting percentage has risen to 9.9 percent (up from 6 percent just last week.) Whether or not the puck is going in the net, Hossa is still a dominant two-way presence. It's outrageous that he isn't a Selke Trophy candidate every year.
Kane is great and doesn't need a cheesy pun: In case you haven't noticed, Patrick Kane is having an MVP season. Last night was his ninth (ninth!) three-point game of the season, and he currently leads the NHL in scoring with 62 points. He played 21 minutes Wednesday and was used with every line.
When the game is on the line, Kane is on the ice, and he loves it. The Hawks haven't had an MVP since 1968, when the great Stan Mikita won the Art Ross Trophy. Maybe this is the year the Hawks break the slump. It's amazing how well Kane can play with a competent center, isn't it?
Jay Zawaski is the executive producer of the Spiegel and Mannelly Show on 670 The Score and the Blackhawks columnist for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JayZawaski670.
