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They play tonight, so it's time for me to go ahead and try to get this post out and jinx them so we can move on to the rest of the season. I had actually started to write this last night, but an awesome, mind-altering, out of body beer dinner experience (more on that in a different post) at the Morris Tap & Grill with a Dogfish Head dinner, and alas I was not able to write while enjoy the sweet nectar that is the 120 minute IPA.
That, and the fact that they are set up for a perfect trap game tonight against an inferior oppenent, so it will be perfect to post right after they lose this game. How do I know this is exactly what will happen? It's 8:35 pm, and the Blue Jackets have seriously just scored in the first thirty seconds of the game. I mean seriously, how the hell old is Vinnie Prospal? I think I had him on my fantasy team back in 2001 and he was old then. Bastard. But regardless, I am going to continue on with the post fully appreciating the evil sad irony by the end of this game.
How good are the Chicago Blackhawks?
I mean they are 17-0-3. They are so good that
I mean it's important to keep it all in perspective and not overreact to anything. But ESPN was actually promoting and discussing the Blackhawks during not only SportsCenter, but then this happened:
And hell froze over. They are the best team in the history of the world.
I think that appropriately captures it.
channel Bill Swerski's Superfan to put it in the proper perspective.
Blackhawks vs. the Soviet Union team of the 1970s. Well, that's a tough one, it's fairly well documented that the Red Army team was one of the greatest hockey teams of all time winning about 28 gold medals between 1960 and 1990 (but not 1980 suckas!). So it would be pretty tight, but I think the Hawks would squeak that one out 23-0.
Blackhawks vs. 80s Edmonton Oilers. (hey - Blackhawks just tied it one with a power play 1-1 - Go Stalberg!). The first true dynasty I ever saw was he Islanders of the early 80s. I mean that team was massive: Bossy, Trottier, Smith - those guys were icons in the early 80s. But they only lasted those first four years and were surpassed by the reign of the Oilers who ended up dominated the rest of the 80s. It's actually a little unfortunate (I think), because everyone remembers those Oiler teams, but I don't think the Islanders teams of the early 80s get nearly enough respect. In a way it makes sense, because that Oiler team was so much more dominant and had the best player ever to play the game (I mean aside from Toews, yes). I mean Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, Fuhr. Holy shit, three players in the top 10 in points with Gretzky having more assists than the next player had points. You almost can't even wrap your head around how overwhelming that is. 87 goals in 74 games. God I hated him. But I respect you Ron Burgundy. Needless to say the Hawks (Carcillo about to go at it - sweet. even money he tears his hammy) are going to have their hands full. Probably a back and forth game with the final score being Hawks 109 - Oilers 5 (I mean you're not going to keep the Great One off the score sheet).
Blackhawks vs. Ditka. Holy F! Why don't you just ask me which kid I love more (pssst. - there's actually an answer to that, don't tell anyone (okay, that just cracked me up for full minute (but it's true))). But how could one possibly decide this - it pains me more than life itself. Gotta break it down. Probably needs to be played on a neutral site - Chicago Stadium, but set up as a basketball court. No doubt Ditka is going to win the grit and toughness battle, which the Hawks would try to offset that with speed and skill. I mean that's a hard one to call. I think at the end of the day it comes down to a battle between these:
Wow. The two greatest Chicago mustaches of of all time. Q gets docked a little because of the grey. Mike Ditka will never grey - the color grey will be redefined to ditka (yes, I may have looked up a chuck norris quote to finish that one up).
But let's face it - Q's stash is far more lushious. It is full and vibrant and oozes masculinity (is that something that can be oozed?). Q takes it 4-3, offically giving the Blackhawks the title of greatest entity in the history of the world (yea, I'm looking at you God (great - now not only am I going to hell, I'm taking the express change (unless Johnny T weighs in, then I'm all good))).
Fuck - Jackets up again. Why doesn't Anisimov shoot something with the stick again. That worked so well last year.
PATRICK SHARP from an impossible angle!!!!!. That's just good shit right there...if by good shit you mean terrible goaltending.
So I'm actually going to try to get to the point of my post right now. Aside from being the greatest - there are two questions that I ask. First, can I gamble on this? And second, what the hell is so different from this year compared to the exact same team that was a 6 seed last year.
Brian Bickell. What a shot. Seriously, if you are not watching this (which is highly likely since the game has already happened by the time you are reading this - but whatever, I don't control time thank you very much Einstein.
Moving on (which I can do because it's between periods so I can focus on the game). Let's start with gambling. I have a buddy who is headed out to Vegas and asked if I wanted to place any bets (umm. yes!). But since it was just a little before March Madness I really didn't want to put and BBall bets out quite yet (plenty of time for that), so I was thinking hockey bets. Problem is that the Blackhawks are paying out at 4:1 to win the Stanley Cup and 2:1 to win the Western Conference (how the hell did Mayers miss that open net - awful). So I like the Hawks, but the playoffs are so hard and teams get so streaky riding a hot goalie (see Phoenix Coyotes 2012) that I don't really like either of odds. I mean I'll bet them, but I would really like it a whole lot more if they were coming out at 6:1 or something to win the Cup. And this coming from someone truly believes that they will not lose a regulation game this year (and there's the jinx we've been waiting for). But 4:1 with the insanity that is the NHL playoffs. Ugh.
But for those who want to voluntarily give up money, the Ducks are going out at anywhere from 10 or 12:1. I actually like those odds a lot. They're a good team, and between Fasth and Hiller in net, Ryan, Perry and Getzlaf up front. I think Ducks/Hawks will make a hell of a Western Conference Final.
So we still haven't quite addressed what the hell has happened this year for the Hawks to be THIS good. So shit, there are a ton of things happening this year that is massively improved over last year. The power play isn't painfully brutal, Kane is back with a vengeance, and, of course, Crawford and Emery have been playing lights out. But I think there are two factors (F! 3-3 awful) that weigh more than anything (and which have been written about before, but not by THIS GUY).
Penalty kill. They were brutal in the PK last year. I mean as bad as the power play was (26th in the league, currently 12th) - their penalty kill was actually worse (okay, not much worse) at 27th in the league. I mean they were below Carolina who they were 20 points better than. They are currently 2nd in the league this year on the PK. Turns out this Jamie Kompon may have been the best off season signing of the year. He came over from the Kings, who I thought were phonemonal on special teams (yea - overtime, back in five minutes).
HOLY SHIT! If asked, the answer is yes, I might have a non-sexual mancrush on Jonathan Toews. Hell, I might even remove the non. Did you see that pass to Seabrook? F'ing a.
Anyway, the improvement in the special teams, especially in the penalty kill has been massive. But what I think has been even bigger is line stability, the play of the 3rd line - and most importantly Brandon Saad. I mean I know hes' rookie - but his ability to come in and play on the first line has improved the whole team. It's meant that Q hasn't had to mess with the line-ups nearly as much as he did last year. He can balance the first three lines with some serious fire power and not try to load of the first line with Toews, Sharp, and Kane which he did a bunch last year. And Kane hasn't had to play center this year, which I think really dragged him down.
So bringing Saad in has stablized the lines, but more importantly it has given Chicago three totally legit lines that teams have to worry about. Yea - opponents are still going to key on the first line, but if you look at the average line-up:
They play tonight, so it's time for me to go ahead and try to get this post out and jinx them so we can move on to the rest of the season. I had actually started to write this last night, but an awesome, mind-altering, out of body beer dinner experience (more on that in a different post) at the Morris Tap & Grill with a Dogfish Head dinner, and alas I was not able to write while enjoy the sweet nectar that is the 120 minute IPA.
That, and the fact that they are set up for a perfect trap game tonight against an inferior oppenent, so it will be perfect to post right after they lose this game. How do I know this is exactly what will happen? It's 8:35 pm, and the Blue Jackets have seriously just scored in the first thirty seconds of the game. I mean seriously, how the hell old is Vinnie Prospal? I think I had him on my fantasy team back in 2001 and he was old then. Bastard. But regardless, I am going to continue on with the post fully appreciating the evil sad irony by the end of this game.
How good are the Chicago Blackhawks?
I mean they are 17-0-3. They are so good that
I mean it's important to keep it all in perspective and not overreact to anything. But ESPN was actually promoting and discussing the Blackhawks during not only SportsCenter, but then this happened:
And hell froze over. They are the best team in the history of the world.
I think that appropriately captures it.
channel Bill Swerski's Superfan to put it in the proper perspective.
Blackhawks vs. the Soviet Union team of the 1970s. Well, that's a tough one, it's fairly well documented that the Red Army team was one of the greatest hockey teams of all time winning about 28 gold medals between 1960 and 1990 (but not 1980 suckas!). So it would be pretty tight, but I think the Hawks would squeak that one out 23-0.
Blackhawks vs. 80s Edmonton Oilers. (hey - Blackhawks just tied it one with a power play 1-1 - Go Stalberg!). The first true dynasty I ever saw was he Islanders of the early 80s. I mean that team was massive: Bossy, Trottier, Smith - those guys were icons in the early 80s. But they only lasted those first four years and were surpassed by the reign of the Oilers who ended up dominated the rest of the 80s. It's actually a little unfortunate (I think), because everyone remembers those Oiler teams, but I don't think the Islanders teams of the early 80s get nearly enough respect. In a way it makes sense, because that Oiler team was so much more dominant and had the best player ever to play the game (I mean aside from Toews, yes). I mean Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, Fuhr. Holy shit, three players in the top 10 in points with Gretzky having more assists than the next player had points. You almost can't even wrap your head around how overwhelming that is. 87 goals in 74 games. God I hated him. But I respect you Ron Burgundy. Needless to say the Hawks (Carcillo about to go at it - sweet. even money he tears his hammy) are going to have their hands full. Probably a back and forth game with the final score being Hawks 109 - Oilers 5 (I mean you're not going to keep the Great One off the score sheet).
Blackhawks vs. Ditka. Holy F! Why don't you just ask me which kid I love more (pssst. - there's actually an answer to that, don't tell anyone (okay, that just cracked me up for full minute (but it's true))). But how could one possibly decide this - it pains me more than life itself. Gotta break it down. Probably needs to be played on a neutral site - Chicago Stadium, but set up as a basketball court. No doubt Ditka is going to win the grit and toughness battle, which the Hawks would try to offset that with speed and skill. I mean that's a hard one to call. I think at the end of the day it comes down to a battle between these:
Wow. The two greatest Chicago mustaches of of all time. Q gets docked a little because of the grey. Mike Ditka will never grey - the color grey will be redefined to ditka (yes, I may have looked up a chuck norris quote to finish that one up).
But let's face it - Q's stash is far more lushious. It is full and vibrant and oozes masculinity (is that something that can be oozed?). Q takes it 4-3, offically giving the Blackhawks the title of greatest entity in the history of the world (yea, I'm looking at you God (great - now not only am I going to hell, I'm taking the express change (unless Johnny T weighs in, then I'm all good))).
Fuck - Jackets up again. Why doesn't Anisimov shoot something with the stick again. That worked so well last year.
PATRICK SHARP from an impossible angle!!!!!. That's just good shit right there...if by good shit you mean terrible goaltending.
So I'm actually going to try to get to the point of my post right now. Aside from being the greatest - there are two questions that I ask. First, can I gamble on this? And second, what the hell is so different from this year compared to the exact same team that was a 6 seed last year.
Brian Bickell. What a shot. Seriously, if you are not watching this (which is highly likely since the game has already happened by the time you are reading this - but whatever, I don't control time thank you very much Einstein.
Moving on (which I can do because it's between periods so I can focus on the game). Let's start with gambling. I have a buddy who is headed out to Vegas and asked if I wanted to place any bets (umm. yes!). But since it was just a little before March Madness I really didn't want to put and BBall bets out quite yet (plenty of time for that), so I was thinking hockey bets. Problem is that the Blackhawks are paying out at 4:1 to win the Stanley Cup and 2:1 to win the Western Conference (how the hell did Mayers miss that open net - awful). So I like the Hawks, but the playoffs are so hard and teams get so streaky riding a hot goalie (see Phoenix Coyotes 2012) that I don't really like either of odds. I mean I'll bet them, but I would really like it a whole lot more if they were coming out at 6:1 or something to win the Cup. And this coming from someone truly believes that they will not lose a regulation game this year (and there's the jinx we've been waiting for). But 4:1 with the insanity that is the NHL playoffs. Ugh.
But for those who want to voluntarily give up money, the Ducks are going out at anywhere from 10 or 12:1. I actually like those odds a lot. They're a good team, and between Fasth and Hiller in net, Ryan, Perry and Getzlaf up front. I think Ducks/Hawks will make a hell of a Western Conference Final.
So we still haven't quite addressed what the hell has happened this year for the Hawks to be THIS good. So shit, there are a ton of things happening this year that is massively improved over last year. The power play isn't painfully brutal, Kane is back with a vengeance, and, of course, Crawford and Emery have been playing lights out. But I think there are two factors (F! 3-3 awful) that weigh more than anything (and which have been written about before, but not by THIS GUY).
Penalty kill. They were brutal in the PK last year. I mean as bad as the power play was (26th in the league, currently 12th) - their penalty kill was actually worse (okay, not much worse) at 27th in the league. I mean they were below Carolina who they were 20 points better than. They are currently 2nd in the league this year on the PK. Turns out this Jamie Kompon may have been the best off season signing of the year. He came over from the Kings, who I thought were phonemonal on special teams (yea - overtime, back in five minutes).
HOLY SHIT! If asked, the answer is yes, I might have a non-sexual mancrush on Jonathan Toews. Hell, I might even remove the non. Did you see that pass to Seabrook? F'ing a.
Anyway, the improvement in the special teams, especially in the penalty kill has been massive. But what I think has been even bigger is line stability, the play of the 3rd line - and most importantly Brandon Saad. I mean I know hes' rookie - but his ability to come in and play on the first line has improved the whole team. It's meant that Q hasn't had to mess with the line-ups nearly as much as he did last year. He can balance the first three lines with some serious fire power and not try to load of the first line with Toews, Sharp, and Kane which he did a bunch last year. And Kane hasn't had to play center this year, which I think really dragged him down.
So bringing Saad in has stablized the lines, but more importantly it has given Chicago three totally legit lines that teams have to worry about. Yea - opponents are still going to key on the first line, but if you look at the average line-up:
goals are coming from all over. The first and the second line are almost equally imposing, but more importantly even the third line is a pretty serious offensive threat (and I pulled this data on Thursday before their last two wins).
So what Saad has allowed, even with only three goals, is creating massive offensive depth by freeing up the next two lines and providing stability to the whole team. And that depth is translating to wins. Not just wins - but the greatest team in the history of the world.
18-0-3.
