Feeling a bit glum and demotivated due to the Humboldt Broncos tragedy and The Hawks logging off on their worst season in over a decade. I was fully prepared to just type "tonight was awful and in the same ways that last night was awful" but I just remembered that I took the piss last night and just posted photos of Patrick Sharp, so....
How bad was it? Well, The Hawks earned fewer points this season than they did in the 2012-13 lockout-shortened season.
These last two games perfectly encapsulated the last half of The Hawks' season; the poorest passing I've ever seen, dodgy positional play and terrible decision-making. All of this just reeks of a lack of focus and poor attention to detail.
That's all I'll say for now. Sometime soon I'll do up some player report cards (maybe) and a summary of wants, wishes and needs (definitely) and a short piece on any silver linings I am able to identify.
Over the years I've often used the phrase "put this one behind us" in reference to a bad game, but I'd never have guessed it would pertain to an entire season. We'll process and reconvene in a bit.
Brutal, brutal, awful effort from the majority of The Hawks, but I don't care 'cos they fell ass backward into a win and messed with The Blues playoff plans. If that's mean or petty...I don't give a damn. There's been precious little to enjoy about this season and sticking it STL is one of the few pleasures I have left, so don't give me that look.
Luckily, Jake Allen was porous, 'cos The Hawks breakouts were terrible, their passing was rotten and, while this has nothing to do with Jake Allen, the defense served up a big stinkeroo of a game. It's been awhile since I've seen so many lazy, thoughtless pass attempts as I did tonight. Passes off the mark, to no one in particular (lookin' at you Connor Murphy) or to a teammate who is already under pressure. Just a lot of dumb choices from the back end.
Rutta was ridiculously, comically bad and Gustafsson treated us to another game in which he was on-point offensively, disinterested defensively. The rest were unexceptional.
And that stupid push-em-back crap they try to do on the PP....laughable tonight. I'm pretty sure the guy who's been nominated to carry the puck up-ice shouldn't have to skate back to his goal line to retrieve a drop pass to no one.
Corsi was about 7:3 in favour of STL. I don't think The Hawks won more than one or two draws in The Blues zone.
Yet they prevailed. It goes like that sometimes. Heaven knows The Hawks have been on the other end of that stick enough times this year.
JF Berubé had a typical Guy night, letting in goals that appeared savable but also making a host of excellent stops, many on second chances.
Dylan Sikura, I think, will be A Thing. I'm less sure about Victor Ejdsell, but it's early days yet.
Blake Hillman kinda floundered in The Hawks zone for much of the game, but he did score his first NHL goal, and a shortie, at that. He was no better or worse than the other five D-men.
Okay, that's enough. Let's hope that The Hawks can bring their C- game again on Friday against Jake Allen's D- game and stick a fork in The Blues' playoff hopes. Please.
