This is because, I am sorry to report, it did not look nor feel meaningless, as what we saw was all too familiar.
The Hawks hit the ice with a more-or-less representative lineup, squared up against a 70/30 veterans/prospects OTT squad who, I must note, were dogshit last season and that was with Eric Karlsson in the lineup. And we lost, 2-1, which wasn't a blowout, obviously and The Sens goals only half-signaled any specific issues. The problem is that The Hawks looked exactly like the team that curled up and died last winter.
Passing was abysmal. That was the worst aspect of The Hawks game between about the 7th and 55th minute. Practically everyone got in on the act to some extent, but I'll call out Keith, Gustafsson, Jokiharju and Saad as being especially bad. Watching that occur makes one wonder if this team gives a single crap about what happens this year, 'cos that was a rerun of last year. You know, the season that they claim was unacceptable?
Ditto for positional play, which didn't help with the passing when guys were late joining the rush or if the theoretical best passing option wasn't available 'cos the guy just wasn't there.
Dark Places
Jokiharju is not ready. The first OTT goal was on him, too soft and too hesitant going after that puck behind the goal line. Yep, someone should have had Duchene but Ryan shouldn't have had a puck to pass to Duke in the first place. As mentioned, Jokiharju's passing was poor and was often rushed. Nobody likes to get hit but the kid had better get used to it.
Kunitz appears to be a waste of time.
Kahun had his first stinkeroo as a Hawk, rarely being where he ought to be, which was unfortunate as his linemates were having a fine game in the meantime.
Gustafsson made a few nice plays, especially while breaking out, but his first pass was uncharacteristically weak for much of the night and he was lazy getting back, as was the case too often last season.
Keith was flat out bad. As great as he was vs. DET last week, he was that BAD and more in this game.
Bright Spots?
Forsberg was actually pretty good between the pipes. Duchene's goal was a coin-flip as to whether or not the puck hits him or not and the game winner was unfortunate as Bergie is usually better at tracking that goal crease stuff. Still, an okay outing.
Toews and DeBrincat look ready to roll. Loving their chemistry, so far.
Manning had his strongest game, even if he spent too much time distracted by second generation shitbird Brady Tkachuk.
The Hawks need a strong effort tonight. They don't even need to win, they just need to do something different than what they did on Thursday, which was a replay of the last 40 games of 2017-18. Even if they found new & unusual ways to fail it would be improvement.
Kampf and Kane in for Johnson/Sikura?
Davidson in for Jokiharju?
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane in practice this AM.
Final 2017-18 wrap/season preview coming in the next few days
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