18-0-3. I've caught several Columbus games that weren't against Chicago, and they never look like a last place team when I see them play. Tough game every time we see them this year. 3rd line continues to produce, and after a physical start to the game, there were curiously few penalties either way.
Big game on Sunday against Detroit, if we get past them the streak could reach 29 games. Games after the Detroit are vs. Minnesota (10-7-2), vs. Colorado (8-8-3), @ Coloardo (8-8-3), vs. Edmonton (8-8-4), @ Columbus (5-12-4), @ Dallas (10-9-2), and @ Colorado. 30th game is @ Anaheim (14-3-1).....
I mean, they got the OT win, but Emery did not look great tonight. As evidenced by the fact that he gave up three to the Blue Jackets.
He had some trouble on the first goal 30 seconds in (giving up the rebound). He also get lucky one time when he lost track of the puck behind the net and Columbus ended up with a shot off the post. Other than those 2 plays, I thought he was fine.
What's really making this run beyond impressive is all the different situations they're being thrown in and still coming away with the win. The only thing that concerns me is the powerplay. If they can get that into the top 5 overall I think they'll be unstoppable even when the playoffs come knockin'. Let's not forget the NHL playoffs are the most grueling of any sport and truly are a second season.
This. This run has been a lot of fun, but I honestly won't be that sad to see it end soon. It is creating some pressure on the players and too much desire in our competition (Columbus was sellin' it in the first period last night). The NHL is littered with President's Trophy winners that sputter and get bounced in the first round of the playoffs. I don't want us on cruise control, but I don't want us playing intense, playoff-like games day after day in the middle of the season either.
I was a season ticket holder in the old barn in 1991. I think that is the only president's trophy the Hawks have ever won. We got bounced by the goon-laden North Stars including Shane Churla and Basil McCray. I left that final game feeling more bitter than I ever had as a sports fan. I was convinced that was the year and we got duped into dropping the gloves over and over as the Stars player would then skate away with gloves on, a big grin on their face, and a 2 minute minor to the Hawks. We played a man down the whole damn series and looked crushed by the weight of expectations.
That 92 season. 11 game win streak in the playoffs then get swept by the Pens who themselves tie the record the Hawks set by winning 11 straight. Oh how I hated that North Stars team!! Hawks kept getting baited in that series.
If I remember correctly, the first game was 3-1, but then every subsequent game was a one goal game. The final game was 4-3 with captain Dirk Graham scoring a hat trick as he wasn't willing to let the ship sink without putting out all he had. Good times.
Was that the season where the Hawks and North Stars had that fight before the game during the warm ups?
Actually, I thought the Hasks jumped out to a three goal lead in gMe one. I thought it was even 3 in the first period. Then we we stretched it to 4-1 before losing 5-4. A real back breaker.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Stanley_Cup_Finals You're right, the first game was that back breaker then the second game they were flat as hell and lost 3-1. Aside from that 3-1 loss every game was a one goal game but you could tell Pittsburg had a response for anything the Hawks were going to do that series.
And just to clarify, on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being terrible and 10 being great, Dino Ciccarelli falls somewhere between Hitler and AIDS.
22 and counting....Kaner ties with less then 2 minutes to go.... We still have 1 minute of PP in OT, let's end it in OT.... Edit...Shoutout time..... It better be Toews, Kane and Hossa.....