Going to The Joe

(click on picture for full view)

Come January 14, I'll be sitting in the very location this picture was taken.

One of my first and closest friends after I came to college is a Red Wings fan. For nearly five years we've talked about going to a Hawks-Wings game together, but that's as far as it got.

That changed recently, when during a brew fueled hockey discussion (the best kind of hockey discussion) we decided now was the time we HAD to do it.

On the afternoon of September 1st, Wings tickets went on sale. It was an emotional roller coaster for a few minutes. The virtual box office opened and ticket prices immediately sky rocketed. After some furious mouse-clicking, swear words, butterflies, sweating, and possibly a movement, I found two reasonably priced tickets.

I'm beyond excited to see this rivalry in-person. I can't wait for the road trip, the shady probably-will-get-mugged motel we're staying at, the economy jokes, and the prospect of seeing sad Wings fans en masse.

I've never been to the Joe and I only know a few Red Wings fans. The ones I know are alright dudes, but I have no idea what it will be like inside their rundown mecca, surrounded.

So Hawks fans that have made the trip to Detwat for Hawks-Wings...what's it like?

Comment away.

Chicago Blackhawks: 2011-2012 Measuring Sticks

When I think about the 2010-2011 season, the first thing that comes to mind is the sense of entitlement. Right from the onset, you could see it in the lethargic way most of the team played for long stretches last year. They were going to cruise into the playoffs, regardless of the opponent, and then take care of business.

I admit, as a fan I felt much the same way last summer as I waited for their Cup defense to start. I felt the same way for month or so into the season. I knew the team going into last year didn’t possess the skill level of the Cup champs, and the character makeup was drastically altered, but I figured the playoffs were a lock, and would be for years to come.

My expectations were focused on the big picture, the end of the road, and I took little time to pay attention to how they would inevitably get there. So I decided to write this.

I believe these games will be good indicators of what we have for the 2011-2012 Blackhawks. Microcosms, nutshells, measuring sticks, etc. With the offseason additions of grit and veteran presence and being a season removed from winning the Cup, I feel safe believing that sense of entitlement is gone (plus, did you see those pictures Jesse Rogers posted of Kaner? OMGZ! If that doesn’t scream off season determination and focus, I don’t know what does). I think come season’s end, the results from these stretches could be very telling.

November 3 – November 6

Nov.3 @ Florida Panthers

Nov.4 @ Tampa Bay Lightning

Nov.6 Vancouver Canucks

At this point the season will be 11 games old. The team’s personality should be budding and the quality of play will be beginning to pick up a bit. This interesting three-game stretch presents the Hawks with a back-to-back against the NHL’s representatives of America’s wang. One of them with a bunch of former Blackhawks, the other a participant in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals. The talent on both squads and ‘the road’ should provide a decent early test. Shortly after, the Hawks head back to the UC to take on the Canucks, with their goateed ginger twins, their 80’s movie villain goalie, and their biting/hair pulling ways. Four days, three quality opponents.

December 21 – January 2

Dec. 21 Montreal Canadiens

Dec. 26 Columbus Blue Jackets

Dec. 28 Los Angeles Kings

Dec. 30 Detwat Detroit Red Wings

Jan. 2 Edmonton Oilers

When the Hawks won the Cup, they won at home. When the Hawks barely made the playoffs, they lost at home, a lot. This five-game home stretch is the longest home stand of the season and takes place close to the midway point in the season. Hopefully at this point in the year we’ll have an idea of the team’s identity and tendencies.

They’re playing Montreal the day after a road game against Pittsburgh, followed by four days of rest. The next three opponents they have a day off in between games. This stretch also has three games that could quite possibly be playoff series previews. Lastly, they host Edmonton.

I think the Edmonton game could be telling about the team's approach based on the quality of their opponent. Last year on numerous occasions, it felt as if Chicago would play to the level of their opponent. We all saw them get up for the big games, and suck later on against lesser foes. If the Hawks have a successful home stand, it will be interesting to see if they come out and put Edmonton away early. If they struggle, will we see the same listless approach to bad teams? I'm assuming the Oil will suck, but come on, who isn't assuming that?

Granted, this is a giant pile of speculation. There are a million variables, the make up of the team could be different at these points in the season and yadda yadda yadda, but it’s September. We’re supposed to speculate. And of course you have the circus trip and that behemoth road trip at the beginning of February, but those are obvious choices.

What games do you think could be indicators as to the mettle of the 2011-2012 Chicago Blackhawks?

Youth vs. Experience come playoff time

As the Blackhawks strengthen their grip on the fourth seed in the Western Conference, it's becoming clear that for the first time since 2001-2002, Chicago will see post-season hockey.

At this moment, Chicago is the youngest team in the NHL. That could of course change as roster moves come and go with the March 4 trade deadline, but it won't be too drastic. The Blackhawks will still be a very young team in the playoffs.

How did the younger teams fare in the playoffs last season? And what about those composed of grizzled veterans? Lets take a look.

The Washington Capitals were the sixth youngest team (avg. age 26.98) in the NHL at the end of last season, and the youngest team in the playoffs. They rode 23-year old superstar (and 2007-08 NHL MVP) Alex Ovechkin into the playoffs after posting a 37-17-7 record from Nov. 4 onward. They were the first ever NHL team to make the postseason after being in last place at the halfway point of the season.

In a tough series with the Philadelphia Flyers, the Capitals fell just short. They lost the series 4-3, but won back-to-back elimination games. They lost game seven in double OT. A first round exit for the youngest team in the playoffs.

The next youngest team (avg. age 27.76) in the playoffs (seventh) were the San Jose Sharks. A highly touted second seed with one of the best goalies in the NHL in Evgeni Nabakov; they seemed primed to break their streak of playoff ineptitude and make a run for the Cup. Another surviving a first round scare against the Calgary Flames, the Sharks bowed out in the second.

The jist here, is that young teams do not fare so well in the playoffs. Pittsburgh was the ninth youngest team and made it to the finals, but were thoroughly manhandled by the oldest team in the NHL; the Detroit Red Wings.

In eight out of the 15 playoff matchups, the team with the older average age won.

But I feel the Blackhawks are better than the Sharks and the Caps of the 2008 playoffs. John Buccigross recently wrote, "The Hawks are having an unbelievable season and have a legitimate chance to reach the Stanley Cup finals. (They are that good.) They also could lose in the first round. (They are that young.)"

Personally, I see a second round exit for the Hawks in the playoffs. When it comes down it, especially in the Stanely Cup playoffs, expereince will take you farther than youth.

Hopefully they prove me wrong.

How the Hawks stack up against division leaders

A unnerving note from the other night...

The Chicago Blackhawks, when facing off against division leaders this season, do not fare well.

4-5-5...four wins...five losses...five overtime losses.

Currently, the division leaders are as follows.

The Detroit Red Wings, the San Jose Sharks, and the Calgary Flames from the Western Conference. From the Eastern Conference, it's the New Jersey Devils, the Boston Bruins, and the Washington Capitals.

Here's a closer look at the exact head-to-head numbers.

Detroit Red Wings: 0-2-2

San Jose Sharks: 1-2-1 (they beat the Sharks for the first time in six attempts, and the first time since 2003 on Saturday night.)

Calgary Flames: 3-0-0

Boston Bruins: 0-0-1

Washington Capitals: 0-1-0

New Jersey Devils: 0-0-0

With seven games remaining against the current division leaders (and if history has anything to say about it, the current divison leaders will finish the season that way), there is ample oppurtunity to improve on these numbers.

The Hawks will play the Sharks one last time, two more games at the end of the season against the Wings, one more against Calgary, two against New Jersey, and one more matchup with the Boston Bruins. Highlight these games on the schedule.