Tazer19's Chicago Blackhawks Dynasty (NHL13 - Post 2013 CUP)

[Tazer19]

Standings Through December 7, 2012

A rough go of it so far, but we held out own on the recently completed six game circus trip and some changes to the lineup have paid off. As you will see in the stats, the special teams have done us in and have made the difference in some close games. That said, there are too many goals going in, it's weird, for a stretch nothing goes in then it's open season. We'll have to rectify that moving forward.

[Tazer19]

[Tazer19]

The question now is what to do with the roster. We are a third of the way through the season and the offense should be putting pucks in the net way more than they are. Do I stick with the team the way it is or look to make changes, I think there is plenty of talent to score here. Might tweak the lines again, that top line needs to get going.

[ooHEADLINERoo]

Just joined but I am following this, my opinion would try to spilt up Johnny and Kane, at least for a little bit. Give you some depth and maybe help out with some goals as teams would have to worry about loading up to stop two lines instead of one. Maybe Johnny and Hossa, then Kane and Sharp and go from there.

Still a bit early to make any major moves but if you are still borderline by the trade deadline, you have another big names to try and make a major trade and shake up your team. Look forward to seeing how the rest of the season shakes out.

[Tazer19]

Quote: Originally Posted by ooHEADLINERoo

Just joined but I am following this, my opinion would try to spilt up Johnny and Kane, at least for a little bit. Give you some depth and maybe help out with some goals as teams would have to worry about loading up to stop two lines instead of one. Maybe Johnny and Hossa, then Kane and Sharp and go from there. Still a bit early to make any major moves but if you are still borderline by the trade deadline, you have another big names to try and make a major trade and shake up your team. Look forward to seeing how the rest of the season shakes out.

Good thoughts for sure, that would be my first change, breaking up Toews and Kane just to spread out the scoring depth, thanks for commenting and following!!

[Tazer19]

We are live here at the morning skate and changes are being made not only to the lineup but to the special teams as well. The first change is Patrick Kane being dropped to the second line with Marian Hossa taking Kane's spot on the top line...

Line drills in practice

Saad - Toews - Hossa
Sharp - Bolland - Kane
Bickell - Kruger - Shaw
Stalberg - Handzus - Frolik

The changes on the PP are systematic, sticking with the same set up but changing our philosophy, more pucks to the net, and more traffic, less fancy stuff. The Blues are in town for a physical match up which will put the new Hawks offensive schemes to the test.

[Tazer19]

St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks
Dec 9, 2012 1 2 3 F STL (15-8-2 / 32 pts) 1 1 0 2 CHI (14-10-2 / 30 pts) 0 2 2 4 Three Stars Jonathan Toews [CHI] 1 goal, 2 assists, 1 hit, 4 shots, +2 Brandon Saad [CHI] 2 goals, 6 shots, +1 Corey Crawford [CHI] 26 saves, .929 sv %	Team Stats Comparison STL CHI Shots on Goal 28 39 Hits 13 5 Faceoffs Won-Lost 8-20 20-8 Penalty Minutes 6:00 4:00 Power Plays Converted 1 2 Power Play Opportunities 2 3 Time on Attack 5:20 8:15
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD STL [14:04] V. Tarasenko [7] (Oshie) SECOND PERIOD CHI [05:54] B. Saad [4] (Hossa, Toews) STL [07:30] V. Sobotka [3] (unassisted) CHI [17:01] [PPG] J. Toews [9] (Hossa, Bickell) THIRD PERIOD CHI [09:35] [PPG] B. Saad [5] (Toews) CHI [12:55] P. Sharp [10] (Bolland, Kane)
St. Louis Blues - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % SV% J. Halak 39 35 90% .897
Chicago Blackhawks - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % SV% C. Crawford 28 26 93% .929

Depth scoring is great, but eventually your best players need to be just that, and tonight they were. The power play also got going and improved on their dreadful 13.% conversion rate by converting twice in three opportunities. Brandon Saad was all over the ice on that top line with Hossa and Toews, and the Kane line also chipped in a goal as well. Hopefully that is a sign of things to come.

[Tazer19]

Made a few changes to the lineup, wasn't too thrilled with the consistency, it's been a battle and it shouldn't be this hard for this team to score.

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Bolland - Hossa
Saad - Kruger - Frolik
Stalberg - Handzus - Shaw

Upped the aggressiveness of the offense as well, we will see if that makes a difference. If it doesn't there might be some personnel changes.