May 3, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Michael Frolik (67) celebrates scoring a goal against the Minnesota Wild during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

In every game and series there are plenty of numbers.

Here are a few of last night’s numbers

Shots on Goal for the first period Detroit-7 Hawks-6

Shots on Goal for the rest of the game-Hawks-36 Detroit-14

-Sometimes shots on goal is misleading, but in Game 1 the Hawks dominated period 2 without any goals but it set up a huge third period.

Hits Detroit-43 Hawks-24

-This stat can be taken with a grain of salt but here is the difference in Game 1, The Red Wings hits were finishing off checks while the Hawks hits were forechecking winning the puck back hits.

The Hawks are 41 games over .500 with Johnny Oduya in the lineup.

-This stat is mind blowing! Oduya scores the game winner and his nightly terrible turnover came with only a couple minutes left. The Hawks defense may not be the most physical group but their speed and passing have made this group of six one of the best units in the NHL.

The Powerplay was 1-3 in Game 1.

Marian Hossa scored after Patrick Sharp broke up an outlet and Toews got it to Hossa.  The Hawks are now 3-16 and its almost amusing when the Hawks go to the powerplay everyone in the United Center cheers while eveyone on Twitter Groans.  You don’t have to score everytime you have the man advantage but you can’t kill the momentum which the Hawks were successful at on Wednesday night.

6:04- Daniel Carcillo playing time.

-Not sure what the point of benching of Viktor Stalberg was from Coach Q, but playing Carbomb 6 minutes proves that he really isn’t the answer for the rest of the playoffs.

The Penalty Kill is 20-20 in 2013.

This is the best stat of the playoffs so far. While the game was still in doubt the Blackhawks were down a man 3 times on Wednesday night and they killed off all three.  Marcus Kruger and Michael Frolik are fourth liners that are rock stars on the penalty kill. Their speed and tenacity have made these two minutes scoreless and not momentum builders for the Wild last series and the Wings in Game 1.

1.32

- Crawford now leads the NHL playoffs in Goals against average. After a shaky start when he seemed to be looking behind him after every first period shot was able to settle down (with the help of only 14 shots) and stop every shot he saw the rest of the night.

1-Goal!

What is your favorite number from Game 1? What do you think was the turning point of the game?

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Carcillo was in the lineup for Brandon Bollig who has been pretty invisible in the first three games which included a very physical Game #3. Bollig unable to stop the endless physical play by the Wild forced Coach Q’s hands to switch up the lineup, but Carcillo’s early penalty made the change in the lineup nullified.

The fourth line traditionally is full of players like Bollig and Carcillo to muck it up and be the physical presence that gives the big guns rest with any offense an added bonus. The thing is this edition of the Blackhawks isn’t your old school hockey version of a hockey team. The Blackhawks are built around speed and puck possession with every player expected to perform.

With the Hawks up 3-1 in the series and playing in front of the home crowd at the United Center Coach Q should really mix it up in Game 5.  Instead of Bollig or Carcillo playing with penalty killing machines Michael Frolik and Marcus Kruger, Coach Q should reinsert some youth to the lineup. Jimmy Hayes or Jeremy Morin could be placed on the fourth line and produce just what the Hawks need with offensive ability.  Yes you may be a little nervous adding  more youth to the lineup but it can’t be any worse than the production the Hawks have been getting from this spot from Bollig or Carcillo.

Morin scored on his first shift of the season and looked very skilled offensively while still throwing his body around. Hayes filled in on the Patrick Kane line without much of any kind of drop off. Send in the youth they will bring a bigger Hawks punch than The combo of Bollig and Carcillo are providing!

What do you think? Do you want to see the roster stand pat or do you want to see Quenneville add a young gun to the fourth line?

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Mar 6, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) checks Colorado Avalanche left wing Patrick Bordeleau (58) into the bench during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks announced very late that Marian Hossa was a scratch before the game with the always very specific “Upper body injury”.  Hawks fans were given some relief when Q was interviewed on the bench during the first period and said the injury wasn’t serious.  The first period was controlled on the ice by the Avalanche, they maintained the pace of play and puck possession. The Hawks did strike first after a terrible penalty after a great Brent Seabrook check that sent an Av’s player into their bench.  On the power play from the retaliation penalty Andrew Shaw tipped in a Seabrook blast from the blue line.  The Hawks had really only one good shift in the first, and the Av’s took advantage of a strange bounce and John Mitchell was able to put in a backhand with less than two minutes left in the period to tie up the contest.  The intermission horn was a relief for starter Ray Emery and the Hawks when the Av’s put a ton of pressure on in the last 20 seconds of the period.

The 2nd period was the land of missed opportunities for the Hawks that started with Patrick Kane with a mini-break that he hasn’t been missing all year but Semyon Varlamov stoned him.  Patrick Sharp had numerous chances on 2 on 1′s and four other shots in the period but could not convert any of them.  The Av’s were playing the trap game which really frustrated the Hawks for most of the period. The Avalanche took the lead 2-1 when Matt Duchene from a bad angle banked it off Ray Emery for a pretty soft goal.  Emery was strong the rest of the period making a huge save when the Hawks at the end of their scoreless powerplay gave up a breakaway when Brent Seabrook’s stick shattered but Emery was up to that challenge. After the Avalanche took the lead the sense of urgency could be felt from the Hawks but they were not able to get any pucks past Varlamov who had a tremendous 2nd period. Andrew Shaw took an elbow from Paul Stastny and never returned to the game.

The third period didn’t start off well when Michael Rozsival went off for his second minor penalty of the game, but on a 2 on 2 rush Jonathan Toews made a great move with help from Dave Bolland, and scored a short-handed goal to tie the game.  The injury ward kept getting bigger when Patrick Sharp left the ice after getting checked on the side boards.  The game was decided with 50 seconds left with Marcus Kruger, Viktor Stalberg fighting and Daniel Carcillo putting the puck in the net for the game winner.  Daniel Carcillo became the 13th different  Blackhawks player to score a game winner this season.

History is exciting  to watch happen, especially when it’s your favorite team so this is extremely fun to watch. Enjoy the ride Hawks fans!!

-Ray Emery is the first goalie to start the season 10-0-0

-30 straight games without a regulation loss.

-24 straight games to start the season without a regulation loss.

-11 straight wins.

- Half the season is over and the Hawks still don’t have a crooked number in the loss column!

The only worrisome thing leaving the Madhouse on Madison Street is the health of Hossa, Shaw, and Sharp.  We will keep you up to date on all the injury updates as they are reported, here on Blackhawk Up. Next game will be against this came Colorado team Friday night.

Hawks Win!! Hawks Win!!

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Feb 25, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Daniel Carcillo (13) sits on the bench during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s pretty easy to tell that Coach Joel Quenneville is superstitious since he has started the same lineup every game this season except when Brent Seabrook missed a couple games because of injury.Each game starts with Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Brandon Saad, Brent Seabrook, and Duncan Keith in the  lineup.   In St Louis the same starting lineup lit the lamp 12 seconds into the game yet all it took was a couple of shifts and the next thing you know there is Daniel Carcillo on the top line with 19 and 81.

One of the reasons I believe that the Hawks have started out so strongly is the less hands on approach by Coach Q this season.  Coach Q usually chases matchups and juggles line regularly nightly but this season he has played status quo without chasing the matchup because he likes all four lines.  He has not juggling lines because even if each line wasn’t showing up on the scoresheet they were providing pressure and not giving up goals on their shifts.  Stability and trust seems to have provided most of the core for the “Streak” and the consistent play throughout the first month and a half of the season.

The thing ,that if you want to nit pick after going 20 games without a loss, is since the Carbomb has returned from injury is how bad Coach wants to reinsert him to the top line. The argument is it gives the opposition something in their back of their minds to think about before they take runs at two of the Hawks biggest offensive superstars who have missed games in the past from concussions.  Nobody wants to deal with a maniac on skates so people playing the Hawks will have keep their heads on a swivel instead of trying to make runs at our two top guns.  The question is will the offensive production of this line decrease without have Brandon Saad on the line because even though Carcillo is a fast skater he is not a highly skilled offensive player.

Saad was certainly growing game by game into a compliment to Hossa and Toews and although pucks were not getting in the net he was providing  all the skills of 2-way player that everyone had envisioned. The only thing that seems to be missing from his game his the dreaded “physical presence”.  The biggest hit I’ve seen him make was last night and it was an accident.  Saad to stay with the top guys needs to throw his weight around a little bit more.  I just hate seeing him lining up with Brandon Bollig late in the game on the 4th line.  Saad is skilled enough offensively and defensively to play with any line but I prefer him with the skilled guys nightly then playing with the grinders.

I’m not the coach and Q is with these guys every day, but from this point of view the top line is better with 20 instead of Carcillo with the exception of the physical presence.  I know it’s a minor point in a season when the record shows 17-0-3. What do you think is the physical presence that big of a deal that Carcillo should be protecting Toews and Hossa?

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Let’s Go Blackhawks!!

Nov 29, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Daniel Carcillo (13) makes a pass in the first period against the Phoenix Coyotes at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

News yesterday was that the  injured Blackhawks were doing some skating and could soon start practicing.  Steve Montador and The Car Bomb were the biggest topics when Coach Quenneville spoke yesterday.  He spoke of the possible  return of Daniel Carcillo as a good decision to have to make. 

It seems like there are only two sides to Carcillo, either you can’t stand him or you love him.  Well, in a shortened season every healthy body is a plus to me, but i’m sure if you’ve read our blog enough you know I lean more to the can’t stand than like only because he has too much Dennis Rodman in  him.  Even though he talks the talk he can’t walk the walk for an extended period of time.  Nobody on the ice is safe, from the opposition to himself, even before last year Carcillo talked about being a changed man but still ended up hurting  himself. 

The thing I’ve never understood about Coach Q is that he has always puts Carcillo with the top 2 lines.  He started the season with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa before getting injured again.  Enter Brandon Saad who has appeared more and more comfortable each game played while playing on the top line.  Saad scored his second goal of his career Tuesday night and looks to have starting to gain  favor with Quenneville when he was the #3 shooter in the shoot out loss against the Anaheim Ducks. 

Now comes the Carcillo question when he does make it back. The chemistry of the team seems apparent with only Brandon Bollig and Jamal Mayers getting swapped out on the bottom lines.  Carcillo can be a high energy guy on the bottom lines while making appearance on penalty kills.  It just doesn’t seem like Carcillo should stunt the growth of Saad with the big guns while still giving Quenneville options.

What do you think Quenneville should do when Carcillo returns healthy?

Photo by Maggie Avila

It is surprising that a rookie in the NHL would fit in perfectly on the number one line of a Stanley Cup contending team like the Chicago Blackhawks. Then again we are not talking any rookie, we are talking Brandon Saad.

The scouting report on Brandon coming out of the Saginaw Spirits of the OHL was that he was a responsible two way player with the potential to be a top six power forward. Good size and good hockey IQ are mentioned often in association with Saad and Blackhawks fans are now seeing why.

Brandon Saad is getting the opportunity that most rookies would only dare to dream of. He is playing on the top line with Captain Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa and has not looked out of step at all. Up until now his stats on the Blackhawks do not indicate the level of his play.

He has been working extremely hard to create chances for his line and himself. Saad is very good with winning puck battles in corners and along the boards and in opening up ice with his deceptive speed. These things are not captured by the stat sheets but impact games none the less.

He was finally rewarded the other day with his first NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks. He was stationed in front of the goals which is where he needs to get to if he can with his 6’2” frame he will get a lot of chances there.

The media and some fans are pleasantly surprised with how well Saad has made the transition to the NHL and his keeping pace with Toews and Hossa and not being awestruck by just playing with those caliber players.

For anyone that saw Saad in the Blackhawks prospect camp it is not surprising at all. He carries himself with a poise and quiet confidence that is way beyond his years. In that regard he reminds you of his linemate Jonathan Toews. There is a maturity and calmness that Saad has both off and on the ice with the puck.

He also is similar to fellow linemate Marian Hossa in that he is a dependable two way player and physically solid. Saad is very defensively responsible and rarely puts himself or his team in bad positions. His hockey intelligence and puck anticipation is way beyond his age.

In prospect camp, all eyes were curious as to what new prospect Teuvo Teravainen was like and were in awe of his offensive skills, rightfully so. Equally impressive though was Saad. One could tell Saad was the most NHL ready as he could not be moved off the puck. He is solid in his skates and has great speed and balance. He is a physical specimen of hockey player.

During the lockout Saad played in Rockford on the Icehogs. He tallied 8 goals and 12 helpers in 31 games.

The only knock on Saad has been consistency but that is the case with most young hockey players and on the Blackhawks that has not been the case. He has played very consistently so much so Coach Quenneville has given him a turn on the power play.

It certainly doesn’t hurt Saad’s development being paired with probably the two best two way forwards in the NHL but credit Saad with taking advantage of his opportunity. The Blackhawks are impressed with what they have seen and will be keeping the rookie up with the big club and he will not be returning to Rockford.

It will be interesting to see what the Blackhawks do when Daniel Carcillo returns from injury. It is one of those good problems to have. No matter what line Saad plays on I for one am very happy he will remain on the Blackhawks roster. I also have to believe the Blackhawks are even happier at how Brandon Saad is developing and helping this team along the way. Congradulations Brandon keep playing your game.

September 22, 2011; Pittsburgh,PA, USA: Chicago Blackhawks forward Daniel Carcillo (13) moves the puck up ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

There was bad news for the Chicago Blackhawks after their opening day 5-2 victory over the LA Kings. Daniel Carcillo will be missing significant time after suffering a “significant” lower body injury.  Coach Quenneville stated that the Car Bomb will be missing some games with the injury that Carcillo suffered in the third period. Before the injury Carcillo collected 1 assist on Marian Hossa‘s first goal of the game, and he also had 1 shot on goal on a +3 afternoon.

Brandon Saad is expected to take Carcillo’s spot in the lineup Sunday night in Phoenix when the Blackhawks return back to the ice.  Saad was a healthy scratch on Saturday afternoon.  Injuries will be a concern for all NHL teams in the condensed 48 game season so losing Carcillo on opening day will be a critical test for the Hawks, but their endless supply of youth in the system should come in handy.  This is why Stan Bowman has been building up the ranks instead of making “big Splash” trades at deadlines.

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Jan 2, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; An injured Chicago Blackhawks left wing Daniel Carcillo (13) is helped off the ice by defenseman John Scott (32) and right wing Jamal Mayers (22) against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

When we last saw the “Car Bomb” we was blowing up his own knee.  The biggest question mark of the Stan Bowman era made it threw 28 games last season before tearing up his knee, and even though he played a quarter of the season Blackhawk Up still did a season ending report on him.

Daniel Carcillo had surgery last January so like Marian Hossa the lockout was a blessing in disguise for the extended time for his knee to heal without the risk of returning too early from the injury.  Caricllo is a loose cannon which can be highly annoying but sometimes he can be a weapon.   Carcillo will only get one week training camp so it will be interesting to see if he actually is on the opening night roster or a healthy scratch.

The one thing about Carcillo’s play last year was the questionable line placement by Coach Quenneville on his second line most nights.  I only can imagine Carcillo mucking it up on the fourth line at best getting a shift or two per period.  It seemed like he was only on the ice with the top 6 as a protector.

It’s fun trying to do an over/under on a player with 2 goals, 82 penalty minutes in a 28 game injury plagued season the year before, so here it goes the over/under for the Car Bomb will be 3 goals 13 assists and 132 penalty minutes.  Hopefully he’s on his best behavior when he returns to the ice wearing a Chicago Blackhawks jersey, but I have absolutely ZERO faith in Carcillo.  What do you think? What’s your over/under for Carcillo?

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Jan 2, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; An injured Chicago Blackhawks left wing Daniel Carcillo (13) is helped off the ice by defenseman John Scott (32) and right wing Jamal Mayers (22) against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

The Blackhawks Convention kicked off Friday night and the biggest story was Patrick Kane saying he basically needs to improve his personal decisions. Almost every hockey player drinks, it’s just that Kane has been caught on film at some of the most inopportune times really drunk.  Unless he’s breaking laws, they should leave him alone!  Now to my news highlights of the convention.

Earlier in the off season Jonathan Toews stated that he would be ready for training camp and that his concussion syndromes had basically disappeared.  Now another  huge member of the team and one complete lunatic are now pronouncing themselves on track for training camp.

Marian Hossa appeared in public, for the first time since the Raffi Torres hit, at the convention Friday night.  Hossa has been working out successfully, but he has not returned to the ice.  Hossa is happy with his progress so far. Even thought nobody was happy with the loss to the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round of the playoffs,  the long summer and time off could turn out to be a real blessing in disguise for both Hossa and Toews and the 2012-2013 Chicago Blackhawks season.

Daniel Carcillo is also on track to be ready to participate at training camp.  Carcillo was last scene leaving the ice with ACL injury on January 17th.  His health and return to the ice could be the difference between Rockford and Chicago for Brandon Bollig.

It’s been a long slow summer and with Bowman running the team, and it could continue to be a long summer of very little Blackhawks hockey news. With Bowman making one free agent aquisition it would suggest that he really needs and expects two things to happen this off season. 1. His injured stars are ready for the start of the season and 2. the youth in the system are ready for NHL ice time.

Lastly, it has been said that Andrew Shaw has added 10-15 LBS of bulk this off season.  This is good to hear from the recently turned 21 year old, since his style of play suggests some more pounds of muscle were needed to remain healthy for an entire NHL season.

It’s good to hear that everyone is on the path to a healthy training camp, hopefully the CBA will be on the path to getting signed so hockey can get enjoyed on time this fall!

LET’S GO HAWKS!!!

Mar 27; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Zach Parise (9) skates with the puck during the second period of their game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

What a busy day for nothing happening,  with the Chicago Blackhawks not signing any players during the second day of free agency!

1. Martin Brodeur re-signs with the New Jersey Devils

Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor

- Not sure if the Blackhawks or NHL Network get the credit from Brodeur on this one, but it seems that the “Blackhawks” interest in the Devils legend was used to parlay a 2 year deal for the goaltender for $9 million.  It is believed that the Hawks were offering a 1 year deal, but either way it’s good for the Hawks that Brodeur stays in New Jersey and they save their cash.  Hopefully, unlike what most people were writing on online, it’s the exclamation point behind wake up call for Corey Crawford, and he will be startled from his sophomore slump and become the goaltender the Blackhawks envisioned entering last season.

2. Raffi Torres suspension reduced.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Phoenix Coyotes forward Torres had his suspension reduced 4 games to 21 games today by the NHL.  Torres will still be missing nearly $171,000 and the first 8 games of the regular season with the leftover suspension from last years cheap shot on Marian Hossa in the playoffs.   I guess they just came up with 25 game suspension during the playoffs because that was the maximum amount of games that the Coyotes had left in the playoffs, but now he still misses eight games and the first rematch with the Blackhawks in Game 7 of the regular season.  The first time Brandon Bollig or Daniel Carcillo can make a run at Torres will be February 9 in Phoenix.

3. The Big rumor

Everyone is a buzz that the Hawks are “in the running” for Zach Parise.  I’m surprised that Twitter didn’t shut down multiple times with Zach updates.  I haven’t heard the name Zach used so much since the kids where watching Saved By The Bell reruns.  As great as it would be to see Parise name on the back of a Blackhawks sweater, like his teammate Brodeur, it will be a short lived rumor and he will most likely end up back in New Jersey or in Pittsburgh.  An announcement could come tomorrow, or the next day, or maybe sometime this week…enquiring minds would like to know though.

4.  Day 2 in Chicago

Stan Bowman did not sign any players or trade Niklas Hjalmarsson.  He’s either behind the scenes orchestrating the greatest deal of the century, or he’s not getting much done at all! I really hope it’s not the latter!!  Get it done Tuesday Stan, please don’t tell me that Sheldon Brookbank is our big splash!

Let’s Go Hawks!!