The Blackhawks are currently in the middle of five-day layoff. How it is possible for the ‘Hawks to experience a layoff this long in a year where the two-plus week Olympic break equates to a condensed schedule, yet there are nineteen occasions the Blackhawks take to the ice on back-to-back nights. It’s stupid, but the team could use the time off to regroup in order to move forward on the season.
The layoff will provide time to mend injuries without missing any games. Dave Bolland has received some time to rest his lower-back. Jonathan Toews and Ben Eager are still recovering from their respective head injuries. Eager has been skating in practice, and Toews hasn’t laced-up since the Willie Mitchell hit. Both will travel with the team to Phoenix on Thursday and Colorado the next night – mainly because of the Blackhawks’ dads are invited for the road-trip.
Keeping with the theme of big hits, Andrew Ladd’s hit on Matt D’Agostini in the first period in the Canadiens game was a borderline illegal hit to the head. Ladd had D’Agostini lined up and exploded on the forward, leaving the ice and lifting his elbow after the hit (video below). Ladd was given a five-minute major for elbowing, a game misconduct and a minor for roughing. He was also fine $200 for being ejected from the game.
Ladd and the Blackhawks have been waiting to hear from the league as to any further punishment the forward might get for the hit. There have been a lot of hits to the head this season, and Ladd’s isn’t even close to the worst – Mike Richards didn’t miss any time for his hit that sent David Booth to the hospital. I wouldn’t expect for the league to take any further action on the incident with Ladd.
An area that should be worked on during the layoff is the lack of production from the Blackhawks power play unit. The team’s inability to score with a one- or two-man advantage is maddening. Before the four Sunday games, the Blackhawks rank twentieth in the league with a 17.3 power play percentage.
Despite roster issues, a better conversion rate is expected with the talent the ‘Hawks out there each game. Sixteen teams separate the Blackhawks from the worst team in hockey – the Toronto Maple Leafs who currently rank fourth in the league. Tomas Kopecky should never see time on the power play, and stop using Patrick Sharp on the point.
Joe, fix this. You have till Thursday. Thanks.
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