Who's happy the Blackhawks clinched the playoffs? This guy. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Yes, the Blackhawks went up 4-0 before surrendering four goals to the Predators.

Yes, the Blackhawks’ faceoff stats were horrifying. Jamal Mayers was 3-6 for 50%, and he led everyone who took at least five faceoffs this game. Dave Bolland went 10-22 for 45%, and then everyone else’s stats fell off a cliff. I don’t even know.

Let’s all thank Brent Seabrook for his goal so that this game didn’t have to go into overtime, or I’m sure we’d all be dead.

With that goal and the win over the Preds, the Blackhawks have clinched a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive year. This is the first time in fifteen years that the Blackhawks have made the playoffs four years in a row. And, really, this is all that matters to me right now. Sorry I’m not sorry.

Also, Viktor Stalberg broke the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career — all at even-strength, mind you. He’s come a long way from being Swedish for “Jack Skille.”

After the jump, reaction tweets from the Blackhawks and the greatest goal song ever.

» Continue reading “So Glad We Made It: Blackhawks 5, Predators 4″

You know who got caught? This guy. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

The Blackhawks play the Nashville Predators for the final time this season tonight at 7:00pm. Thank God.

The Blackhawks can clinch a playoff spot tonight by winning this game or losing in OT/shootout. All they need is a point. If they lose tonight in regulation, then they can still clinch with a Kings loss (regulation or OT/shootout), a Coyotes regulation loss, or a Stars regulation loss. (@tylerc1)

Corey Crawford will be in net for the Blackhawks. (@TramyersCSN) The bane of my existence, Pekka Rinne, will be starting for the Predators. (@JoshuaCooper)

Jonathan Toews has been cleared for contact. (SB Nation) He could play in one or two games before the end of the regular season. This is not a drill! (CSN Chicago)

In prospects news, Phillip Danault has joined the Rockford IceHogs, while goaltender Kent Simpson signed an amateur tryout agreement with the ‘Hogs. (Chicago Blackhawks)

He's baaaaaaack. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

Week 25 featured three more huge games for the IceHogs as they continue to make their playoff push. They welcomed back former IceHog Jeff Taffe and his Houston Aeros into the BMO Harris Bank Center for two tilts and then made the quick bus trip up to Milwaukee for a Midwest Division showdown.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Thursday: Hutton Strong As Rockford Sweeps”

Congratulations to Ray Emery on his Masterton Trophy nomination! (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

The Blackhawks take on the St. Louis Blues at 7:30pm CST. This is the final meeting of these two teams in the regular season, thank goodness.

With any form of a win tonight and a Phoenix Coyotes regulation loss to the San Jose Sharks, the Blackhawks have a chance to clinch a playoff spot. They will have to do so without two vital members, Jonathan Toews, missing his 18th straight game and Duncan Keith, who is out for the third straight game serving his five game suspension.

Corey Crawford will be in goal for the Blackhawks. (@ChrisKuc) Jaroslav Halak will be in net for the Blues. (@NormSanders)

Though Jonathan Toews is once again out tonight, he will soon be cleared for contact. He has skated for 10 straight days, but is out for the weekend. When he will return to game action is still unknown. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Steve Montador returned last game against the New Jersey Devils, but after taking an inadvertent elbow to the head is again out indefinitely. (Chicago Sun-Times) Sami Lepisto skated for the first time since his lower body injury. He hopes to return for the playoffs. (CSN Chicago)

The Blackhawks announced today that Ray Emery is their nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy. Emery was also nominated last season with the Anaheim Ducks for his return following hip surgery. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Guess who's back. Back again / Photo by: the_mel (Flickr)

The Express entered the week with four games on the schedule and one spot out of the final playoff spot. With the Cincinnati Cyclones and Reading Royals competing with Chicago for that last ticket to the postseason, every point would count.

» Continue reading “Express Tuesday: Three To Go”

Duncan Keith: Still suspended. (Photo: Bridget Samuel/flickr)

The Blackhawks take on the New Jersey Devils tonight at 6pm. Previews: NHL, Chicago Tribune, ESPN, USA Today, Second City Hockey, Blackhawk Up

Corey Crawford will be in net for the Blackhawks. (@ChrisKuc) Martin Brodeur will be the starting goalie for the Devils. (@TGfireandice)

Steve Montador is expected to return to the lineup tonight. He missed 22 games with a concussion. (Chicago Tribune) So is Marcus Kruger. (ESPN Chicago)

Rockford IceHog Mark McNeill eyes a future in the NHL. (Rockford Register Star)

Two videos from yesterday’s practice, courtesy of the Chicago Tribune:

» Continue reading “Warmups: Here’s To The Rock”

Meanwhile, Duncan Keith is still suspended. (Photo: NekaPearl/flickr)

Injury Update: Steve Montador skated with the team today, and will be traveling to New Jersey tomorrow when the Blackhawks take on the New Jersey Devils. He’s questionable for the game. Marcus Kruger will be in the lineup for tomorrow’s game. Meanwhile, Jonathan Toews is still progressing, but is still not cleared for contact. Ray Emery has been sidelined with an upper body injury (but not the flu he had last week) and will not make the trip. (CSN Chicago)

Since Emery won’t be making the trip, Carter Hutton has been called up from the Rockford IceHogs for backup goaltender/bench door opener duty. (Chicago Blackhawks)

No Duncan Keith equals more Johnny Oduya. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Here’s, uh, something about Jimmy Hayes. I don’t know why this exists. (New England Hockey Journal)

Finally, here’s Brandon Bollig‘s latest fight, because there is a section of Blackhawks fans who eat this up with a spoon. I usually think his fights are stupid, but Jordin Tootoo is a dick. Conflicting feelings!

» Continue reading “Fresh Brew: Everyone’s Getting Healthy (Except For Emery)”

Thanks to Mel for this one.

Duncan Keith looking good in a suit. He'll have four more games to get used to this look. (Photo: Benjamin Reed/flickr)

The Blackhawks lost their first game without Duncan Keith – and lost badly.

So let’s not focus on that. Let’s turn back the clock almost four years to when Keith was only missing one tooth. On November 21, 2008, the town of Fort Frances, Ontario celebrated Duncan Keith Day… and made the grave mistake of putting a microphone in front of his face.

If you can stay awake through his soothingly monotone speech without nodding off once, you’re a better person than I am.

» Continue reading “0-1-0: Blackhawks 1, Predators 6″

Duncan Keith: Still suspended. (Photo: Cheryl Adams/flickr)

The Blackhawks take on the Nashville Predators tonight at 6:30pm. Previews: NHL, Chicago Tribune, CSN Chicago, Second City Hockey, The Tennessean

Tonight is also Ed Belfour Heritage Night at the United Center. The first 10,000 people at the UC will get a hat. Check out Bob Verdi‘s article here, and then go watch videos of Belfour’s greatest saves with the Blackhawks. (Chicago Blackhawks)

Corey Crawford will be in net for the Blackhawks tonight. (@TramyersCSN) It’s unknown who will be in net for the Predators; Preds’ coach Barry Trotz says that he won’t make that decision until after warmups tonight. (The Tennessean)

Duncan Keith‘s five game suspension begins tonight. (ESPN) The Blackhawks will also be without Jonathan Toews, Steve Montador, and Marcus Kruger. All are battling concussions. (NHL)

The Blackhawks (and especially Patrick Kane) were fired up by Trotz’s criticism of their play during their nine-game losing streak. (Chicago Sun-Times)

The Washington Times talks about billet families, and Dave Bolland‘s dad weighs in on own experience with his son’s billet family when he was playing on the London Knights:

“Gale and Scott [Tooke] were unbelievable billets. Unbelievable,” Drew Bolland said. “The money they get for watching these kids is nothing. Seventy-five bucks a week. They probably spend that in showers twice a day.” (The Washington Times)