Shaw will be in the lineup tonight. (Photo: Mel Boysen/flickr)

• The Chicago Blackhawks take on the Los Angeles Kings tonight at the United Center at 7:00pm CT. The game will air on Comcast Sportsnet in Chicago.
• Previews: NHL, Chicago Tribune, The Committed Indian, Second City Hockey
• Corey Crawford will be in net for the Blackhawks. (@TramyersCSN) Jonathan Quick will most likely backstop the Kings. (@lakingsinsider)

» Continue reading “Kings For A Day: Chicago Blackhawks Vs. Los Angeles Kings”

Hope you’re feeling better soon, Hossa. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

I guess I’m supposed to write about how the Chicago Blackhawks finally got THEIR REVENGE!!1!one! on the Colorado Avalanche for ending The Streak, but really — it’s the Avs. The Blackhawks are fully rested. There was no doubt that the Blackhawks couldn’t get it done tonight.

So, instead of being a revenge game, it was more like this:

» Continue reading “Rivalry Schmivalry: Chicago Blackhawks 5, Colorado Avalanche 2″

Patrick Kane has gone H.A.M. And, this season, that doesn’t stand for “hot ass mess.” (Photo: Mel Boysen/flickr)

Nick Leddy, Viktor Stalberg, and Bryan Bickell all had three-point nights.

Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews scored two goals a piece.

Brandon Bollig, uh, skated for 9:51 — a new NHL record for him.

But I know what everyone is talking about, and it’s none of those things.

They’re talking about the Patrick Kane spin-o-rama goal that made Denis Savard beam with pride after the game like Kane was his only begotten son (which, honestly, he kind of is).

Well, here it is. This will be on the highlight reel when the Chicago Blackhawks raise #88 to the rafters in twenty years.

» Continue reading “Wow: Chicago Blackhawks 8, Dallas Stars 1″

A COMPLETELY RELEVANT PICTURE OF PATRICK SHARP THIS WEEK. (Photo: Mel Boysen)

Second Balcony Breakdown makes a triumphant return this week live from Casey’s apartment (which means the sound quality is about 500% better than any podcast that came before it)! Casey was out of the country last week, so we have a lot of ground to cover, including…

• Making Casey’s dad drink his first shot of Jeppson’s Malört
• Working backwards, the Chicago Blackhawks‘ games against the… (deep breath) Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche times two, Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, and Edmonton Oilers (again)
• Other happenings around the NHL, including the debate on visors being reignited by Marc Staal‘s injury, the Anaheim Ducks and Ryan Getzlaf‘s baldness contract extension, the Philadelphia Flyers‘ woes, and the Blue Jackets as the Little Team That Could.
• Patrick Sharp‘s insatiable vanity during warmups
• Jonathan Toews‘ spread in Splash magazine (click here for the online article about it — you’ll be able to tell what photos I’m talking about when you get there) and his new nickname, Captain Tiger Beat
• Casey’s experience watching a Belfast Giants-Cardiff Devils game in Ireland
• The best hockey bar Casey has ever been to is in Belfast at the Odyssey Arena, and it’s called Rockies Sports Bar. They have every sort of jersey you can imagine… except for a Blackhawks jersey. Someone needs to get on that. Have the Blackhawks’ people call their people.
• The Line Cocktail for the week, which is the most disgusting one yet.
• Question for this week: I don’t even know — you find it.
• Make sure you’re following us on Twitter! Casey is @Raedances, and I’m, of course, @RunsOnDuncan.

Click the green button below to listen.

Download the podcast here. (Right-click and select “Save target/link as…” to download the MP3 to your computer.)

The only good thing about this game was Toews’ goal. (Photo: Shay Haas/flickr)

Here now are my thoughts on the Chicago Blackhawks‘ historic streak ending last night against the Colorado Avalanche:

» Continue reading “The Streak Is Over: Chicago Blackhawks 2, Colorado Avalanche 6″

If they lose tomorrow, after I finally drew this, I’m moving to Detroit.

Your first star of the game, Bryan Bickell. Yes, really. (Photo: Mel Boysen/flickr)

The Chicago Blackhawks are now 18-0-3.

I… what? Really?

I mean… I don’t even know what else to say about this.

I am out of words about this streak!

So let’s talk about this game.

…Actually, let’s not talk about the game, because, well — I don’t want to. Go watch the video you know you want to watch — Jonathan Toews‘ unbelievable no-look pass to Brent Seabrook for the winner. Shakespeare would have written sonnets about that pass.

» Continue reading “What More Can I Say?: Chicago Blackhawks 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 3 (OT)”

Feel better soon, Crawford. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

It took all of 12 seconds for the Chicago Blackhawks to score the game-winning goal against the St. Louis Blues, and it was a beauty. The pass went from Brent Seabrook, to Duncan Keith, to Marian Hossa, to Brandon Saad, who deflected the puck off of Jonathan Toews‘ skate and past Jaroslav Halak to make it 1-0.

You need to see this goal for yourself. It’s just everything good and pure about the Blackhawks right now.

» Continue reading “17-0-3: Chicago Blackhawks 3, St. Louis Blues 0″

Watching Coach Q’s face is almost as much fun as watching the game itself.