Sports with Megs

CHICAGO, IL -- Well, this post-season just got a lot harder for the Blackhawks. With Duncan Keith facing an indefinite suspension that could likely spill over into the playoffs, a day-to-day goalie we need, random injuries/illnesses, a slow-moving offense, and a lot of losses in March, the Blackhawks aren't looking at greatness right now. But, something feels good about this team. I don't know what--it's just a hunch of a sort. Kind of like when you go into an exam that you didn't study much for, then you get into class and find that the class is cancelled. (Shh, I've had this happen before, and though it doesn't happen often, luck does circle its way around.) I know they were a lot stronger in December and January, and into February. A lot stronger. They had one of the top power plays in the league, and they played some of their best hockey in the mid-season. But, their penalty killing has gotten better in the past week or so, which I'd take over a

ST. PAUL, MN -- Well, that was a game. Let's run down the list of everything that happened, shall we? First, we've got the Hawks doing specifically what they shouldn't have: they let the Wild score within the opening minutes of the period. But, that's not even the start. For someone as (relatively speaking) small as Duncan Keith, he sure can play dirty. A nice stick to the face earned him a five minute penalty along with a match penalty. And, now, he's suspended indefinitely (at least 2-3 games, in my opinion), which really sucks. Without Seabrook playing tonight and possibly not Friday (though, I think he'll be back by then), it'll be interesting to see what happens going forward for this home stretch. But, on that five minute penalty kill, the boys managed to do a good and Hossa scored a beautiful shorty. #499, to be exact. There's a reason we call him the Demigod. The guy's definitely not human. And, what was that? Too many men on th

ST. PAUL, MN -- This season has been crazy regarding teams the Blackhawks have won and lost to. They've decimated teams, then lost to them the next week (Dallas), they've been shutout by teams that we usually don't get shutout by (Carolina, San Jose), and they've had some incredible back-to-back wins (Detroit, Pittsburgh). One team they just can't seem to beat is the Wild. Which is strange. It's not like the Wild is a terrible team by any means, but they're also not the best. And, the Blackhawks have decimated them in years past. So, it's a little weird seeing them 0-4 in that series thus far. But, as the Hawks gain a little momentum in Calgary and Vancouver, could they at least get one win in the last game of that series? I think so. So long as they don't get too penalized (please count right, for the love of God) and they score first, I think the Blackhawks will be alright. But, they can't rely on just one or two players to do th

CHICAGO, IL -- It's pretty evident that Andrew Shaw can step up his game when it's necessary. He's proved himself this season. Shaw is one of those players that can play in almost any position (I'm surprised Q hasn't tried playing him on defense), whether it be left/right wing or center, top or fourth line. He's a defensive forward, which the Blackhawks needed when Kruger went out with his wrist injury. Though he didn't score last night against Vancouver, he scored in the three games prior. He's good at getting right up to the net and in the goalie's face--without getting a penalty for interference. That takes skill these days. Shaw isn't afraid to be annoying, and will create traffic at the net if he needs to. That's something a few other Hawks players could learn (I love Panarin, but I always find myself yelling at my TV telling him to either shoot or get closer to the net). It is really nice to see him back on the fourth line with

VANCOUVER, BC -- Eight years running. With a big W in Vancouver, the Blackhawks finally clinch a playoff spot. It's about damn time. Darling boasted another amazing night with 26 saves, and the Hawks finally stepped up their defense to help him out. They stepped up their offense as well with 32 shots and three that made it past Miller's pads. Trade deadline newbie Tomas Fleischmann kicked off the Hawks scoring late in the first period, which was enough to get the momentum going. Though there were two Canucks goals between, Teuvo Teravainen and Andrew Ladd both helped out, ending the game on top, 3-2. Ladd had another great night with that goal, but it feels a bit odd without hearing that Kane or Panarin scored. I think Panarin was really hesitant tonight for some reason, and I hope that he gets out of that funk before Anisimov (lower-body injury) returns. We'll need that line to be at peak during the playoffs. The top line needs some solidity, too, but I think

CALGARY, A B -- Finally! A win for the Blackhawks! The starting lineup looked like it was finally back to normal--no more of Q's blended, weird lines this time around (though they were kind of fun). Corey Crawford is still out with an injury, though no one will disclose exactly what the injury is (I've heard concussion being thrown around), but he marks the only injury. In fact, Kruger is back tonight! Exciting! After missing 41 games, it was nice seeing him skate around again, even if it was in a different number. I'm looking at you, Ladd. Speaking of Ladd, he had a good night, tallying two goals and an assist, one goal a wrist shot early in the second period and another goal an empty netter late in the third, with Shaw's goal being his assist. Andrew Shaw had a good night, too--getting into a few scuffles; then getting two almost back-to-back penalties for roughing; and finally, a goal. He's three for three now, which is pretty impressive. Now, what nex

CHICAGO, IL -- It's a bit of an understatement to say that the month of March hasn't been good for the Chicago Blackhawks. In fact, over the 10 games they've played up to the game in Calgary on March 26th, they've: lost two shootouts, been shutout once, only won three games, and only have scored 25 points. That doesn't sound like the usual Blackhawks. What's even more concerning is that of the seven losses they've accrued, five have been conference losses and four have been division losses. Twice to Dallas. Yikes. But, there's hope yet. We all know how the Blackhawks seemingly switch gears mid-April, and most certainly during the playoffs. But, they have to make the playoffs, first. With Dallas and St. Louis already holding tight to two spots in the playoff race and Nashville creeping up, Chicago need a good string of wins. And fast. Of course, this is all things you've either read or heard about. No doubt the Hawks have, too. The p

Wow, I never thought I'd be doing this--'this' being blogging about sports. For as long as I can remember, sports have been a big part of my life. My mom loves all sports, and when I was only a few weeks old, I was sitting (well, being held in my mom's arms) at a University of Wisconsin basketball game. Hell, I was born while my mom was watching Wisconsin play a football game against Cincinnati. My stepdad also happens to be on a sports radio show where I live, which is pretty neat. He watches games every night, so even if I'm just going downstairs for a late-night bowl of cereal, some sport (whether it's baseball, basketball, football, or hockey) is on the TV. It's kind of comforting, now. So, yeah, sports are commonplace around my house. Always have been. But, I detested sports all through middle and high school. I thought they were stupid, and my mom yelling at the TV was a waste of time. Yet, I sat through a number of Super Bowls, three Stanley C