Blackhawks Woes and Tyler Too

The Blackhawks have dropped to first 2 games in their series against the Canucks. And it kills me to say that I'm not too surprised. The Canucks have watched the Hawks end their season the last 2 years and really really want to get that monkey off their backs. They're the top team in hockey (record-wise) while the Hawks snuck in the playoffs on the final day. But those issues aren't the key factor in the 2 losses. In my opinion things have been very close in all aspects of the game. The teams are well matched in terms of raw skill, experience, and goaltending. The Canucks, however, have something that the Hawks lack this year. A player or 2 that makes the game uncomfortable for the other team. For all their skill, the Hawks just don't have that pest this year that gets under peoples' skin as well as forcing them to always look over their shoulder. Last year we had guys like Versteeg, Byfuglien, Bolland, Eager, Burish, Ladd. They all...most of them...had good skill and were threats to score key goals, but most importantly they knew how to take the ice and get teams out of their game. Crushing hits, poking, proding, yapping, tough physical play, they just wore you out physically and mentally until you just didn't want to play any more. You couldn't focus on what you wanted to do in the game because you had to spend so much time and effort worrying about them. That not only keeps teams from getting into a groove against you but also frees up your top skill guys to get their work done.
This year it's the Canucks that have those guys. Guys like Elder that just keep coming at you all game long. That really strong forecheck that throws your break-outs off by just enough. That presence in front of the net to distract the goalie and get some cheap rebound goals. The Hawks don't have anyone that can get down low and piss off Luongo this year. Guys try, but it's too easy to move them out and they just don't have that instinct to piss people off.
Game 2 was much better than game 1 and we finally had some things working. Luckily Corey Crawford is proving to be the real deal and has made several monster saves. Newbie Ben Smith has really come on and is playing incredible hockey (for a rookie in the playoffs) right now. Hopefully a trip home is what they need to get the energy back and right the ship. This team has the skill to go as far as their heart wants to take them. Here's to hoping that's at least to the second round, sending the f'n Canucks home to clean their panties for a third straight year.

Hayley has officially begun her Jamaican vacation with her mom today. So far it just feels odd to have the house to myself for this long. I don't remember the last time that happened. I'm also realizing that talking to Tyler is actually more rewarding than talking to Hayley most nights. On most nights she's too buys and exhausted to even hear what I'm saying, let alone act like she cares. Quite often she doesn't even realize I'm talking to her. Tyler, on the other hand, acts like I'm unraveling the mysteries of the universe. Ears perk up, stops whatever he's doing, listens intently. So even though the comprehension is roughly the same, it just feels better. And if I'm talking details/strategy for hockey or baseball the comprehension is really about equal. Actually, Tyler might win this round. Anything new things Hayley does learn probably pushes something else out. Most of what's left in her head has to do with doctoring. So if she is able to absorb something hockey-related that I'm talking about she's probably walking away with a net drop in IQ. Since Tyler's head is only full of strategies on how to make the insides of all his toys end up on the outside and which of the dozen holes in the yard his good kong ball is currently in, he's not losing anything.
Okay, time to get back to my full night of Cubs and playoff hockey. Tyler is in his usual spot on the couch inches away from me. Apparently he can't nap unless he can touch me. I think he's trying to soak up my wealth of knowledge through doggie osmosis. That, or he knows that's a great place to lie in wait for food scraps.
PEACE!