Hawks in town and there's stuff happening all over the place.
- I discuss the Hawks and Flames over at FlamesNation here. I mention how Havlat is getting the Tanguay treatment in Chicago this season and how it's making him look like a pretty damn good hockey player.
- Matt comes out of hibernation to predict a thrashing at the hands of the Hawks. That's probably a sound prediction: Flames haven't won in three tries against Chicago this season. Calgary got killed in two of the three games.
- Hawks perspective to be found here.
- I'll be back at the helm of another score.com liveblog this evening. The last couple have been fairly lively, so stop by if you're a big enough nerd.
- If you haven't caught my contribution to the "hockey orphan" series over at Cycle Like the Sedins, here's a taste:
The Calgary Flames organization suffered through a decade of futility- the 1990's. The club's metamorphosis from favorite to bottom-feeder began immediately after they won their first (and only) Cup in '89. The larval stage was one of regular season success, followed by crushing play-off choke jobs. Los Angeles, Vancouver and San Jose - all massive underdogs - defeated Calgary in the first round during this span. Frequently via sob-inducing, gut-punch OT goals.
For Flames fans at the time, it didn't seem like things could get any worse. Being repeatedly knocked off the dance floor by teams they dominated in the RS seemed painful enough. Then we entered the pupae stage...
- The Phaneuf/Pardy is nearing it's expiry date, I think. That duo has looked like the worst of the three the last week or so. On the other hand, Mark Giordano has been steadily making a case for a permanent "promotion" up to the second pairing with Dion.
- That's it for now. Updates will be forthcoming, should they be required.
