Sharkeroos come into Chicago on the heels of yesterday's 4-3 matinee loss in Denver. I'd suspect that this turnaround, combined with their injury situation, would give the Hawks a significant edge, but it's hockey, you never know. Thornton, Niemi, all that jazz. Tomas Hertl was going to win ROTY in a walkover until Dustin Brown decided to blow out Hertl's knee on a really ugly play. Now they're talking about him coming back after the Olympic break at best. That's good for us in terms of competition, but kinda bad for hockey as a whole. Thankfully, Raffi Torres hurt himself before he had a chance to hurt someone else. I don't know what his timetable is. And does Adam Burish ever even play for this team? They signed him to some stupid four-year deal and he's always hurt. Man, do you guys even remember Adam Burish? I don't. I barely remember his contributions here, just that he was sort of a pest and liked to play practical jokes. I think he missed most of the first Cup year, too. Martin Havlat, who the fuck knows anymore.

I'm a little worried that two of the three looks we get at the Sharks are going to be compromised: there's this, and then there's the first matchup of the year, where they were on the last game of a road trip and didn't give a fuck against a Hawks team that at the time was otherwise fighting it pretty hard. Make no mistakes: this is an elite team. Sure, they tend to get fat on point inflation, and their plodding style has a tendency to get exposed against the Hawks when Niemi isn't locked in and Thornton isn't gooning, but they're very talented. Their window should have closed by now, but here they are, back for one more year, and from the sounds of things, they're never gonna give up on Going For It, like, ever, or until Thornton's cock is too shriveled to whip out and stroke.

Pavelski-Thornton-Burns appears to be the first line for tonight, not quite the Thornton-Marleau-Heatley megaline from 2010 but still formidable. Patrick Marleau, man without a soul, is down on the second line with Logan Couture and promising youngster Matt Nieto. The bottom six isn't worth your consideration, in grand Sharks fashion. I suppose Desjardins is in there somewhere. Pretty old defensive corps between Brad Stuart, Dan Boyle, and Scott Hannan; look for M-E Vlasic to get Keith-with-a-bad-third-pairing minutes.

Crosby is up nine points on Kane in the scoring race. It was fun to think about while it lasted, I guess.

Oh Jesus I spot a Nashville-Carolina game on tonight's score ticker. There is no God.

The game's on NBCSN for the out-of-towners. I hope they're not poaching Olczyk for the game; Steve Konroyd bores me. Dale Tallon should come back to do fill-in work after the Panthers fire him for sucking this summer. WUNNA DOSE LESS GREAT SEVEN AH-CLAAAHCK STARTS to accommodate the national cable overlords.

Sharks: 26-10-6 (58), 20-11-11 adjusted (51), 53.016 expected (hmm, one win below expectation)
Hawks: 29-7-8 (66), 25-10-9 adjusted (59), 59.110 expected

Sharks: 3.167 scored (4th), 2.476 allowed (11th), 0.690 differential (6th)
Hawks: 3.659 scored (1st), 2.636 allowed (13th), 1.023 differential (2nd)

Sharks: 32/168 19.0% on the power play (11th), 92/112 82.1% on the kill (14th)
Hawks: 35/144 24.3% on the power play (3rd), 102/133 76.7% on the kill (28th)

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All due respect to the Packer fans here but nothing could be better than to follow up them losing in the final seconds than the Blackhawks beating the snot out of these asswipes from San Jose.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

I hate Harbaugh so much I wanted the Fudge to win. I like the Sharks a little, or at least don't hate them.

The team itself is fine. Sharks fans are the sort of dorky little shits who incessantly bitch about how advanced biometrics show they have the hardest travel schedule in hockey and it's not faiiiir. I know, guy who titles hockey game threads after Smiths lyrics doesn't get to call anyone a dorky little shit, don't care, just did.

So much for them looking fatigued, though. The Hawks sure do. Blech.

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Good period for San Jose. Clogged everything up, very few offensive chances for Chicago. I doubt they'll keep it up .

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

Brandon Bollig is the worst hockey player to ever live.

I don't think that's true...

I just rage now every time he's on the ice.

I understand. Why do you hate him so much?

I thought he would have fought Brown by now to get him off the ice for at least a while.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Spaulding green and gold

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Yep, said that in the car after we heard the score. My son said oh good the 49ers won. I said ya know it's something, I hate Jim Harbaugh more than the Packers.

A mix of how bad he is and Q trying to put him in a shut down role when he clearly can't do that. Q thinks this is last year's 4th line with Frolik and Bolland where you could put them against the other team's 1st line to shut them down. Bollig just awful, it doesn't matter which end of the rink. Pirri or Morin could be playing here but instead we get Bollig. It offends me.

Anyways, Sharks playing a great game tonight, their defense is really impressive. Hawks think winning defensive zone draws is overrated.

What's awful about him? What doesn't he do or how does he screw up?

Don't know if you caught an earlier post but we went to the wolves game earlier. I was disappointed not seeing Pirri play today. I don't care really care about Morin but the guy hustles.

How freaking awesome would skating around with them?

Tyler Arnason

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Wade Belak has to be up there, and not just because he ended up a few feet off the ground.

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I really want to dislike you

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Yeah, there is a freaking list to respond with.

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Another good one.

Carcillo has to be in the team picture, too.

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but you can't. I'm that awesome.

Hammer!!!!!!!

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

This has been a really fun game to watch for a 1-0 score.

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I know

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I had trouble with carcillo and frolik.

Spaulding

How was the game in Rosemont today? I love going there to randomly boo the Wolves.

My wife and I talked about going, but she came down with the flu or something.

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I'll see your arnason and raise you an Alexander Karpovtsev.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Frolik had some semblance of skill.

Carcillo seemed happy skating around like Happy Gilmore.

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Good call

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iviLY1RvNc

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Boyd....you ever go up to see the Admirals?

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That's my purse! I don't know you!