Diary of a Chicago Sports Fan

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Blackhawks looking old, Cubs slump continues and White Sox provide fodder for surging Yankees

With the Blackhawks history in from 2010 on, it's hard to count them out. It seems, however, that time and the NHL's salary cap has taken its toll on the team. The Hawks lost to the Nashville Predators 3-2 in overtime to go down 3-0 in the series. While you could argue that both of Nashville's goals in regulation were fluky/sketchy, the fact is Nashville looks like the better team.

I need a hero

To add insult to injury, the Hawks were up 2-0 going into the third period and blew the lead. Even more telling, I wasn't surprised. After being shut out for 7 periods, the Hawks finally dented Pekke Rinne. The Hawks goal scorer was an unlikely one, Dennis Rasmussen. Patrick Kane added a power play goal soon after.

Blackhawks rear ends drag ice like a Zamboni

The fact is the Predators look younger faster and stronger. What looked like depth on the blue line for the Hawks has turned into a bunch of Mickal Rozsival skate a likes. Johnny Oduya seems to have aged 5 years in the last two. The other Hawk defense men have had trouble clearing their zone throughout the series. Plus, their forwards have been turnover prone. It seems like the Blackhawks go backwards more than a politician confronted by his campaign promises.

Yesterday, I believe in yesterday, tomorrow, not so much

Jonathan Toews is probably my favorite Blackhawk of all time, but he hasn't scored a playoff goal in his last 12 playoff games. Plus, he didn't seem strong on the puck. He needs to step up. Great leadership and an all around game are great, but if you're making 10.5 million, you've got to put the puck in the net. Of course, Toews is not the only big moneyed Hawk to be nearly invisible. Dennis Rasmussen has been one of the most effective Hawks. That's not a good thing. Look for the Hawks to shake things up this summer.

NHL axis is tilting

In other NHL playoff action, the Toronto Maple Leafs went up 2-1 over the Washington Capitals. The Leafs youth and enthusiasm reminds me of the Hawks of about seven years ago. Austin Matthews and Connor McDavid should signal the beginning of a new power axis in the NHL, and surprise, a lot of it's in based in Canada.

While the Leafs are gaining confidence in their series with the Capitals, the Capitals have to have a feeling of deju vu creeping in. In some ways, the Capitals are the NHL's version of the Chicago Cubs, pre world series win.

Let's restrict imports

Speaking of the Cubs, they lost to the Brewers 6-3. The loss was the fourth in a row for the Cubs. John Lackey got hit early and the bullpen was again porous. Kyle Schwarber and Anthony Rizzo each got a bunt single in the game but Brewers first baseman/Korean import Eric Thames went 3-4 with a double and homerun. The guy is slugging 1.000. The Cubs need to protest foreign imports. I know it's early and I loved that whole 2016 World Series win, but it's 2017. Let's get it rolling.

Where are you, J. B. Shuck?

And finally, the White Sox lost to the surging Yankees 7-4 Monday night. Derek Holland got lit up, going 4.2 innings and allowing 6 runs. Most of the Sox offense was accounted for by a 3 run homer by Yolmer Sanchez. Jose Abreu continues to do the hitting limbo, seeing how low is batting average can go. After another 0-4, Jose has his average down to .170. Sox rookie center fielder, Jacob May, continues his quest for his first major league hit. Currently, he's 0-24. Where have you gone J. B. Shuck?

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