Gameday Notes: Toews, Seabrook Out vs. Predators

Jim Neveau, PIB Co-conspirator

Toews, Seabrook Out vs. Predators

With the news Saturday that Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews would be missing tonight’s game against Nashville, hearts across Chicago have been stricken with feelings ranging from apathetic detachment to full blown panic mode.

Brent Seabrook

The fear is of course being stoked by the “concussion-like symptoms” (by the way, hockey needs to get rid of euphemisms like this. Only an idiot would truly read a scouting report and not think “concussion” when they hear that phrase) that the duo is suffering, and the fear is only being made worse by the current predicament of IR denizen Ben Eager, who is also suffering from “concussion-like symptoms” and has been sidelined for weeks, with no recovery date in sight.

The hope earlier in the week was that one or both players would be able to play on Saturday, with two days off in between today and their last game against Vancouver. They were listed as “questionable”, Quenneville said he was impressed with their progress on Friday, and then wouldn’t ya know, they’re out for tonight.

The real question facing the Blackhawks here is this: are they going to be able to handle the absences of two of their emotional leaders?

The loss of Toews will likely be more difficult to overcome. Yes, he hasn’t come out of the gate firing, much like last season, but his impact is felt more in the face-off circle and in the dressing room than it is on the ice. He has been winning a vast majority of his face-offs thus far this season, and that is a crucial component to a successful team, especially one that has been struggling to score on power plays in the early going.

Jonathan Toews (pic property of Pam Rodriguez)

Another reason for concern if Toews is shelved for an extended period is the health of fellow center-man Dave Bolland. Bolland has been battling an off-and-on back problem in the early going, and if the number one and two centers go down for a team, then it’s pretty obvious that something bad will result.

In terms of Seabrook, his absence will be easier to plug on the defense. Jordan Hendry will obviously dress for this game, and any other games Seabrook will miss, but manpower won’t be the issue. The issue will be Seabrook’s heart, which beats harder for the Indian head than pretty much anyone else’s on the team.

His personality is a fiery counterpunch to the more low-key intensity that Toews brings to the table. Seabrook does not hesitate to give you a nice face full of glove, or a face full of bare knuckles if you cross him or his mates, and this trait serves him well. He is viewed as an enforcer on a team that needs one, and with his absence, the Hawks are going to have to be wary of a team trying to assert themselves physically.

Line Combos, Anyone?

The hawks are going to need to shake up some lines with the absences of Toews and Seabrook. Here is a suggestion to Coach Quenneville:

Line One: Sharp-Madden-Kane

Line Two: Ladd-Bolland-Versteeg

Line Three: Brouwer-Fraser-Byfuglien

Line Four: Ebbett-Dowell-Kopecky

John Madden on the first line, you may ask? Sure, it would be unconventional to have a 36 year old defensive center paired with Kane and Sharp, but I like what he’s been doing lately in terms of moving the puck, so I think the Hawks should give him a shot to get some offensive pressure going.

John Madden

On the defensive side of the puck, these should be the pairings:

Line One: Keith-Hjalmarsson

Line Two: Barker-Campbell

Line Three: Sopel-Hendry

Uh-oh. Heeeeerrrrrreeeeee’sssss HUET!

Tonight’s starting goaltender will be Cristobal Huet, who will be going more for the form he displayed against Nashville last Thursday, as opposed to the lackluster effort he put forth against Dallas two nights later.

Tonight’s game will be a defining moment for the Frenchman. It will show whether or not he has the tenacity and grit to overcome what will likely be an impatient crowd, and if he can step up his game when his team needs him to.

With Toews and Seabrook out, they will need Huet to stand on his head, and give this offense something to fall back on.

Hawks Recall Dowell

The Blackhawks recalled center Jake Dowell from AHL Rockford to play in place of Jonathan Toews. He has a goal and six assists in eight games so far this season for the IceHogs, and was the captain of the team.

Tags: Andrew Ladd, Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks, Jake Dowell, John Madden, Jonathan Toews, Jordan Hendry, Nashville Predators, Patrick Sharp