Hawks Beat The Jets: That Turned Out Better Than Expected!

 

 ...If you're a Hawks fan! If you're a Jets fan this was another setback during this up and down season. After a successful road trip, the Jets disappointed the half capacity crowd losing to a team below them in the standings and there aren't too many of them, at least in the Western Conference. Personally, as a Hawks first fan, this capped off a perfect night, not only because it was a jab back at the fans around me at the game, which was very satisfying, but also I had the opportunity to sit closer up the action, so it was a thrill in so many levels! If the Hawks can put together a good solid defensive game more often, they would definitely have more wins. Fleury once again was a big factor, but the defense kept their coverage and didn't hand out too many giveaways. They kept the Jets from gaining much momentum even after their only goal and overall the Hawks played a near-perfect road game.

 

Takeaways:

•  Not sure what's up with the Jets. They seem to be playing better on the road, but their lack of any intensity is costing them games at home. To be honest, it was a dull game and a the road team took advantage of it. Is it the near empty building because of the COVID restrictions? We'll see starting on Wednesday with the elimination of capacity restrictions where the Jets potentially can have a full arena. I doubt they'll sell-out, but the larger crowd should help...or not?
• This will be a key week for the Jets as they play a set of 3 games in 4 nights at home against teams they should beat. They'll be in tough against the Wild, but it has been done recently and you can't lose against the Kraken and Oil in your building, though they did lose to the Hawks. I losing streak will be very bad timing. We'll see what Jets team shows up
  
• Speaking of pivotal points in the schedule, the Hawks begin a six game home-stand starting on Thursday against the Jackets. If they have any faint hope of making the post-season, winning a majority of those games is essential. Otherwise, figuring out who to trade away before the trade deadline will be the main thing on the team's mind.
• I stood against the glass during warmup and you really appreciate the skill and speed of the players. The size of the players astounds me and the split second decisions they have to make before they get drilled into the boards is something you don't experience on TV or in the upper deck seats. I do have an appreciation for my usual seats in the upper levels because you can see the whole play, seeing the plays develop you maintain a sense of seeing all the action. Sitting close to the ice surface apart from the play directly in front of you (in our case close to the face off dot in the Hawks end), your view is obstructed anytime the play is in the other end, especially along the near boards. Your sense of perspective and depth is very challenging and you have to reply on the jumbotron for a lot of the action.
• It was a huge thrill to watch Marc-Andre Fleury, hopefully not the last time in a Hawks jersey! He's fun to watch, during the warmup and the game, there's so much going on with him and it's obvious how much he loves the game and he looks like he's having a good time. The last off the ice during the pregame was Hagel, Kane and Fleury...telling isn't it?