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    Monday, December 13, 2010

    Blind faith only gets you so far.

    I'm pretty sure the only way to classify this game is by calling it a train wreck.

    Matt Duchene made sure he and Stastny could do their "Bang" dance post game by potting two goals, one of which was the game winning goal. And as always he looked like a little kid scoring his first ever goal. Who am I to get mad at him for that? Plus he just took advantage of an utterly awful defensive showing by the Blackhawks.

    Brent Seabrook had a nightmare of a game, maybe his worst ever, it was definitely the worst I've seen. His turnover at the end of the game directly led to Duchene's goal. Honestly thinking about it at the beginning of the year I felt confident with the Blackhawks retaining their top 4 defensemen would leave them in good position. That hasn't been the case though. I've been more fearful at times of the pairing of Keith & Seabrook than others, which is saying a lot with Cullimore playing. Both Keith & Seabrook ended the night at a -4, team worst.

    This is first and foremost NOT a goalie issue. Did the defense play like crap when Turco was in? Yup. Did it get better and then fall apart again with Crawford in net? Yup.

    Don't put the utter lack of defense on the goalies. Could Turco could have played better? Of course he could have but Crawford was just as helpless when left out to dry by the defense and took the loss. No goalie can perform well with no defense.

    If anything the defense might just feel better with the fact that Crawford will be able to cover their failings better than Turco. But the bottom line is the team's defensive game is what is losing games. Giving up goals seconds after scoring and not being able to clear the zone is on the five guys in front of the goalie.

    What does the team need to fix this? Is it a trade? Maybe but something has to give. This might be the Blackhawks of 2010-2011 but 82 games is a long season. Maybe this game will be the wake up call.

    In any case there's no way anyone in that locker room is satisfied with the way things have gone and it's clear from their post-game quotes.

    "I feel bad for Marty. I think every one of us owes him an apology." - Brian Campbell on Marty Turco (I would have to agree with this statement) (source)

    "Devastating, embarrassing, humiliating. I don't know what word you want to use, but it's not a good one." - Jonathan Toews (source)

    Here's to a fired up squad wanting revenge on Wednesday or at least a better defensive effort.

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