Will they or won’t they? For over nine months the Hawks have had time to think about the sickening hit that Raffi Torres laid on Marian Hossa. Maybe some of them have even dreamed about what they would do the next time that they saw Torres on the ice.
Tonight will be the first time that the Hawks will have met Torres since the suspension that he received last year.
After the game last month between the Hawks and Coyotes there was a lot of talk in the Hawks locker room about what they would do when they met the Coyotes again.
Patrick Kane was the one leading the charge and he hinted that revenge could be on the minds of the Hawks.
We’ll see what happens. I’m sure when he’s back you’ll probably see a little fireworks” said Kane when they were previously in Phoenix.
But is the right tactic for the Hawks to take?
The Hawks are not a physical team and they are routinely outhit. In fact, the most important thing for the Hawks tonight is to win the game. There is no reason to go seek vigilante justice. That style of play does not suit the Hawks and when does that really work?
If the Hawks are smart they will draw back on their experience from last year when they tried this same tactic. Last year the Hawks tried to intimate Vancouver and it turned out badly.
Kane got a roughing penalty for giving a cheap shot after the whistle and Daniel Carcillo ran around like a banshee. Vancouver went 5 of 6 on the power play and delivered a humiliating 6-2 loss to the Hawks at home.
Vigilante justice never works in hockey. If the Hawks wanted revenge on Phoenix they should have beat them in the playoffs last year. Or they should have taken care of Torres the minute he hit Hossa. That was the time to leave Torres as a bloody mess on the ice.
But if the Hawks actively go out seeking to even the score it won’t work. It has been shown time and time again to not work. So why even attempt it? The only time that the Hawks should attempt to seek pay back on Torres is if it comes up in the natural course of the game. But other than that there is no reason to do so.
It is more important for the Hawks to continue playing their game and delivering a beating to the Coyotes on the scoreboard. The best message to send is to go out and embarrass the Coyotes on the ice.
If the Hawks are looking to try to seek out vigilante justice it won’t work. It could derail the team and get them off of their hot streak. There is no reason to take a stupid suspension just because you want to rightfully so pound Torres to the ground.
This is a classic trap game for the Hawks. They just came off of an impressive victory against the Sharks. Now they have to face the distraction of Torres. It’s important for the Hawks to ignore Torres and the Coyotes. They must not go out seeking revenge or justice. That time has passed. A victory is more important than taking a dumb penalty just so you can feel good about yourself.
Tonight is not the time for the Hawks to boost their own egos. Tonight is the time to send a message to the Coyotes; however, the message comes from the scoreboard and not their fists.
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