The Blackhawks took to the road on Tuesday night to pay a visit to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins. Tuesday marked the beginning of a home and home, back to back against the Penguins. It also marked a rematch of the 1995 Stanley Cup Final in which no one won, in addition to the 1992 Stanley Cup Final which saw the Penguins sweep the Blackhawks. As if that wasn't enough with the storylines, Tuesday's game also saw the Blackhawks face their former "analytics darling Trevor Daley."
The first period started out slow, but as the period went on, the pace of the game picked up. After a few minutes of getting the legs going the scoring chances picked. Both goalies were on their game, making key saves in the period, especially Crawford. With just under 5 minutes remaining, the Hawks would go on the power play, but nothing would come of it. After 20 minutes, both teams would end up with 7 shots each, but the game would be scoreless.
After the puck dropped for the second period, it seemed for some reason the Hawks took their foot off the gas, and nearly got caught because of it. The Penguins dominated play early on, and it looked a lot worse do to the sloppy play and turnovers by the Hawks. Just prior to the midway mark of the game though, the #AK72Line would bail the Hawks out. Kane and Panarin would be in on a two on one, and Panarin buried it to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. After that goal however, the Penguins would continue to keep the pressure on the Hawks. The Hawks would catch another break late in the period, after a Brent Seabrook slapper hit Jonathan Toews in the back and trickled past Fleury to increase the Hawks lead to 2-0. Thanks to a huge period from Corey Crawford in net, the score would stay that way after 40 minutes.
The third period continued right where the second period for the Penguins. The Hawks were able to muster a handful of shots early, but couldn't add to their lead. Just over 5 minutes into the period, the Penguins would cut the Hawks lead in half after a perfectly placed wrist shot by Crosby. With the Penguins continuing to dominate play, you could sense a goal was coming for Pittsburgh. After a lost defensive zone draw by Anisimov, Kris Letang fired a wrister past Crawford to tie the game at two. As time wound down, neither team would be able to break the tie, and we'd head to overtime.
I'll go with the popular opinion that the overtime was exciting, but I'm not on board. Both team would have countless chances to end the game, but both goalies stood tall for all goalies in saying 3 on 3 is ridiculous. Nevertheless, Panarin would end the shenanigans with a twisted wrister, and send the Hawks home with a 3-2 overtime win.
- Niklas Hjalmarsson made a great play in the first period to break up a prime scoring opportunity for the Penguins. Hammer tied up the stick of Phil Kessel and prevented him from getting to a loose hamburger and avoided a penalty.
- Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin in on a two on one. Need I say more? Yes, I do. #AK72Line
- Its never a bad idea to shoot the puck on net. Brent Seabrook's slap shot late in the second period, that hit Jonathan Toews was more evidence that its not complicated. Pucks on net, and traffic in front. Its hockey's version of peanut butter and jelly. They just go together.
- Artemi Panarin had two goals tonight, including the game winner. I'm glad the honeymoon with him and the #AK72Line is over.
- Corey Crawford stood on his head tonight, despite allowing two goals. Anyone who disagrees, well then I give up on explaining what good goaltending is.
- Yes the Blackhawks scored two goals and capitalized on their chances in the second period, but overall they were severely outplayed in the middle stanza. They can thank their goaler for bailing them out.
- Seriously, how bad was the second period? The Hawks yielded 14 shots to the Penguins.
- The Hawks lost the faceoff battle 28-22. (See ugly on Anisimov's lost draw)
- Phil Kessel was a -2 tonight. On the positive side, he might have dropped a few pounds after skating around for 22 minutes.
- Apparently Bryan Bickell played tonight. He was on the ice for 5:39 tonight, and had his presence felt with one hit. TALK ABOUT USELESS.
- These 6 o'clock starts absolutely suck when you're trying to get home from work.
- Late in the third period, Artem Anisimov lost a defensive zone draw, and Kris Letang tied the game. I don't recall if Anisimov got the Danault treatment for losing a defensive zone draw that led to a goal.
- For the most part, the Penguins out played the Blackhawks for the majority of the game. Thankfully Corey Crawford was on his game, and gave the Hawks the chance to win the game.
- As exciting as that 3 on 3 overtime was to people, it should have never gotten to overtime. Need I remind you the Hawks blew a 2-0 lead in the third period?
- Jonathan Toews left the game in overtime. I'm sure that won't go in the "3 on 3 overtime is soooooo exciting" category. According to Q's post game press conference, Toews is fine, but still. Just wait until a star player is lost for the season from an injury as a result of the pace of 3 on 3. I'm sure that will change some people's opinion on it.
- Trevor Daley clearly #MassivelyOutperformed Brent Seabrook tonight. By that I mean he had nearly 6 minutes less of ice time than Seabrook. Two less assists than Seabrook. Two less blocks than Seabrook. And 1:14 less of power play ice time than Seabrook. If that doesn't scream #MassivelyOutperforming, than I don't know what does.
