Thursday night the Hawks visited Long Island for the "Hawks Vs Isles Part Deux", in a weeks time no less. Aren't WE the lucky ones? Last game, the Hawks Made it much harder on themselves than they needed to, taking the Isles to OT, and finally a shootout all while giving up 40-something shots. It took a Herculean effort from Captain Serious, to bring them back, and he was the only one to score in the shootout. This time around, they didn't have the benefit of the home fans, after the comeback against the Coyotes the other night, that disappointingly fell just short. The Isles, on the other hand, put up 10 goals in the two wins following their loss to the Hawks.
The Hawks looked like the better team, for a majority of the first period, but the shots were even at 10-10. The Hawks were the recipient of some luck, and were able to go up and into the intermission 1-0 on their powerplay goal. The Hawks weren't as successful in the second period but were able to tie the period 1-1, putting the Hawks up 2-1 for the game. The Isles were able to tie up the game in the third period, and send the game into overtime, also outshooting the Hawks 8-7. Lucky for everyone wearing white, the Hawks were able to make quick work of the Isles in OT, and bring home the 2 points.
- The Hawks were able to open the scoring on the powerplay, in the first. Hoss scored his 400th career goal by taking the puck behind the net, and banking it off Montoya and into the net. Terrible goal for Montoya, but congrats to Marian Hossa. 1-0 Hawks
- Hoss continued his red hot play a couple of minutes into the second period, feeding Shooter for a rocket of a one timer. Montoya couldn't get across the crease fast enough to catch up to Sharpie's laser of a shot. 2-0 Second Line.
- Hossa capped a historic night by picking up a loose puck in the Hawks end and leading the rush up the ice, in OT. He took a shot Montoya, who ended up on his dupa, and the rebound conveniently came right out to Shooter, who put it in for his second goal of the night, and the game winner. And a mighty handsome goal it was. Huge night for the second line, and nice win for the Hawks.
- For the first time in recent memory, Hammer actually hammered someone. He laid a big hit on Michael Grabner, who had his head down the entire way, in the Isles end of the ice. I had to do a double take of the number.
- The Hawks powerplay looked excellent all game long. The defining moment, of course, was the Islanders 5-on-3 at the end of the second/beginning of the third. It was SO good that the Hawks didn't even give up a shot.
- Despite a rare gaffe, Seabrook was a beast on the back end all night long, whether it was a strong pass, shot block, or a big hit he was on his game. Even though he was out there for the tying goal, that one really wasn't on him. He also led all Hawks in shorthanded TOI. That says a lot about Quenneville's confidence in Lucky Number Sleven.
- Razor was 31 of 33, and he made several big saves that kept the Hawks up, and in the game. As slow and tender as he looked in the preseason, and early on; he's looked that much better as of late. At least one of them is looking tight. This is more evidence to support the idea of Razor getting more time, to take the pressure off Crawford. Again, this is no controversy, YET.
- Three points for both Shooter and Hoss. More please!
- Travis Hamonic put the Isles on the board with under 2 minutes left in the second period. The Hawks weren't able to get the puck out of the zone and it was fed across to Hamonic, who Ben Smith had somehow lost track of. Hamonic used the screen of Smith and Hammer to blow a long slapshot past Razor. 2-1 Hawks.
- The Isles tied up the game, in the third, when Steve Staios' shot went off Michael Grabner and past Razor just over halfway through the frame. The Hawks actually looked to have the play covered pretty well, but the deflection snuck by Emery.
- Patrick Sharp started Razor's night off by turning the puck over at the Isles blue line and then letting his guy skate right past him. Unfortunately, that guy was John Tavares, but Razor was up to the task. Thanks, Shooter!
- Whenever Hammer tries to build up some speed, it looks like his feet are moving extremely fast, but he's not going anywhere.
- The third line had another rough night, going minus 3 total, and collecting 4 minutes in penalties. I'd honestly like to see the Hawks give Bolland some down time to rehab that foot, while they have some time to play with. If this is still an issue down the stretch run, it's going to become a major one.
- The Hawks weren't terrible at the dot, but Bolland was smacked around most of the night, most notably by Tavares. 37% for the shutdown center isn't a pretty stat.
- Queue up the Mr. Hyde/CarBomb. With just under 4 minutes left in the third period of a 2-2 game, he took exception to Kyle Okposo jumping into a post whistle fracas, and jabbed Okposo right in the yap, drawing a penalty. The Isles didn't score on the PP but that kind of crap isn't going to make Quenneville happy, especially if they give up a goal.
