I don't think any Chicago fan thought they would see the day when the St. Louis Blues would be leading the entire NHL in points. Why don't the hockey gods just piss in our Gatorade? Even back in the day, when Bernie Federko, the Cavallini brothers, and Greg Millen all played for the Blues, they found a way to be a consistent thorn in the Hawks side, but they couldn't beat anyone else. Despite their excellent 29-4-4 home record, their road record leaves a lot to be desired at only 16-14-3. If the Hawks were going to take down this team, it would have to be this game. Oh and what it game it was.
The Hawks first period started off promising and quickly turned into a complete disaster. They opened up the scoring on a pretty play, and proceeded to give up 3 goals before it was all said and done. The second period was much more reasonable, with the Hawks scoring a goal, to bring the game back within one goal, on 11 shots. The Blues were held in check, on 8 shots. The Hawks tied up the game in the third period, on the powerplay no less, with 16 shots on net to the Blues 8. The comeback earned the Hawks at least a point, with some extra time, and eventually, a shootout win.
- Big Bruno horsed Halak 3 minutes into the game, to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Kane and Hossa started the festivities with great passes, as well. Kane hit Bruno with a laser pass, and he one touched it to Hoss. Hoss worked the give-n-go back to Bruno who ended up in all alone and roofed a shot over Halak's glove.
- The Hawks took advantage of a rare Blues turnover at the blue line to scratch their way back within one goal. Oduya kept the puck inside the zone at the blue line and it landed on the stick of Dream Warrior, who threw it on net towards Halak. Halak kicked it right off Stalberg and into the net to give the Blackhawks life. Stalberg celebrated after the goal, but you could see that he was worried the refs would negate the goal for a deliberate kicking motion, but the replays showed that there was no such action.
- The Blackhawks powerplay actually came to their rescue just about halfway through the third period, with Seabrook blowing a shot past Halak to tie the game at 3-3. Goal or not even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. The powerplay still sucks sweaty balls. As I said on Twitter, it astounds me that there are 7 teams with worse powerplays. Simply astounding. Something that is even more shocking is that three of those teams; Dallas, Rangers, and the Coyotes are playoff teams.
- Regardless of the outcome, the Hawks defense looked spot on, in the second, third and OT periods. This team is so schizo they should all be prescribed high doses Abilify, and star in a commercial for the drug. Is it motivation? Preparation? Something needs to be examined. They can't be having complete meltdowns like this and then have to fight their asses off the rest of the game.
- Shockingly enough, whipping boy Corey Crawford stepped in to start the second period and didn't allow a goal through the second, third, OT or shootout. I guess heroes really DO show up at the strangest moments.
- Anything after the first 20 minutes shows how you play against a physical team. By playing physical back wisely and AS A TEAM. It doesn't mean you have to send a couple of cementheads out there, because all they will do is act like clowns and do something stupid. This just shows everyone that this team CAN play physical when motivated.
- I said it before, and I'll keep saying it. I cannot wait to watch this Blues team choke in the playoffs, and they will. They are like a poor man's Canucks, and so are their fans.
- A minute after the Hawks opening goal, the Blues Langenbrunner blasted a fairly weak shot through a screen and past Razor, to tie the game up. Hjalmarsson screened the hell out of Emery after letting Langenbrunner sit all alone along the boards and pick his shot. Good or bad, Hammer ended up leaving the game after the second period. That can't be good news.
- Next it was Oduya and Leddy who got horsed by the Blues offense. They got turned and twisted around like fucking tops and the end result was Andy MacDonald with an open net goal. This Blues team is for real when they are clicking. Razor got caught leaning the wrong way, and the Blues took advantage.
- Patrick Berglund and Barrett Jackman hooked up on another Hawks neutral zone turnover to put the Blues up 3-1 in the first period. All it took was a simple turnover at center ice, and the Hawks looked completely lost in their own zone. Nice first period, Gentlemen. Three goals on six first period shots. That would be the end of Ray Emery's night.
- As what's become a regular theme, the Hawks got their asses kicked at the dot, again. Mayers was the only Hawks center over 50% and he only saw 3:49 of ice time.
- What has Jimmy Hayes done to land in Chateau Bow Wow? He's relegated to the fourth line and didn't see another shift after the middle of the second period. I still like his size in front of the net on the powerplay. He has better hands than Mayers, and more size than Shaw. Not only this but he was left off the Rockford playoff roster, if they make it, so he doesn't even have that option. If you tell me he can't step in for Bickell, when he's being ineffective, then you're wrong.
- In the last minute of the first period, Ryan Reaves completely rag dolled MegaMayers on a clean hit, and Bollig wasted no time to taking exception. The reason Mayers was left in that position, was the weak suicide pass Deuce gave him. Bollig was trying to make a name for himself, but that instigator penalty hurts the Hawks more than the fight help. Reaves is still a complete fucking waste of space no matter how you slice it. Bollig, on the other hand, saw one more shift in the game, and had the best seat in the house for the comeback.
- The Hawks forwards CONTINUE to force bad passes over and over, while ignoring open looks. This cutesy bullshit needs to stop, YESTERDAY. The Hawks are in no position to pass up quality open looks. If you're up 5-1 you can pass them up; if you're down 3-1 you TAKE THE FUCKING SHOT! Seriously, this isn't quantum physics, but I don't know what I'm talking about, and this way is working so fucking stellar, right?
- Kaner beat Halak through the wickets
- TJ Oshie stopped by Crawford
- Halak stayed with Bolland
- MacDonald couldn't best Crawford
- Halak as better than Sharpie
- Perron stumbled and didn't get off anything clean on Crawford
