The Blackhawks opened the 2014 NHL playoffs last night in St. Luiz against the Blues. No one though this was going to be an easy series and by the results of game one, it's going to be an extremely long painful. The Blues jumped out to a pretty quick 1-0 lead in the first period, but the Blackhawks answered with 2 goals of their own. The Blues were not to be denied when they scored to tie up the game just 29 seconds later. The score remained tied until the final few minutes of the third period, when a fortunate breakaway change put the Blackhawks up 3-2.
The score remained 3-2 until the final few minutes of the third period when the Blues pressure finally resulted in a lame game tying goal. This sent the game to not one, not two but THREE overtimes. The Blues struck quickly in the 3rd overtime to take a 1-0 series lead. Game two will be Saturday afternoon in St. Luiz
- The first Blackhawks goal was set up by a pretty nice Brandon Saad play to get the puck deep in the St. Luiz zone and then circle back and control the puck long enough to find the late guy, Oduya. Oduya was patient and picked his spot on Miller.
- While it's well documented that I stronging dislike Kris Versteeg, he made a nice play on the Seabrook power play goal that put the Blackhawks up for the first time 2-1. He took the puck at the left dot and skated backwards behind the net looking for an open Hawks stick. When he cleared the net, Seabrook was his guy, and Seabrook buried it.
- Late in the first period Toews found Kane in behind the Blues defense and hit his tape for a breakaway. I'll take Kane on a breakaway against any goalie in the league. He beat Miller and the Blackhawks held that 3-2 lead until late in the third period.
- Crawford had a pretty damn good night. The Hawks were out shot 52-42 and Crow made several great saves and held the team in the game. If you mention Crawford had any responsibility in this loss, you need to dip in the lake with lead boots on, because you are a moron.
- Keith and Hammer each had over 40 minutes of ice time, but Pietrangelo had over 44. That is a lot of time on the rink. A LOT.
- The Hawks were pretty good at the faceoff dot. They were at 57% overall, and the Hawks centers were all at or over 50% in the defensive zone. Ben Smith whipped Derek Roy's ass at the dot all night, winning 5 of 6. No complaints here.
- The first goal was as a result of a Crawford rebound and Rozsival not boxing out his guy. If you haven't put it together, Cracknell was his guy.
- Oduya and Hjalmarsson dicked the dog on the late Blues tying goal. Oduya half assed a backhanded a pass from behind the net to Hammer. Schwartz read the pass and intercepted. The puck ended up on the stick of Roy who pushed it back to Schwartz, who slung it past Crawford.
- Oduya and Hammer had a rough night. It's not often they do, so I'm not worried, but it needed to be pointed out.
- The Hawks were absolutely schooled by the Blues on the first period Tarasenko goal. It looked like tic-tac-toe as the Blues made 3 quick passes and Tarasenko was left with a wide open net.
- The OT winner was a lazy play in the Hawks end. Hammer, Oduya and Versteeg watch Ott and Steen control the loose puck to Crawford's left and Steen just snapped it past Crawford.
- Ryan Reaves only played 18 total shifts and took 2 penalties, because he is a terrible hockey player. Fuck that guy.