With the All Star break now behind, the Blackhawks continued their road trip in Los Angeles on Wednesday night with the start of their 6 game "Ice Show Trip." Much of the build up leading to the game was about how both teams have been disappointing to an extent. Calm down Blackhawks fans, I didn't say they suck, I said they're not up to most of your expectations. They're at mine. Anyways, since its late, lets get to the recap.
The Blackhawks came out with a lot of energy, and early on it payed off. No longer serviceable, but now Adequate Rundblad teed up a slap shot that was blocked, and the loose puck went right to a wide open Patrick Kane, who in turned fired the puck into a wide open net to give the Hawks the early lead. Just before the midway point of the period, Hawks killer Jeff Carter tied the game at one. Following a lazy Drew Doughty penalty, Patrick Kane threaded the needle with a cross ice pass to Patrick Sharp who buried it to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead, and that's where we stood after one.
Unlike the first period, the Hawks were not firing on all cylinders in the second period. Some sloppy play came back to bite them early. A soft, but correct holding call on Joakim Nordstrom gave the Kings an early power play and they didn't waste any time. Jeff Carter netted his second goal of the night to tie the game at two. The early Carter goal would prove to be the only goal of the period, as at the end of two, the game was tied at two. Oh shit, I'm starting to sound like Pat Foley.
The theme of the night seemed to be early goals, and the third period was no different. Andrew Shaw continued his improved play of late, scoring the early goal, to put the Hawks up 3-2. Unfortunately for the Hawks, they unraveled as the period went on, and yielded two goals in just about three minutes, to give the Kings the 4-3 to start the six game road trip. Next up for the Hawks is the short drive to Anaheim on Friday night.
The Good
- Patrick Kane had a stellar night again, as he had a goal and an assist. The pass on Sharp's goal was one of the patented Kane passes.
-Corey Crawford had two HUGE saves in the 2nd period. One was on Dustin Brown following a failed clearing attempt by Brent Seabrook, and the other was a shorthanded, breakaway bid on Jeff Carter. Two big saves that kept the Hawks in the game.
- I'll give credit where credit is due. Yes, Teuvo had a nice zone entry that lead to Shaw's goal. Are you happy now? See I'm not always negative. Wait, spoke too soon I think.
- #AdequateRundblad, I had too.
The Bad
- Since it didn't cost the Hawks, I'll put it in the bad category, but the Delay of Game penalty on Seabrook was awful. We're supposed to be all about player safety now, but when the puck is under someone, lets just continue to let opposing players spear at the puck, instead of blowing the whistle. Secondly, from the position referee Gord Dwyer was in, he couldn't see if Seabrook had actually closed his hand on the puck. Whatever. Either way, I still don't think we should have instant replay of calls like this.
The Ugly
- Sounds like a broken record, but the pairing of Rozsival and Oduya has to end. Its playing with fire.
- Dustin Brown destroyed Rozsival with a hit in the first period, but unfortunately Rozsival got up and continued to play.
- Overall the entire defense was terrible. (I'll save this rant for the next shoutcast)
- Johnny Oduya, (-2) nothing more.
- Lost draw by Toews in the defensive zone, wound up costing the Hawks, as Muzzin scored after gathering the loose puck.
- On Toffoli's goal, Jeff Carter made some contact with Crawford, which immediately triggered the "goalie interference" bitching. As former goalie, I don't have a problem with the no call, as Crawford was outside the crease. If Crawford was in the crease when the contact occurred, then its a different story.
- Three times the Hawks had the lead in this game, and you manage to blow it all three times. Nicely done.
- Can we lay off the hatred of Dustin Brown? Does everyone just hate him because he plays on the edge and with physicality? I know in Chicago those are something newer fans aren't used to seeing.