by Gatekeeper
After yet another successful Shoutcast, Tuesday night, it was time for the Blackhawks to make some big news. Nothing much happened during the day but we were expecting it. In other news, the Hawks had a circus trip to begin, in Edmonton. The one brutal part of the circus trip is the late games, and this one was no exception. That said, there was a game to watch and recap.
The first period was painfully boring and sloppy for both teams. The Blackhawks couldn't get anything going, and couldn't even manage to get to 5 shots on net. They yielded 11 shots to the Oilers but all was just fine, because there were no goals tallied. I would chalk this one up to the chaos of being on the road, I suppose.
The second period was slightly better, at least as far as action goes. The Blackhawks went up 2-0 and it looked like they may run away with the game, before giving a goal up towards the end of the period. They also made up for their brutal first period by out shooting the Oilers 12-9. A one goal lead after two period is, pretty much, exactly what we should reasonably expect in a late night November road game.
The Blackhawks third period left a lot to be desired, with the Oilers scoring twice, to counter the Blackhawks one goal, ending regulation 3-3. The Oilers had more overall pressure and the shot advantage 16-10. The Hawks play was enough to eventually get the game to overtime, and guarantee them at least one point. Yay right? Meh. With a little help from their goalie, the Blackhawks stole the game in OT and left Edmonton with the extra point.
- It took the Blackhawks almost half the game to break the scoreless tie. Right after the Oilers' Griffin Reinhart took a penalty for smoking Shaw from behind, the Blackhawks showed off a new powerplay configuration that worked pretty well. It was a 1-3-1 diamond setup with Duncan Keith in the center of the diamond. Patrick Kane found the blade of Keith, who redirected the puck past Nilsson for a 1-0 Blackhawks lead.
- With about 5 minutes remaining in the second period Artemi Panarin scored on his former KHL foe, Anders Nilsson. The #AK72 line forechecked the Oilers into thick gooey puddle of submission. Panarin force the puck back to Kane, who hit Anisimov at the top of the circle with quick pass. He got the puck back dwon low to Panarin who was in behind everyone, and the kid beat Nilsson easily for a 2-0 Blackhawks lead.
- Just past the halfway point of the third period, the makeshift line of Kero, Shaw, and Kruger put the Blackhawks up 3-2. The play began with Duncan Keith keeping the puck in the Oilers zone, which led to Kruger feeding Kero from a prone position. Kero found the tape of Shaw, who fanned on his initial shot, but the second chance beat a surprised Nilsson.
- Corey Crawford's glove save in overtime was ridiculous, and the next rush up the ice won the game. Brent Seabrook found Marian Hossa coming off the bench behind the Oilers defense from deep in his own end for a Hoss breakaway. Hossa pulled the half clapper and beat a helpless Anders Nilsson. Game, set, match.
- Speaking of Crawford, he saved 34 of 37 and the Blackhawks don't get that extra point without him.
- Getting out shot 37/27 on the road and winning. You can't complain about that one bit. That's pure theft.
- I keep waiting for Panarin to slump, and he he keeps doing things like putting up 3 point games. Doesn't mean I regret underestimating him for one second. Err on the side of caution every time.
- The mentioned how terrible Artem Anisimov has been at faceoffs all year. All he did was go out and win 13 of 18.
- Reports surfaced, during the day, that Trevor Daley was on the block, which delighted many. Reports also claimed that teams like Ottawa and Lumbus were looking for that type of defenseman. Take that $3 million off the Blackhawks books, please.
- It needs to be pointed out because it is hilarious but the Oilers now former captain has been pulling his best Adrian Aucoin impression with a streak of healthy scratches. Almost as bad as Bickell in the AHL. Almost.
- Marko Dano now definitely knows what the Quenneville doghouse smells like.
- In the second period Teuvo Teravainen left for the locker room and never returned. Perfect way to start an extended road trip. Just when they gave him a competent center with some experience.
- Young Darnell Nurse put on a bit of a show to set up Benoit Pouliot for the game tying goal, with 5 minutes gone in the third period. He was able to stickhandle around Marian Hossa, which is no easy feat. He also drew 2 other defenders, including Trevor Daley. Once he got an open lane, he was able to send a nice backhand pass to the blade of Pouliot, who redirected the pass through Crawford.
- With just under 3 minutes remaining in the third period Trevor van Riemsdyk had a rough shift, getting worked hard off the puck which was immediately snapped over Crawford's shoulder from a tight angle by Leon Draisaitl.
- We're going to continue this Shaw / Garbutt #HITZ charade on the road too, eh? They were credited with 3 each. Stupid stat, period. Meatball spokesman Pat Boyle didn't talk important numbers in the intermission, but he was sure quick to bang out the #HITZ stats.
- Brandon Manshitter played 6:59 and I can't tell you one thing he did on the ice.
- I've come to fucking loathe Steve Konroyd. He say some of the most boring and stupid thing. He proclaimed Anders Nilson a "shot blocker". Well NO FUCKING SHIT, Steve. Isn't every goalie a shot blocker? Prior to that, immediately after Ryan Garbutt mentioned that he grew up in Edmonton, Steve says, "You grew up in Edmonton, until you were 12, I think". I expected Garbutt to say, "Yeah, that's what I just said, Stevie two times". The WORST.
- With just over 3 minutes remaining in the second period the Blackhawks were caught in a terrible long change in which 3 Blackhawks stepped off the ice all at once, and left Brent Seabrook out on and island and Jordan Eberle in on a breakaway. You can't fault Crawford when a sniper like Eberle has that much time to size you up. Just a brutal play from top to bottom.
- What the fuck is wrong with Eberle's baby grill?
Dano - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Shaw - Kruger - Teravainen
Mashinter - Kero - Garbutt
Keith - Hjalmarsson
van Riemsdyk - Seabrook
Rozsival - Daley