The Blackhawks continued their annual Circus Trip on Thanksgiving Eve with a stop in San Jose to visit the Sharks. This marked the first game for the Hawks since they shit the bed on Saturday night in Vancouver and followed it up with a much deserved trip to Las Vegas. With a difficult back to back in southern California looming this weekend, it was crucial the Hawks get the first game of the California portion of the Circus Trip started on the right foot.
The Blackhawks controlled play throughout the first period, although the Sharks did find their legs late in the period. Despite that, Hawks ended up outshooting the Sharks by a 11-5 margin. The Hawks would open the scoring midway through the first frame. The lead would not last, as 6 minutes later the Sharks would tie it up. As quick as the Hawks lead evaporated, the tie between the two teams would evaporate quicker. Just under 90 seconds later, the Hawks would take a 2-1 lead, and hang onto that lead as the first period ended.
The second period would see a shift in play in favor of the Sharks. The Sharks would end up outshooting the Hawks 12-6 in the period. However it was the Hawks, not the Sharks would end up getting on the scoreboard to increase their lead to 3-1. Even though both teams had opportunities in the second, that would be the only scoring of the period and the Hawks would 3-1 after two.
The third period would see the Sharks start out on the power play, but still couldn't solve Crawford. That would change midway through the period as the Sharks would cut the Hawks lead to 3-2. That's as close as the Sharks would get as the Hawks would add two goals in final eight minutes and cruised to a 5-2 win over the Sharks.
- Patrick Kane added 2 assists tonight and increased his points streak to 17 games.
- Corey Crawford was outstanding. When the Hawks needed a big save, Crow was there to back his teammates up tonight. It turned out being a nice bounce back game for Crawford after that debacle in Vancouver. In the end he stopped 27 of 29 shots.
- Another guy who had a nice bounce back game was The Bread Man. Panarin had 2 assists tonight and looked like his old self, not the tired one we saw Saturday.
- Duncan Keith led all the Hawks with 29:23 of ice time tonight. He was also a team high +3.
- Gotta give credit where credit is do. Michal Rozsival has been pretty solid since his return from a broken ankle.
- Much like TVR, the more I see Tanner Kero play, the more I like his game. Not to mention he's also turning into a reliable PK guy.
- The Hawks held the Sharks shotless for nearly the first 14 minutes of the game.
- Melker Karlsson. Seriously, next to Nail Yakupov, is there a better hockey name right now?
- Marian Hossa was flat out robbed twice in the first period by Martin Jones.
- How much longer until Marko Dano becomes the next Brandon Pirri? Its pretty obvious he's lost in Q's system, which that never ends well for the player.
- As much as I complain about hearing Chelsea Dagger, the Sharks Jaws soundbite just might be more annoying than Chelsea Dagger.
- The Hawks were a little more careless than you'd like to see. Tonight they took 5 penalties. You'd like to see them clean that up a bit.
- I was looking forward to seeing Ben Smith play tonight. Now I'm sad. So sad that I might eat a shit ton of turkey and eat my way into a coma.
- Trevor Daley did his best Viktor Stalberg impression and missed the net by 50 ft on a 3 on 2 in the 3rd period. How's that trade value looking?
- So is Brandon Mashinter only playing because the Hawks equipment staff found a stash of old Khabibulin #53 jerseys and need to put them to use? The guy is completely useless. I didn't even notice him tonight.
- Brace yourselves, Steve Konroyd will be providing us with color commentary for Friday's game. I wonder if Gate will point something in his recap of that game on how awesome Konroyd is.
