by Patrick Stankus
On Sunday night, the Connor McDavid-less Edmonton Oilers made their first visit to the United Center to take on the Hawks. Frankly with McDavid out of the lineup, why bother even doing a recap? I mean, who wants to watch a hockey game if Jesus is out of the lineup? Well I do. Speaking of injuries, the Hawks had Marian Hossa return tonight, while Artem Anisimov returned after missing part of Friday's game in New Jersey.
As the first period go underway, it was clear that the Hawks were ready to go. Artemi Panarin got the Hawks on the board just 58 seconds into the game on an odorous goal allowed by Cam Talbot from just above the goal line. The Hawks dominated play throughout the period, outshooting the Oilers 9-5 for the period. Panarin however wasn't done scoring. With just over 2 minutes remaining, he fired a wrister from the slot that beat Talbot to increase the Hawks lead to 2-0 after 20 minutes.
The second period turned out to be the polar opposite of the first period for the Hawks. The Hawks were guilty of taking their foot off the gas pedal and it nearly bit them in the ass. If it wasn't for Corey Crawford's play in net, the Hawks could have very well ended up being tied or down after the second period. However Crawford withstood 22 shots from the Oilers, and kept the Hawks lead at 2-0 after 40 minutes.
The final frame got underway with the Oilers continuing with the momentum. Following a bad penalty by Viktor Tikhonov, the Jordan Eberle cashed in to cut the Hawks lead in half in the opening minutes. The Hawks would bend, but wouldn't break. Patrick Kane increased the Hawks lead to 3-1 on a sick backhand that with just over 6 minutes remaining. Andrej Sekera would cut the Hawks lead to 3-2 on a bomb from the point in the final minutes, but the Hawks lead would prove to be too much. Artem Anisimov added a power play goal with 6 seconds remaining, and would seal a 4-2 Hawks win.
- This #AK72Line is pretty fun to watch. Panarin (2G, 1A), Kane (1G, 3A), and Anisimov (1G, 1A). That's a pretty good night in my book.
- Corey Crawford was outstanding in the second period. He fought off 22 shots in the second period alone. For the game he stopped 34 of 36. His highlight save may have been a toe save on Jordan Eberle in the second.
- Late in the game, Marian Hossa had a great hustle play for a loose puck while going for an empty netter. It resulted in the Oilers taking a penalty, in which Anisimov scored on in the waning seconds.
- Patrick Kane's backhand goal in the third period was filthy. I hope Roberto Luongo doesn't see the highlights of that goal. It might bring back some memories.
- Quietly again, TVR had another solid night. Here's hoping this guy can stay healthy for the whole season. I like what I've seen from him thus far.
- Viktor Tikhonov took a bad penalty to start the third period, in which the Oilers scored on the ensuing power play. You maybe able to get away with that interference in the KHL, but not here. In addition, Tikhonov played a team low 5:54.
- The Hawks were lucky to escape the second period with the lead. The Oilers were all over the Hawks, firing 22 shots, and had at least 5 partial breakaways. You don't get away with that often.
- Pretty much everyone thought Marko Dano had a solid game. Except for Joel Quenneville apparently. Dano played 9:24 on the night. Seriously Q, what the hell? This "Iron Fist Act" is getting old. I don't care how many Cups you have.
- The Hawks were holding their breath for a few minutes in the second period. Niklas Hjalmarsson took a hard hit from Taylor Hall and looked to be in some difficulty in trying to get off the ice. As is always the case with Hammer, he was back out there for his next shift.
- Good Lord, can the Oilers get solid goaltending? On Panarin's first goal, Talbot was lazy going from post to post. Regardless of the deflection off of his defender, it was one that still should have been stopped. Then on Panarin's second and on Kane's goal, Talbot was way too deep in his crease. As a former goalie, and I'm sure Gate would agree, this was an embarrassing display of goaltending.
- I lost a bet with Uncle Rozsival, and had to dawn a Chinese knockoff Rozsival jersey. Check Twitter for proof.
