by Gatekeeper
The Blackhawks were back at the United Center Thursday night to face the Oilers, after a pretty poor offensive effort against the Avalanche Tuesday night. That is, the Connor McClavicle-less Edmonton Oilers. The Kane point streak was finally over, and the circus surrounding it. Thank god.
The Blackhawks jumped out to a lead 1-0 in the first period and never looked back. They also out shot the Oilers 14-9 which set up some great momentum. Generally though, it was a pretty boring period.
The Second period has more action as far as shots, but the scoring was identical to the first. The Blackhawks added another goal, to take a 2-0 lead. The Oilers did, however, put in a better effort forth, getting out shot by only one, 15-16.
While the Oilers had the advantage in third period shots 9-7, the Blackhawks were able to make the most of their shots. The Blackhawks put the icing on a 4-0 shutout win with 2 late goals. All in all, this was a perfect game for the Blackhawks. Next up, the American Hero Jack Eichel and the Sabres in Buffalo, on Saturday.
- Jonathan Toews opened up the scoring for the game with six minutes remaining in the first period. Teuvo Teravainen started the play with a breakout from Hawks the half boards to Marian Hossa. Hossa then carried the puck into the zone 2-on-1 with Jonny Toews breaking. Hossa saucered a perfect pass to Toews across the slot for a one timer over Talbot's glove. Tell me again what is wrong with Teravainen playing left wing on that line?
- Just past the halfway point in the second period, Teuvo Tervainen gave the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead. Jonathan Toews, and Marian Hossa did some perfect forechecking deep in the Oilers zone and fed Teravainen for a quick one timer past Talbot.
- Tervavainen struck once again with about 4 minutes remaining in the game. Teuvo picked up a loose puck in the crease after a Hossa to Toews play, almost identical to the first goal of the game. This time, though, Talbot made he stop, but Teravainen poked the rebound into the net. How many times do we have to beg for Teravainen to play with skill players? THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS! STOP JERKING THE POOR KID AROUND!
- Artemi Panarin followed up the Tervainen goal with one of his own, closing out the Oilers. He was at the end of a really electric shift, where he was pulling his best Patrick Kane impression, skating around the zone unmolested. Brent Seabrook hit hi at the Oilers blue line and he was able to get a step on the pair of Eric Gryba and Andrej Sekera. Once he was clear, Panarin snapped a wrist shot past Talbot's glove. This kid is something else. Speaking of Patrick Kane, he got the secondary assist to extend....wait, we aren't doing this anymore?
- The first line was dominant for the first time this year. Three points a piece.
- Rob Scuderi didn't kill the Hawks, so I guess that's a bonus, eh?
- Ryan Garbutt was in for the Manshitter, thank god.
- After giving up one "legit" goal Tuesday night, the brick wall Crawford was back, earning his 3rd shutout in 4 games, and saving all 3 shots he faced. A new career high. He's dialed in.
- Rasmussen has really impressed me thus far. Nothing flashy, but enough skill
- I never get tired of hearing In Flames on the UC sound system.
- I love Camo Talbot's Ghostbusters mask. Talbot, on the other hand, I'm not impressed with. Glorified backup that was sheltered behind a great starter in New York.
- You wouldn't guess, but the Blackhawks were actually under 50% at the dots. Rasmussen and Shaw were clowned, winning only 6 of 19.
- Marcus Kruger hurt himself in the second period and never returned.
- With about 6 minutes gone in the first period, Nik Hjalmarsson took a pretty harmless Justin Schultz shot to the inside of the left knee, but went down like a bag of bricks. He needed help to get off the ice and then had to go to the locker room. THAT would be a scary situation.
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins still looks like he's 11 years old.
- Harms mentioned a Bickell for Nikitin swap of terrible contracts from underachieving players. I'm not so sure I'd be into that. Nikitin is pretty bad. He had 2 penalties and was out on the ice for 2 of the Hawks goals.
Teravainen - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Bickell - Rasmussen - Shaw
Garbutt - Kruger - Desjardins
Keith - van Riemsdyk
Hjalmarsson - Seabrook
Rozsival - Scuderi
