by Patrick Stankus
The Blackhawks took to United Center ice for the final time during the regular season on Thursday night for a meeting with their division rivals, the St. Louis Blues. Both teams were coming into the contest banged up, so the lineups were a bit screwy, especially for the Hawks. As a result, playoff performer Bryan Bickell found his way back down I-90 to Chicago, and into the Hawks lineup. Its safe to say, if both teams meet in the first round of the playoffs beginning next week, the lineups will look differently than tonight.
Despite the lineup changes, once the puck dropped, the play dictated that of a traditional Hawks/Blues game. Both teams traded hits, (I know how much everyone loves hits) with the Hawks actually outhitting the Blues 13-11 in the period. Aside from a late first period penalty to the Blues, the first period was pretty ho hum with Scott Darling making a couple of good stops to keep the game scoreless. When the horn sounded ending the period, the Hawks held lead in shots 9-7, but neither team could find the back of the net.
The Hawks opened the second period by taking back to back penalties within the first eight minutes of the period. Fortunately for the Hawks, the red hot penalty kill came through and killed off both penalties, generating some momentum for the home team. With both teams at four skaters a side, Jonathan Toews opened the scoring for the Hawks to give them a 1-0 lead with just over seven minutes remaining. In the closing minutes of the sandwich stanza, we were treated to a Reaves/Mashinter scrap, which will warrant another game for Mashinter to be in the lineup. Despite a late power play in the second, the Hawks couldn't convert and they took a 1-0 lead into the second intermission.
The third period was a colossal shit show for the first sixteen minutes of the period. Aside from a few decent hits, which again, everyone loves to hate, the period was a complete bore. That changed when Andrew Ladd was awarded a penalty shot, and had a chance to seal the win for the Hawks. Elliott managed to come up with the stop, and gave the Blues some life. With just over a minute to go, Scott Darling kicked out a rebound to right Vladimir Tarasenko, and well you can figure out what he can do with a wide open net. On to overtime we would go, and seal the Hawks fate as the three seed in the Central Division for the playoffs.
Once again the overtime would look like a video game gone bat shit crazy, and not in a good way. After a couple of chances by Patrick Kane that were denied, the Blues came back the other way, but a sliding play by TVR kept the Blues from winning the game. Luckily Tarasenko ended this gimmick shortly thereafter with his second goal of the game, and made Saturday's game in Lumbus absolutely meaningless. #DRINK
- TVR had a real strong game. He had an assist, and had a great sprawling play to keep a loose puck out of the net in overtime. For someone who's struggled of late, it looks like TVR might be gaining some confidence again.
- Jonathan Toews tallied the lone Hawks goal, and was 79% at the dot. A strong effort by the captain.
- The penalty kill continues to roll. Tonight they killed off both of the Blues power plays.
- Aside from the rebound goal, Scott Darling was good in net for the Hawks. He made 33 saves on 35 shots.
- Who didn't enjoy that scrap between Reaves and Mashinter? Glad they both enjoyed their limited ice time.
- The Blues out shot the Hawks by a 35-25 margin. This just continues to hammer home how suspect this defense is.
- Scott Darling's rebound control, or lack thereof was on full display on Tarasenko's game tying goal.
- By allowing St. Louis to tie the game and get it to overtime, meant the Hawks are locked into the three seed in the Central.
- David Backes didn't play. Therefore there would be no chance at "Wakey, Wakey, Part II" tonight.
- I wasn't going to recap the game tonight, but Gate was under the weather, and looked like this, so I decided to help him out;
- Between his "effort" on the penalty shot, and the fact he was the only Hawk that was a -2, Andrew Ladd had a forgetful game.
- Anisimov, Crawford, Hossa, Keith, and Shaw all didn't play. That was fun. (Sarcasm)
- The power play was 0 for 2 on the night. We're familiar with that kind of a night.
- God, I hate the fact that Vladimir Tarasenko is on the Blues. Such a good player, but such a horseshit city and team.
- Pat Foley was brutally honest when it came to describing Saturday's game as he said "it means nothing." Way to at least try and get some sort of viewers for hockey. Lets be honest though, Saturday's game does mean something. I'll at least get to say #NowDerek right to Derek's face in Lumbus.
- Bryan Bickell played. No seriously, he did. GOOD RIDDANCE. I'm done with this song and dance. Apparently the Rockford Olive Garden's bread sticks aren't what it takes to shape him back into a respectable hockey player.