After a day off, the Blackhawks and Blues resumed their best of seven, opening round playoffs series on Friday night in that hell hole of a city called St. Louis. The Hawks were looking to break into the win column, and scoring column for that matter, after their 1-0 loss on Wednesday night in Game 1. Returning to the Hawks lineup tonight after serving his six game suspension, was that "no big deal, just another guy" defenseman named Duncan Keith. Thanks for insight Hitch. Continue to lead by example when it comes to wanting your team to get 70 hits per game by hitting 70 ribs at the all you can eat buffet.
When the puck finally dropped, the Hawks were victims of sleepwalking right from the start. Just over six minutes in, the Hawks were rewarded with the first power play of the game. Aside from a couple of decent chances from Hossa, they couldn't get much going and the game remained scoreless. That proved to be the tone of the period for the Hawks, as they couldn't get good looks at the net, and their passing was quite sloppy. Finally just over thirteen minutes in, the Hawks recorded their first shot on net, and ended the period with a whopping two for the opening frame. Luckily at the other end of the ice, Corey Crawford came up with a few big saves to keep the game scoreless after twenty minutes.
In the second period, it was a completely different Hawks team that took the ice. Within the first minute of the period, Patrick Kane had a breakaway, but a slash from Jay Bouwmeester prevented Kane from getting a quality chance. The Hawks received their second power play of the game just over five minutes in to the period. For the majority of the time, they couldn't get much generated and the game remained scoreless. After the Blues killed off the penalty, all hell broke loose, and the game turned into a goddamn track meet. The final ten minutes of the period featured end to end action, and both goalies making huge saves. Tarasenko opened the scoring with four minutes and change remaining. Just as it appeared the Hawks would go into the intermission down one, they managed to tie the game with four seconds left in the period off a point shot by Duncan Keith. Finally after catching your breath, the game was tied at one heading into the second intermission.
With all the momentum on the Hawks side, the third period would open up with four skaters aside after some post whistle penalties carrying over from the end of the second period. Both teams traded chances back and forth throughout the period, but neither team found the back of the net in the first ten minutes. With about eight minutes remaining, it appeared Tarasenko put the Blues up 2-1, but Joel Quenneville challenged the play for offsides. After a lengthy review, the it was determined that Jori Lehtera's skate was above the blueline and he was indeed offside by a toenail, and the call on the ice was overturned. The Blues and their fans followed up the call by acting like a bunch of six year olds who shit their pants, and showed their hand of cracking under the pressure. Not long after, Tarasenko took a slashing penalty that Paul Bunyan would be proud of, and handed the Hawks a late third period power play. As is the case with most of these selfish penalties, the Hawks made them pay after Andrew Shaw scored on a goal crease scramble. Following a review by The War Room in Toronto, it was deemed a good goal, but Hitchcock then challenged for goaltender interference. After two reviews the call on the ice of a good goal stood, and the Hawks were on top 2-1. In the final minutes Artemi Panarin added an empty netter, and Kevin Shattenkirk scored a meaningless goal with one second remaining, to make it a 3-2 final score. The series now heads to Chicago for Games 3 and 4 with the series tied at one. Our favourite Canadian will have the recap for Game 3.
- In a last minute change, Q FINALLY scratched Mashinter and inserted #DickPanik into the lineup. Its about fucking time.
- The Hawks first goal of the game was a textbook playoff goal, and shows the importance of offensive zone draws. Faceoff won, chip the puck to the point, get a shot on net.
- That second period was a thing of beauty. You can't ask for a more entertaining 20 minutes of playoff hockey. When is the last time you saw two teams combine for 32 shots, and the majority of them be quality? Dear God, that was fun to watch.
- Andrew Shaw's goal was the exact type of ugly goal you want to see scored at this time of the year. Nothing fancy, just be willing to go to the net and pay a price.
- Duncan Keith had a two point night with a goal and an assist in his return to the lineup. On top of it, I really enjoyed those boos every time he touched the puck from the "Oh my GAWD Kelly Chase is so awesome" crowd.
- The Hawks won the face off battle 36-28, and had the edge in the blocked shots department. Its the little things this time of the year.
- The Hawks made Vlad Tarasenko and the Blues pay for that slashing penalty in the third period. There is nothing more enjoyable than seeing that happen.
- Corey Crawford was excellent in net tonight. He stopped 29 of 31 shots, and survived a 15 shot second period en route to the victory. Oh and with the win tonight, he set the Blackhawks franchise record for playoff wins.
- Artemi Panarin had a chance to open the scoring for the Hawks in the second period. He beat Elliott with a twisted wrister, but drew iron.
- Even though the goal was taken away, Artem Anisimov was caught staring at the puck behind the net, while the Hawks already had two defensemen beneath the goalline. This allowed Tarasenko to become wide open in the slot for the pass. You'd like to see some better positioning in Game 3 if this scenario occurs again.
- Teravainen for some reason had 7:24 in ice time. Can't shelter him for his entire career.
- Everyone enjoy seeing Ryan Reaves skate around like an asshole for 5:49 tonight?
- The Hawks waited almost fourteen minutes to record their first shot on net. They would end the first period with two total shots. That's playing with fire to say the least.
- I've been a big supporter of Michal Rozsival this year saying he hasn't been as bad as the majority of you think he has been, but that turnover that lead to Tarasenko's goal was brutal. To be fair, it wasn't 100% on Rozsival. He had some help with a bad change, but he has to realize that in that situation he can't bring the puck up along the boards where all the traffic is. You're asking for trouble and he got it.
- Yes, the Hawks came out on the good end both times, but the replay/challenges are ridiculous. All they did tonight was kill the momentum of the game.
- You're welcome for the nightmares this face will give you......
