by Patrick Stankus
Tweet to #Fatrick
After a quick trip to New Jersey on Friday night, the Blackhawks returned home on Sunday night to take on their media made up rivals, the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings have recently found new life with their string goalie Peter Budaj, following the injuries to Jonathan Quick and Jeff Zatkoff. With the Kings playing the second of a back to back, the Hawks should have more energy at the start, and hopefully can use that to their advantage. That seems unlikely though, since this is one of those "great six o'clock starts" and the Cubs don't start until seven, so more meatball eyes will be on the Hawks. Thus bad things tend to happen when the meatballs are watching.
Prior to puck drop, the Hawks held a ceremony for Marian Hossa celebrating his recent milestone of 500 career goals. Stick taps to Hoss on a helluva career thus far. Once the game got underway, it was quite obvious the Hawks were ready to go. They set the tone early by pressuring the Kings in their own end. In the opening frame, the Hawks had the chance to bury the Kings, by receiving four power plays, one of which was a four minute, double minor. With all those opportunities, the Hawks could only muster one goal with the extra man. After being outplayed during the period, the Kings only found themselves trailing by one.
In the second period, the Hawks continued to dictate the pace of the game, by generating a lot of chances and keeping play down in the Kings end. The Kings really couldn't get much going on, and the momentum stayed with the Hawks. The Hawks put the momentum to good use, and added another goal just past the midway point of the game to increase their lead to 2-0. As the period drew to a close, the Kings had a couple of chances, but Crawford was there to answer and preserve the Hawks lead heading into the third.
The final period saw the Kings sloppy and tired play continue, that resulted in three more power plays for the Hawks. The Kings threw 13 at Corey Crawford, but the majority of them were of the one and done fashion. In the meantime, the Hawks weathered that storm, and Hossa added an empty net goal on the power play to give the Hawks a 3-0 win. In the end, Corey Crawford was named the game's first star, after his 32 save, shutout performance. Next up for the Hawks is a home matchup with the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night.
- Hostile Tribe, do us a solid, and send out a tweet with the hashtag #VoteGatekeeper, so we can win Gate some custom goalie equipment for his "Farewell To The Crease" tour of 2017. - UPDATE: Gate wasn't named a finalist, so there's that. Guess they didn't want to give Satan nice things.
- The ceremony for Hossa was a nice touch. It was great to see them honor the Thrashers legend. In all seriousness, it was well deserved for Hossa.
- Jonathan Toews opened the scoring for the Hawks in the first period, while on the power play. Almost three weeks into the season, its nice to see him get in the goal column.
- Artem Anisimov is simply on fire right now. He extended his points streak to seven games with his goal in the second period.
- The penalty kill finally had a game in which they didn't surrender a power play goal. Praise the Lord.
- Corey Crawford turned in a 32 save shutout tonight. Must have been the black pads.
- Like our Canadian correspondent pointed out, this was by far, the most complete game the Hawks have played this year. Granted it was against a team playing on a back to back, but I'll take it. Its something to build upon.
- Four power plays in the first period, and one goal to show for it. Not to mention the four minute power play was a complete joke. Gotta be able to capitalize on the opportunities when they present themselves. In the end, they went 2 for 7, one of which was an empty netter.
- Devin Setoguchi is still playing hockey. Who knew?
- I don't feel like being an asshole tonight, so lets just move on.
- Pat Boyle dropped a "Heeeeerrrreeee's Johnny" when doing the highlight of Toews' goal in the first intermission. Seriously, shut up. You're not a young, hip person.
- As I pointed out earlier, Gate wasn't named a finalist for the contest for custom goalie gear by Brian's. With that said, I got something for ya, Brian's. Here's to ya....
