by Gatekeeper
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Yesterday was the first day of the rest of your lives, people, or at least the next four years. After everyone watched the impossible happen Tuesday night/ early Wednesday morning, the world needed to go back to living their lives and enjoying SPORTZ, the Blackhawks and their fans certainly included. Enough about the red asses, though. With the Cubs done, and the election over, we're all sure to have to soon endure the return of the insufferable complaining vocal minority of this fanbase, in the coming days. Isn't that just more news to brighten your day?
Anyhow, the Hawks traveled down I-55 to that stinky hell hole, otherwise known as St. Louis, to face the Blues, on the heels of the big reveal of the thoughtless Winter Classic sweaters. Just another in the long line of terribly disappointing designs that shows how the Blackhawks design teams lack vision and creativity. Whoever wastes their money on those are simply morons.
That said, there was an actual hockey game to be played and the Blackhawks were pretty red hot coming in. They had won 6 in a row and were 8-1-1 in their last ten games, including the home-and-home sweep of the Stars. Not too shabby for a team that started out 0-2 and had the mouth breathing windbags in a panic.
The Blackhawks open the game pretty well, especially on the road, drawing two penalties and earning an early 2 man advantage. Of course, they completely pissed it away in short order. Not only that, but they turned right around and gave the Blues a powerplay of their own. The Hawks escaped unscathed but they were just tempting fate, once again. The first was definitely an "up and down" one, and the Blues held the shot lead 8-6.
The second period began with the Blackhawks grabbing a quick 1-0 lead but after that both teams locked down their back ends. The Blackhawks led the middle period in shots 9-8, and Corey Crawford held them in the game. He was the only reason that the Blues didn't actually tie and/or take the lead.
The third period became a goaltending clinic both ways, continuing what Crawford already had started. Both netminders were absolutely outstanding, but Allen held the slight edge after the Blues were finally able to solve Corey Crawford late in the game. The Blackhawks actually led in shots 14-12, as well, which just goes to show that "score effects" is bullshit. The game went into overtime, but a carry over powerplay led to a quick Blackhawks goal, and win.
- About a minute and a half into the second period, the Blackhawks finally opened the scoring. Gustav Forsling jumped off the bench and was immediately set up for a long shot on Jake Allen. Allen had a clean look but kicked a fat rebound to the stick of Marian Hossa, who just swept it into the wide open net.
- Usually, I'm extremely critical of skill players getting punched in the brain box, but little guy Artemi Panarin dropped the gloves with Scottie Upshall in the heat of the moment and Panarin BEAT UPSHALL'S ASS. To put salt in the wound, just as Panarin came out of the box, following his 5 minute major in overtime, he scored the game winning goal to completely the Gordie Howe hat trick.
- The Blackhawks held the Blues to under 30 shots and led 30-28 overall. On the road, that's about all you can ask for.
- It only took Quenneville about 30 minutes to fire up the lineblender, swapping #DickFuckingPanik and Schmaltz.
- Gustav Forsling's footwork has shown to be less than adequate at times. With a Blues forward bearing down at the attacking blue line, he tried to cross over and tripped over his own feet. This isn't the first time we've seen that happen, either. That's no different than John Scott doing that in his first Blackhawks game.
- Patrick Kane had a pretty clear breakaway in the third period and wasn't able to get a clean shot off due to the defender zeroing in on him and a poke check by Jake Allen.
- With just over two minutes left in the game, the Blues were able to finally beat Crawford. This was a few mere minutes after Mark Lazarus had to proclaim this bit of snarkiness:
Corey Crawford five minutes from his third shutout in five games, and jinxes aren't real. #Blackhawks
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) November 10, 2016 - Tyler Motte missed his first game due to injury, just in time for Andrew Desjardins to return to the lineup.
- The Blackhawks had an early 5-on-3 and weren't able to generate more than a few initial shots, and had no rebound support whatsoever. Even worse, they almost gave up a shorthanded breakaway while attempting to throw Nick fucking Schmaltz out on the powerplay point. When has this kind of thing EVER worked, outside of Patrick Sharp? The answer is NEVER. Not even with Teravainen, who was a better player at the time.
- The Blues got a third period powerplay when Alex Steen completely embellished a trip, and got away with it. Jonathan Toews had his stick near Steen's feet and Steen took one of the slowest, most pathetic dives ever attempted.
- If you're not going to play Vinny Hinostroza, send him to Rockford. Whoever is responsible for this charade, knock the shit off.
- Artem Anisimov was hurt in the second period and did not come out for the third, ending his career high 11 game point streak. Nick Schmaltz filled in but really did nothing.
- The much ballyhooed about Nail Yakupov was a healthy scratch for the Blues, again. I guess the Blackhawks missing out wasn't such a disaster, eh?
- Panarin was a monster with a plus 14 Corsi.
- The 4th line took a beating in possession. Rasmussen, Desjardins and Tootoo were -15, -6, and -3 overall respectively. Rasmussen took a big hit because he spends so much time on the PK, but those guys were all still under water 5-on-5.
Left Wing - Center - Right Wing
Schmaltz - Toews - Kane
Panarin - Anisimov - Hossa
Hartman - Kruger - Panik
Desjardins - Rasmussen - Tootoo
Keith - Campbell
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Hjalmarsson