Blackhawks vs. Capitals 6-0 Loss Recap

"Bad Groove"

By Patrick Norton

Coming off of a four game homestand sweep, the Blackhawks headed to Washington DC to the surging Capitals. Both teams coming off of victories, this would be the first true test of the New Year for Chicago since playing St. Louis in the Winter Classic. Corey Crawford would start in goal in the Chicago crease, while Braden Holtby would stand two hundred feet away guarding the net for the Capitals. With Rozsival breaking the lineup and Michal Kempny in a press box somewhere, the Blackhawks were disadvantaged from the start. But one defenseman doesn’t make that big of a difference, right? Right?!

No, one defenseman won’t make a detrimental impact on a game, but when each defensive pairing is God awful, that’s where you have your detrimental impact. First period got off to a bang when Corey Crawford was forced to make a sequence of tough saves one minute in the frame. Crawford was standing on his head until #NotedHawksKillerJayBeagle put the Caps up one. Among the five skaters on the ice for Chicago were Michal Rozsival, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Andrew Desjardins… coincidence? Not at all. After that, it was an avalanche of goals and the defense imploded. Off of the ensuing faceoff, the Capitals quickly entered the zone and with a beautiful succession of passes from Ovechkin to Oshie and over to the goal scorer, Niklas Backstrom, the Capitals had tallied their second goal in just thirteen seconds. Later in the period, a Crawford mishandle and the pure incompetence of Brent Seabrook on defense gave an open opportunity to Brett Connolly and he buried in past Crow to end the first period with the Capitals ahead, 3-0.

The second period brought a few chances for the Blackhawks early and it seemed like Vinnie Hinostroza had finally broken through for the Blackhawks. But after a lengthy review, Marian Hossa was ruled to have interfered with Holtby and the score remained with the Blackhawks scoreless. A few minutes after the review, Tom Wilson put one past Crawford while van Riemsdyk and Campbell were the pairing on the ice. Heading into the third, the Hawks were still slumbering and now trailed, 4-0.

The final straw for Crawford’s night came in the third period when #AmericanHeroTJOshie put the fifth puck behind the Stanley Cup champion netminder. Scott Darling was inserted into the game, but by then, this game was over. Darling let in one, a rebound picked up by Jay Beagle, and finally, the game was over. Capitals stay hot and take this one, 6-0.

The Good

• The Capitals

The Bad

• My night. Had to babysit, so I watched this game after I knew the final score. That obviously made me excited to watch this game, right? Instead of watching the game, I was stuck playing “Clue,” watching Shark Tank and eating Domino’s. Okay, maybe it wasn’t that bad, but still… Made a nice payday and had the kids clean up after themselves. It went swimmingly.

The Ugly

• I don’t think I’ve seen this poor of a defensive effort from the Blackhawks this season. Quickly being outplayed, they just gave up after the first goal of the first period. Disgusting and frustrating. Sure, Kempny probably wouldn’t have added much, but Rozsival was caught flat-footed far too often.
• The powerplay was absolute garbage. In fact, actual garbage could’ve had more possession time on the powerplay than the Blackhawks. Ridiculous. I noticed Jay Beagle getting a ridiculous amount of chances on a powerplay, but it took me a few seconds for it to register in my brain that the Capitals were the ones shorthanded. Beagle got off a decent shot when outnumbered four to one. How can you let that happen? Pathetic.
• In one week, I’ve been told that the Blackhawks will be made great again and the Capitals are draining the swamp. Not sure if I’m getting conversations confused, but I’m sticking with my gut. 
• I fast forwarded through the intermission reports, so I wasn’t graced with the vocal talent, or lack thereof, of Steve Konroyd, but if somebody would like to back me up, I’d be willing to bet my soul on the fact that his analysis was unbearable, per usual.
• Corey Crawford faced thirty shots without completing the game, had a horrendous defense in front of him, and stood on his head until the first goal was scored, but it doesn’t excuse the fact that he let up five tallies. Nobody wearing a Chicago sweater had a good night, but with Crawford having a good stretch as of late, this one jumps of the page. 
• Unless you’ve randomly skipped to this exact sentence, you’ve read my beratement of the defense tonight. But the offense’s alarm clock still hasn’t gone off. Time to... Panik? No, but this was a true embarrassment to the true capabilities of this team. 
• As I just mentioned, nobody wearing a Chicago sweater had a good night. That was a recurring theme on all three phases of the game. No excuse for this performance.
• This recap. It might be the shortest game recap the Puckin’ Hostile site has ever seen. Why? Because this game was a heap of nothingness. I had to watch all sixty minutes, but if I wasn’t writing this tonight, I’d be asleep before 2 AM. Wasn’t the case tonight. Sad.
• I haven’t done a #Fatrick’s Fatsy Stat segment in a while, but here’s a good one: Blackhawks won 12/43 faceoffs. That’s a whopping 27.9%! Still better than my grade in AP Environmental Science.
• The Hawks didn’t commit a single penalty all night. I’d put this in the good, but it stays down here for two reasons: Comic relief; It means that they gave up SIX EVEN STRENGTH GOALS. That. Is. Not. Good.
• This whole game was the definition of “The Ugly” section of this blog. This game being a part of this season is the equivalent of Fatrick being a part of this blog...UGLY.

Read More

Blackhawks vs. Capitals 3-2 Overtime Loss Recap

"Then You Got Hit" 

by Patrick Stankus
Tweet to #Fatrick

After traveling down I-55 to visit their rival St. Louis Blues, the Blackhawks returned home on Friday night to face the Washington Capitals. Coming into tonight's game, the Hawks were riding a seven game winning streak, while the Capitals were looking to find their elite Eastern Conference team status. With a couple teams in the Central Division struggling and the "Circus Trip" looming at the end of next week, its important for the Hawks to pad their point total now.

The first period featured the offense we would expect out of both of these teams. As good as the offense was, the goaltending was even better. The Hawks peppered the Capitals net with 13 shots, but were only able to beat Holtby once via the power play. That however wouldn't be enough for the Hawks enter the intermission with the lead. Jay Beagle tallied two goals in the opening frame to give the Capitals a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

As entertaining the first period was, the second was a goddamn bore. Holy shit. Aside from Corey Crawford leaving the game briefly, there was literally nothing to talk about. The Hawks had a power play opportunity with five minutes remaining, but it resembled that of a Jeb Bush Presidential campaign, and couldn't get anything going. After the 40 minute mark, the Hawks still trailed the Capitals 2-1.

The snore fest of a game continued into the third period, as there really wasn't much going on. Throughout the period Holtby made some big saves to preserve the Capitals one goal lead. For Christ's sake, there wasn't even a penalty to talk about. In the closing seconds, Artemi Panarin throw a puck on net, that was deflected by Brooks Orpik, right onto Marian Hossa's stick and he stuffed it in the net to tie the game at two.

In the ever exciting 3 on 3 overtime, through the first two minutes, neither team recorded a shot on net. Talk about thrilling. The lone shot of overtime came off of Marcus Johansson's stick and beat Corey Crawford to give the Capitals the 3-2 overtime win.

The Good

• Stick taps to both goalies tonight. Corey Crawford and Braden Holtby were outstanding. An honorable mention also goes to Scott Darling, who had to come in for a brief time in the second period. Darling was literally thrown into  the fire and had to stop a breakaway.
• Jump for joy, the Blackhawks power play finally scored a goal.
• Remember when Marian Hossa couldn't score his 500th career goal at the end of last year, and people deemed him "done"? Yeah, that was fun times, wasn't it?
• The Hawks stayed consistent at the dot. Tonight, they won 55% of the draws.

The Bad

• Corey Crawford gave us a scare in the second period as he pulled a Ben Bishop, and left the game briefly. What can you say, diarrhea can be a real bitch.
• Anytime Jay Beagle scores two goals on you, that calls for smashing your head off the wall.
• Patrick Kane had an off night as he was virtually invisible and was a -2.
• For a little bit, it looked like the Capitals were going to challenge Marian Hossa's goal. That would have been icing on the cake for how ridiculous challenges for goalie interference has gotten.
• Artem Anisimov missed the game. Hopefully the day to day status stays true to form and he returns for the next game.

The Ugly

• The Hawks second power play of the game was, insert your own awful adjective here.
• Somehow Jordin Tootoo managed over eight minutes of ice time. Simply amazing.
• The Hawks loss tonight cost me a goddamn Jimmy Johns sammich bet with the Capitals fan at home. I believe that is 5 bets in a row I've lost to him. (See my twitter avatar for the most costly one)

Read More

Blackhawks vs. Capitals 3-2 Win Recap

"Back In Time"

 
by Patrick Stankus

The Blackhawks returned to the ice on Sunday morning, yes morning, with some new faces as they took on the Washington Capitals. Andrew Ladd and Tomas Fleischmann both found their selves in the line up on Sunday, while Christian Ehrhoff enjoyed his first game with the Blackhawks in the press box, and Dale Weise, well we're still looking for Dale Weise. Sunday's game was also being billed as a potential "Stanley Cup Final preview" for the national audience. I would not be disappointed if that proved to be true.

Once the puck dropped, it didn't take long for the Blackhawks to dig themselves a hole. Andrew Desjardins put the Blackhawks shorthanded five minutes into the game by taking a high sticking. The Capitals wasted little in making the Hawks pay as Marcus Johansson opened the scoring. The Hawks though were able to answer right back. Patrick Kane responded just 31 seconds later to tie the game at 1. As the period wound down, both teams would have abbreviated power play chances, that neither could score on, and after one the game was tied at 1.

The second period saw the Blackhawks simply dominate the Capitals. The Hawks peppered Holtby with 14 shots, while benefiting from two power play chances in the middle frame. On the defensive, the Hawks held the Caps to just four shots in the period, but Crawford make a great save on one of the chances. As the period drew to a close, Jonathan Toews, while on the power play, would give the Hawks a 2-1 lead off a play set up by the skill of Teravainen. When the horn sounded ending the period, that's how score would remain with the Hawks on top 2-1.

The final 20 minutes got underway with both teams having quality chances. The Hawks however would find the iron twice that could have put the game away early on. As the period went on, the play turned a bit chippy and sloppy by both teams, with six penalties being called in the 3rd period. Just past the midway point of the period, Dennis Rasmussen would find himself all alone in the slot, and hammer home a loose puck kicked to him by #DickPanik from the corner to increase the Hawks lead to 3-1. After the Hawks took two penalties in the span of just over a minute, the Caps responded with a goal of their own to cut the Hawks lead to 3-2. The Hawks would kill off the remaining time of the last penalty, and withstand a flurry of an attack as the seconds wound down. The Hawks would go onto defeat the Capitals 3-2 in what was just a good old hockey game. If you didn't enjoy that, I apologize.


The Good

• Can we all sit back and enjoy that pass play from Teuvo on Toews' goal again. See this is what happens when Teuvo plays with NHL caliber players. It will be interesting to see what happens when Fleischmann and Weise join him on the 3rd line.
• Speaking of great plays. I will gladly take plays like the one by #DickPanik any day of the week that led to Rasmussen's goal. #DickPanik hustled to negate an icing calls, and then had the heads up play to kick the puck from the corner to a wide open Rasmussen who buried it. Goes to show how hard work pays off.
• Andrew Ladd had an assist in his return to Chicago, but I thought Tomas Fleischmann was very solid his debut as well. Neither looked out of place, which could be a good sign of things to come.
• For a change the Hawks dominated the Caps at the dot. This afternoon they won the faceoff battle 31-20.
• The #AK72Line opened the scoring with a goal by Kane, but it was nice to see balanced scoring. Toews added a power play goal, and the hustle of the #DickPanik led to a goal by the fourth line.
• While he was shaky at the start, Rozsival rebounded nicely to have a good game by Rozsival standards. In the end he was a +2, and was credited with a shot, four shot blocks, and five hits.

The Bad

• The first period saw the Blackhawks yield 17 shots to the Capitals. Not exactly the finest way to start a game.
• Andrew Desjardins had a glorious toe drag that led to a great backhand chance, but he nailed the post. The announcers would lead you to believe it was a spectacular save by Holtby, but we all know it was more of good old stone hands Desjardins not being able to finish.
• Evgeny Kuznetsov is a hell of a player, and that was a heads up play to bank the puck off of Crawford, but that is a terrible goal for Crawford to give up. Its a lazy play by a goalie when he can't cover the post like that.
• Sloppy, careless play nearly did in the Hawks in the final five minutes of the game. The Hawks took two penalties, which saw the Caps score and cut the Hawks lead to 3-2.

The Ugly

• These 11:30 am starts can go to hell. I guess it could be worse. We could be America's Hat and have this be a 9:30 am start.
• The Hawks took a total of five penalties today, two of which the Caps scored on. To say the penalty kill is struggling right now is an understatement. Dear Marcus Kruger, hurry up in your recovery.
• The Hawks yielded 30 shots to the Caps, 17 alone came in the first period. While the Hawks had 23 shots, and nine of those were from the first and third periods combined.
• It looks like someone built a wall around Dale Weise and he won't be here for about a week due to visa issues. That's just swell.

Read More

Blackhawks at Washington4-1 Loss Recap

D.C. Comical

by Patrick Stankus

After Wednesday night's rematch of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, the Blackhawks continued their brief two game road trip out east with a trip to the nation's capital. The Hawks were coming off a 3-0 shutout loss at the hands of the Flyers, and looking for redemption against a familiar face behind the bench in D.C. For a team coming off a shutout loss, the last coach you want to see if The Catfish Barry Trotz. Remember all those explosive games the Hawks had against the Predators?

As the puck dropped, it was quite obvious that one team was ready to go, and the other was stuck on the bus. The Capitals came out firing, but Scott Darling was able to keep the Capitals at bay. Just after 8 minutes in, the Caps would get on the board by way of a T.J. Oshie power play goal and jump into the lead. Late in the period, the Hawks would get their own opportunity on the power play, but couldn't muster anything and went into the locker room down one after the first period.

Early on in the second period, the Capitals would add to their lead, by way of a John Carlson shot, to go up 2-0 on the Hawks. As the period went on, the Hawks would finally find their legs and outplay the Caps for the majority of the remainder of the period. Artemi Panarin had a great chance to get the Hawks on the board, but he rang a wrist shot off the pipe. As the horn sounded the Hawks would still find themselves trailing 2-0.

The opening minutes of the third period would feature tallies by both teams. Just over two minutes in, Matt Niskanen would beat a screened Scott Darling from the shot to give the Caps a 3-0 lead. That lead would prove to be short lived as Viktor Svedberg would register his first career goal to cut the Caps lead back to two. That would end up being the closest the Hawks would get. Later in the period, a sweet passing play between Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ovechkin with Ovechkin putting the dagger in the net to seal the Hawks fate. When the horn sounded the final would end up being 4-1 in favor of the Capitals.

The Good

• The Hawks were a lot better in the second period, than the first. They ended up outshooting the Caps 17-7 and had a lot of quality chances.
• Thank the Lord we didn't have to see Troy Brouwer's mug tonight.

The Bad

• Just as I was going to give Shaw credit for having a strong game, he goes and takes a lazy, selfish slashing penalty. That's the Andrew Shaw I know.
• Aside from the second period, the Hawks lacked fire power, and frankly looked like they could give a rat's ass about playing.
• Keith, Teravainen, Tikhonov, and Baun all had solid nights. All ended up with a -2 on the night.
• Speaking of Baun, what's the point of using his "spark and energy" if he's going to be playing just over 8 minutes a night.
• I'm not panicking, but its quite clear the Hawks are turning into a bad piece of Swiss cheese with the holes they have. I looking at you back end defense, and left wing.
• I really wanted to put Viktor Svedberg in the good category, but its clear he's a work in progress. Despite that, I would like to see him stay up and get some more time.
• I understand that Viktor Tikhonov was trying to defend Jonathan Toews, but there's a time and place to retaliate. This isn't the KHL, we care about dumb penalties here.
• That was a nice finish by Andrew Desjardins in the second period. Oh wait, nevermind.

The Ugly

• The MoonCam made its return again tonight. Goddamn it NBC. Just as I give you credit for good coverage, you have to introduce something as stupid as the FoxTrax puck.
• Coach Q had no issues pressing the panic button, I mean the power button on the line blender. I'm not even going to waste my time listing them.
• The Hawks had a nice start to the game, being outshot 5-0 in the first 7 minutes.
• Goaltending wasn't an issue tonight, unlike some of you that always want to make it one because of a bad loss.
• Please CSN, get rid of Jamal Mayers. I'd actually rather listen to Konroyd. That is scary.
• ANDREW SHAW WAS THE BEST BLACKHAWK TONIGHT. That is a HUGE problem, and something I hope to never type again.

Read More

2015 Winter ClassicChicago Blackhawks at Washington Capitals3-2 Loss Recap

"White Wedding"

by Gatekeeper and @Patrick_Stankus

The Blackhawks traveled to the Nationals baseball Park in Washington DC, Thursday, for a shot at winning on one of the biggest stages the NHL has available, the 2015 Winter Classic. After much speculation, and a post warmups conversation on the ice with both teams, the NHL and players decided that the sunny weather was not enough of distraction to delay the start of the game. As a result, the puck was dropped at 12:20 PM, in sunny and warmer than expected Nationals Park.

The Blackhawks were out shot 8-7 and out scored 1-0 in the opening half of the first period. After the 10 minute mark, the team switched sides as to not give either an advantage with the glare and shadow issues. The Hawks were out shot 7-5 in the second half of the first, and each team had a goal. It looked like the shadows and glare would no longer be a factor for the rest of the game, so

The Blackhawks came out slow in the second period, but rebounded nicely to out shoot the Caps 13-7 and score the only goal of the period. There was action, but it was nothing like the first period.

The third period was more like the second, but the Caps were on the offensive. They out shot the Blackhawks 13-9, and scored the only goal very late, to win the game. Perfect way to kick off 2015.

The Good

• The first Blackhawks goal was with about 6 minutes remaining in the first period. Just moments after the Caps Backstrom was whistled for a penalty, Patrick Sharp beat Holtby with a long clean shot from the blue line through an Andrew Shaw screen.
• After the Blackhawks slow start to the second period, and about 3 minutes in, Toews, Hossa and Saad jumped on a loose puck behind the Caps net. The puck literally died right behind the Caps net and Hossa jumped on it. He kicked it out to El Capitan, who immediately shoveled it to Saad, and into a wide open net.
• Crawford was not terrible, nor was he great. Saving 32 of 35 is admirable, but the last 2 goals were just so-so at best.

The Bad

• The Caps took a 2-0 lead after the halfway point of the first period. The Caps caught the Hawks 3rd defensive pair out on the ice and neither Rundbland nor Rozsival could get a hold of a rebound in front of Crawford. Ovechkin swooped in buried the puck, putting the Blackhawks in an early hole.
• Late in the first period, Backstrom and Ovechkin had a clean 2-on-1 and all Blackhawks fans started sweating. Luckily for the Hawks, Ovechkin forces an awful pass and they never even got a shot off.
• The adequate Kris Versteeg was hurt blocking a shot early in the third period and went off the ice in distress. That could be ugly for him and throw the recent chemistry off a bit.

The Ugly

• Big middle finger from Pat to AT&T U-Verse after he lost his service midway through the first period.
• The camera angles were fucking terrible. NBC insisted on using the stupid robocam on the wire, and it was useless. Here are a few examples of the annoying, useless angles:
  
  
  
• The first goal of the game, a 4-on-4 goal, was a pretty ugly for Brent Seabrook. He was unable to control a loaded grenade and the bouncing pass squirted past him. Eric Fehr was on the move and blew right past Seabrook, resulting in a breakaway. Fehr made a little backhand/forehand move and tucked the puck in around Crawford's leg.
• We have talked about Corey Crawford and the fact that he has started slow in almost every game since coming back from his injury, and this one was no exception. Not only has he been starting slow, but the way he has been waving his glove at the puck is wasted effort. Something is up.
• The Blackhawks came out in the second period and gave up two quality chances off the post. Not the ideal way to start after a bad first.
• The Hawks blew a long 5-on-3 in the middle of the second period that could have blown the game wide open. Instead they used it as an opportunity to show just what Clown Shoes their powerplay is, at this point. Enjoy our pain, NHL.
• The final goal of the game, and game winner, was scored with 12.9 seconds. If you wanted a storyline, this was it. Former Blackhawk Troy Brouwer was able get a hold of a loose puck, on the powerplay, after Ovechkin was stopped by a Brandon Saad Paul Bunyan impression, and surprise Crawford. This was all set up by a terrible hooking call against Jonny Toews. All that said, the Blackhawks had the 5-on-3, and 6 total powerplays. You knew a makeup call was coming.
• Even after Versteeg went out hurt, Gorilla Salad only played THREE shifts. Why is this happening? It makes zero sense. It was equally annoying that he ran around in his first couple of shifts trying to start shit.
• Who knew? Gavin DeGraw is not this guy
  
  I wanted to see the guy from the Love Boat sing.

The Lineblender
Saad-Toews-Hossa
Versteeg-Richards-Kane
Sharp-Shaw-Bickell
Carcillo-Kruger-Smith

Keith-Seabrook
Oduya-Hjalmarsson
Rundblad-Roszival

Read More

Capitals 3 - Blackhawks 2 Loss Recap

Catfish (The) Hunter

Heading into Friday's game with the Capitals, most of the talk had been centered around this game being a Winter Classic preview. However, the main focus should have been around the Capitals and their new coach, but not new to the Blackhawks, Barry Trotz. Once again Trotz's coaching style managed to frustrate the Blackhawks, with the Capitals taking a 3-2 win in Chicago.

The game started off with no flow, as numerous whistles dominated the opening minutes. Shortly after the sluggish start, the Blackhawks dominated the play, as Brandon Saad got the scoring started late in the 1st period.

Early in the 2nd period, the Blackhawks continued their dominate play, with Duncan Keith adding a tally while on the power play. Yes, you heard correct, on the power play. However as dominate the Blackhawks were, they decided to take their foot off the gas with 5 minutes remaining in the 2nd. A bad pinch by Brent Seabrook, led to a Capitals 2 on 1, and Andre Burakovsky cutting the lead in half. Then in the final minute of the period, the Capitals managed to score 2 goals in 42 seconds to end the period. Despite outplaying the Capitals for the first 35 minutes of the game, the Blackhawks found themselves trailing after 2.

From then on the Catfish's coaching tactics took over. Yes, the Blackhawks managed to pepper the net in the 3rd, but a lot of those shots were one and done opportunities. Braden Holtby stopped all 13 shots he faced in the 3rd, en route to the 3-2 win.

The Good

- The first 35 minutes of the game, the Blackhawks were on another level compared to the Capitals, giving us a sample of the team we are used to seeing
- Peter Regin had a nice game for someone just being called up from Rock Vegas
- Broken record, but Andrew Shaw continues to go to the front of the net, now if only the rest of the team would realize how this works.

The Bad

- The power play was 1 of 3 on the night. Baby steps people, baby steps.
- Once again the Hawks registered 40 shots, but only found the back of the net twice.
- In keeping with the shot theme, the Hawks had 18 shots blocked. Time to start skating and finding the open shooting lanes.

The Ugly

- Allowing a goal in the final minute of a period is never a good thing. Allowing 2 (1 of which was in the final 5 seconds) is a recipe for disaster, and in my opinion should get you a loss. Hockey is a 60 minute game. The Hawks need to realize that.
- Brent Seabrook had an awful game. A bad pinch by him led to the 1st Capitals goal, and the 2nd Capitals goal was redirected off of his stick. Hey, we're all bound to have a bad game every now and then.
- The Blackhawks had 9 giveaways. Time to start taking a little bit better care with the puck.
- Seeing Troy Brouwer back at the UC.

Read More

Banner RaisingBlackhawks vs Capitals - Win Recap

"Hit The Lights"

Game 1 2013. After the unbelievable summer the Blackhawks just had, it was time to start all over again. This time as defending Stanley Cup Champs. The banner was raised, and the season began. Once the cup circus was over it was time to put it all behind them and get this train rolling. Before we get to that, let's relive it just one more time.


The Hawks opened up a lead, early on, and then another lead later in the period, after Washington tied it up. Despite the Hawks lead, they were out shot 13-8 for the opening twenty minutes. A couple of bad penalties were pretty much the key to that shot differential.

The Hawks started out as flat as could be in the first half of the middle period and it cost them the lead. As they got their feet back under them, a fortunate powerplay goal ended up putting the Blackhawks back up by one going into the final frame. The Hawks dominance in the second half of the period was clear by their clownish shot total of 18-6.

The Hawks lost their lead early in the third period, but then came back to finish strong, eventually pulling out a 6-4 win and outshooting the Caps 34-32. 1-0 on a night where focus could have very easily been lost. THey have a lot of work, but a win is a win.

The Good

• Just 4 minutes into the game and the last person anyone would have picked to score the first goal of the 13-14 season put the Blackhawks up 1-0.
  
  
  Yeah, THAT guy. Brandon Bollig continued his hot play by fighting through a check and picking up a Nik Hjalmarsson rebound to Holtby's right. After gathering the few wits he has, and his stick, he jammed it into the gaping net. Don't get to used to that. 1-0 Hawks!
• Just mere seconds after the Ovechkin goal, Toews and Kane just marched right into the zone and put the Hawks back up by one. The Caps defense let El Capitan walk in and eventually feed Crazy 8s. Kane had about a day and a half to pick Holtby apart, thanks to what can be best described at "lax" defense. The kid just did what he does, and by that I don't mean get drunk and insult drunken Madison Wisconsin trixies. He lit the lamp.
• The fourth line was the most consistent line in the first period, and they were rewarded with the first goal. They were one of the better lines in the second period as well. This Nordstrom kid might be a find....he just needs to be counted on a little less on the PK. We'll get to that later.
• Carter Seven put the Blackhawks back up, on the powerplay. Yeah, the Hawks scored a powerplay goal in GAME 1! A fat Hossa rebound trickled into the slot and Seabrook buried it, immediately after Doc, Eddie and the little penis with glasses just spoke at length about the Hawks previous troubles with the powerplay.
• Manchild scored his first goal of the season about eight minutes into the third period, when he worked a perfect give-n-go at the Caps blue line with old man Zeus. Zeus threaded the needle and his Saad on the tape, behind two Caps defenders. This tied the game back up at 4-4.
• With six minutes remaining a Brandon Saad keep in ended up going over to Johnny Oduya. Oduya's shot looked like it was going wide but Holtby still casually played it, waving at it and knocking it into his own net. A gift that put the Hawks back up 5-4 for good.
• Sharp and Nordstrom ended in the box late in the third period, giving the Caps a 5-on-3. Surprisingly, to every one in the building and watching on TV, the Blackhawks killed it off.
• Hossa finished off the Caps when he raced in on the open net and was hauled down. Game, set, match.
• Hjalmarsson and Oduya were both plus 4 on the night. Nice start gents. Since all the goals against were on the powerplay, everyone was even or plus, except Deuce, who was a minus 1. Oddly enough, Hjalmarsson was a plus 4, but had 3 giveaways.
• I know this will come as a shock, but the Hawks actually beat the Caps at the dots, 52% to 48%. That's about as much as we can ask for, from this team.
• not only did they win the battle at the dots, but they OUT HIT the Caps. Seriously, we all need to buy a lottery ticket, because this will NEVER happen again.

The Bad

• A Brandon Bollig penalty ended up an Ovechkin goal about halfway through the first period. The new PK duo of Kruger and Nordstrom got to watch Captain Tramp Stamp put them in their place. As pass across the crease was redirected by Hjalmarsson right to the tape of Ovechkin, who just beat Crawford high glove. 1-1
• Halfway through the second period Handzus disappeared into the locker room. Stop me if you didn't see this one coming.
• Grabovski tied the game at 2 about half way through the game. Keith got caught with his head down and deep in the Caps zone, leaving everybody's favorite corpse, Rozy-Val, to fend for himself with a 2-on-1 bearing down. Grabovski really didn't even sell the pass, and just blew a shot past Crawford.
• Mike Green was thought to have scored the Caps second powerplay goal just a couple of minutes into the third period to tie the game back up. El Capitan lost the faceoff deep in the Hawks zone, and the puck was quickly worked to Green. Green just sized up Crawford and beat him stick side. Lets not forget that this was the best powerplay in the league last year. Something we're not used to seeing in Chicago. The goal was later given to Grabovski, so whatever.
• Green and Grabovski hooked up for the second Caps powerplay goal of the third period to put the Caps up for the first time. An iffy Rozsival penalty led to the powerplay.

The Ugly

• Just prior to the third Caps goal, Doc and Eddie seemed to miss that it looked like Crawford was having an issue on the ice. I originally thought it was an injury, and it may have been, but they were babbling about water bottles or some shit.
• Three powerplay goals against is completely fucking unacceptable. Once you give up two, and you have to change shit around. You can't keep trotting the same nags (I'm staring daggers through you Nordstrom) out there to get their asses kicked over and over. It's the kid's first NHL game. Don't keep throwing him to the wolves, and I don't mean the Wolves that play a few miles west.
• Toews took a high elbow to the dome in the third which made the buttholes of all the Blackhawks faithful clench.
• 4 points for Grabovski. For all those who thought I was insane for thinking the Hawks might be able to use him between Sharp and Hossa, SUCK IT! For that matter, Toronto can suck it, too.

The Lineblender

Kane-Toews-Bickell
Sharp-Handzus-hossa
Saad-Shaw-Hayes
Bollig-Kruger-Nordstrom

Keith-Seabrook
Oduya-Hjalmarsson
Rozsival-Leddy
The Video Highlights

Read More

Preseason: Blackhawks vs. CapitalsOT Win Recap

"Path to Prevail"

The Blackhawks were at home Saturday night to close out the preseason against the Washington Capitals. This is the same Washington team that they will face on Tuesday, to raise the 2013 banner. This would be the last chance some of the kids have to impress the Blackhawks brass. No need to bore you with a preseason preview.

The Hawks opened up a 1-0 lead in an unusually penalty filled first period, on twelve shots. In turn, they held the Caps to only 4 shots. It certainly seemed like the Caps had more, but that's what the scorer says.

The Hawks had an even better second period, despite giving up a goal. The Blackhawks out shot the Caps once again, 14-5 and matched the Caps goal with one of their own.

The third period was bit of a shit show, with the Hawks giving up 2 goals on 5 shots and scoring one of their own. Not the tightest defensive period, to say the least. Nonetheless, the Hawks were headed to overtime with the Caps.

The Hawks didn't look pretty doing it, but they pulled out a 4-3 overtime win.

The Good

• Shooter set up our very own mouth breather for a Hawks 1-0 lead with 6 minutes gone in the first period to open up the scoring. Sharp wormed his way all the way around the Caps zone, and once he shed two defenders, he dished the puck to Leddy. Leddy just snapped the puck past Holtby's glove.
• Leddy scored his second of the game with 12 minutes remaining in the second period. Two Hawks were screening Holtby and he really didn't have much help.
• About 7 minutes into the third period, Jimmy Hayes and Brandon Saad came in on a 2-on-1 that Hayes kept to himself and snapped by Holtby to take the lead back for the Hawks. That's exactly what an NHL player SHOULD do, give the time and space. Glad to see Purple Hazer getting on the board.
• Andrew Shaw continued to just come up huge when needed, picking up a Brookbank rebound and stuffing it past Holtby two minutes into the overtime. Queue up the Daggar.
• The Hawks actually clowned another team at the dots to the tune of 61%
• Marcus Kruger really had a good game playing with Smith and Sharp. It could only get better with a weapon like Hossa on his side. Considering that Handzus won't be able to make it through 82 game much less the playoffs, they'll need someone that can step in.
• Brandon Bollig actually looked like a force against the Caps Cajkovski. In the preseason I can deal with a silly fight.

The Bad

• About halfway through the first, the Hawks had a goal negated when Kruger plowed into the crease and interfered with Holtby. Not only did they lose a goal but they drew a penalty for goaltender interference.
• A great save by Braden Holtby at the Caps end turned around and into a half breakaway by Grabovski and a Caps goal. Sharp had a great backdoor chance that Holtby slickly kicked away and before the Hawks knew it, they were chasing Grabovski and picking the puck out of the net.
• Johansson caught Khabibulin over pursuing the play to his right and tied the game up with almost 5 minutes spent in the third period. This was only the Caps 11th shot of the game. I'll give Khabby the breakaway goal, but this was one he needed to make. Johansson was at a sharp angle, and should have had nothing to shoot at. Khabibulin will need to be much tighter than that, this year.
• The Caps Joel Ward got position on Keith and tapped in a Chimera pass to tie the game up once again, five minutes remaining in the third period. Clearly not a fuck was given, and Keith was phoning this one in. More on that later...

The Ugly

• Keith and Roszival were a combined minus 6. That's all you need to know about that dynamic duo.
• Powerplay...
  

The Lines

Kane-Toews-Bickell
Sharp-Kruger-Smith
Saad-Shaw-Hayes
Bollig-Pirri-Nordstrom

Keith-Roszival
Oduya-Kostka
Leddy-Brookbank

Read More

Preseason:Blackhawks at WashingtonShootout Win Recap

"Tripping Over Tombstones"

After the previous night's shootout loss at home to Pittsburgh, the Hawks wasted no time heading to DC to face the Caps. Nothing like the hair of the dog, to lick their wounds. Not much need for a preview, other than this being the first extended look at Antti Raanta. On with the hockey goodness....

It didn't take long for the Hawks to surrender a lead, but came back later and tied the game up. The Hawks also out shot the Caps 12-7, which made for a pretty good start.

The second period opened up offensively, with the Hawk potting 3 goals on 8 shots and the Caps netting 2 of their own, on 11 shots. A one goal lead going into the third, would be interesting, and short lived.

The only goal in the third was from the Caps. That was enough to send the game to overtime and, eventually, a shootout. This time the Hawks were able to come up with a different result and win the game 5-4.

The Good

• Dylan Olsen tied the game up at 1 with about 6 minutes remaining in the first period. Olsen trailed the play and had about 6 days to pick his spot. The result was Olsen nicely beating Neuvirth. That's the kind of play the Hawks have been looking for.
• Jeremy Morin put the Hawks up 2-1 about 4 minutes into the second period with a pretty rush right through the middle of the neutral zone that was almost a full end to end rush. He fought through 2 defenders and snapped a long wrist shot past Neuvirth.
• Veteran camp invitee Brad Winchester blew a shot past Neuvirth just past the halfway point of the second period to put the Hawks back up by one, 3-2. The goal was pretty brutal and from a really tight angle but, hey, we'll take it. That ended Neuvirth's night.
• Brandon Bollig scored his second goal in as many nights, late in the second period, to put the Hawks up 4-2. Hartman and Clendening worked a nice passing play, and Bollig snapped one past an out of position Leggio. Welcome to the show, kid!
• Raanta didn't have a bad game. Three of the four goals left him hung out to dry. I'd like to see more of him with something actually resembling defense in front of him.
• Olsen had a goal and an assist, which is promising. He really needed to turn his play around.
• After seeing two games of Ryan Hartman, I have to say he doesn't look terribly out of place. I would have expected some more young mistakes, and I didn't see that.

The Bad

• The Stanton/Brookbank shitshow continued in the second, shortly after the Morin goal. Toews won a faceoff deep in the Hawks zone, and the wonder twins got caught in below the goal line. The puck worked it's way over to Burakovsky, who just one touched it to Tom Wilson. Wilson somehow pounded it past Raanta, tying up the game
• Just over minute after the Bollig goal, Eric Fehr, Jason Chimera, and Joel Ward just worked through the Stanton/ Brookbank shitshow. 4-3 Hawks late in the second.
• Captain Tramp Stamp tied the game back up at 4-4 about half way through the third period, on the powerplay. Leaving number 8 on the backdoor for a one timer is a bad idea. Write that one down, Baby Blackhawks.
• El Capitan was the only Hawks center over 50%, which is pretty much the "same ol, same ol".

The Ugly

• The Hawks gave up a 1-0 lead not even 1:30 into the game, as Backstrom, Ovechkin, Carlson and Johansson put on a clinic around Stanton and Brookbank. Stanton was caught high in the Hawks zone, chasing the puck around like a puppy, and Raanta had no chance whatsoever to stop the backdoor play. Slick start, there, boys. Stanton gave another prime chance to Johansson later in the first. Not a good period for Stanton
• Dylan Olsen gave Nick Leddy a suicide pass behind the Hawks net 6 minutes into the game, and Leddy was absolutely ragdolled by Chimera. Olsen needs to pony up a few dinners after that one, because Leddy's eggs was damn near scrambled.
• Stanton and Brookbank got fucking CLOWNED all night. They were a combined minus 6. I'm not a Brookbank fan, so I couldn't care less if he was around. There are plenty of other kids that could fill that spot.
• Kyle Beach's only contribution to the game, was a late him check on Wilson that incurred a kerfuffle, and got Beach a bloody nose.

The Shootout

• Chimera met Raanta's glove.
• El Capitan schooled the hell out of Leggio
• Ovechkin was beaten by Raanta's 5-hole.
• Hartman had Leggio beat, but couldn't stuff it in.
• Raanta stopped Backstrom to win the game.

The Lines

11 MORIN - 19 TOEWS - 25 WINCHESTER
12 BEACH - 14 LeBLANC - 15 McNEILL
24 DANAULT - 42 NORDSTROM - 22 HAYES
52 BOLLIG - 16 KRUGER - 38 HARTMAN

17 BROOKBANK - 55 STANTON
8 LEDDY - 34 OLSEN
44 DAHLBECK - 49 CLENDENING

Read More

Blackhawks vs. Capitals - Win Recap

"Season in the Abyss"



The Blackhawks welcomed a team that has underachieved more than the Hawks have this year. The 8th place Washington Capitals. They have been about almost as hot as the Hawks in their last 10 games, matching the Hawks 6-3-1. With the potential firepower this team had, the Hawks could find themselves in a hole fast, if they didn't come out focused. Could the home team pull out a win in Linesman Dan Schachte's last NHL contest, in Chicago, right where it all began?

For the second game in a row, the Hawks opened up a fast lead and played suffocating defense, to go into the first intermission leading 2-0 and out shooting the Caps 12-3. The second was a little more ever, with both teams netting two goal, but the Hawks had 12 more shots, as compared to the Caps 8. A solid third period should bring the Hawks 2 big points. The third was, pretty much, a stalemate as neither team could add to the score, minus the obligatory empty netter. When the final horn sounded, the Hawks had a convincing 5-2 win.

The Good

• Shock&Shaw opened up the scoring for the Blackhawks just under 4 minutes into the game. Shaw pulled a nice toe-drag and shot deep in the Caps end, and the puck popped out into the slot and Keith beat Neuvirth off a Shaw deflection for a pretty quick 1-0 lead.
• Pick to Click Vik gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead using his great speed to surprise and beat the Caps defender Orlov, four minutes after Shaw's goal. Stalberg beat Orlov to the puck and he took the puck hard to the net beating Neuvirth. 2-0 Hawks with under 10 minutes gone.
• It took Washington 16 minutes and a Hawks powerplay to get a shot on net in this game. That's just pathetic no matter WHO you're playing.
• Kaner put the Hawks back up by 2 goals, with a beautiful give-n-go with Brunette, to make the Caps defense look like clown shoes. Credit Bruno with some serious patience, to draw the defense and Neuvirth out of the net. Once the puck got to Kaner, the entire net was gaping. If he missed that, people would be calling his immediate trade.
• Shock&Shaw gave the Hawks a 4-1 lead with a pretty wraparound, even though it SHOULD have been stopped. The Washington defense looked like they couldn't care less, and let Shaw take control of the puck, go entirely around the net and hit the far side of the net. Neuvirth really should have been able to pressure him, but the Hawks will take it.
• Bickell scored a long distance empty netter, from center ice, to close out the game. It is what it is.
• I'll take 65% at the dots any day of the week. All Hawks centers and even Sharpie were over 55%. Not bad without the Captain!
• Bolland and Seabrook led the Hawks with a plus 3. After the last couple games, it looks like Invisibolly is rearing his ugly rat head. None of the Caps centers did anything, and you can bet The Rat had a hand in that.
• With two goals and an assist for Shaw, this kid is out kicking his coverage by a long shot. I keep waiting for the honeymoon to end and he keeps making things happen.

The Bad

• Ovechkin put on a SHOW beating the Hawks 1-on-3 and then undressing Keith, to bring the Caps back within 2 goals. He brought the puck from deep in his zone and took it up the left boards. Once he got over the blue line, he pulled it behind himself, and between his own legs to open up space to beat Crawford, who was far too deep in his net. Total highlight reel goal.
• Neuvirth absolutely stoned Brunette on a backdoor chance. Everyone in the stadium and at home was sure that was going to be goal #5 and Neuvirth made the stop. Neuvirth also made a nice sprawling save, just previous to that, on Kane. Leave it up to Washington to waste some nice stops with piss poor defense.
• Just wondering, Troy Brouwer lovers, did he dress last night? If he did play, he did a whole bunch of just what he did in Chicago, NOTHING. He's turned into Bryan Bickell with a much fatter contract. At this point Brouwer has 10 more goals, and the same amount of assists, with significantly more playing time. If Bickell didn't crawl into a whole for about 30 games he's be right on pace. Last year, Bickell had 37 points, and currently, Brouwer has 31. That's roughly $1.8 million for the same numbers. Clamor all you'd like, but Brouwer is/was over rated and over paid.
• Hits were in favor 26-13. Again, all the meatheads can grunt and growl all they'd like, but that stat is HIGHLY over rated. The Caps were never in control of this game.

The Ugly

• Knuble cut the Hawks lead in half, when Hammer decided that the Hawks must have been wearing white and landed a pass right onto the stick of Keith Aucoin. Aucoin sent it over to an open Knuble, who beat Crawford on the back side one timer. Nik Hjalmarsson, you sir, dicked the dog. Get your head out of your rectum!
• For all the praise he was given in the pregame jerk off session, Dennis Wideman certainly threw out a stinker on national television, going -3.

Here are your video highlights:

Read More

Blackhawks at Capitals - Preseason Recap

The Blackhawks went into Washington with a few key team members sitting out. Regardless, The Capitals dressed all their big names. In another storyline, this was the first time the Hawks were going to face former Hawk Troy Brouwer. I'm sure there was a lot of trash talking on the ice from his former mates.

The first period of Sunday's action began with the Caps dominating the play. The Caps went up 2-0 early and the Hawks were able to manage a powerplay rebuttal, but they looked out of sorts all period. The Hawks seemed to shore things up in the second period and both teams were held scoreless. This can no doubt be attributed to the fact that the Hawks stayed out of the penalty box. The third period was pretty much the same story as the first, as far as penalties go. The Hawks were the unlucky recipients of a questionable major call, and that's was what killed them. The Caps put in an empty netter, and the Hawks ended up a 4-1 loser. Blah, Blah, On to the regular season.

The Good

• The Hawks finally answered Washington pressure on a powerplay, with Kaner trying to wrap the puck around the post which was covered by Neuvirth. The puck made it out to Hossa on the back side of the net, and Neuvirth made the save, but the rebound lay there for Hoss to beat into the net.
• One Trick Bick made a very nice rush up the ice, in the second period, and almost pushed the puck past Neuvirth, in a Datsyukian fashion. The puck hit the post and PROBABLY went over the line, but there would have been no footage that would have shown that. Unfortunate for Bick, and the Hawks.
• The Hawks powerplay had some excellent looks in the second period, but as has been the case, the Hawks couldn't finish. If these guys can just finish, it's going to be unfair, this season. Hossa-Kaner-Brunette controlled the puck 95% of the powerplay, and even the fancy pants behind the back blind pass to Hossa, by Kane, clicked like they'd done it 1000 times before.

The Bad

• The Hawks started out slow AGAIN, getting outshot 6-1 in the opening minutes, and ended up the first being outshot 15-7.
• The first goal of the game was, of course, scored by the Caps Mathieu Perreault. It all began with Mike Green faking Marcus Kruger out of his diaper, with a little shimmy. Green then skated over to his right a stride and put the shot on net. The shot squirted through Crawford, and lay in the crease for Perreault to one hand it over the line.
• Aaaaaand goal number two by Brooks Laich all started with a turnover by Big Slow. Laich ended up with the puck and snapped a laser top shelf. Someone needs to pick up a free forward that's wide open heading towards the net.
• If the Hawks want to spend the majority of periods killing penalties, they aren't going to manage much consistant pressure, at all. They HAVE to stop playing with sloppy sticks.
• This may be critical, but Montador has had a rough preseason.
• I'm really starting to get sick of Kruger NOT believing in himself enough to actually lay a hit on someone. He had a prime chance to lay a big hit on a Caps forward in the second, and just turned away. You have to not only be able to absorb a hit in the NHL, but you have to be able to lay one, kid.
• For some odd reason, Nick Leddy couldn't seem to figure out that Sami Lepisto was a lefthanded shot, and gave him opposite side passes on the powerplay.
• The Caps third goal can be blamed on a questionable call that put the Hawks on penalty kill for 5 minutes, which was followed up by a Hawks slashing call that left the Hawks shorthanded by two men for a minute and six seconds. It's only a matter of time for a team like the Caps to score on an advantage like that. Mike Green was the lucky recipient. It's expected at some point.
• 36 shots are far too many shots go give up. Even though the #1 defensive pair was Nick Leddy and Sami Lepisto, that's no excuse. This team thrives on somewhere between 25-30 shots.

The Ugly

• Foley called Jimmy Hayes "Jimmy Olsen" for a full shift. I'm not sure what he was drinking, but I'd like some. Were we at the Daily Planet?
• "Somehow Brouwer was unable to pull the trigger". The story of his time in Chicago.
• I have no earthly idea what Peter LeBlanc got a 5 minute major for, but it was an awful call. Give someone a little shove that comes up high is part of hockey. He wasn't trying to injure anyone. That was a 2 minute penalty AT MOST

Here are the video highlights for your viewing pleasure:

Read More

Blackhawks vs Capitals - Preseaon Recap...Sort of

Since the game wasn't on TV and I had to listen to the Caps radio feed, here is all I could come up with based on the radio and limited video highlights:

-The Ward goal was fairly average. Long shot from very high in the slot by Ovechkin that he tipped in. Crawford was probably screened, and doesn't have much help on tipped shots.

-I'm not really sure who pissed in his corn flakes, but Pick-to-Click Vik was an absolute BEAST. Two goals, even more chances, and he was, should I say, DOMINANT?. Could he be hitting his stride?

-First Hawks fight of the season: Megamind Mayers, against Chicagoan, and Former Hawks Prospect, Danny Richmond.

-First Hawks goal: Nice feed from Saad, who drew the defender to him, and then dumped it off to Stalberg on the back door. Put it on the board.

-Second Hawks goal: Vik blazed around the Caps defender Sean Collins, and Vokoun was drawn down and out of the net. Wraparounds are always bad goals for a goalie to give up.

-Second Caps goal was a BRUTAL giveaway by The Matador in the Hawks zone. Hendricks picked it up and did what and NHL player SHOULD do, given the opportunity.

-The game winner by Saad was a snipefest. Tazer drew two Washington defenders and dumped it off to Saad who sniped Vokoun top shelf. The kid had a hell of a game.

-Jimmy Hayes had 5 shots on net to lead the Hawks. At least he's getting it on net.

-Agent Smith lead all Hawks Forwards in ice time, and Duncs lead all Defensemen.

-No powerplay goals either way. Some powerhouses, eh?

-Nice comeback, and the line of Vik, Tazer, and Saad was obviously dominant


Here are the video highlights:

Read More

Capital "D" for Disgusted

St. Patricks Day and my birthday, makes for eventful weekend. A great way to end it, is the Blackhawks on national TV. Last year, was actually at this game and, if you remember, it was the game in which Brian Campbell was injured by Ovechtrick. The Hawks were up 3-0 and lost in overtime. It was the beginning of the "just how important is Soupie" experiment, and we all know how that went. Unfortunately, we got another taste of that today, as Campbell played his last shift in the second, with an apparent leg injury. Also, The Hawks were going to have to go at this one without Dave Bolland because of his foggy head from the elbow in the back of the head earlier in the week.

The Hawks came out with energy and even took a 1-0 lead, in the first, but a bad shorthanded goal took all momentum and swung it in the Caps direction. As a result, the Hawks went into the first intermission down 2-1. The only goal in the second period was from the Hawks, on a horrible goal, but it was about time the Hawks were on the good end of a break. They got another break when they scored within the last minute, to go to overtime. All that went for naught when the Hawks had a major defensive gaffe in their own zone and let the Caps win the game. They got a point, but that is not going to be good enough.

The Good

• Yeah, Pierre, the rookie goalie that has played a handful of games is so "unflappable". There is a reason 2 other goalies were playing ahead of him. Nick Leddy grabbed the Hawks a 1-0 lead on and pretty basic shot from the point. If I hear "unflappable" again, I'm going to have to find McGuire and beat his ass.
  
• TomoKop scored an impossible angle off the "unflappable" goalie, who made a men's league mistake, leaving his post early. It was 2-2 that easily.
  
• FINALLY, it's the Hawks that get a break at the end of the game. With the Crow on the bench for the extra attacker, Deuce took what looked like a bad shot wide, but was actually a pass off the back boards, that came out to El Capitan. J-T did what he does, and banked it off the Washington D-man Wiseman and the goalie Holtby. When the going gets tough, Jonny flexes his nuts Cobra Kai style.

The Bad

• Leave it up to the Hawks to completely destroy momentum by giving up a deplorable shorthanded goal. Sharpie half assed the play at the point, and it squirted past him, which sent Gordon in on a break. Seabrook was almost able to catch up to him, and Crawford had all the room in the world to cut that angle down. He HAS to make that save, on the road, up by one, with momentum, and ON A POWERPLAY.
  
• A soft penalty call in the offensive end, results in a powerplay goal, for Washington, in the final minutes of the first. Boss 81 had a chance the clear the zone and rushed it, off balance. Wideman was able to keep it in the zone and few moments later, the Hawks are down 2-1.
  
• Seabrook almost cost the Hawks, and provided a shorthanded chance to the Caps, when he decided to pinch in on a 50/50 puck that ended up a 20/80 puck. The Caps brought it in on a 2on1/3on2. Luckily the only shot ended up a bad angle one, that Crow was able to snuff.
  
• The play where Chimera ended up in a fight with Seabrook, it was incorrectly stated that his elbow hit Crow in the head. That is what we would commonly call a KNEE, gentlemen. Nonetheless, our most consistent d-man was off the ice for 5 minutes, because there is no one else that can use their size.
  
• Just as I'm screaming at my TV to get a whistle, so that Seabrook can get out of the box, Nick Leddy fails to see a forward that is wide open in the slot, and Brooks Laich took his glorious opportunity, and made the Hawks pay.
  
• Somewhere, somehow, Brian Campbell disappeared. Lets hope it's nothing serious.
  
• WHERE? Just WHERE in the hell were Keith and Campoli on the winning goal? It's four on four, in overtime, and you leave an opposing forward WIDE open in front of you net, with enough time to turn around to his forehand and stuff it in. That's just awesome. Clutch, guys, CLUTCH!
  
• There is a reason the Hawks preferred Frodo at wing. He was an anemic 2-9 at the dot, and Dowell wasn't AS bad at 5-12. Johnson and Toews were both over 50% which is fine. Brooks Laich was 7-8 against the Hawks.

The Ugly

• Holy balls. Those green Caps warm-up jerseys are hideous. Not even quirky, just plain UGLY. They might as well worn plaid kilts.
  
• God DAMN, I hate Pierre McGuire!!!
  
• Doc Emerick is getting senile in his old age. He called Braden Holtby, Crawford, and later stated that Nick Leddy scored the only Capitals goal. Stupidity is contagious.

Here are the video highlights for your viewing pleasure:

Read More