Blackhawks at LA Kings - 4-1 Win Recap

"Figure It Out"


The Blackhawks finished up their Western Coast swing in LA, Saturday night, against the defending champs. They came in 4-1 in another very successful circus trip, which is becoming commonplace. What better way to finish the Thanksgiving weekend than two of the top teams in the entire league.

The Blackhawks came out quick and took a lead in the first 2 minutes of the game, and then followed that up with another goal in the final 2 minutes of the first period, to take a 2-0 lead into the middle frame. They only out shot the Kings 9-8 but will certainly take it.

The Hawks and Kings were dead even for the second period, each scoring a goal, and each getting 8 shots. The Hawks had to be excited, going into their final period of the road trip.

The Hawks just clamped down in the third period, giving up only 4 shots. When the Kings pulled their goalie, the Hawks put the Kings to bed with an empty net goal, to end the Circus trip 5-1.

The Good

• Gorilla salad grabbed a Blackhawks lead just two minutes into the game, when a shot hit Quick and popped up into the air. Carcillo located the puck in mid air and bunted it into the net for a quick 1-0 Blackhawks lead.
• Right after the Blackhawks killed off a second first period powerplay, Versteeg chased down a loose put and spit it out to Richards, who caught a lucky carom off Quick and into the net. 2-0 Blackhawks
• Just a couple of minutes after the Kings cut the Blackhawks lead, the Blackhawks regained the 2 goal lead. Patrick Kane led the rush and fed Versteeg, who gathered the puck and fed Roszival. Roszival deked around the defender and hit Richards' tape for an easy back door goal. Love that Richards is beginning to come around.
• Sutter pulled his goalie with an inordinate amount of time left and, surprisingly, gave up a Saad empty netter.

The Bad

• The Blackhawks took two pretty iffy penalties in the first period, but were able to hold off the potent Kings powerplay.
• A Bryan Bickell failed clearing attempt turned into a Kings goal, as Jordan Nolan tipped a Jake Muzzin shot between Crawford's legs.
• We have to look for something bad, so the Blackhawks were only 45% at the dots.

The Ugly

• Quick falling down while playing the puck behind the net in the third period was pretty hilarious.
  
• With a minute and a half left, the Kings started a shitfest of stupid human tricks ending with a Gorilla Salad/Brayden McNabb fight.

The LineblenderSaad-Toews-Hossa
Kane-Richards-Versteeg
Carcillo-Shaw-Bickell
Nordstrom-Kruger-Smith

Keith-Seabrook
Oduya-Hjalmarsson
Rundblad-Roszival

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Blackhawks at Anaheim 4-1 Win Recap

                       Coward The Ducks

                    

On what has become a somewhat of a tradition now, the Blackhawks continued their circus road trip Friday afternoon in the mump infested arena known as the Honda Center. Just as we were all about to come out of our Thanksgiving food coma, we got another special treat, as Steve Konroyd's coma inducing voice was doing the color commentary. The end result, the tv went on mute, and the radio was turned on.

The first period, the Hawks looked like the old Hawks we know. They were skating circles around the Ducks, and completely dominating. Brad Richards opened the scoring on a 2 on 1, firing a wrister past Frederik Andersen. Later in the period, Andrew Shaw added another tally on a redirect from a Duncan Keith slap pass, to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead. Late in the period however, Anaheim was able to cut the lead in half, for a 2-1 score after 1.

The Blackhawks passing display continued in the second period. This time it was a result of effort by Brad Richards, one handed knocking the puck behind the net to Versteeg, who in turn threw a no look pass to Patrick Kane in the slot, to increase the lead to 3-1. The Hawks had another chance to increase the lead, but Marian Hossa was robbed by Andersen.

The story of the third period belonged to Frederik Andersen. He robbed  Kane on the backhand, and made numerous saves that kept the Ducks in the game. As the time wound down, Kane added an empty netter to give the Hawks a 4-1 win in Anaheim.


The Good

- We'll have to wait a few days, but if the Hawks come out of this visit to Anaheim without the mumps, then this was a complete win for the Hawks.
- Despite the goal the quickly followed, who didn't enjoy seeing Hjalmarsson absolutely destroy Ryan Kesler? That's what you get for skating with your head down.
- The passes that led to the first 3 Hawks goals were fantastic. Seabrook had about a 90 ft. outlet pass to Richards, while Carcillo, yes Gorilla Salad, has a behind the back pass to Duncan Keith, and finally the effort from Richards and Versteeg on Kane's goal.
- Corey Crawford was excellent again for the Hawks. That's beginning to sound like a broken record, which is a good sound.
- The work of the "4th line" shouldn't go unnoticed. Once again, Nordstrom, Kruger, and Smith were superb.
- Speaking of the lines, the line blender seems to have found a nice combo of Kane, Richards, and Versteeg. That line is on fire right now.


The Bad

- Watching Rozsival be beat to a loose puck as the 1st period was winding down, was another sign of how many steps the guy has lost. Luckily for the Hawks it didn't bite them in the ass.
- Seeing Hossa skate off without laboring after taking an ugly cross check by Corey Perry to the ribs, was somewhat of a positive. Still, it wasn't good.
- Why do I always get the recaps when the power play is a complete shit show? Today was no exception. 0 for 5, including a failed opportunity on a condensed 5 minute to 3 minute major power play.


The Ugly

- As much as I enjoyed the hit on Kesler, I didn't care for every Blackhawk on the ice admiring the hit, allowing a wide open Ducks defenseman the opportunity to tip in a loose puck.
- Kyle Palmieri's hit on Johnny Oduya was brutal, plain and simple. Its the exact type of hit the league wants to get rid of. And in case you're wondering this hit was a lot different than the one on Kane the other night. The main difference is the route, how long Palmieri had Oduya lined up, and the fact he never let up. It was a dirty hit. But we did get a Boudreau face out of it, so that is the only positive out of it.
- When you look up the word "dickhead" in the dictionary, a picture of Corey Perry should show up.

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Blackhawks at Colorado3-2 Win Recap

"Impact Is Imminent"


The Blackhawks traveled to balmy Denver Colorado for a black Wednesday tilt with the struggling Avalanche before a day off for Thanksgiving. Right to it.

The first period was pretty favorable for the Hawks after a slow start. They out shot the Avs 13 to 9, and had a majority of the scoring chances. I think it is safe to say that the Avs were happy to get out of the period tied 0-0.

The second period gave us more shots and more scoring, with the Avs opening up the scoring and the Blackhawks answering the bell with two powerplay goals of their own. Despite going into the third winning the shot battle 32-19 the Hawks were only up one goal.

The third period might have been the sloppiest of all three. The Avs tied the game early and the Blackhawks tied it later. The Blackhawks had a third straight period of outshooting the Avs, this time 13-10. After a late period flurry, the Blackhawks left Denver a 3-2 winner and winners of three out of 4 circus trip games.

The Good

• Hawks forwards dominated for pretty much most of the first period but, again, didn't score.
• The Blackhawks finally got on the scoreboard on a second period powerplay. Seabrook let a cannon go from the blue line and the puck squirted through Pickard, who had dropped his stick. El Capitan found the gift in behind Pickard and easily swept it into the net to tie the game.
• Clendening and Richards on the second powerplay point. Not sure how I feel about that.
• Shortly after the Toews goal, the Blackhawks drew another powerplay and this time Andrew Shaw scored the go ahead goal. Hossa and Kane set the table and Shaw yanked the table cloth out with a perfect one timer.
• With five minutes left in the third period, Patrick Kane worked some of his stick magic long enough for Bryan Bickell to set up camp in front of Pickard. Kane few Bickell, who slammed the puck home for a 3-2 Blackhawks lead.
• Any time you can out shoot a team 45-29 on the road, you're doing something right.
• The Blackhawks won 40 of 65 faceoffs which is exceptional.

The Bad

• Roughly halfway through the second period the Hawks defense was a little lax in their own end and let Max Talbot get in one on one with Crawford. The "fourth" line and third defensive pair got stuck out on the ice together, which should never happen. Talbot ended up working his way through Clendening, Roszival, Shaw and Carcillo. Not exactly defensive wizards.
• In the final minute of the game, the CSN crew fixated on Andrew Shaw and Jarome Iginla chewing each others asses out.

The Ugly

• Late in the first period, Brent Seabrook mishandled a puck at the Avs blue line on the powerplay, which left Tanguay in on a shorthanded break-a-way for 2/3 of the rink. Eventually, Crawford made the save but WOOF!
• Four minutes into the third period, a complete Shanghai Fire Drill in the Blackhawks crease resulted in Ryan O'Reilly chipping a the puck into the net with his 9-iron, tying the game up.
• Dr. Lineblender was at it in the third period, benching Adam Clendening. No need for that 6th defenseman.

The LineblenderSaad-Toews-Hossa
Kane-Richards-Versteeg
Carcillo-Shaw-Bickell
Nordstrom-Kruger-Smith

Keith-Seabrook
Oduya-Hjalmarsson
Clendening-Roszival

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Blackhawks at Vancouver 4-1 Loss Recap

                            The Catch Up

It was bound to show its ugly head at some point. After last night's shellacking of the Edmonton Oilers, tonight's game had the makings of a trap game; 3 games in 4 nights, plus a couple of days off before the next game. In the end, the Hawks simply ran out of gas as the game ran on, and the Canucks ran away with the 4-1 win.

Jannik Hansen opened up the scoring in the 1st period for the Canucks, just as a Kris Versteeg penalty had expired. Despite Versteeg taking the penalty, it was one you don't mind seeing someone take, as he was sticking up for a teammate after Luca Sbisa drilled Patrick Kane in the corner.

The second period saw our favorite, wait most criticized player, Kris Versteeg net a power play goal to tie the game at 1. Hang on while I continually punch myself in the face. Of the 2 power plays the Hawks had in the second, this was the only one they would score on, and at the end of the 2nd period the game was tied at 1.

As the game went on the Canucks took over. The fatigue of the Blackhawks showed in the 3rd period, as the Canucks scored 3 times, to take a 4-1 win. Jannik Hansen completed the hat trick with an empty netter, and Radim Vrbata also tallied the 3rd Vancouver goal.

The Good

- Corey Crawford gave the Blackhawks a chance to win this game. More power to him consider he was playing his 11th consecutive game.
- Kris Versteeg hot streak continued, as he provided the lone tally for the Blackhawks.

The Bad

- Adam Clendening certainly came back down to earth tonight. A bad delay of game penalty, coupled with bad defensive positioning (that led to Vancouver's 2nd goal) proved that he is human, and a work in progress.
- The inconsistent power play continued tonight as well. The Blackhawks were 1 of 4, and didn't look good on some of those opportunities.
- The hit on Patrick Kane. I didn't have a problem with the hit by Sbisa, nor did I have a problem with Versteeg's response. The biggest problem I had is Kane putting himself in that position to potentially be injured by turning towards the boards.

The Ugly

- It wasn't the best night for some of the Blackhawks leaders. Toews was a -4, while Hossa and Seabrook were -3, and Keith was a -2. Over the course of a season, games like this are bound to happen.
- Watching someone like Jannik Hansen score a hat trick was vomit inducing.
- The Blackhawks were just about dominated at the face off dot tonight, 36 to 27.
- Someone please inform the Vancouver Green Men that their act is old, tiresome, and boring. Its run its course guys, come up with new material.

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Blackhawks at Edmonton7-1 Win Recap

The Atrocity Exhibition


The Blackhawks continued their circus trip, Saturday night, in Edmonton. Edmonton is a team that has been struggling mightily, but had the Blackhawks number the last couple of years. This game did NOT go the Oilers way, whatsoever.

The Blackhawks opened up a fast lead, and never looked back. They had only eight shots, but took a 3-0 lead into the second period. A late first period penalty, led to some second period highlights.

The second period opened up with the Blackhawks scoring not one, but two, powerplay goals, just 3 minutes into the period. As if that wasn't enough, the Blackhawks added another even strength goal to take a 6-0 lead into the third period on only 18 shots.

The third period might have been one of the most uninspired periods of hockey that I've seen in a long time. The Blackhawks just wanted to get out of Edmonton without injuries, and the Oilers just wanted to crawl out of their own skin. Each team scored a goal, and when the final horn sounded, the Blackhawks left the Rexall Place with a 7-1 win.

The Good

• Just a couple of mere minutes into the game, Brandon Saad fed El Capitan, who was all alone in front of the Oilers net, and Toews did what he always does in money situations. Clowned Scrivens for a 1-0 Blackhawks lead.
• Just about a minute after the Toews goal, the fourth line got into the act. Ben Smith dug the puck out of the corner and fed Marcus Kruger, who didn't have the best angle. That didn't stop Ben Scrivens from allowing Kruger to bet him for a 2-0 Blackhawks lead.
• With 4 minutes remaining in the first period Brent Seabrook joined in on the fun. He was given roughly 36 hours to walk the puck up the gut and size up Scrivens. He teed up a shot and beat Scrivens low to the glove side. It looked like Toews may have redirected the puck, but credit was given to Seabrook. Either way, it was 3-0.
• Just a minute or so into the second period, while on a 5-on-3 powerplay, Patrick Kane hit Kris Versteeg for the first powerplay goal of the night. Then the flood gates opened.
• A minute and a half after the Versteeg goal, Marian Hossa picked up a rebound in front of Ben Scrivens and tucked it into the net for a 5-0 Blackhawks lead. This ended Scrivens' night.
• Viktor Fasth's night started off on a sour note when Duncan Keith found a loose puck at the dot and blew a clapper past Fasth for a 6-0 Blackhawks lead.
• Just over half way through the third period, Kris Versteeg and Patrick Kane were able to get in behind the Oilers defense and worked a textbook 2-on-1. Versteeg had enough time and space to pick apart Fasth but dished a saucer over to Kane for the 7th goal of the night for the Blackhawks.
• Just for good measure, the Blackhawks were 54% at the dots. Danault was the only center under 50%.
• Speaking of Danault, the kid looked OK. He didn't get a flurry of ice time, but he held his own, in the time he was out there. He was responsible and hungry.

The Bad

• Antti Raanta was scheduled to start the game but it was reported that he was ill. I was ill watching this Oilers team, too.
• After 40 minutes, and with a 6-0, Philip Danault still only had 9 shifts. That's kind of silly. Especially when Konroyd was beating the "roll 4 lines" drum between both periods.
• After two days of meatballs calling for all kinds of stupid moves, because Adam Clendening was the savior, the kid came back down to earth with a few bad passes and turnovers. Not to worry.
• Joakim Nordstrom was credited with SEVEN hits. There is no way in hell that really happened.

The Ugly

• Six goals on 14 shots is fucking pathetic and that's just what the Blackhawks had, 3 minutes into the second period.
• The Blackhawks got really sloppy in the third period, after a great flurry of saves by Crawford. The Oilers Schultz took a long point shot that was tipped by David Perron about 4 feet in front of Crawford, and into the net.
• This game was so terrible, that Gorilla Salad got powerplay time. That is embarrassing. The Oilers need to burn this festering garbage dump fire to the ground.

The LineblenderSaad-Toews-Hossa
Kane-Richards-Versteeg
Nordstrom-Kruger-Smith
Carcillo-Danault-Bickell

Keith-Seabrook
Oduya-Hjalmarsson
Clendening-Roszival

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Blackhawks - Calgary 4-3 win recap

Circus World

Show of hands if you had Adam Clendening scoring on his second shift, on the power play, in his first NHL game. Alright liars, put your hands down.

However unlikely of a scenario that was, that's the way the Blackhawks got their annual "circus trip" started in Calgary. Clendening got the Blackhawks on the scoreboard first, and later on in the 1st period, another unsuspecting Blackhawk continued the scoring. A hard working shift by the "4th line" resulted in Gorilla Salad giving the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead. After that, the sloppy, careless play of the Blackhawks took over, and they yielded 2 power play goals to the Flames to end the 1st period tied at 2.

Just past the midway point of the 2nd period, Brent Seabrook fired the puck past Jonas Hiller to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead. That lead however, was short lived, as the Flames managed to tie it up at 3 just under 2 minutes later.

Its well documented on my feelings on a goalie that plays the puck. I believe they should stay in the damn net. Well Jonas Hiller backed up my opinion by coughing up the puck to Patrick Kane, and Kane made him pay. Kane's goal put the Hawks up for good, and in the end got the circus trip started off on the right foot with a 4-3 win.


The Great

- Thank the good Lord that Brandon Bollig didn't score

The Good

- It was nice to see Adam Clendening score in his 1st NHL game. Way to set the bar high, and become the newest star in the meatball world.
- The hard work of the "4th line" paid off on the Hawks 2nd goal. Dirty work along the boards resulted in a turnover, and Gorilla Salad of all people scoring a goal. That's the kind of effort you want to see out of the grinder line.
- Patrick Kane's first game as a 26 year old was stellar. His steal resulted in the game winning goal, and he also had a sweet centering pass to Seabrook on the Hawks 3rd goal.
- The power play was 1 of 2 on the night. For a change, I'll take that.

The Bad

- Once again the "physicality" of the Blackhawks showed. I am big proponent of the stat of hits in the game, and the Hawks were outhit 15-4. Time to toughen up, and throw the body around when needed.
- Duncan Keith and Brad Richards defensive "positioning"  on the Flames 3rd goal was horrendous. Nothing like being mesmerized by the puck guys.

The Ugly

- Anytime you take five straight penalties in a game, you deserve to lose. Luckily for the Hawks they were able to get away with this tonight.
- Ladislav Smid was a solid -3 on the night. I remember actually wanting the Hawks to take a run at him at the trade deadline a few years ago. See we're not perfect or experts.
- This wasn't one of Niklas Hjalmarsson's strongest games, as he took 2 penalties.

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Puckin Hostile Shoutcast Episode 15

Gatekeeper and Pat discuss the Blackhawks recent roster moves, the terrible Winter Classic jerseys, the injuries to TVR and Sharp, the Quenneville Lineblender, and the lead up to the circus trip.

Also, discussed is the various league news.

For all your custom jersey needs visit Black and Tan Sports at:
http://www.facebook.com/BlackAndTanSports

Check out Mike Figueroa at:
http://www.figsigarts.com
http://www.facebook.com/FigSIGArts
Portions of his profits go to the Ronald McDonald House Chicago.

You can find the episode on iTunes by following this link: iTunes

Puckin Hostile Shoutcast - Episode 15 MP3 Download

You can listen below on the Talkshoe player:

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Blackhawks - Stars 6-2 Win Recap

One For The Road

It seems like every night there's a different milestone ceremony at The UC. Tonight, that honor belonged to Brad Richards as he celebrated his 1,000th NHL game. Kudos Brad, you're living proof that slow skaters can make it in the NHL. In seriousness, congratulations, well earned.


It seemed as if we were going to see a throwback 10-9 slugfest as the scoring got started early and often. Duncan Keith opened the scoring just over a minute into the game, giving the Blackhawks an early 1-0 lead. Dallas answered back with 2 goals of their own, in just under a minute, to take a 2-1 lead. Brent Seabrook kept the defenseman scoring going for the Hawks, as he tied the game at 2 with a power play goal (I could get used to saying that) just after the midway point of the first.

With no scoring in the 2nd period, the game headed into the 3rd period still tied. Then the Blackhawks finally woke up, and tore the game open by scoring 4 unanswered goals in the 3rd period, for the 6-2 win. The 3rd period scoring was lead by; Kane, Toews, Versteeg, and Saad.

This was a nice win against a division opponent, in the final home game before the Circus Trip. Hopefully the Blackhawks can build some moment thru the road trip.


The Good

- Aside for the mental lapse in the 1st period, the Hawks played a complete game. This is the kind of response I want to see after Friday's embarrassing performance.
- We've been hard on Andrew Shaw this year, and rightfully so, but thank you for finally fighting that dickbag Antoine Roussel.
- 47 shots, 6 goals. That's what you're supposed to see, not 49 shots, 1 goal. Great to see the Blackhawks find the back of the net.
- In the 6 goal theme, it was also nice to see the scoring spread around to 6 different Hawks. A nice balanced attack.

The Bad

- Screw it, I really didn't see too much bad tonight, except for the aforementioned 1st period lapse. I'm not going to nitpick. Enjoy the win.

The Ugly

- TVR left the game in the 1st period and didn't return. Afterwards, Coach Q said TVR would be out for awhile. In other words, fire up the Rockford Shuttle for a defenseman.
- New punching bag, Bryan Bickell managed under 9 minutes of ice time. When Versteeg doubles your ice time, you know you've hit a new low. How much longer until we seriously start considering giving Bickell the Rene Bourque treatment?

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Blackhawks - Red Wings 4-1 Loss Recap

Motor City Meltdown

That wasn't just the look of Joel Quenneville during and after the game, it was also the look that Blackhawks' fans had after the shellacking they took in Detroit on Friday night.

The scoring got started early in the 1st period as, Kris Versteeg reverted back to his old self, and centered a pass from along to boards to a wide open Drew Miller, and Luke Glendening hammered home the rebound to give the Wings a 1-0 lead. Versteeg's assist was rewarded with a seat on the bench for the remainder of the period. The Hawks were able to answer back with a power play goal (jump for joy) by Patrick Kane just past the midway part of the 1st period.

You could make an argument that the Blackhawks were lucky, and had no business being tied at 1 after the 1st period, but they were somehow. Whatever interest the Hawks had in playing during the 1st period, was long gone when the 2nd period began. Again, two turnovers in the center of the ice proved costly. This time Versteeg's "turnoveritis" infected Kane and Rundblad, thus giving the Wings a 3-1 lead after two.

While the Hawks outshot the Wings 10-6 in the 3rd period, it was too little, way too late. The Wings added an empty netter to seal a 4-1 win over their former division rival. (NBCSN this is type of matchup that should be on rivalry night, not random Eastern Conference teams to fill an early timeslot)


The Good

- Corey Crawford (when he wasn't being hung out to dry) along with TVR were the two most notable Hawks to me that had some level of interest in playing.
- The Hawks were lucky this game wasn't even more embarrassing with a final score of 7 or 8 to 1. They can thank their goalie for keeping it closer than it should have been.


The Bad

- Why the hell did Duncan Keith get over 27 minutes of ice time in this beat down?


The Ugly

- Turnovers. A trio of turnovers by Versteeg, Kane, and Rundblad were brutal to say the least. Its not complicated, never throw a lazy pass to the open ice. Maybe Q and the coaching staff should find something other than clown faces to draw on the dry erase board.
- In keeping with the turnover theme, both Kane and Versteeg were a well earned -3 on the night. But the highlight may have been Versteeg just standing along the boards like an ass clown after he turned the puck over.
- Steve Konroyd's analysis is awful. He is the ultimate homer. Yes, the goalie interference call on Shaw was bad, but if you really think that would have changed the outcome of the game, you need to have your head examined.
- I love hearing Coach Q say he wants "consistency" on the ice. Well how the hell are they supposed to develop chemistry and consistency with the coaching decisions that are being made? The only thing that is consistent on the Blackhawks is the constant and unnecessary line shuffling that goes on.
- Seriously, what the hell was that, that I just wasted my time watching? That was pathetic.

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Blackhawks vs Lightning3-2 Shootout Win Recap

"Mouth For War"


After a weird day in Chicago, with the temperature dropping 30 degrees and the legendary Turano Bakery exploding into a ball of flames, the Blackhawks hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning for a frosty November tilt. The Bolts came in as one of the hotter teams in the NHL, and the Blackhawks could be best described as tepid.

The Blackhawks first period should have very well been at least 1-0 in their favor, but the Lightning took advantage of another poor Hawks line decision, and held a 1-0 lead after twenty minutes.

The second period was more successful for the Blackhawks. While they only out shot Bolts 12-7, they were able to tie the game and take a 1-1 tie into the third period.

THe Blackhawks came out and took a fast lead in the third period while getting out shot 11-7, but could not hold the lead. A late Lightning goal forced this game into extra time and, eventually, a shootout.

The Good

• Despite the goal results, the Blackhawks outshot the Lightning in the first period 19-6, which is what we should be happy with. Shooting percentage is another story altogether
• Halfway through the second period, Quenneville threw the defensive combination of Rozsival and Richards out on the powerplay, which might be the slowest combination ever imagined. Sure enough, Versteeg gets thrown into Bishop and Richards eventually gets a goal, which means Quenneville with beat us to death with his newest asinine Boggle combination. That said, the Blackhawks had tied the game. I suppose we were supposed to be happy about that.
• Just a minute and a half into the third period and Marcus Kruger tipped a long Hjalmarsson shot past Bishop to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead. The Blackhawks were due for a bounce and this was it.
• Crawford rebounded from giving up the first shot of the game to save 28 of 29, including the shootout. By the way, this was priceless:
  
• Even though he got the loss, Ben Bishop is the real deal. In the mold of a Pekka Rinne, I'm glad he is in the eastern conference.

The Bad

• The second period rolled around and Quenneville pulled out the Lineblender once again. The Defense was Keith/TVR, Oduya/Seabrook, Hjalmarsson/Rozsival. Not only that, but Richards was right back on the fourth line, which means his promotion lasted all of 20 minutes. Shaw was moved back to the second pivot.
• During two consecutive shifts, in the second period, Versteeg had 2-on-1 breaks with Toews and Kane. Both times he saucered the pass, and both should have been goals. Bishop robbed the Hawks on both plays, but I have to give Versteeg credit where it's due.
• Johnny Oduya blocked a Jason Garrison slapshot just previous to the second Bolts goal, and didn't return. Just previous to overtime Oduya was seen heading to the locker room and angerly threw something down the hallway. Not a good sign.
• The Blackhawks had 23 shot attempts blocked. Still an issue that needs to be addressed.

The Ugly

• If there is one thing everyone agrees about, it's that Brad Richards and Brent Seabrook are a terrible second powerplay pairing on defense. The only person that can't see this is, of course, Joel Quenneville. Not 5 minutes into the game, the Blackhawks earned a powerplay, and sure enough Dr. Lineblender throws his horrible nag out there. Sure enough, Richards makes a terrible play at the Bolts blue line and gives up a 2-on-1...WHICH ends up in the back of the Blackhawks net. What a stupid stubborn asshole, Quenneville is. Maybe Crawford should have made the save, but there is no way that he should have been put in that position.
• Late in the second period, after a play in front of Bishop, Jeremy Morin was slammed to the ice by JT Brown, and the only one to stick up for him was...Jeremy Morin. Bickell just stood there like Frankenstein staring at a flaming torch. Morin ended up in the box but drew the extra 2 minutes.
• Ben Smith got one of the worst goaltender interference penalties I have ever seen. He bumped Bishop just outside the crease and Bishop just gave him the Rock Bottom.
• Halfway through the third period the Blackhawks misfortunes started when Johnny Oduya blocked a shot. The Lightning pinned the Hawks deep in their zone, and a Deuce clearing attempt took a bad bounce off the official. All these circumstances totaled one thing, a Lightning goal. Nikita Kucherov took a Drouin pass on the back door and tied the game.
• I'm pretty sure that I've come to the end of my time as Bryan Bickell apologist. I watched him let a smaller teammate get pounded right in front of him, and then later he basically did a fly-by rather than actually doing a quick stop and fighting for the puck. I can't defend that. It's lazy and worthless.
• Fourth line wingers Regin and Morin played under 14 minutes total. I guess rolling 3 lines is part of "the plan". Can't wait for March, when all those well rested forwards will still be stapled to the bench, and Marian Hossa can barely stand up. Lets hear it for blind faith!

The Shootout

• Callahan ran out of room
• Toews stopped by Bishop'spad
• Crawford closed the 5-hole on Kucherov
• Kane backhand top shelfer
• Crawford stops Stamkos

The Lineblender
Versteeg-Toews-Kane
Bickell-Richards-Saad
Smith-Kruger-Hossa
Regin-Shaw-Morin

Keith-Seabrook
Oduya-Hjalmarsson
van Reimsdyk-Roszival

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