Pity poor Blackhawk Nation.  It appears we're going to have to find something else to bitch about.  The Hawks beat their latest BIG PROBLEM, goal scoring, by hanging a 4 spot on Tampa Bay, and could have had more but Joel Quenneville decided to play Kopecky and Fraser on some third period power plays.  Anyway, while we figure out what aspect of the Hawks to complain about now (I suggest the 5 on 3) we can all agree that the Tampa Bay Lightning are a bunch of cheap punks.  Their play tonight went beyond chippy, with several late hits, cheap shots and other wonderful plays.  I guess coach Rick Tocchet must have had the over on penalty minutes.  Let's hope he made it, otherwise Mrs. Gretzky's gonna have his legs broke.

THE GOOD

Marian Hossa:  Good?  Shit no, he was great.  Hossa made a beautiful pass to set up a tap in goal for Ben Eager, then scored a goal of his own at the end of the second period when he grabbed a puck out of mid air, dropped it and whacked it into the net without letting it hit the ice.  Sweet.

Jonathan Toews:  Toews potted his 10th goal of the season and showed a little mean streak.  After taking a late hit from Matt Smaby in the 2nd period, Toews came back and nailed Smaby with a hard, clean check in the 3rd, stole the puck from Smaby and drew a hooking penalty on him.  Up yours, Smaby.

Brent Seabrook:  2 assists and a plus 3 for Seabass.  Also, he's been steady as hell this entire year, and wanted to get him the recognition for something other than a game winning goal in OT.

Antti Niemi:  Does this guy do anything but pitch shutouts?  GOALTENDING CONTROVERSY!

THE BAD

Patrick Kane:  Kane didn't play bad, in fact, he scored a goal.  But he also left the game in the 1st period after hitting the side of his head after being tripped by Matt Smaby (there's that asshole again) and did not return.  Let's hope it's not serious.

Matt Smaby:  Asshole.

The Power Play:  0 for 7, including a couple of 5 on 3's.  The last couple don't matter as much, as Q was playing the 3rd and 4th liners, but the Hawks had a chance to take this game by the throat in the 1st period, and they blew it.  Fix this.


THE UGLY

Seriously, Jim Belushi?!?  What the fuck?

Up next: The Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues meet for the first time this season on Wednesday at the United Center.