Kane is Able: Hawks 5, Predators 4
Was that an actual exciting game involving the Nashville Predators?!? I thought those were a myth, like bigfoot or the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Predators came out desperate for two points in this one, and played their tight checking game. It was 2-1 Preds after 2 periods, and then all hell broke lose. The Hawks scored 3 in a row, then gave up two in a row, and then Patrick Kane decided 120 minutes of Predators hockey was enough for 2 days.
THE GOOD
Patrick Kane: Kane had 2 goals and an assist, including the game winner with less than a minute left. Oh, and Quenneville thinks enough of Kane's defense that he left Patrick out there for the inevitable 6 on 5 in the final moments of the game, and Kaner actually attempted to block a shot. Are there any Patrick Kane doubters left out there?
John Madden: For 40 minutes, the Blackhawks could not finish against Dan Ellis. Ellis came up with some big saves, and the Hawks simply whiffed on some terrific chances. Then, John Madden got behind the defense, corralled a long pass, went in alone and beat Ellis 5-hole with a nice backhand move, and the third period was officially up for grabs. Madden later chipped in a second goal and was his usual solid defensive self.
THE BAD
Antti Niemi: Niemi did make some big saves tonight, non bigger than when he shut the door on two stuff shots from Patric Hornqvist. But too many of the saves were of the holyshitthepuckhitmewhere'ditgo variety, and the Hawks showed how vulnerable Niemi can be on those rare occasions when their puck possession game breaks down.
Martin Erat: Now that the Hawks have no more regular season games, I guess Erat's contract drive is over. I swear, that weasel has half his goals this year against the Hawks.
THE UGLY
The Predators came into this weekend 4 points behind the Hawks with a chance to tie them for the division lead with a sweep. Instead, the Hawks took all 4 points and left the Preds in the dust. With no head to head games left, it'll tough for Nashville to have any shot at the division now. I guess that makes it an ugly weekend for them.
Up next: The Hawks face the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, which looks like it could be a trap game, if Chicago gets caught looking ahead to New Jersey on Thursday.
THE GOOD
Patrick Kane: Kane had 2 goals and an assist, including the game winner with less than a minute left. Oh, and Quenneville thinks enough of Kane's defense that he left Patrick out there for the inevitable 6 on 5 in the final moments of the game, and Kaner actually attempted to block a shot. Are there any Patrick Kane doubters left out there?
John Madden: For 40 minutes, the Blackhawks could not finish against Dan Ellis. Ellis came up with some big saves, and the Hawks simply whiffed on some terrific chances. Then, John Madden got behind the defense, corralled a long pass, went in alone and beat Ellis 5-hole with a nice backhand move, and the third period was officially up for grabs. Madden later chipped in a second goal and was his usual solid defensive self.
THE BAD
Antti Niemi: Niemi did make some big saves tonight, non bigger than when he shut the door on two stuff shots from Patric Hornqvist. But too many of the saves were of the holyshitthepuckhitmewhere'ditgo variety, and the Hawks showed how vulnerable Niemi can be on those rare occasions when their puck possession game breaks down.
Martin Erat: Now that the Hawks have no more regular season games, I guess Erat's contract drive is over. I swear, that weasel has half his goals this year against the Hawks.
THE UGLY
The Predators came into this weekend 4 points behind the Hawks with a chance to tie them for the division lead with a sweep. Instead, the Hawks took all 4 points and left the Preds in the dust. With no head to head games left, it'll tough for Nashville to have any shot at the division now. I guess that makes it an ugly weekend for them.
Up next: The Hawks face the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, which looks like it could be a trap game, if Chicago gets caught looking ahead to New Jersey on Thursday.
Posted by CT at 12/27/2009 9:31 PM 
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators
Tags: Patrick Kane Blackhawks Predators
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators
Tags: Patrick Kane Blackhawks Predators
There were more goals scored in the 3rd period than in any other Hawks/Preds game all season. True story.
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The only weakness of this team is the fucking power play. The Hawks have to be like the Dead Wings of last yr, lethal with the man advantage and so far, it's anything but that.
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HockeeDudes!
You didn't mention that with this victory, Les Blaque Hawques take over 1st place overall in the Na-shu-nul Hockee Leeg.
When was the last time THAT happened? Huh? Huh?
PS I'd call this an ugly win, thanks to a beautiful goal...and missing four regulars? Take the two points and skeedaddle.
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Dave, are you still counting Burish and Bolland as missing "regulars" at this point?
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Bolland + Burish = less Kopecky.
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Indeed ah um.
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I told the lady that I had a hat trick with John Madden in NHL 10 on Saturday. I actually thought he was going to get that third goal possibly on an empty netter. Oh well.
I thought the defense was shaky in the first couple periods leading to the two Nashville goals. Niemi was doing fine until the 3rd period but it was enough. A win's a win.
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C'mon, Fro...
You know damn well if Huet had given up that first goal, or any of the ones Niemi gave up, you'd be screaming for his head.
Fact is, this is the second time in 3 games Niemi left a turd on the ice and the offense bailed him out.
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Meaties like Fro saying, "Here we go again" anytime Huet gives up a goal (whether it's the D's fault or not) makes it difficult for the sane Blackhawks fan to wax romantic about Niemi's bright future with the club. I see it, but can't say it without getting a retort of, "whattaya mean? dat kid is da next Eddie Belfours! He's already got da Hall of Fame waiting for him! Dey should start him over dat French bum."
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If you read my comment, I clearly stated that "Niemi was doing fine until the 3rd period". Of course in the 3rd, he gave up two goals that I thought should have been stopped. I thought the first two were because of bad defense.
And saying that I think Niemi is "hall of fame" worthy is wrong. I admit to still not wanting Huet. But there is someone in the Chicago media who is more "meatheaded" than I can ever be. His first name starts with a "David" and his last name starts with a "Kaplan".
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The way Niemi was all over the ice like he was in the fucking Ice Capades - he wasn't exactly "doing fine", he was just fortunate that the Preds are pretty inept in the offensive zone.
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