Man, somebody needs to check and see if the ice at the United Center is level.  The Hawks dominated the 1st and third periods, while Atlanta controlled the 2nd, and every goal save one was scored in the goal on the West (?) end of the building.  The Hawks shuffled their lineup a bit tonight, as Jordan Hendry took over for an injured Brent Sopel, and Brian Bickell drove in from Rockford with John Madden out.  We also got our first look at Kim Johnsson as a Hawk, and I liked what I saw.  Johnsson's another puck mover on the blue line and he got himself a goal tonight, and eventually earned some power play minutes as well.  However, it looks like Joel Quenneville's obsession with forwards on the point still isn't over, as Patrick Sharp reappeared at the blue line on the man advantage, which means we can look forward to the Hawks trying that damn back door play 12 times a night.  A lackluster 2nd period aside, the Hawks played pretty well, and managed to grab two more points in a shoot out.  I'll take it.

THE GOOD

1st and 3rd Period Antti Niemi:  While the Hawks mostly dominated play in these two periods, Niemi was forced to make some excellent saves, particularly in the closing minutes of the 1st period.

Dave Bolland:  This was probably Bolland's best game since he returned from surgery.  He was much more active offensively, nearly scoring as the triggerman on a 2 on 1 break, and later getting the game tying goal in the 3rd period with a nice move to keep the puck on his stick after catching Ondrej Pavelec out of the net.

Dustin Byfuglien:  Not sure if the trade of Cam Barker lit a fire under him, or if it's time for another of Big Buff's patented "tantalize everyone with my combination of size and skill for 5 games and then disappear" acts.

Marian Hossa:  Left the game in early the third period after a nasty check, but not before scoring a beautiful unassisted, short-handed goal.

Ondrej Pavelec:  Pavalec absolutely stood on his head to keep the game tied in the third period and overtime.

THE BAD

2nd Period Antti Niemi:  As good he was in the 1st and 3rd, Antti was brutal in the second period, giving up two soft goals.

Kris Versteeg:  Steeger's lost his capital letters and exclamation point with this long slump.  And I don't think Joel Quenneville's doing Kris any favors by playing him at center in John Madden's absence.


THE UGLY:

Marian Hossa took an ugly shot to the head from Colby Armstrong in the third period.  Yes, the check looked clean, but kudos to Troy Brouwer for taking violent offense anyway.  Head shots always scare the hell out of me, and Hossa's not a guy you want to lose to a concussion for any period of time.

Up Next:  Hawks have one last game against Columbus tomorrow, then sit back and watch (or play) Olympic hockey for a couple of weeks.