The Circus Trip couldn't come at a better time. The Chicago Blackhawks won a home game for seemingly the first time since Billy Reay donned his fedora behind the Hawks' bench, beating the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime on a Viktor Stalberg redirect.

Now the Hawks get to spend two weeks away from Chicago and its fine social establishments, and hopefully do some bonding and getting back to the basics. The Circus Trip has been a good tonic the past two seasons, and every indication is that this season's trip is coming at a good time.

Let's get to it:

THE GOOD:

The reappearance of Marian Hossa. After being held off the scoresheet since returning to the Hawks' lineup following injury, he notched a goal and an assist. Patrick Kane also had one of each. The Hawks need the big guns to get going, and this was encouraging.

Fernando Pisani. He has been quitely outstanding, winning faceoffs (6-1 tonight), and strong on defense (keeping Ryan Getzlaf off the scoresheet). He was a low-risk pickup this summer who is paying dividends.

Viktor Stalberg. I admit it, I'm not a fan. I wish a guy his size knocked guys off the puck, and he's still a defensive liability. But he can sure as hell skate, and he has a nose for the net. If he keeps this up, I'll be soliciting recipes for crow and humble pie.

THE BAD:

The Hawks' inability to move the puck out of their own zone. For a team that has Duncan Keith and Brian Campbell, they are looking more like red-sweatered cats trying to bury shit on the ice. For every sweet stretch pass like Niklas Hjalmarsson to Patrick Sharp, there's more cases of them turning into a damn clown college out there.

THE UGLY:

Keith's game. He's playing the worst hockey he's played in years. Another turnover after a Hawks' goal caused an equalizer. He's lucky the NHL can't rescind his Norris Trophy. Maybe nobody needs the Circus Trip more than #2.

And now they hit the road for 6 games over two weeks to start the second quarter of the season. Hopefully it goes better than the first quarter.