Good to have the Hawks back.

Not just back from the Circus Trip, back from the early season funk. Not that it was easy, mind you. But the Hawks bent and never broke, jumping out to a 5-1 lead before letting St. Louis pull within a goal before applying skate to neck, winning 7-5.

The Hawks did it the good old-fashioned way, riding an effective power play and 2 goals each by Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to overcome a shaky Corey Crawford effort.

Let's get to it:

THE GOOD:

Viktor Stalberg. I take it back. I take it all back. After trying to hang the moniker "Vi-Jay-Jay" on him for his lack of physical play, he spent the Circus Trip giving up the body for the puck, even though he was kept off the scoresheet. Tonight he had 2 assists and was +2. If he winds up being equal parts crusher and rusher, he'll be one helluva player.

Tomas Kopecky. A goal and three assists? So much for "he can only play alongside Marian Hossa". A huge game from an unexpected source.

Troy Brouwer. His continued re-emergence tonight produced a pouwer play goal and 5 hits. He's once again looking like a pouwer forward. Did he suddenly realize his contract is up? Maybe he can get himself a decent raise if he keeps it up.

Jeremy Morin. He had an assist on Brouwer's goal, had a huge hit to set up Kopecky's goal, and even dropped the gloves in the late going. He's looking like the stud from last year's WJC, and might be the reason the Byfuglien trade never quite materializes into Phil Esposito 2.0.

Brent Seabrook. An assist and 3 blocks. From the puck drop on Opening Night, nobody on the Blackhawks has been consistently good like Seabrook has. Talk about contracts? Pay the man. Pay him now.

The Murdersaurus. You know he damn near had a goal tonight? Who cares, he kicked Cam Janssen's ass. I asked Santa for this one today, and the Man in Red delivered. Scott dealt out such a thorough asswhuppin' that he was laughing and telling the refs "come on" to break it up. To top it off, there was a "MURDERSAURUS" sign on the United Center JumboTron.

The Cardinals got Ryan Theriot today. I know this isn't a baseball site, but nothing like seeing your team's arch-rival pick up a shitty player.

THE BAD:

Corey Crawford. Fortunately, Ty Conklin was worse. 5 goals on 26 shots? You better spring for the steak dinners, kid. This one could have been uglier than Sandra Bernhard. You picked the team up the last 2, so you're still up one. QStache gave a huge vote of confidence by leaving him in the cage. But I think Marty Turco gets the net back Friday night.

THE UGLY:

The officiating. All kinds of chippy play early, then they start calling ticky-tack penalties. 3 fights? Send off Janssen and the Murdersaurus before they can have a rematch. Dennis Larue and Brian Pochmara were shit.

The Hawks are at home again Friday night against the Vancouver Canucks. They're rolling out the red carpet for Roberto Luongo.