Man, the complexion of this game and recap really changed in the last 2 minutes of this game.  Chicago's defense was merely a rumor tonight, failing to make easy clearing attempts, letting the Avs run loose in front of their net and otherwise showing the defensive tenacity of your average Paul Westphal coached team.

Somehow, the Blackhawks managed to string together enough goals against a red-hot Craig Anderson to take a 5-4 lead with less than 3 minutes left in the game.  I'd say that it all went to shit right after that, but the truth is, the game tying and winning goals were the result of the same stupid shit we'd seen the Hawks pull in the first period. 


THE GOOD

Troy Brouwer - One guy who has stepped up in the midst of all the injuries is Troy Brouwer.  He's finally started going to the front of the net (and getting some PP time) as a result.  Brouwer scored 2 power play goals and got an assist as well when Bryan Bickell redirected his floater from the top of the circle. 

Corey Crawford - Marty Turco was pulled, more to change things up than through any fault of his own.  However, the Hawks didn't really pick up their play with the change, but Crawford managed to make some of the big saves that Turco didn't. 

THE BAD

Defense in the slot - Holy hell, I'm not sure what the Blackhawks find so mesmerizing about seeing a guy skate with the puck behind their goal, but for some reason they all stop what they're doing and gawk like a bunch of slack-jawed yokels.  This allowed the Avs to roam the slot with impunity and resulted in lots of centering passes from behind the net.

Turnovers - The Hawks made several horrendous turnovers tonight, most of which ended up in the back of their own net.  The worst part is, most came high in their own zone, when a Blackhawk forward was trying to do something silly instead of just chipping the puck out of the zone.

Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith - Christ.  Seabrook was awful tonight and Keith wasn't much help either.  Nobody watched more Avs make centering passes from behind the net into the uncovered slot than these two.

THE UGLY

Something tells me that when Marty Turco signed his 1 year deal, this is not what he had in mind.  While the defense in front of Turco was laughable tonight, Corey Crawford came in and played behind that same shitty defense and managed to make the big saves.  I wonder if Marty has ever considered a career as a puck moving defenseman?

Did you know?  Referee Don VanMassenhoven apparently purposely suffered a horrific facial injury in order to coerce his fellow officials into wearing visors on their helmets.  At least, that's what I gathered from whatever Pat Foley was talking about.

Up Next - Blackhawks come home to take on this same Avalanche team on Wednesday.