Man, that was NOT what the  Blackhawks needed.  The team definitely came out with more life against the San Jose Sharks.  For those who want to label them soft, the Hawks were credited with nearly twice as many hits as the Sharks (42/23).  There was plenty of jam or muscle or whatever the fuck you want to call it.  The problem was, the Hawks took a shitload of penalties, and the penalty kill is just no damn good this year.

Missing Jonathan Toews doesn't help things, but the other guy the Hawks seem to miss is Fernando Pisani.  No, he's not a great player  by any stretch, but the team definitely seems to play better when he's in the lineup.  One thing I wonder is why John Scott was dressed over Jack Skille tonight.  Nobody on the Sharks was going to fight Scott this evening, and with Toews out, Chicago needs as much talent as they can possibly muster on the ice. 

THE GOOD

Troy Brouwer - Yes, he ended up a minus 2, but Brouwer was 2nd on the team in hits and scored a big power play goal to get the Hawks back in the game late in the 2nd period.  In my opinion, the Brouwer/Bickell/Bolland line was probably the Hawks best at even strength.

Brian Campbell - Campbell was once again the Hawks best all around defenseman.  He was 2nd on the team in ice time and showed great situational awareness by cheating in from the point at the end of the 2nd period and scoring a goal to tie the game 3-3 going into the final period.

THE BAD

Penalties/Penalty Kill - The refs were calling everything tonight (and according to Joel Quenneville, calling some things that didn't even take place), but the Hawks should have figured that out after the first period.  They finished the night with six penalties, most of them of the idiotic variety and San Jose converted on two power plays, and scored the winning goal just after Jassen Cullimore's penalty had expired.

Tomas Kopecky - All right, I need to know, what does Joel Quenneville see in this guy?  Yes, I realize that Toews' absence leaves Chicago short of centers, but there is simply nothing we've seen to justify playing TomoKop as the 2nd line center.  He took a terrible penalty that led to the Sharks 2nd goal, and was otherwise horrific during the game.  I'd rather see John Scott at center.

Marian Hossa - Hossa had a decent game, but he needs to be better than decent.  Jonathan Toews carried the Hawks while Hossa, Kane and Stalberg were out, and Hossa's got to step up now that Toews is hurt.

THE UGLY

Marty Turco - Turco had some nice, acrobatic saves in this one, but the first goal he gave up to Scott Nichol should have been stopped, and he also had a giveaway that nearly led to another goal by San Jose.  While his puck handling skills are good, the Hawks don't seem to have adjusted to them.  I'd look for Corey Crawford to get the next start.

DID YOU KNOW ? - The Pinstripe Bowl has nothing to do with suits?  I tuned in, hoping to see the players and crowd dressed as 1920s era gangsters only to learn that this was just another cheap hand job for the New York Yankees.   Fuck those guys.

Up next - Hawks take a mini-West Coast road trip, playing in Anaheim on Sunday and LA on Monday.