This was a game. Didn't matter if you're a Blackhawks fan or a Red Wings fan. Hell, it didn't even matter if you are a fan of the Islanders. Although, if you're an Islanders fan...dude, really?

The Chicago Blackhawks needed two points more than the Detroit Red Wings did. You sure as hell wouldn't have known it by the way this game went.

This was a tight-checking game with a lot of heart-stopping saves by both goalies, and it finally came to an end when Marian Hossa won it with a slapshot in overtime on a power play following a questionable penalty called on Henrik Zetterberg in the final seconds of the third period, giving the Hawks a 3-2 win, and 2 very precious points.

Let's get to this:

THE GOOD:

The game itself. This was playoff hockey. There was good hitting on both sides, aside from Todd Bertuzzi's headhunting on Ryan Johnson (more on that in a second). Best thing is, these two teams meet twice the last weekend of the season, and it's apparent they won't play those games passively. Plus, they're looking like they might meet up in April or May too.

Marian Hossa. He was playing like a man possessed tonight. Actually, my favorite play by Hossa was right before his game winner - Niklas Kronwall broke his stick, and Hossa slowed down passing the Detroit bench to prevent Kronwall from getting his stick an extra second or two.

Ryan Johnson. Guy damn near gets his head ripped off, still manages to go 9-5 in the circle. He's been a godsend.

THE BAD:

Dumbassed penalties. There were plenty. Sloppy stickwork leading to trips & hooks,Tomas  Kopecky shooting the puck over the glass, Marcus Kruger grabbing a stick right in front of the ref. Not good.

THE UGLY:

Todd Bertuzzi hitting Johnson in the head. It was just horseshit. Back turned, arm up, no way he was hitting anything but Johnson's head. He got a game misconduct, and he probably won't get a suspension. Here's the thing - every time somebody gets hurt, someone makes the excuse that it was just bad timing, or a player ducked, any number of factors and the player could have skated away. Here's an example that goes the other way. Despite Bertuzzi's best efforts, Ryan Johnson returned to the game.

Next up is a game tomorrow night in Boston against the Bruins. In the meantime, we've finally located our friend Dave Morris: