It wasn't pretty, but it was effective.

The Chicago Blackhawks started with a whimper tonight, as Marian Hossa coughed up a puck to T.J. Oshie that bounced off David Backes and into the net 17 seconds into the game. They also stumbled into the second period, letting Oshie pot one 66 seconds after leaving the locker room. The Hawks scored three consecutive goals in the remainder of the second, then let the Blues tie it up in the third before Jonathan Toews atoned for his overtime transgression last night by burying the overtime winner, giving the Chicago Blackhawks a 4-3 decision in the United Center. The Hawks win also sent the Calgary Flames to the golf course, leaving only the Dallas Stars as a team outside the Western Conference playoff picture with a chance to get in.

Let's get to this:

THE GOOD:

Patrick Sharp bringing sexy back. We went from no word on his status, no skating, no practice to skating his handsome ass onto UC ice. 7 shots on goal and an assist. Welcome back, Handsome.

Corey Crawford. He was huge tonight, even eating a puck in overtime before getting congratulations for his win. The Hawks protected him well, only allowing 24 shots. Three got in, but there were some other dangerous moments. I don't think anyone can conceivably think Crawford isn't a playoff ready goaltender. This kid is the tits and the tops.

Going to a boxing match and having a hockey game break out. Everyone on the planet was expecting Davis Payne to trot out the Gashouse Gorillas to drag their knuckles across the ice and just thug it up. Instead, they played it straight and damn near beat the Blackhawks on their home ice. It was a pleasant surprise. Still, fuck the Blues.

THE BAD:

The Hawks' power play. They looked like monkeys trying to fuck a football during a first period 5-on-3 that lasted 1:44. The second unit had better chances than the first unit, but they still came away empty handed. You can't hope for hockey in May when you have more men on the ice than the other guys, and you're the team looking like you're herding cats.

My seemingly irrational hate of Chris Campoli. He wasn't the worst defenseman the Hawks had tonight (that would be #2 in your program, #1 in your hearts), but I just want to throw him into a pile of burning tires.

THE UGLY:

Toews looking ready to go with Backes. On this week's Puckcast, we discussed at length exactly how bad Toews is when his gloves drop. Thank God cooler heads prevailed.

Next up on the Blackhawks' 2011 Heart Attack Tour is Friday night in Joe Louis Arena. The Hawks need 2 points to lock up the playoffs. Let's do this.