I Still Hate Shootouts - Hawks 3, Ducks 2
In what might have been one of the most overall lackluster performances of this young season, the Blackhawks yet again decided to wait until the shootout to try and salvage the second point of a game. This was the third time in a row at home that the Blackhawks have given the fans MAXIMUM HOCKEY VALUE. I'd really like to see them get these things done a little earlier and I'd really like them to stop giving out a point a day to conference foes, but the two points are nice and shiny and I will cherish them.
Let's get to the the stuff, the things and the stuff:
THE GOOD
It's hard to argue with the best of the good - Patrick Kane tied the game at one goal apiece in the second period with a spin-o-rama that led to a backhand pass through the slot directly to the streaking Marian Hossa who had an easy tap in. It is going to be the play of the day if not the week on the NHL Network and you will see it many times. What I'm saying is feel free to stock on underwear because you're going to ruin a few pairs.
I think it's fair to say that Brent Seabrook has been an absolute rock so far this season and easily the best Hawk defenseman. He played almost thirty minutes tonight and it looks like being paired with Nik Hjalmarsson seems to agree with the both of them. Those still complaining about the Nick Leddy-Duncan Keith relationship need to realize that Quenneville isn't going to be splitting up Hammer and Seabs any time soon. So get used to it.
Corey Crawford was pretty much nails tonight, especially in the third when the Ducks were swarming around the five minute mark. He had two excellent saves in quick succession covering both posts.
Also, congrats to living legend Teemu Selanne on his 640th goal. Selanne scored after a bad Kane giveaway by skating in on Crawford and going forehand to backhand. He knows just how to finish those off. Seriously, 640 goals? That's amazing. What a career.
THE BAD
I really like Michael Frolik but he missed a couple of glorious chances. It appears he needs to bust out the rum and Jobu and perform some kind of ritual with his sticks. The Blackhawks actually had a few glorious chances where the Ducks either blew their assignments completely or Francois Beauchemin dropped his stick and they couldn't finish. Credit to Hiller for being really strong tonight.
Sean O'Donnell took a couple of dumb penalties, mainly a delay of game. Then after the Hawks killed that penalty, he was "streaking" down the left side out of the box and looked like he wanted nothing to do with the puck putting a cross ice pass to Frolik that ended any hope of a threat. Seriously, is there a worse option to have coming out of the box like that? And John Scott doesn't count because he'll never play again.
Viktor Stalberg? He stinks. He performed his signature skate really fast down the wing, unleash an awkward, inaccurate wrister and then crash full speed into the boards. I get that he's pretty but his game is rumplefugly. Ben Smith scored for Rockford tonight. Let's give him a call.
THE UGLY
Seriously, another shootout? Who are these for? If you can prove to me that the shootout actually keeps fans interested in hockey I'm all ears (or eyes). I sincerely doubt there are people that watch a hockey game only hoping that it gets all the way to the shootout. The alternatives have been covered at length and I'm up for any of them. Hearing that the Blackhawks actually spent valuable practice time on their shootout moves made me ill - and it's not like they have a choice. The shootouts are a very real way of earning that extra point and so this is what they're forced to do. Please get rid of the shootout.
Next up, the Blackhawks travel to Raleigh, NC to take on the Carolina Hurricanes on the 28th.
Posted by Slaky at 10/25/2011 10:52 PM 
Categories: Game Recap
Tags: Patrick Kane Marian Hossa Viktor Stalberg Corey Crawford Teemu Selanne Brent Seabrook
Categories: Game Recap
Tags: Patrick Kane Marian Hossa Viktor Stalberg Corey Crawford Teemu Selanne Brent Seabrook
> Also, congrats to living legend Teemu Selanne on his 640th goal. Selanne scored after a bad Kane giveaway by skating in on Crawford and going forehand to backhand. He knows just how to finish those off. Seriously, 640 goals? That's amazing. What a career.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
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