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Hockey is a funny sport.
10 months ago, Phoenix goalie Mike Smith and his flowing locks were the toast of the game. These days, Smith is a complete sieve—albeit still possessing his tonsorial splendor.
The Blackhawk Blitzkrieg through the Western Conference continued last night in Glendale, AZ, with a 6-2 beatdown administered to the Coyotes, Phoenix’ second home loss this young season to the team they vanquished from the playoffs in 6 games in 2012.
The Hawks got big contributions from their top players, especially Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp, with scoring balance from the top 3 lines.
The third line of Bryan Bickell, Andrew Shaw and Viktor Stalberg was outstanding.
And while a few games ago, I was leaning toward the opinion that Shaw is better at wing than center, I am starting to believe the opposite. Shaw made nice "center" plays last night, especially the setup on Stalberg's goal, which opened the floodgates. He is also now at 50% on draws this year, a huge factor, when Dave Bolland and Marcus Kruger hover just above 40%.
The Hawks have won a lot of games thus far this season, though perhaps none as thoroughly one-sided as this one. Hawk forwards got behind and through Coyote defensemen all night, either scoring or drawing penalties.
The anti-climax of the game was “payback” exacted by Jamal Mayers on Raffi Torres, for Torres’ brutal hit on Marian Hossa in last Spring’s playoffs. Decision: Mayers, who landed a couple of bombs on an otherwise game Torres.
I get it.
Some complained on social media last night about "staged” fights, etc. Now, what some of those folks might not realize is those punches really hurt. And there is a deterrent quality, albeit after the fact, to incidents like last night’s. I believe that.
And with that belief, I question why Joel Quenneville sent a cruiserweight like Mayers to do the job, when the message would have been more powerfully delivered by Brandon Bollig.
I heard from a source this morning, there just might have been a gentleman’s agreement between old friends Joel Quenneville and Dave Tippett to end the bad blood, and avoid a penalty-and suspension-filled mess, by avoiding a one-sided bloodbath at the hands of Bollig.
Like I said, hockey is a funny sport.
The Hawks get an off day tomorrow in Nashville before facing the Preds Sunday night.
I’ll be back with a preview tomorrow as well, as this looks to be yet another tough test. As always, and in spite of talent losses, Barry Trotz’ team is again playing pretty well looks like a challenge.
All for now,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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