It’s hard to imagine a Blackhawk fan, watching the first 30 minutes or so of last night’s game in Boston, being anything but immensely frustrated with a team that has started way too many games this season getting outshot, outchanced and "out-efforted."
After 20 minutes last night, the Hawks had been outshot 17-6, kept in a tie game only through the brilliance of a dialed in Scott Darling.
37 minutes of scoreless hockey later, the Hawks finally broke the tie and won the game on a sweet feed form Tanner Kero to a wide open Marian Hossa just outside the Boston goal crease.
And yes, the tone and tide of the game turned—from Boston to Chicago—as the game went on. That’s a positive for the Hawks, but really nothing new this year either. The bad starts are an ongoing problem, and not one you can just assume will be overcome against better teams in the playoffs.
But, thanks to Darling’s stellar outing, it was two points for the Hawks, only fueling internet speculation that Corey Crawford’s contract might be held by another team this summer in order to get the Hawks in compliance for 2017-18.
Should that happen, last night’s game may have been a turning point in that respect.
Psychologically, last night’s game had to be a boost, a turning point perhaps, for a team that has been struggling of late to beat good teams in regulation—or at all.
No, these aren’t the Bruins of 2013—but still a good team. The Hawks kept at it last night and won through hard work (and Darling).
Another factor became even more evident last night. The Hawks have “something” in Hossa, Kero and Vince Hinostroza. I don’t think you would ever call that a legit second line in the playoffs versus top 4 defensemen of good teams. But a good third line that causes matchup problems against third pairings? Absolutely.
But it also really magniifies the obvious hole on Jonathan Toews’ line, where Richard Panik and Ryan Hartman provide a lot of effort, but not much results. And as much as bashing Toews and consigning his career to the scrap heap of history has become the out of control message board narrative of 2016-17, only a fool would go as far as saying he is holding Hartman and Panik back.
The point is: add a legitimate scorer (preferably a natural left wing) to Toews’ line, then along with the new Hossa line and AK72, you’ve got some scoring depth and huge matchup issues for other teams.
And when Marcus Kruger returns, his line becomes “3B” the fourth line that’s a true shutdown line—a true luxury that the Hawks had in their Cup runs of 2013 and 2015.
And so the Dad’s Trip ends on a really positive note, even if the first half game wasn’t so positive outside of virtuoso goaltending.
I will preview the Hawks’ home game versus Vancouver tomorrow.
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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