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Here are my top 10 observations (in no particular order) from last night's 6-3 win vs. Rangers:

1) Alex Debrincat spoke in July about just making it a difficult decision for the Hawks come training camp. Well, "The Cat" has found his stride and is not going anywhere. He's 2nd in goals (7) and 3rd in points (12).

"I want them to have to make a spot for me," DeBrincat said. "Hopefully something goes right. I want to make it so they can't cut me and they need me to play there. That's kind of the way I'm going into it. I'm not putting any pressure on myself or expectations, but obviously I want to be in the NHL, and I'm going to work as hard as I can." (source: NHL.com)

It might have been that positive attitude that helped will that puck through Lundqvist to get the Hawks on the board late in the 2nd period. That goal gave the Hawks a spark and ADB played another really solid game, offensive and defensively; keep an eye out on how he covers for pinching D, his recognition is better than most forwards on this team right now.

2) As I commented a couple days ago, Q appeared to be monitoring Seabrook's ice time and boy did he ever using #7 for only 16:26 (the lowest of all defencemen). That is the lowest since December 6th, 2016 vs. Coyotes but that's only because he was forced out due to an injury.

Seabrook was taken off the PP in favour of Forlsing, Rutta, Franson and Keith. The PP is a disaster and although Seabrook has one of the better shots on the team, something has to change.

Whether he's nursing an injury or this is the new norm for Seabs, it's worth keeping an eye on. I think he and Murphy played well together in sheltered minutes.

3) Anisimov has hit mid-season form after a slow start, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

With 9 goals, he leads the Blackhawks in that department with last night being his first ever hat trick.

He's going to "put the pucks on the wall or some sh*t".

Needless to say, the Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane line will be staying together for the foreseeable future.

4) That leads me to re-evaluate where the Hawks are with the centres; if Schmaltz and his 30% faceoff success rate is better on the wing, what does that leave Q with?

The depth of Toews-AA-Hartman-Wingels is not a long-term solution. Coach Q liked Hartman's game at centre last night but those 4 aren't your ideal combination if you want to be a playoff team.

Stan will have his eye on another pivot now that Schmaltz has been moved back to the wing and appears to need more time to be able to efficiently play the position.

5) It's almost unbearable to watch the Blackhawks defensive coverage this year. Too many times are the Hawks running around in their own zone. On most shifts, they dig themselves a hole with the 3rd man (usually the centre) scrambling to get back.

Q and Co. need to work with the forward schemes and make sure they are transitioning quicker defensively to bail out their defenders.

6) This Forsling guy, am I right? Just when I thought he was "meh", the kid has a game like that.

He had a heck of a game that shines a glimmer of hope that if he continues to progress like this, he's a viable top 4 D for this team come springtime.

It's almost like he's channeling his inner-Hjalmarsson; his skating style, how he closes gaps and the way he boxes out forwards on the attack was eerily similar.

And no, I don't think he's as good as Hammer, but just noting the resemblance in style.

7) Slow clap for the Penalty Killers last night. Hayden's 4-minute high-sticking penalty could have spelled the end of the Hawks vs. the Rangers dynamic power play.

The PK has been really solid all year. The Hawks currently sit T-7th in the league.

8) Hayden had 7 minutes of ice time that resulted in 1 goal. He also had 2 hits.

The impressive way he scored highlighted all night the Blackhawks willingness to FINALLY go to the net. That type of play is contagious and it's been so confusing that this type of net-front presence hasn't been executed like this all season long. The players have remained the same, so whether it's coaching or player fault, let's just hope it's fixed and operates at full steam like last night.

You're going to see more of Franson, Rutta and Forsling continuing to fire pucks mercifully towards the nets in hopes of screens and rebounds. I like it!

9) You know my comment about defensive zone coverage (see #5), and how bad it is? Well, one of the most disappointing players in this regard is Jonathan Toews.

I keep waiting for this guy to shake off whatever he's going through, but I'm getting worried. No longer can I stick up for his play. He's not effective on either side of the puck, which is very concerning.

Once touted for his defensive acumen, he's looking slow and weak all over the ice.

Some stats to ponder on over your morning coffee:

* Toews is drawing fewer penalties than ever (0.17 / 60 mins vs. 1.12 average over past 8 years)

* His individual high-danger scoring chances are fading at an alarming rate (2.67 / 60 mins this year vs. 4.05 / 60 mins last year).

(Stats source: Natural Stat Trick)

10) The pairings and lines are aaaaalmost there. Coach Q needs to leave them alone for a while. He's at least likely to stay the course vs. Pens for Saturday's game.


This top 10 list is brought to you by terrible looking moustaches (AA's is scary, creepy) in support of Movember… please donate to your local moustache.


Now, I want to see your top 10 – GO!


JL - @JustinLoweHB

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