Dating myself again. Anyone else remember the Peanuts character who was always surrounded by a cloud of filth and grime wherever he went?
OK, well, there was this character called Pig Pen.
Anyway, I digress to make a point about the Chicago Blackhawks' 2016-17 season. They always seem to find some "way" to win—at least on regular season nights against teams they should beat (and to be fair, maybe some they shouldn't).
Far from perfect or overwhelming, just enough here, just enough there, and they're still in first place.
Last night's home win versus Buffalo was one of this games. The Hawks vastly outshot and outchanced the Sabres, yet fought from behind all night, largely because one of the few mismatches that favored Buffalo, their power play versus the Hawks' undermanned PK, delivered two tallies for the visitors.
The Hawks, as they have all season, relied heavily on the Artem Anisimov line, and against a somewhat suspect Buffalo defense, AK72 delivered.
It would also be unfair to say that the Hawks overall—aside from their PK failings (notably minus Marcus Kruger—the Hawks were also upside down in the face-off dot)—did not play well.
They got pressure and contributions in some form or another from every line—and coming back off injury, a rested Marian Hossa was the best player on the ice for either team just a couple of weeks before his 38th birthday.
Nice games also for Ryan Hartman (nice effort goal), Gustav Forsling, who had a solid outing for the most part, Michal Kempny (who also was solid on a night when his partner, Brent Seabrook, struggled), Richard Panik who was very physical and a pain for the Sabres to play against all night.
A nice win for the Hawks, and a needed one, only their second in 7 games.
Tonight, they get the chance to exact some revenge on the Carolina Hurricanes at the UC, who beat the Hawks 2-1 recently in Raleigh.
CAROLINA HURRICANES (17-14-7) at CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (24-12-6) 8:30PM Eastern/7:30 Central CSN Chicago/Fox Sports Carolina
GOALIES: Cam Ward Scott Darling
Look for a revolving door on Jonathan Toews' left wing after Rockford call-up Spencer Abbott was demoted mid-game last night for Vince Hinostroza.
I'll recap tomorrow.