Don't start the parade just yet, Hawk fans.
Your team demonstrated yet again last night that it is quite beatable, depending on how well its goalie plays and a few bounces of the puck here and there.
The Hawks did the right things statistically for the most part last night, just not scoring and allowing 5 too many goals.
The Hawks fall to 2-2 on the Circus Trip with a visit to defending Western Conference champion San Jose scheduled for tomorrow night.
One thing about this team under Joel Quenneville—it has shown the ability to bounce back quickly from humiliating defeat and prepare for a big game. That ability will be tested in short order.
It's hard to point to any one thing that did Chicago in last night. But it was clear the Oilers came to play—and Crawford became human again, at least for one night.
Artem Anisimov and Marian Hossa had off nights last night to relative degrees as well, and as much as the Hawks have been relying on their line for scoring, you're going to get the result you had last night.
Another Hawk rookie, this time Tyler Motte, got the "it's not full cages in the CCHA anymore" wakeup call—in the form of a devastating clean check by Oiler defenseman Kris Russell.
Full marks to the Oilers. They didn't play a perfect game either, but they were able to take advantage where the Hawks couldn't. And judging by in-game and post-game interviews with Oiler players on Rogers SportsNet, they very much believe they can play with the Hawks.
But one game in Novmeber is not the Stanley Cup playoffs either. An important thing to remember for Hawk fans as well. Don't get too high when Vince Hinostroza has a 3-point night against Vancouver—don't get too low when the whole team struggles the next game out.
I'll preview the San Jose game tomorrow.
JJ
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