After losing to the Rangers in OT recently at the United Center, the Blackhawks came into Madison Square Garden last night looking to make a statement, and even the score against a possible Stanley Cup Final opponent.
It was an incredibly fun game to watch, with two skilled teams that play at high speed, playoff intensity and great goaltending. And even more fun for Hawk fans because their team won.
Some quick observations:
SCOTT DARLING
This guy is the real deal. With some confidence and coaching, and a rumored lifestyle change after bouncing around the minors for a few years, he looks very much the part of a #1 goaltender in the NHL. He’s huge, has good reflexes for a big man and holds his crease very well. And he made some huge saves enroute to his first NHL shutout last night on a very big stage in a pretty big game.
We will revisit the topic of Mr. Darling’s future in the offseason, if not sooner.
BRAD RICHARDS
It would be easy to say last night’s performance and game-winning goal was due to playing against his former team in their building for the first time this year. But Richards has been playing better the last few games. And he seems to be thriving playing with bigger, more physical wings who give him some space to work in. This is only good news for the Hawks, as they have needed a line other than Joanthan Toews’ top line to start producing. Richards’ line was strong all night last night and the previous night at the UC versus the Islanders.
TDL ACQUISITIONS
Again, Andrew Desjardins, Kimmo Timonen, and Antoine Vermette are paying obvious dividends as, game by game, they become more assimilated into the Hawks style of play. Desjardins seems to have played his way into a regular role, forcing a p[retty good player in Kris Versteeg to the bench for now.
NORDSTROM
Joakim Nordstrom had a lot of jump last night. With Nordstrom, Desjardins, Andrew Shaw and an engaged Bryan Bickell (or even Dan Carcillo), the Hawks are starting to look like a fairly snarly bunch upfront going into the playoffs—exactly what this team needs, in complement to its skill, to succeed in the postseason.
All for now, I’ll have a Dallas preview next.
JJ
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