It would be foolish to read too much into back-to-back road victories over non-playoff teams. These are games the Hawks should win, or at least take a point in.
That said, they are winning them.
A couple of other positive indicators: the Canucks went 0 for 2 on the power play, and the Hawks haven't given up a power play goal in these last two games. Marcus Kruger also was 55% in the dot last night. Both of these factors point to some ongoing improvement in a penalty kill that was swirling the drain the previous several weeks in Kruger's absence, and Jonathn Toews, again, was spared penalty kill duty.
Another thing we're seeing is that there are no worries about the backup goalie spot. Scott Darling earned—earned—second straight first star with another outstanding outing on consecutive nights. What we are learning about Darling is that given a steady workload, he can rise to the occasion and win, if not carry the team.
Christian Ehrhoff finally got back in the lineup and had two assists, and made a couple of nice defensive plays as well—a solid night of work. Sure, we will need to see more of this, but that has to also be taken as a good sign on a blue line that has more questions than answers late in the season.
A much tougher test awaits tomorrow night in St. Paul: the Minnesota Wild, a playoff team that has really had the Hawks number the last couple of times they've met.
I'll preview in 24.
JJ
FOB (good peeps, good reads)
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