Follow @james_tanner123 How do you even write about a game like this? I mean, screw recaps cause you can get them anywhere, but a game like this featured - what - five, six crazy things to talk about?
Shane Doan got a hat-trick in a losing effort. You know Doan probably went to bed pissed off because the team lost, but he should be psyched. You can't win many games when you have no NHL centres or goalies, so whatever. The roster stinks but Doan is playing like a revitalized player ten years younger.
His hat-trick gives him 11 goals in 27 games, after getting just 14 in 79 last year. Sure, he's still a 46% possession player who has had his ice-time cut significantly (he used to be a guaranteed 15 mins and 50 +% player, but come on, he's like 40 years-old).
By scoring his third goal (with the Coyotes down by three and no time on the clock) Doan also tied Dale Hawerchuck's franchise record for goals, which is cool.
What else?
Duclair got benched for taking a dumb penalty. On one hand, I guess you got to try to teach your kids, but on the other, it's not like this team can afford to bench essentially their best forward. (With Hanzal out).
Dave Tippett said F Anthony Duclair was recently shown film of a penalty similar to the one he took tonight, thus his 1st-period benching.
— Craig Morgan (@craigsmorgan) December 30, 2015They played him for about five minutes last night and I'm not sure benching rookies is ever really a smart move. He hooked Patrick Kane FFS. I dunno, he's basically the best player in the world when he has the puck, so is it really worth benching a guy for hooking him?
There was the OEL injury. It was pretty scary. He layed on the ice for a bit after a cross-check near the end of the game. He's the franchise player so this is always a worst case scenario (i.e your best player getting injured in essentially a meaningless game).
(Note: the odds of the Coytoes beating the Hawks without Hanzal and while benching Duclair are so low as to render the game virtually meaningless).
The team has released no update regarding Ekman-Larsson.
Michalek also took an elbow to the head. I don't cheer for injuries, but like the Leafs with Stephane Robidas, it's probably for the best if he wasn't able to play. But, I reiterate, no one wants or cheers for injuries. Like Mike Smith, we just wish he'd retire of his own volition.
Well, let's at least just pause and consider that Mike Smith ISN'T the worst goalie the team has.
Mind Blown? Me too.
This will be the last 2015 blog, so for what it's worth, Happy New Years!
Thanks for reading.