The Chicago Blackhawks won a hockey game last night. No big news there.
But they played better than they have in some time—and if that isn't significant news, it's certainly something the team can try to build on.
They got 2 goals from what has historically been their top line, and played for the most part an engaged, physical style that has been missing so far this year.
You can't talk about the physical play and leave out the recently recalled Bryan Bickell. Bickell went mano a mano with Dustin Byfuglien a few times and acquitted himself pretty well versus a legitimate (no pun intended) NHL heavy hitter. That's great. But I will also temper that by offering a couple of other observations before we get to far down the rails on the Bickell Love Train.
Whenever he has chosen the last several seasons to put on his big boy pants, Bickell has been able to engage and deliver physically. It's not easy to do, credit to him, and certainly something (like in the playoffs) that has value.
But to my eye, I saw a guy again last night who is a step or two slow at the NHL level and behind the play. The "narrative" that was out there, that the Hawks liked his speed at Rockford, doesn't seem to be valid. or the Hawks were caught themselves in some wishful thinking.
Who knows? Maybe Bickell needs to reacclimatize to the NHL pace. He will likely get more chances while he's around.
Trevor Daley was injured (appeared to be his neck) on a nasty collision with Winnipeg's Chris Thorburn. He had to leave the game and didn't return—and it appears he won't be back for at least a game or two, possibly much longer. Trevor van Riemsdyk also took a ding, but returned. So the Hawks played, and won, the game short on defense. Nothing new there either.
Still, the Blackhawks played well. In addition to the Jonathan Toews line getting some production, Marcus Kruger's fourth line was outstanding, with Kruger having what looked like a legitimate (though fluky) goal overturned by the "War Room."
Ugh. The War Room. Any time you guys want to put the Legos and slot cars away and start to do a consistent, professional job, that's be great.
Marian Hossa (first star) had a nice night with a goal, an assist, +2 and 5 shots, his assist coming on a seeing eye goal by Teuvo Teravainen.
Anyway, I would expect to see Erik Gustafsson coming down I-90 from Rockford in the next 24 hours or so to shore up the defensive depth.
I'll be back tomorrow with a Nashville preview, another big divisional game for sure.
JJ