The Chicago Blackhawks looked, finally, like the Chicago Blackhawks in the third period of yesterday's big road win in St. Louis.
Sure, the Hawks' play had been ticking upward probably going back to the other night in Winnipeg, where they gutted out a 2-1 win in OT against their season long nemesis.
But the Hawks took over in the third period against the Blues, sending everyone—the Blues, the NHL, even Hawk fans—a message:
To paraphrase Elvis Costello: don't bury us, cuz we're not dead yet.
So yesterday's nationally-televised win was just what the Hawks needed—and on multiple levels. Points, that keep them within striking distance of St. Louis and Nashville for better playoff position. Confidence—you could just see the Hawks ramping it up in a third period they utterly dominated, outshooting the Blues 12-3.
Perfect timing leading into a an 8-game homestand, a chance for the Hawks to really make some hay and make up some points, if not places in the standings, going into the playoffs.
Adding to the good news, the imminent return of Kris Versteeg, who was having a nice bounce-back season before taking a wrist injury on New Year's Day. Versteeg should be back against Vancouver.
Is the pressure off Stan Bowman now to make a deal? It shouldn't be. This is a very good hockey team, but it still has a couple of holes and there is now a "book" around the league on how to exploit it. But Bowman is perhaps now in a better bargaining position with a little less of the smell of desperation on him.
Arizona Coyotes (19-27-7) at Chicago Blackhawks (33-18-2) 7:30PM Central CSN-CH/NBCSN
THE BUZZ
Aside from playing back to back days, the Blackhawks have no excuse not to play well tonight. The Coyotes are a team that struggles to win at home right now, much less on the road.
Antti Raanta is the likely starter in net for the Hawks tonight versus Mike Smith for the Coyotes.
All for now, recap tomorrow
JJ