For one night at least, several theories about the Blackhawks 2015-16 season were undermined.
You know, the one that said Marian Hossa's skills have eroded to the point where he's essentially the Slovakian Cam Russell . . . Teuvo Teravainen avoids high traffic areas . . . and Jonathan Toews isn't earning his money.
Last night, between them, the Hawks' top line racked up nine points, three a piece, earning all three stars.
Edmonton isn't exactly a tight-checking, physical club. There is no Duncan Keith, or even a Niklas Hjalmarsson, on their blue line. But there's some evidence over the last few games at least, that the Hawks' top line is beginning to gel.
The key seems to be Teravainen maturing into his role at left wing. As Ed Olczyk pointed out last night, Teravainen is getting rewarded for going into the high traffic/high contact/high opportunity areas between the circles.
However, The Oilers in December is not the same thing as the Predators, Wild or Kings in May. In other words: keep it up, Teuvo.
To my eye, Toews and Hossa are doing the same things they've done all year, they're just getting more opportunities to finish and more off the break than they were earlier in the year. Teravainen stepping up is part of that.
The "conventional wisdom" emerging earlier in the year that Hossa is "done," or "needs to be on the third line," was (and is) asinine. Hossa (along with Artemi Panarin) was the most dynamic player on the ice last night, flying past Edmonton defenders more than once. And the pass he saucered on Toews' goal was a thing of beauty—very hard to do without elite hands.
Don't worry about 81. He's far from finished. Good news for the Hawks too.
As for Toews, you could see it in his face—it's about time.
It was a nice rebound win for the Hawks and Corey Crawford, whose third shutout in 4 games was lost in the hubbub over the top line's performance. You could tell, when Crawford flashed his glove on an early save, he was dialed in and confident.
Another thing went well last night: the defensive pairings.
I have to tell Penguins fans. Maybe this trade is going to work out well for both teams, because Rob Scuderi, while no is confusing him with Paul Coffey, is doing a pretty solid job in limited minutes and situations for the Hawks.
The more important thing is Joel Quenneville has Trevor van Riemsdyk on Duncan Keith's right—a perfect place for him to shine, and a formidable "second" pairing of Niklas Hjalmarsson on Bretn Seabrook's left. The season long clown car looks over.
For now.
Lots to feel good about with the Hawks right now. And definitely some things to build on. I'll have a Sabres preview tomorrow.
JJ