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When Jonathan Toews corraled a stretch pass, splitting the St. Louis defense and breaking in clean on Ryan Miller in overtime last night, admit it, you knew what was going to happen.
Toews knew it. The Hawks knew it. The Blues and Miller knew it.
Because that's Toews has always done. Deliver in the big moments in the big games, going all the way back to the 2007 World Juniors.
The Blues could well come back to win Game 6 in Chicago and the series a couple of days later in St. Louis, but for now, their backs are clearly to the wall and the Hawks do have all the momentum going back to Chicago—for the kill—on Sunday.
That was a huge win last night in a tight series, which now feels like it's slipping into the Chicago column.
And I think now it can be argued, the Hawks had the momentum last night. Unlike Games 1 and 2 in St. Louis, when it just felt like the Hawks were waiting for bad things to happen, last night didn't del like that. A lot of air went out of the balloon when Nick Leddy got caught way too far up ice, allowing a St. Louis odd-man rush and a tying goal early in the third.
Leddy's gaffe aside, the Hawk defensemen seemed bait more under control in response to the St. Louis forecheck. Niklas Hjalmarsson, Duncan Keith, Johnny Oduya and Sheldon Brookbank all made some nice plays.
But thereafter, the Hawks, led by Toews, Patrick Kane, Ben Smith and a host of other players, kept battling.
Further, the Hawks get Brent Seabrook back from suspension in Game 6—for a little added mojo.
But this morning, Chicago fans and the hockey world can celebrate (or at least enjoy) the ongoing greatness of hockey's fiercest competitor—even if Sidney Crosby swears the crown of the game's "best player."
All Hail JT.
All for now from JJ