Follow JJ on Twitter @jaeckel
Blues 3 Blackhawks 2
Not much to say about this one except anyone not missing Corey Crawford needs their eyes examined. Now, let me repeat, I am a Raanta fan. But again last night, we saw why he is the backup and Crawford is the #1.
Raanta gets a pass on the second goal, big time. After a horrible Michal Rozsival giveaway at the blueline, the Blues crashed the net and barely forced one through. But the first goal was soft as butter and the third was off an Antti Niemi-esque fat rebound in the slot to sniper Dmitrij Jaskin. Game, set, match.
This game proved that the Hawks have to bring their A Game every night as teams like the Blues got better in the offseason while the Hawks basically didn't.
And yet another improved team rolls into the UC tonight.
Ottawa Senators at Chicago Blackhawks 7PM Eastern/6 Central WGN, NHL Network
THE BUZZ
Tonight will be a rare NHL matchup of Illinois natives starting at goalie for both clubs, and perhaps the first ever in an NHL game at the United Center—as former Hawk Craig Anderson faces likely Hawk starter, 6'6" Lemont native Scott Darling.
The Sens are off to a solid start at 4-2, while the Hawks at 4-2-1 dropped two games on their recently completed road trip. Jeremy Morin skates on the fourth line for an injured Dan Carcillo, and David Rundblad might be in for Rozsival.
AND A RUMOR
The Hawks might be talking a minor deal with Doug Wilson's San Jose Sharks. Shark scout and former Hawk captain and coach Dirk Graham is in Rockford at this writing.
All for now,
JJ