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Just when it starts looking to the rest of the league like the Blackhawks are beatable, they go out and turn in a game like last night’s 3-1 defeat of the Kings.
For most of the night, the Hawks controlled the play, proving yet again, that the Kings, for all their talent, can’t really skate with the Hawks. There were parts of the game last night where the Kings made it competitive, but, for the most part, the Hawks had their way, controlling the puck and generating a lot of pressure on the Kings’ net.
Certainly, questions remain. The penalty kill is still abysmal. And the Hawks will have the odd game where they get blitzkrieged themselves. But those rough patches don’t last long and are typically followed by an outstanding game or stretch of games like the effort turned in last night, after playing on the road the night before in Toronto.
Rookie netminder Antti Raanta was superb, making some huge saves at clutch moments—the hallmark of a #1 goaltender. And this was coming off a night in Toronto where he was not especially good.
The top line of Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa was fantastic last night—after looking terrible in Toronto. All four lines were good last night, including especially Marcus Kruger’s fourth line, which controlled the puck for long stretches at a time.
The Hawks hit the ice again Tuesday in Nashville, facing a Predators team that is one of a few that has put a beating on them this season.
I’ll have a preview before then,
JJ