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I hate the shootout. Always have.
Anyone who reads here regularly knows this. It's like—to use another sport as an analogy—the seventh game of the World Series going to extra innings and then deciding the game with a Home Run Derby.
A stupid marketing gimmick that cheapens the game and the NHL. Only unlike the Fox Puck, it hasn't gone away.
And although a shootout delivered the Blackhawks an extra point last night, it's really disappointing that what was a great hockey game had to be decided that way.
This game had it all: scoring, hitting, passing, big saves. Two great teams laying it all out for 65 minutes of actual hockey.
As someone posted on my message board thread last night, these aren't your grandfather's Predators anymore. These guys can fill up the net—and they did. Lighting up Corey Crawford for three goals until the Hawks could notch a point midway through the second period. From there, the Hawks pretty much controlled play; although after Chicago tied it up at 3, the Preds got another goal immediately after, and led until Bryan Bickell rammed one home with Crawford pulled late in the third.
The Hawks obviously needed that. Bickell needed that.
Andrew Shaw (remember him?) found the scoresheet.
Marian Hossa regained his touch on a lightning one-time blast while the Hawks were 4-on-3.
So after five minutes of scoreless overtime, the game went to the shootout. Jonathan Toews got one through Pekka Rinne's five-hole, Corey Crawford stopped all three, and the Hawks go up three points now in the Central on second place Nashville.
It was a statement game. The Preds served notice that they can light it up in a hurry; while the Hawks answered back and reminded the Preds that they might not be the greatest defensive team in history just yet. And the Hawks got the victory—and deservedly—even if it was in a shootout.
So next up—deep breath—is the Winter Classic day after tomorrow in the U.S Capital. I will have a preview before than.
JJ