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The law of averages dictates that when the shot margin in an NHL game is 37-12, the final score is going to be something like 5-2. As it was in a lopsided beatdown the Chicago Blackhawks put on the visiting New Jersey Devils last night at the United Center.
The Hawks got goals from their top 3 lines and a defenseman, but the real story may have been limiting New Jersey to just 12 shots. There was one goal, off a rebound, that Hawk netminder Antti Raanta would have liked to have had back, but the other was a shot redirected at least three times that he had no chance on.
For the season, the Finnish rookie is 8-1-2 with a .916 save% and a 2.20 GAA. Not too shabby at all.
The Hawks' top line, Marian Hossa (2A), Jonathan Toews (1A), and Patrick Sharp (2G) was thoroughly dominant yet again, a combined +7, repeating the argument that it might be the best line in the game.
Bryan Bickell played a strong game last night with a goal on a laser wrist shot over Cory Schneider's blocker. Bickell being back and playing strong is only a good thing for the third line and the hawks as a whole.
The Hawks have been playing very good hockey of late, especially as their defense has improved. Even their dreadful penalty kill has "ascended" to 28th. But if the Hawks only take one minor penalty, as they did last night, it doesn't matter as much.
That's all for now. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah to all.
JJ