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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Bickell, Teravainen Sit. Matt Carey Slated In.

Well, as expected. I knew Teuvo Teravainen wouldn't play 10 games. Why pay him his full contract, when all he had to do was only play 9…not 10. In comes Matt Carey. Hawks signed him last week out of St. Lawrence University.

Hawks are trying like heck to rest their players.
Bickell: 5 games.
Saad: He just came back after missing nearly 2 weeks.
Kane: out for 3 weeks. Knee injury…how quaint and timely, don't you agree? This allowed the Hawks much leverage.
Hossa: He recently returned after 3 weeks.
Rozsival: he's been getting his rest.
Crawford: He won't play all the remaining games.

Hawks are trying to find this nice mix to get ready for the playoffs. They've conceded 1st, 2nd and 3rd seeds. It is almost certain that they will play Colorado in the first round. Now it comes to which team gets home ice.

Resting other important pieces:
Sharp, Toews, Seabrook and Keith…how will this happen?



Thursday, March 27, 2014

Teuvo...He's a HIT !

TEUVO TERAVAINEN

I don't think I've seen this much anticipation for a player in a long time. There was some anticipation to see Brandon Pirri, and Jeremy Morin. There was some anticipation to see Drew LeBlanc. The most anticipation I've seen in the past few years had to be the arrival of Antti Raanta. However, the anticipation of 19 year old, 2012 18th overall pick Teuvo (TAY-woe Taer-a-VI-nen) was NUTS!. The first thing we wanted to know when he arrived was, "How do we pronounce your name?"......He gladly told us. He also told us that NOBODY pronounces it correctly. Teevo, Tavo, Tuvo... well not any longer. He will be a household name in Chicago for a long time.

His first game against Dallas was wonderful, and he didn't register a single point. What he did show was his beautifully skilled hands, his ability to see the ice, and his faceoff prowess. He was 7/7 from the dot. Awesome.

Teuvo Teravainen entering the ice at the UC for his 1st official NHL game



The line he was put on: SAAD - TERAVAINEN -SMITH was a wonderful line.  (Guess this puts Morin back in the hot seat again. Just as I was enjoying the "Rockford Files" Line Saad/Smith/Morin: then Teuvo changes that theme.) 3 quick guys. Saad and Smith with a little grit to their game, and all they need is a magic man at center.

He does look like the second line center the Hawks have been dying to have for years and years. We shall see. In the meantime, the Hawks can use Handzus and/or Regin or even Shaw at center.

So, with Teravainen coming in, what could be the possible OFFENSIVE line matchups?

Scenario# 1;
Sometimes Q likes to pair Tazer and Kaner.

Versteeg/Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Shaw - Hossa
Saad - Teravainen -Smith
Bollig -  Kruger - Bickell/Versteeg

Scratches: Morin,  Handzus, Regin
This loads up 3 offensive lines but hampers the 4th line a bit.



Scenario #2: This is a strong playoff situation. It loads everyline and keeps the 4th line together which has been successful all year long.

Saad - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Teravainen - Hossa
Bickell - Shaw - Versteeg
Bollig - Kruger - Smith

Scratches: Morin, Handzus, Regin


Scenario #3: You may also see a rotation of Kane and Hossa.
Saad - Toews - Hossa
Sharp - Teravainen - Kane

Handzus is "stable" he may get playing time.I only see Bickell right now as the weak link.  Bickell MUST produce or we get a total mix up of lines once again.




Friday, March 21, 2014

MORNING SKATE @ Carolina 21-March-2014

* Morin looks like he's paired with Ben Smith…can't see who else (Bollig is my guess).

* Teravainen isn't on the ice at 10:30am…Don't think he's playing…Just as I suspected.

* Saad was on the ice before morning skate.

* I don't see Saad on for morning skate.

* Teravainen IS DRESSED  ( #86) at 10:42 and on the ice. Yay!!!

* Sharp and Hossa are paired in drills.

* Kruger and Bollig paired in drills

* Rundblad is on the ice (10:47).

* Practicing face off drills with Shaw and Toews (nice to see) (10:50)

* Smith and Regin practicing face offs as well.

* Bickell isn't on the ice. He is dinged up.

* Coach Q says Teravainen isn't playing tonight. He has every intention of playing Teuvo in the near future. Q says "Teravainen is a special player"…comparing him to Kane.

* Saad may be out, as well.



Scott Powers @espnchipowers
Bowman said the 10-game entry-level slide wouldn't be a factor in how much Teravainen plays this season..sure it won't….OF COURSE IT IS!!!!


Sco @thasoapbox
😪 RT @MarkLazerus: Q tells @LukeStuckmeyer that Teravainen won’t play tonight. Neither will Saad, Bickell, Rozsival and Kane. #Blackhawks…well, there you go.  


Chris Kuc @chriskuc
Bryan Bickell and Michal Rozsival also not on the ice for #Blackhawks' morning skate. Jeremy Morin is skating.Bicksy may sit tonight. Q says he's banged up.



Hawks Recall Morin and Teravainen Stays with Hawks


It was pretty apparent to me what the Hawks were trying to accomplish. However, they needed that little LTIR miracle…and wouldn't you know it, a day after I posted that the Hawks would find that miracle….they certainly did. Besides fitting Teravainen under the cap, they brought up Jeremy Morin. Smart, smart, smart move. This little move may allow the Hawks to re-sign Morin without him having a bad taste in his mouth. ESPECIALLY if they can repeat as champions.

***Side NOTE: IF the Hawks don't play Teravainen tonight…it's strictly due to numbers. They are trying to fit everything under the cap. Remember, if he plays tonight, they OWE Teravainen $925,000. There are 12 games remaining. The rules stipulate that if he plays 10 or more games he MUST be paid in full. So, don't be surprised if he sits the next 3 games. I certainly would do that. I'd just say that he needs to get used to the system, and we're trying to fit him in,…blah blah blah blah…you know…all the politically correct answers. When in actuality, it's strictly about the numbers.

Hawks are playing the CAP like a chess master. Very interesting to watch this whole thing develop.


Craig Custance @craigcustance
Blackhawks announce that they've recalled the talented Teuvo Teravainen. He'll wear No. 86. Nice to have that option available w/Kane out.


Chicago Blackhawks @nhlblackhawks
The #Blackhawks have recalled Jeremy Morin and Teuvo Teravainen; Patrick Kane has been put on long-term injury. bit.ly/1etKrZD


Pierre LeBrun @real_espnlebrun
Blackhawks announce they've called up prized Finnish prospect Teuvo Teravainen (as well as Jeremy Morin).


Any questions?


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Teravainen Miracle: Kane Out 2+ Weeks (preliminary assessment)

In the last blog, I pointed out the Hawks needed to get someone out of the lineup in order for him to go under the cap.
1) Kane gets injured: out 2+ weeks:  This will put him on the IR,...therefore this NOW becomes an easy transition for Teuvo Teravainen to play for the Hawks. How easy was that? It's almost as if the Hawks are blessed.

Let's go over some of those lovely breaks.

1) Hawks sign Nikolai Khabibulin to a 1 year contract. He turns out to be a complete bust. He goes down, and the Hawks put in Raanta.

2) Nikolai Khabibulin would put the Hawks in a pinch if he comes back to the team. So, the Hawks find a necessary surgery that he passed on when he signed with the Hawks. This surgery would put Nikolai on permanent LTIR for the remainder of the year. DONE DEAL. Keep him off the roster.

3) Teuvo Teravainen is coming in from Finland and the Hawks have ZERO room for him. The Hawks would have had to make some tough decisions when he got to Chicago this weekend.

         i) He can't play 10 games without being charged a full year's salary. Kane makes $6.3m yearly. Is this
            enough for him to play the rest of the year? Maybe not. So, he has to wait a few more games. But,   he definitely can make the team now.

        ii) Interesting how the "preliminary report" is 2 weeks. That is about how much time they need. Maybe  they need 3 weeks. Watch out for Kane to be put on IR rather than DTD. It is the only way for                     Teravainen to make the roster.
****update: Kane is out for 3-5 weeks.

**** update:Vicctoria Matiash of ESPN reports (pretty much what I stated)…

...Then there's the pending arrival of the club's top prospect. For a couple of weeks now, the Blackhawks faithful have been abuzz about Teuvo Teravainen and how and where he would fit in once landed in North America (his SM-Liiga club, Jokerit, just recently bowed out of the playoffs). Maybe Kane's injury opens the door for NHL entry a little earlier than anticipated. If the Hawks place Kane on injured reserve, they'll clear enough cap space to accommodate Teravainen's $925,000 big-league salary….


There he goes to the big lights. Cant wait to see him play in the big league cya buddy! Break a leg!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

How To Get Teravainen On The Hawks With Cap Issues

Well, we know for certain that the Hawks are unable to add Teravainen with 10 or more games or he gets paid for a full season and that would put the Hawks over the cap. So, 9 games or less is the key.

What else is a key, is that the Hawks will need to find a way to get him on the roster before the end of the season. Because once the season starts, cap space doesn't come into play.

If that's the case, then look out for the mysterious injury that would get Teravainen on the roster easily.
What?....If a player goes down and is out for 15 days, DL15, that would allow Teravainen to slide in under the cap space,...that injured player gets pulled from the cap room,...thereby allowing Teravainen to slide on to the roster without making room. NICE!!!  Therefore, Regin and Rundblad would be safe. There is one injured player right now, but it's lowly paid Brandon Saad. I am not sure with only $55,000 remaining on the cap, if Saad's salary would cover it.
Saad @ $764,167 cap hit.
Teravainen's hit is at $925,000 (full year salary). With 9 games remaining, what is the cap hit for Teravainen if he only plays 9 games? Is it around $150,000?  I don't think Saad's salary would cover it. I'm sure the brass is trying to figure out everything right now. PLUS,...they need Saad on the ice. He's too important a player.

All the defensemen except for Rundblad make more than Teravainen....(Brookbank, Leddy, Rozsival could be substitutes).
Offensively, Michal Handzus, also a center, could be that replacement. He makes a cool mil ($1,000,000 for those without street cred), and that would cover the cap (I think...again, I am still learning the cap rules, and I will write changes if I find out otherwise...but, I do think I have a good hold of it).
Or,...anyone who goes down with an injury from now until the end of the season that makes more than Teuvo should be able to slide Teuvo right in to the roster.

With the Hawks just recently trading for Regin and Rundblad, and giving up valuable picks for both of them, I don't know if either one of them is able to slide into Rockford without having to clear waivers first. Besides, Regin's hit is at $375k whereas Rundblad's hit is $785k. Looks to me like Regin's here to stay irregardless,... and I don't think the Hawks would have the balls to put Rundblad on waivers (I believe he would have to clear waivers to go down)...

So,...if I have a crystal ball, I say that the Hawks will have a mysterious injury with one of their athletes in the next game or two. Let's see if I'm right..........The reason I say that is that appears to be the easiest way to get him onto the roster.


Teravainen and Cap rules

In order for the Hawks to NOT have to pay Teuvo Teravainen a full year's salary, it must be 9 or less games. The Hawks after today will have 13 games left in the season. The reason this is important, is because the Hawks are fully maxed out when it comes to cap space. So, if Teravainen does join the team, it won't be until next week. If Teravainen was to play 9 games in a row, that would mean his first game would be against Boston @Boston.  He could join the Hawks after the Dallas game on the 25th.

I am not so certain if he can practice with the Hawks before then without being dinged against the cap. I will certainly try to find out. Nevertheless, do expect to see Teuvo before the end of this month.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Tic Toc….Teravainen Time.

Jokerit of the SM-Liiga in Finland just played their last game Sunday. Now, it's time for the Finnish superstar to board that plane and head on over to Chicago where he is expected to make the team.

If that happens, it appears that  David Rundblad will be the odd man out (cap reasons), and  Peter Regin may follow him to Rockford.

If cap issues allow it, I'd swap Regin for Morin and Rundblad for Teravainen.  We'll see what really happens. All we know for certain, is that Teuvo Teravainen is finished in Finland (oh,..that's cute) and on his way to joining the Blackhawks in their final 14 games of the season.


Q Shakes Up Lines…IT WORKED!!! Hawks 4-1 Win Over Detroit

23- 19- 81  Versteeg- Toews- Hossa start the game.
29- 26- 88  Bickell- Handzus- Kane as a second line to start the first period.
20- 65- 10  Saad- Shaw- Sharp was a very interesting 3rd line.
52- 16- 28  Bollig- Kruger- Smith…why mess with a good thing? 4th line the same ALL YEAR.

16- 26- 10 Kruger Handzus Sharp… (just after being shorthanded).
23- 19- 81 SAME 1st line.
29- 28- 88-  Wow!!! Smith moves to centering the 2nd line.  Bickell- Smith- Kane
20- 65- 10 SAME 3rd line.
52- 16- 28 SAME. Kruger and Smith rejoin 4th line.

29- 28- 88 2nd Line. Smith again at center.
20- 65- 10 Same 3rd line all game long. (weird seeing Sharp on the 3rd line).
23- 19- 81 Same 1st line all game long.
52- 26- 16  New 4th line. Kruger to wing, Handzus to center.
20- 65- 81….Huh? Hossa goes to the 3rd line with Saad and Shaw.
10- 65- 81… Sharp- Shaw- Hossa. (3rd line is pretty potent yeah?)
Hossa still plays the 1st line late in the game, also.

2nd Period:
Versteeg- Toews- Hossa… Sounds like a good idea.
16-26-10 Kruger- Handzus- Sharp……What?
20-26-16  Saad- Handzus- Kruger. (what line do I call this?)
Bickell Smith and Kane together again…..Hey, if it works…don't mess with it.
Saad Shaw Sharp…back together again.
Shaw- Toew - Sharp. PP Unit.
Versteeg-Smith-Hossa PP Unit….scores…(Leddy scored the PP goal).
20-16-52 Shaw Kruger Bollig reconstructed 4th line.
29- 19- 10  Bickell Toews and Sharp. (I think Sharp may have played on  a zillion different lines tonight)
23- 65- 81  Versteeg Shaw and Hossa (lines are getting ridiculously shuffled after Saad leaves with injury)

3rd Period:
Here's a new one:…..
52- 16- 88        Bollig Kruger and now KANE joins the 4th line.
Later on Handzus takes his place back on the 4th line.
10- 28- 88       Sharp replaces Bickell on the 2nd line.
23- 16- 88   Versteeg Kruger and Kane. Uhmmm 20th line?


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 First things first…Saad appears to be okay. Find out more tomorrow with this upper body injury.

Next….musical chairs worked…tonight. This was done to shake up the team tonight toward the beginning of the game. Later on it was done to complete lines since Saad had to leave the game with an injury. Kane and Sharp were floaters. Smith was an experiment……it worked!!!!




Saturday, March 15, 2014

Hawks Continue To Play Mediocre Hockey In 2014 Loss to Nashville 3-2@Home

What is it with this team? They only seem to get up to play the better teams, but the lower ranked teams the Hawks go in and play like crap,…expect to skate to a win and they end up losing most of them. This is due to the leadership of players like Keith, Kane, Seabrook and Sharp showing that lackadaisical, half-effort. They know they can turn it on, but they aren't playing with that "hunger" , "desire" to want to put teams away. The Hawks need their leadership core (minus Toews…who always seems to appear for EVERY game), to come to play hard every single night.

Again, tonight, the Hawks aren't playing with any desire to crash the net, get the dirty goal. It's apparent that they think they can turn it on whenever they want. Some bad cancerous attitudes are present in that locker room and they better get rid of it soon before they become a 1st or 2nd round casualty. They're mediocre in PP (lately they're atrocious ), their PK is on the rise but still ranked 20th in the league. In other words, these stats aren't lying.

How about the disappearance of Patrick Kane? WTF has he gone? It appeared with the last two highlight reel goals that he has found his game again. Patrick Sharp? Duncan Keith? Time to step up boys!!!!!!!

Johnny Oduya……other than Colorado (which he showed effort in) he has been bad in judgement.

Andrew Shaw….. is so hit or miss lately. He will make some totally bone head mistakes, then look good on another play.

Marcus Kruger…last two games getting penalties for flipping pucks over the glass. Really?

Peter Regin?…….Totally not buying in the Regin experiment. (I know he scored a goal…great…but, most of the game he looked lost).

Bryan Bickell……hey Bicks!!! Wanna come to play, please?

The entire team is napping. Goaltending hasn't been crisp either. Worried? Yah,…you betcha.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Teuvo Teräväinen To Join Hawks After FInnish Season is Finished

What was suspected, is now confirmed by both Coach Quenneville and GM Stan Bowman. Finnish sensation Teuvo Teräväinen will join the Blackhawks after his season for Jokerit is finished.

This will probably mean the demotion of Centerman Peter Regin. Hawks normally like to keep an extra defenseman or two, thereby keeping David Rundblad with the Hawks. (We shall see). 

If the Hawks can bring Teravainen in, they could immediately put him on the second line. The first two lines  will be juggled a bit (as usual), but if they wish, the Hawks could Put Sharp-Teravainen-Kane as the second line, and the first line could be Saad-Toews-Hossa.  (This would slide Shaw back to the third line in between Versteeg and Bickell).  4th line would remain the same, therefore the odd man out would be Michael Handzus. 

***Note: Regin's cap hit at the moment is $375 as David Rundblad's cap hit is at $785,000. The Hawks have NO room right now, and they may need to move Rundblad in order to make room…no choice here. 

Hawks fans are getting excited with the thought of Teravainen joining the team.  His skill level and speed are literally off the charts. He may be one of the best NON-NHLers in the world right now. So,… everyone is going to get their opportunity in seeing "the kid" come to town. CAN'T WAIT.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Shaw Makes Most of 1st Line Opportunity

Who would have thought that Saad - Toews - Shaw would amount for 5 points (4 goals) ?

That is exactly what happened tonight. Shaw had 2 goals and  Toews had 2 goals and Saad had a sweet assist on Toews first goal. The 2nd line of Sharp - Regin - Kane still didn't do much. Kane and Sharpies points came on the PP tonight, but as a second line, they didn't make a dent in the scoreboard.


THE 4th LINE:
The 4th line continues to make impressions on everyone. Bollig nets his 7th goal.
Look at that line. Bollig 7 goals, Smith 8 goals, and Kruger 6 goals. That is pretty darn impressive when it comes to the 4th line stats. In addition, they are a nice shut-down line. Bollig is showing that he deserves that 3 year extension. Is Smith next? He should be. If that is the case (and it probably will be), then that will mean 19 guys will be under contract for next season. Handzus, Brookbank, Khabibulin, Raanta, Regin and Smith's contracts all terminate at the end of this season. Smith, Raanta, possibly Regin will end up with contracts. (Will Regin sign a 2 way contract?).

WHO STAYS:
I believe 100% that Khabibulin is DONE. I mean DONE for good. Brooksy I'm not convinced he will return and the same goes with Handzy. So, this gives opportunity for players like Teravainen to get a chance. Others that could get that opportunity to finalize the roster are: Hayes, Hartman, Danault, McNeill, Clendening, Nordstrom, Dahlbeck and LeBlanc and whatever surprise the Hawks throw at us. Remember, Bowman loves to sign veterans, so don't be surprised if he accumulates a low priced veteran that he won't think will change the chemistry any.

OFF SEASON TRADES (possible):
Could there possibly be any offseason trades? YES. But, that list is small. I only see Oduya in that list or possibly sending Rozsival with another player in a trade. Other than that, I don't see much else.


RUNDLBAD & REGIN
So,……let's wait for the remaining games to see how Rundblad and Regin hang with the team, and see the Hawks transform into their playoff selves  within a few weeks. This is the fun time for hockey.


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Morin Stays Put...For Now

I figured that something HAD to happen with Brandon Pirri and/or Jeremy Morin by this trade deadline.
Both players were unhappy being repeatedly sent down to Rockford and neither given a true opportunity to showcase their talents on the NHL roster.

* Both players contracts with the Hawks terminate at the end of this season.

* With the addition of Peter Regin and Pierre-Marc Bouchard (both centermen), this spelled the end of Brandon Pirri's tenure with the Hawks organization for good. Surely, that was the case. Shortly afterward the Hawks trade Pirri to Florida for a future 3rd (2014) and 5th (2016) round pick.

* Hawks brass,...and even the fans, are well aware of Morin's status and his displeasure of being sent down to Rockford.  So, what do the Hawks do? Interestingly enough, the Hawks fill their cap space by adding defenseman David Rundblad. (btw...Rundblad is a stud. But, I didn't see that coming....not surprising however).

* Hawks have not added Morin to their roster, as of yet (However, this is surprising).

* Hawks may be interested in adding Teuvo Teravainen at the end of his season in Finland. This is not too far fetched at all. If that was the case, someone will get sent down (most likely Regin).

Jeremy Morin was the AHL player of the Month for February, and he continues his torrid pace of scoring a point in 13 straight games. Good for J-Mo. I really do like the fact he is making it hard on the brass. What do we do with this kid? Okay,...let's note that J-Mo in no way is a 4th line guy or even a healthy scratch type player. He can fit on the 3rd line with a proper connection.  Morin - Shaw - Versteeg...that could work. 3 guys who are horses.  Bickell - Handzus - Morin.....NO WAY...,   Versteeg - Handzus - Morin. Ehhhh,...
See the problem? Where do you put him? He's truly a top 6 forward, but the only time he can play is NOW. While Hossa is hurt, this would help the team. Great,...then you send Regin down and lose a centerman? So, I'm a bit perplexed about why the Hawks couldn't trade Morin. Let's keep our ears and eyes open for future happenings. Something will happen before/by years end.



Monday, March 3, 2014

Brandon Bollig Gets 3 Year Extension


Brandon Bollig gets his wish. He gets to dress up and play hockey for the best organization in professional hockey…The Chicago Blackhawks. Great job Brandon. Well done!


Apparently,….it is reported that the contract is $1.25m  yearly.  Not too shabby.. I would have figured he would have made $750k per year. So, I guess the Bollig camp did well.



Bob McKenzie @tsnbobmckenzie
Brandon Bollig's AAV on 3-year extension with CHI is $1.25M. You can buy MANY line rickeys at The Hoot Owl with $1.25M. #slu #scaryisntit



  • Beyond excited to remain a Blackhawk for the next three years. Thank you all for the support.
  • Pirri Shipped To FLORIDA

    The Florida Panthers just acquired Brandon Pirri for a bag of hockey pucks. Okay… so the Hawks got a 3rd round pick in 2014 and a 5th round n 2016.  In other words, Hawks felt like they were not going to be able to use Pirri this year, and it was so apparent that neither side was going to see eye to eye when it came to his next contract come June. So, the Hawks got something instead of nothing.

    ONE DOWN,…ONE TO GO.
    Jeremy Morin looks to be the next casualty.  He also doesn't wish to stay with the Hawks knowing his ticket would send him back to Rockord. So,…expect him shipped of next.

    Hawks do have enough cap space to bring him up, if they plan on keeping him. But, there will be no mistaking here,…..he either comes up and stays on the Hawks as a regular starter, gets traded, or he will leave. No other alternative.

    Peter Regin, (who got benched in place of Michal Handzus for the Stadium Series game), his contract is up this year. He is a UFA.

    Hawks said they will not do much for trades. This doesn't exclude their minor league roster. So, they will be sellers (Morin) before March 5th, (as evident by the two trades they've already made).

    Hawks Enjoy Their Snow Day at Soldier Field

    The first ever meeting between 9 year vet Sidney Crosby and 7 year vet Jonathan Toews had to be held in glorious fashion.  Soldier Field seemed like the right place for these two titans.

    The event was snowy, but the fans of just under 63,000 (62,921), were having the time of their lives.



    The last time the Hawks played outdoors was January 1, 2009, in Wrigley Field. The Hawks pulled out the black jerseys in both events. The last event the jerseys were a bit retro, as this time around the jerseys were a bit more modern with chromed logos, half stripes on the sleeves and socks and a faux lace up at the neckline. Most importantly, the Hawks won with the new jerseys,…making the experience a bit more enjoyable.




    The fireworks as the Penguins and Blackawks made their way out of the dressing rooms to the ice was awesome. The National Anthem was sung by Jim Cornelison and sounded just as amazing as when he sings it in the UC. The fans were just as nuts.







    As the game started, it was apparent  that the Hawks figured out that playing "small puck" instead of grand cross ice passes, was definitely more beneficial. Outside of maybe 4-5 times, they played this way throughout the entire evening. Penguins never revised their game after seeing their way was unsuccessful.  It first appeared this game may be a 2-1 or even a 1-0 game because nothing was getting through either end. This until Patrick Sharp lifted one that clanged inside the right post over the right shoulder of Marc-Andre Fleury.


    Toews and Saad recognize Sharps goal is good late in the 1st Period.


    The Second period was more of the same. If you missed this second period,…youtube it or something, because the two goals scored that period were amazing. Especially the next goal that lifted the Hawks to 2-0. Jonathan Toews absolutely schooled Bruce Orpik and deeked him out of his skates then slid one  under the goaltender that snuck its way through his legs to find the back of the net.  It was one of the prettiest goals I've seen Toews make.

    Toews makes a sick deek move and slides it in 5 hole.

    Not to be outdone, Patrick Kane drew defenders toward him as he slid one to the right of the goal mouth for an easy tap in by Kris Versteeg. Penguins may have hit the Hawks harder, but that was because the Hawks generally had puck control all night except for the 6 penalties they had to kill off.

    The first goal by Pittsburgh was nearly 6 and a half minutes in the 3rd period. It started on a Andrew Shaw turnover in their defensive zone and ended up in with a Brent Seabrook OWN goal. This was credited to James Neal. Hawks never let up that rush and got that goal back when Brandon Saad made a sweet pass to a net crashing Bryan Bickell who had to take 2-3 swipes at it,…but it went in to make it 4-1. Then to trade own goals,…Jonahan Toews got credited a goal late as it went off a defenders stick right past Fleury to make it 5-1.

    Most impressive stats?: Hawks Kruger was 77% in the F.O. dot (10/13).
    Biggest reason the Hawks won?: They figured out how to play in the snow. Short passes and shoot on net as often as possible.