This was a sterner test, too, than the semi-interested Panthers a few nights ago, as The Lightning figure to be around or thereabouts next June, as their lineup has hardly changed since losing to The Hawks in last year's Finals. What we got was an excellent, all-round effort (exceptions noted below) and possibly the best period that The Hawks have played so far this season; The Hawks had their way with The Lightning in the second even while having to kill two penalties, and only new guy Kristers Gudlevskis kept The Lightning in it during that frame. And there's more:
- The Hawks penalty kill was simply outstanding and I liked that they trotted out three separate PK units and none of them stood out as being more or less effective than the others. Ryan Garbutt had his best period and best single shift as a Hawk while on the PK.
- The Hawks' defence, once again, rose to the occasion with a smart, confident effort from all six guys. No, not every play or pass was spot-on but, on the whole, it was a very encouraging performance from the group. I hardly noticed Daley (intimidated off the puck once) and Rundblad (a yippy pass to Daley), which I take as A Good Sign. Svedberg spent way too much time standing and observing, often with the puck getting behind him, but his freakishly long reach sometimes enabled him to make a play that he wouldn't otherwise have pulled off.
- How many times has Kruger failed to cash in a gimme this season?
- All respect to Viktor Tikhonov but was he playing rugby in this one? I believe he attempted twice as many passes down-ice than up. Still, he works hard, gives Toews and Hossa a little extra working space and appears defensively responsible, so...
- Ok, Garbutt had a wonderful First Period but, after that, reverted back to what-the-hell-do-you-do-anyway. What was happening on that odd-man rush in the third when he couldn't get the puck away from him fast enough and put Teravainen offside?
- I'm also not entirely sure what Vincent Hinostroza is accomplishing, so far, but he's probably doing it better than Andrew Shaw, who could likely fetch a decent #5 or #6 defenseman, if anybody was looking into that sort of thing.
- Nice to see Toews net his first of the year, especially a game winner and in such dramatic fashion. I don't expect the floodgates to open or anything, but I'll bet he won't be gripping his stick quite as tightly for a few games.
Yeah, it was "only" 21 saves and a fat goalpost, but Corey Crawford successfully outdueled a young dude who had a pretty fine night, himself. The Hawks can dominate possession and outshoot teams all they like but, if they're gonna wait until overtime to score, Crawford has to be there.
I got this.
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