The Coyotes are horrible. They are somehow far less than the sum of their parts. Having this feckless group over for the evening was perhaps just the thing The Hawks needed right now.
After a not-great start, which has become an irritating trend as late, The Hawks struck first on the power play with a neat redirect by Large Arthur. While they were outshot in the first frame The Hawks seemed to carry most of the play in the latter part of the period.
Hard out of the gate to start the second, The Hawks first found twine after Hossa reeled in a slightly askew pass from Hartman, kicked the puck to his stick, backhand-forehand and past Mike Smith. On the next play it was Dennis Rasmussen shoveling some trash after Panik made amends for a completely gacked breakaway with a rather determined one-handed takeaway and pass into the slot.
After that, it was all over but the cryin' for PHX, and Marian Hossa capped things off with a single-handed drive to the net made possible by a long bomb from Hjalmarsson.
The Hawks were rarely troubled and never for long. Yep, the quality of their opponent was not high, but perhaps this win will put a little wind in their sails, going forward. Hey, scoring more than A GOAL is a victory unto itself.
The Line Blender was set on "Mush" with all but The Arthurs + Kane being shuffled somewhat. The Kruger - Hossa - Hartman line created several chances and Hartman looked as inspired as he's been in four or five games. Rasmussen - Panik - Motte...not so much, despite producing an entertaining goal, as they struggled with getting and then keeping the puck. The fourth line were a non-factor, although it was encouraging to see Hinostroza actually pause to look for a play THREE TIMES. Unfortunately, each time it was Desjardins who received the puck, and we know how that usually goes. All I'll say is that if Coach Q goes with these combinations on Friday vs.The Rangers he'll be pressing "Purée" soon enough.
On defense I was pleased to see Seabrook & Campbell back together but far less sure about Forsling with van Riemsdyk. No disasters, though, and not even any particularly glaring errors. Seabrook, of course, left the game halfway through after an awkward fall into the boards so, hopefully, him not playing was purely precautionary with The Hawks being up 3-0 at the time of his mishap.
Scott Darling earned a shutout, yes, but was only truly tested a couple of time, so the Somber Swede must then acknowledge Marian Hossa for his two goals and a superior effort up and down the ice.
You...are de engine....what drives dis foim.
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