When He's Good He's Great: Hawks 1, Rangers 0 and Wednesday's Big Boy

Okay, so if The Rangers represent the best of the Eastern Conference, we're looking not too bad right now.  I liked all four lines in this game, with each combo creating chances at various times and really looking like cohesive units.  I don't know if Desjardins over Versteeg is necessarily a good choice on the long term but, then again, what's 'Steeger accomplished, lately?  Andrew Shaw somehow evaded suspension after head-butting The Islanders Brock Nelson on Tuesday and promptly turned in a superior effort against The Rangers.  I am loving Shaw on the fourth line, with his fourth-liner grit and second-line hands.  What's not to like?
The defence, for me, was fine.  Rundblad in for Rozsival is always welcome and encouraged and, while he was caught flat-footed a couple of times, Rundblad managed to use his stick and body to prevent The Rangers from completing their plays.  I thought Oduya was very good as he continued to push matters offensively.  As long as he's paired with Hjalmarsson he'll get away with it, too.
Scott Darling was a bit lucky in earning his first NHL shutout, as three pucks did beat him, but there's that whole "you gotta be lucky to be good" thing.  Well, that happened, so good for him.

This guy can disappear for weeks and then, suddenly, he pulls a rabbit out of his hat and has one of these games where he's creating chances, denying the opposition and looking very much like the future hall-of-famer he is.  Brad Richards earns secure trousers yet again.

                                                            MSG is my bitch.