Back In The Saddle? : Hawks 5, Penguins 1

That's more like it.
Much was said during the broadcast about the Penguins being undermanned, and that's certainly true when one considers the current state of their defense corps.  Up front, though, there are very few gaps, with even their Guys being pretty darn good.  Regardless of these teams' relative strengths & weaknesses, The Hawks came out of the gate with the kind of fire they've been sorely lacking for a week or more.  More importantly, even when the inevitable let up occurred, it wasn't of the magnitude that we've been blessed to behold for much of the season.  And the two seasons before that, if we're honest.  I'm tired, so let's go:
Some crazy-good passing helped this look pretty easy.  Schmaltz, Hartman and Kane (twice, including a diabolically good redirect to Kruger) paved the way to four of The Hawks' five tallies with excellent set-ups.  Sure, The Penguins D is thin and often struggled to cope when The Hawks gained the zone and started tossing the puck around, but it's an encouraging sign, for sure.
Tanner Kero is not the answer where 2C is concerned but he'll have to do for now.  He managed to keep up with Kane & Panarin for the most part, even if his hands let the group down once or twice, and he even potted a nice breakaway goal.  A good effort from 67.
After being buried alive in Tampa, John Hayden looked much more comfortable on the fourth line tonight.  Away from Toews & Panik, Hayden was nowhere on Monday, but in this match he used his body and his decent hand skills to create some quality chances, leading The Hawks with six shots on goal.
Speaking of shots, The Chicago defense only hit for two SOG all night.  I know TVR shot and missed a couple of times but the usual shooty suspects, Keith & Seabrook were dishing far more often than usual.  This may bear watching in the upcoming games in case this is some new directive or merely a isolated incident.

The surly Swede thought well of Kane's performance, as well as those of Panarin and Kero (he is, despite all reports, a sentimental type who revels in the successes of the largely unsung) but, through the smoke and the flattering boxscore, Stormare sees Corey Crawford as the biggest of the Big Boys tonight.  NOW is as good a time as any to return to form, and Crow was as steady as anything.