Something Had To Give: Maple Leafs 4, Hawks 3

In only the third game for each team, the NHL's two scoriest teams met in what many lunkheaded hockey pundits would deem a truth-telling match: are these teams for real and, if so, has their early form given any true indication of where they're at.
Yeah, sort of, actually.
At full strength maybe The Hawks could have had something for The Leafs, but it would appear that I was wrong about things being just fine with Anisimov bumping up 2C and Kero drawing in at 3C.  There were other issues, as well, but the sub-20% possession stats for the Hartman - Anisimov - Kane line was a huge factor in this defeat.  Lemme break it down:
* Anisimov was, quite simply, garbage tonight.  He wasn't the only underachiever on The Hawks' side, but his failure to provide....well, anything concrete, was the most glaring example of a player found wanting.  When you see him get chased down and stripped of the puck by a guy ten years his senior you know it's gonna be a rough ride.  He can be better, probably.  Hopefully.
* Kero was ridiculously miscast in the 3C role, thrust into that position out of necessity, but the fact remains that The Hawks had two lines completely out of whack in the absence of Nick Schmaltz.  The take away here, of course, is how terribly brittle The Hawks' offense is, particularly down the middle and, if Schmaltz cannot remain healthy (or even finish a game or two) some personnel adjustment will most certainly be required.
* The Hawks' D ranged from so-so to downright bad.  Keith couldn't make a pass for love nor money, Seabrook was straight-up giving the puck away (once on a Hawks powerplay, no less) and, for all the good things he did in the offensive zone, Forsling was too often swallowed up and outmuscled by speedy Leafs' forwards.

                                                  A little help, fellas....?

* Anton Forsberg's debut was a mixed bag, as he was mighty in the scrambles around his crease, which were plentiful, in which he showed superior concentration and quickness.  Buuuuuut, three goals through the five-hole isn't especially flattering (although I suppose there wasn't much to do about JVR's off-the-skate goal...).  Still, he outplayed his overrated counterpart, for what little that's worth.
* At least the Toews line was able to mount a consistent attack; Saad and Panik were both excellent, I thought.  The fourth line of Hayden - Wingels - Bouma punched above their weight but, even so, what's that gonna get you?

Montréal tomorrow and a very real possibility of more of the same, should Coach Q stick with the same line combos, which he will because what other choice does he have?  Don't be shocked to see Franson and/or Oesterle draw in on the third D pairing.
En avant.