Just The Right Amount of Dumb: Hawks 5, Kings 3

It wasn't very pretty, they really only played well for 25 minutes and they were raked over the coals in most statistical categories but, somehow, The Hawks prevailed.  Perverse lot, these Blackhawks.
Let's go.
The Dumb wasn't referring to The Hawks (much).  Kings ubermensch Drew Doughty took a penalty, the validity of which was discussed to the extent that it became two penalties, leading to the Anisimov PPG and the tide turning in favour of The Hawks.  Late in the period it was Tanner Pearson, somehow too slow or too lazy to keep pace with Connor Murphy (ha!) with Toews, this time, cashing in on that PP for the go-ahead goal.  Doughty's original penalty was a bit of a weak call but, after Carter drilled DeBrincat earlier with nary a glance from the officials, I'd say they were even.

Stats Pack: As mentioned, The Hawks were on the wrong end of nearly all statistical categories, apart from a pair of vital areas: Power Play Goals (2-for-5) and Giveaways.  While Duncan Keith, alone, served up two after-yous that led directly to LA goals, The Kings were even sloppier, with the Oesterle and Hinostroza goals directly attributed to Kings giveaways.
And the power play came alive.  Anisimov did exactly what he's meant to do in front of the net and the rest of the forwards did an admirable job moving the puck and getting shots away.  For a day, The Hawks kinda looked like they knew what they were doing, there.

Bounce-back games for Gustafsson, Dahlstrom and Oesterle helped immensely, especially given that Keith had his problems and Seabrook was not much better.  Despite these performances Keith and Seabrook still led all Hawks in TOI.  There's your Dumb, I guess, but what do I know?

Kane + Toews + Saad didn't really come on-song until the third period and, even then, were not exactly dominant.  Saad continues to have a tough time getting shots away but perhaps, with Kane providing better passes than he's been seeing a lot of the time, that will change.  At this point in the year The Hawks have nothing to lose by persevering with this trio, if only to see what they can accomplish and what effect watering down the other lines will have.

SO, on the back of that deplorable effort in San Jose a few nights ago it was sure encouraging to see The Hawks dig in, come back and beat a team that had blown only one third period lead all season.  Sure, there was a bit of luck involved and The Kings didn't make things too difficult in the third period, but we'll take it, and maybe a bit of momentum into tomorrow's afternoon delight in Anaheim.