Hawks Muscle Their Way to Two Points in Extra-Inning Shootout with Ottawa
Did we see some shades of life in this game? The ‘Hawks effort Wednesday night at home as they hosted Erik Karlsson and the Sens eerily resembled professional hockey.
I felt like the Hawks were visibly battling their own deficiencies in this one, and searching for ways to hang on and get the job done at home despite them. It was a grittier effort, and one that, dare I say it, actually had a little heart to it. Patrick Kane played a little ticked off in this one, and his frustrations with himself, this team, and this season were visibly lifted for a moment when he was able to bury his own rebound after another great effort from Vinnie Hinostroza.
Artem Anisimov also tallied in this one amongst increasingly loud rumors that he may be on the move within the next few days.
Above all, Anton Forsberg stood on his head tonight. Forsberg stopped 32 of 34, bailing the Hawks out of a few meltdowns in overtime, and stood tall in the shootout when needed.
I thought Duncan Keith looked better in this game, too. He was winning those split-second battles in the corners and finding safe and efficient outlets.
Hard to get very analytical in a recap at this point without feeling like the violin crew hopelessly playing aboard a sinking Titanic.
That said, even in a gritty, solid effort the Blackhawks’ holes were ever visible. Their transition game continues to be a problem as they were caught sleeping on a few stretch passes, and their inability to capitalize on Grade-A opportunities is hard to watch. Furthermore, I have to say I think that clip of Erik Karlsson stopping Brandon Saad’s backhand as it literally partially crossed the goal line might be the microcosm of this entire season. The ‘Hawks, as bad as they’ve looked this season, have also had some horrible puck luck.
I suppose all we can do for now is sit and wait to see if one of these “blockbuster” rumors pans out, and hope for a miracle as the clock winds down on the 2017-18 Blackhawks.