A Disappointing OT Loss Is, Well, A Loss

CHICAGO, IL -- My title makes this seem mean. I promise it's not.

Overall, the Blackhawks played pretty well tonight. The offense was good, taking shots when they had the opportunities, even if they didn't all connect.

And, Tarasenko's OT GWG was just a bad turnover gone terribly wrong. Right place at the right time, with Darling out of the net and Seabrook laying on the ice trying to block the shot.

Still, it was disappointing. Especially because most of the game was kind of boring. I was nervous in the first period, but my feed cut out halfway through and I missed the beginning of the second--until just after Toews scored.

For some reason, I thought they were out of the woods with the 1-0 lead. I don't really know why I thought that for a moment.

They did manage to kill three penalties this game, which was more important than usual. This was a big game, and the boys managed to stay in it with all of the penalty killing. Their power play could still use a little work, but they did try.

And, though the Hawks led by 1 for the second and most of the third period, they ended ten shots under the Blues with just 25. I think a big part of that is due to the amount of penalties they had to kill versus the power plays they got in return.

Do I think this one game means the Blackhawks are doomed for the playoffs? Not necessarily. Keep in mind, they're missing five players that are crucial to the lineup--Keith, Hossa, Shaw, Crawford, and Anisimov--all of which should be back during the playoffs.

The thing they need to worry about is overtime. Though they never lost to the Blues in regulation this season, they have lost to them now three times in overtime. Not a good sign if any of the games go that far. They'll need to make sure they get the lead right off the bat and stay there if they want to make it past the first round.

The next Blackhawks game is at Columbus at 7pm Saturday, April 9th.