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Rough Riders - Hawks Edge Out Overtime Win Over Senators



OTTAWA, ON, CA - First, I'm going to start by saying that this blog is going to look a little different, but I'll get to that in a minute.

Let's talk about that game.

It wasn't my favorite performance, for a number of reasons, but I didn't think it was... terrible? I mean, sure, it wasn't the prettiest game the Blackhawks have ever played, but it also wasn't the worst in the books.

Look, the first period was actually a really good period, even if it ended a little lopsided for the Hawks. I thought Alex Debrincat's goal was unbelievable, and Jonathan Toews got in on the fun, too--I really love that Debrincat-Toews-Dominik Kahun line, guys. Like, really love it. Jonny might have just found himself some permanent linemates.

Can we go back to the DeBrincat goal for a second, though? That was incredible--I don't know how that even went in, honestly. Just skirted over Craig Andersen's shoulder, and fortunately for the Hawks, he didn't stand a chance against that quick wrist.

Speaking of goalies... I know Cam Ward let in quite a few goals (three off of just nine shots in that first frame, mind you), but I thought he made some pretty solid saves that first period. He stood tall on a lot of plays that could have shifted the game early. I'm not totally sold on him yet, but I have seen him play in Raleigh with the Hurricanes, and I know he can be consistent when he gets into a rhythm--let's just hope he gets into that rhythm sooner rather than later.

Overall, though, the first period wasn't the worst. It wasn't great, wasn't bad, just kind of meh. I liked the lack of penalties (until, you know, Chris Kunitz takes one and costs the Hawks a goal just seconds into the power play--but it's fine), and I think that first line especially played the full rink. 

The second period was boring until the last five or so minutes, in which three players took penalties between the two teams. First, it was Alex DeBrincat to the box for a stupid faceoff violation, and I thought, "sure, this is fine, we'll just kill it off and it'll be fine." Then, Luke Johnson took a penalty for slashing (which was totally warranted, a blatant slash), and that left the Hawks with a 5-on-3 situation that's hard to kill off for any team. They did manage to kill the 5-on-3, but almost as soon as it was a regular power play, Colin White (who scored earlier in the first period) took a penalty of his own and it was 4-on-4. The Hawks got a few good looks, but couldn't seem to keep the puck in their end, or on their sticks, to be honest.

The Hawks kept turning the puck over all night, and it was kind of strange to see because I don't see them usually as a turnover type of team. What was especially strange was that Patrick Kane was the one turning the puck over so frequently. Your guess is as good as mine as to why that was--seemed uncharacteristic of him. I don't really care who is turning over the puck, that is something that the Hawks need to sort out... whatever that mess is, and they need to sort it out fast.

Again, though, Ward stood tall and blocked some pretty tough shots. He at least kept the game from being 10-1 (hello, Penguins).

As soon as the third period started, panic set in for me. I know what you're thinking--it's the first game. And, you're right. It is. But, the first game (or, rather, the first couple of games), can really set the pace for the season. I've always been one to worry about early games, much to my friends' and family's chagrin. Down by one, it wasn't totally a lost cause, but the Hawks seemed tired. They were pausing, slowing down when they really should just take a shot--it was mildly (read: very) frustrating to watch.

But, lo and behold, Brent Seabrook scores off a great feed from Kane behind the net, tying the game up with about seven minutes remaining in the game. I loved the play, and that's the kind of game I want them to play--just shoot, just get the puck in the net. Isn't that the whole point of this maddening game?

Anyways, Chris Tierney took a penalty shortly after Seabrook's goal, and I thought for sure they would score then. The power play unit was definitely one of the better ones I've seen from the Hawks in a while--Kane, Toews, DeBrincat, Schmaltz, and Keith. I thought Keith had the best looks on the power play, but DeBrincat had a nice shot as well. Again, they need to stop passing so much and just shoot the dang puck--I never could quite understand why they couldn't just shoot.

But, alas, nothing on the power play, and nothing in the dwindling moments of the period--to overtime we go.

You can't make this up.

Jonathan Toews to Patrick Kane, and in natural Kane fashion, the puck just barely went in, right in the top left corner of the net. That overtime lineup of Kane, Keith, and Toews is unstoppable and needs to be the starting OT lineup every opportunity.

Not the prettiest win, but a win nonetheless, and a win I am happy to start the season with. There's a lot of room for improvement for sure, and it'll be interesting to see how they do against a harder Blues team on Saturday, or a certainly harder Leafs team on Sunday.

But, hey, a win's a win, right? Let's keep that ball rolling.

----

As an aside, let's jump back to the top where I told you I have news--I'm changing things up.

There will be blogs up here still for sure, but I'm not going to post one after every game anymore. I'm going to post one blog every Friday morning/early afternoon that covers every game from the previous week, Friday night to Thursday night.

Not only is this more manageable for me, it'll be less clutter at the end of the day. Plus, there's no way I can catch those 10:30pm starts during the week, and this helps me manage those a little easier.

Hope you guys like this new format--I'll put it into action next Friday, starting with the games against the Blues, Leafs and Wild next week.

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