Chicago Blackhawks (31-15-8) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (19-26-11)

5 – 3 Win

The Hawks are back on the road after the one game home stand. This trip is down to Florida to match up against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Hawks haven’t visited the Lightning since December of 2005. Tampa is well out of a playoff spot after a great deal of preseason hype. The Lightning went on a spending spree, but the money wasn’t spent wisely. In addition to player’s salaries, another high profile signing was the return of the mullet and Barry Melrose. With the Lightning’s lack of D and goaltending, I bet the Lightning’s coaching staff would take the over on this one.

The Hawks dominated this game but had to rally back to win this game. After a natural hat trick from rookie Steven Stamkos, the Hawks found themselves in a hole, they were down 3-1 just halfway through the game. But the Hawks hard work paid off with 4 unanswered goals and a comeback win. The Hawks out shot TB 49-23.

With the absence of Sharp, the big guns for the Hawks filled the void by having solid games. Goals by Toews (2), Kane, Keith and Bolland were all the Hawks needed. TB Goalie Ramos played a very good game but was hung out to dry with the Lightning’s lack of D support.

A little known fact, the Lightning have one of the worst announcers in professional sports in Dave Mishkin. He is the play-by-play on the radio side, and he is just painful to listen to. If you ever get the opportunity, treat yourself.

Dave Mishkin Blows

So, back on a winning streak, an no reason it would end in Florida. Sometime on this Florida swing would be an ideal time to see what Niemi can do on the NHL level.

Positives:

× Kane is starting to look like he did before the Cleary hit that knocked the confidence right out of him.

× The Hawks didn’t give up. Nice little comeback.

Negatives:

× The Hawks didn’t skate their best game.

× The Hawks seem to play down to shitty teams. Not sure if they don’t take them as seriously or save their worst games for Detroit and teams in the bottom 4 of the conference.

Game Notes:

× Khabibulin was still a scratch due to a “lower body injury”

× After MRI results returned, Sharp’s timetable for his return is at least 3 weeks.

MVB (Most Valuable Blackhawk):

× Jonathan Toews – Toews has been playing some outstanding hockey. Everything seems to be clicking for him, except offensive zone face of wins. This game, JT had 2G, 1A, +2.

Next Matchup:

February 19^th, Chicago Blackhawks @ Florida Panthers

Record:

32-15-8 . . . 72 points

http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2008020849

Dallas Stars (27-20-7) @ Chicago Blackhawks (30-15-8)

6 – 2 Win

After a successful 5-3 road trip, the Hawks return home to host the Dallas Stars in from of the typical sell out crowd. Though the Hawks finished the road trip on a low note after a lackluster performance in St. Louis, it’s good to be home. The Starts come into this one riding an 8-2-0 hot streak and solid goaltending.

This game was a chippy one from the first shift to the last. Less than one minute in, the Hawks lost Sharpie on a hit from Ott that jarred Sharp’s knee. The hit didn’t look too bad, but the aftermath didn’t look good. Sharp needed assistance off the ice and wasn’t putting any weight on the leg. The hit was questionable and I was a little surprised that Hawks weren’t making their own statement by manning up and playing the body. The Star’s Barch also took a run at Kaner early in the game.

But the story of this game for the Hawks was a total team effort for 60 minutes. For all intent and purpose, this game was over just 2 minutes into the 3^rd. The Hawks were up 5-0 at that point. The Hawks dominated the Stars, out shooting them 36-18, many being quality scoring chances. Hawks maintained puck possession in the Dallas zone for the majority of the game.

This was one of Havlat’s best games as a Hawk. He was all over the ice. His second goal of the game, Martin hustled to back check and forced a turnover, made a rink wide outlet pass to Bolland, then jumped back into the rush and scored a wrister beating Turco cleanly. Great shift, great game. The Hawks have got to do what they can to resign a “healthy” Martin Havlat. We are finally seeing what we missed out on during his injury riddled years. That Bolland – Havlat – Ladd line has outperformed all expectations. Dallas big guns were silenced in this game, usually the assignment this line draws.

So, the Hawks stop in and just as quick are back on the road again. This time they travel down south to the Sunshine State.

Positives:

× It’s good to be home

× Total team effort after a disappointing performance in St. Louis the previous night

Negatives:

× The loss of Sharp to an apparent knee injury.

Game Notes:

× Khabibulin was still a scratch due to a “lower body injury”

× Byf and Wiz return to the lineup after missing a few as healthy scratches.

MVB (Most Valuable Blackhawk):

× Martin Havlat – Havlat played a great game, had 2G, 1A, +3

Next Matchup:

February 17^th, Chicago Blackhawks @ Tampa Bay Lightning

Record:

31-15-8 . . . 70 points

http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2008020832