It was bound to happen sooner or later. The Blackhawks got out of their offensive funk by netting four goals against Tampa Bay last night. It was sparked by Patrick Kane’s goal in the first frame. Duncan Keith intercepted the puck in the neutral zone to find Kane ahead of him skating toward the net. Just above the circles, Kane let loose a wrist-shot to beat Antero Niittymaki. Kane played well in his six shifts (4:43). Matt Smaby cut Kane’s night short by tripping him up against the boards. Kane feel awkwardly and somehow got cut just above his eye.
Coach Quenneville stated that he doesn’t think Kane will miss the Blackhawks next game vs. St. Louis. We will find out more on the severity of the injury throughout the day, but apparently Kane has quite the shiner near his left eye. Quenneville added:
“He’s not bad. He got cut above his eye there, and they had to stitch it up and his vision was impaired, but I think he’s going to be all right.”
Last night’s game became the Marian Hossa show. He played his best game since his debut as a Blackhawk. Hossa was great on both ends of the ice. Halfway through the second period Hossa drew two defenders away from the net, and found a wide-open Ben Eager in great position to score. Hossa’s perfect pass gave Eager his second goal on the year. Later in the period Hossa scored a highlight goal late in the period to put the Blackhawks up by three. Jonathan Toews finished off the scoring with a goal of his own in the third. ‘Hawks won 4-0.
Antti Niemi earned his third shutout last night, and has sixth wins on the year. I’ve alluded to my affinity for the Finnish goaltender, and Niemi has been nothing short of impressive in his rookie campaign thus far. His value to the Blackhawks is increasing. Quenneville kept his word when he said Niemi has earned more starts, and that makes me happy.
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