Recap: Chicago Blackhawks at Los Angeles Kings

Jan. 19, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save off a shot by Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) in the second period of the game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks opened the 2013 NHL season against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Los Angeles Kings, Saturday night away from home but not away from their fans. After the Kings received their championship rings, paraded the Stanley Cup around the rink, and raised the banner, the Blackhawks showed their jealousy with a 5-2 win.

We were all eager to see the return of our team, and especially the return of our captain, Jonathan Toews, and elite player, Marian Hossa. Concussion issues seemed to be a non-factor against LA, and the flu bug that bit the captain was forgotten after the opening faceoff win.

This was also Corey Crawford and Patrick Kane‘s chance to prove that last year was just a slump, that they could carry this team much farther.

From the first look of things, this will be a very good year. Kane from Hossa scored the first 2013 NHL season goal on a 5 on 3 power play. Yeah, that’s our guy.

And Hossa wasn’t done there. He added a goal in the first period and one in the third to give the Blackhawks the 5-2 lead. Welcome back Big Hoss!

Michael Frolik had a laser shot off of a nice Marcus Kruger pass, and Toews banked in a rebound from a Kane breakaway shot.

Crawford faced 21 shots saving 19 of them. Only the great and lucky goaltenders can save shots when their knocked down or screened by two or three players.

The Blackhawks may have caught the Kings in the proverbial Stanley Cup hangover, but everything that I hoped to see throughout the year from the Blackhawks made an appearance. Kane’s skill. Movement on the power play. Toews’ on the ice. Hossa being Hossa. No soft goals against. A Blackhawks win. More like it, please!

My 3 stars of the game are –

1. Marian Hossa – 2G, 1A

2. Patrick Kane – 1G, 1A

3. Jonathan Toews – 1G, 1A

Honorable mentions – Michael Frolik and Brent Seabrook

What did you think of the season opener?

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