Monday Morning Rewind: 1/19/13 @ L.A. Kings

Welcome to the first ever edition of Blackhawk Up’s 2013 summer series, Monday Morning Rewind. In this series, we recap an important game from the Blackhawks’ 2013 season. There is no better way to start this series, than where it all began; the season, the ‘Streak’ and the run to the championship.

Jan. 19, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center

(19) scores past Los Angeles Kings goalie

(32) in the second period of the game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

January 19, 2013: 2PM

Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

Chicago Blackhawks (0-0-0) @ L.A. Kings (0-0-0)

Recap:

The L.A. Kings may have been the ones parading around the ice before the game, but the defending Stanley Cup Champions got a rude awakening when the puck finally dropped, courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Patrick Kane started the season off right, with the first goal of the 2013 NHL campaign, just over five minutes into the game. He took a great feed from Marian Hossa, and the Blackhawks gained a lead they never gave up. Hossa had a stellar game as well, adding another assist and a goal for a three-point afternoon.

Hossa’s great effort wasn’t only a sign of a good season to come, but a successful recovery from the injuries he sustained in the 2012 playoffs. The extra time he gained from the lockout paid off immensely, and Blackhawks fans had the #81 they hoped for.

The Blackhawks’ secondary scoring came alive in this game, with Marcus Kruger ripping a bullet past 2012 Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick, who didn’t look at all like his usual self at any point in the game, and the Kings’ usually solid defense wasn’t doing the goaltender any favors.

At the other end of the ice, Corey Crawford had a respectable night, stopping 19 of the 21 shots he faced. This game was the start of a comeback year for the netminder, after falling short of expectations in the season previous.

One negative came put of the contest; Daniel Carcillo was injured during the game. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Carcillo’s setback opened the door for Brandon Saad to step up in his rookie season, bringing more offense to the already skilled ‘Hawks for the rest of the year.

Final Score: 5-2 CHI

Hindsight: All in all, it was a dream start for the Blackhawks. They never let the Cup champs get going, and many positives came out of the game, from individuals like Crawford and Hossa, to the usually lackluster power-play getting some offense The Blackhawks got out on the right track, a track that ended up bringing them the ‘streak’, the President’s Trophy, and the Stanley Cup.

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