5 Chicago Blackhawks Thoughts On 3-2 Overtime Win Over Florida

The Chicago Blackhawks needed 2 points tonight and to extend their winning streak to 3 games, and when it was all said and done the Chicago Blackhawks had the win 3-2 in Overtime. Here are 5 Quick Thoughts on the Chicago Blackhawks victory tonight! 

5. This really is the first 3 game winning Streak of the season?

The Calendar says December 12th (which happens to be my oldest son’s birthday!) but it’s hard to believe that with the 3-2 win it’s the first 3 game winning streak of the season for the Hawks.  Normally by now they have at least gone a 5 game winning streak, but this season nothing and I mean nothing has come easy after their opening night win.  Guess they will be going for their first four game winning streak on Thursday night against the Winnipeg Jets!

4. The Breakaways were contagious in the 2nd period. 

There is one thing that has been constant during the Joel Quenneville regime, and that there is a defensive system which usually doesn’t allow breakaways.

Not only was there a breakaway in the 2nd period, but there were 3 breakaways and Corey Crawford could only stop two of the three.  It wasn’t like there were weird bounces creating them, but the Hawks just getting out worked and out hustled by a team that played the night before.

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3. Jordan Oesterle struggled in my mind tonight.

Oesterle received high praise after his play on Sunday night, but to me he struggled a lot with the puck on Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers.  He turned it over a couple of times in the first period deep in the Hawks end, and he didn’t look as confident as he did the other night.  When Jan Rutta left the game with an apparent head injury, Oesterle was forced to play more, and as the night went on he was less noticeable, but the beginning of the game was a rough one for #82.

2. Nothing is coming easy for the Hawks 

The Chicago Blackhawks had a 3 game homestand against teams that are currently out of the playoff picture, and while they ended up winning all three games, it sure wasn’t easy.  Two out of the three were won in overtime, and tonight the Panthers dominated most of the play especially in the 2nd period.  The Hawks are going to need a stronger effort when they start having to play the upper echelon of the NHL on a regular basis.

1. The Top Line Was Awesome Tonight! 

Both goals in regulation were scored by the top line with Jonathan Toews, Alex DeBrincat and Brandon Saad all picking up 2 points for the contest.  DeBrincat set up Saad for the first goal, and Toews was set up by Saad for the 2nd/tying goal.

It just wasn’t the goals that were dominating.  The Top line cycled the puck for long stretches during the game which really was fun to watch, and one thing that had been missing since Marian Hossa left the team this year.

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The Hawks win a hard fought game 3-2, what were your thoughts about the win?