Morning Chirps: Blackhawks prospects continue to roll, end of an era in Florida?

The Chicago Blackhawks will be back on the practice ice this morning as they try to improve from last night’s big win. It’s been an exciting start to the season as things are trending in the right direction in Chicago, Rockford, and around the globe.

Blackhawks Chirps

• The Blackhawks extended their point streak to four games last night with a 2-1 overtime victory against the Anaheim Ducks. The resilience of this team has been refreshing and so much fun to watch.

• As I do after every home game, I stopped by the CHGO Blackhawks Postgame Show to discuss another eventful night at the United Center.

• Joel Quenneville returned to the United Center for the first time after being reinstated by the National Hockey League. Todd Welter explained why things between Coach Q and the Blackhawks will always be complicated.

• Quenneville spoke to the media ahead of last night's game and, of course, was asked about his time in Chicago and whether things could have been done differently off the ice.

• The Rockford IceHogs suffered their first loss of the season in a crazy 6-5 defeat to the Chicago Wolves. They found themselves down 3-0 before the game was seven minutes old, but roared back to take a 4-3 lead in the second period. They couldn’t hold on to that lead or a 5-4 advantage. Nick Lardis scored for the second straight game and added three assists for a four-point game. Defensemen Nolan Allan, Ethan Del Mastro, and Taige Harding all chipped in with helpers. Drew Commesso struggled, allowing six goals on 26 shots, dropping his save percentage to .903 on the season.

• Roman Kantserov having a big day in the KHL is barely news anymore; it’s more the norm. He had a goal and two assists in Sunday’s 9-6 win over Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. He's up to 10 goals and 17 points in 17 games, and is tied for the league lead in goals.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Oct. 20: Benjamin LaParirie, Gerry Goyer, and J.P. LeBlanc.

NHL Chirps

• Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson is in the news again. This time for a hit on Filip Chytil of the Vancouver Canucks. He was initially assessed a five-minute major for the hit, but it was rescinded after review. While the hit itself is fine – shoulder square into the chest – its timing was not. At the very least, he should have been called for interference as the puck was long gone.

• Emiitt Finnie has gone from being a seventh-round pick to an NHL goal scorer in just two years. He scored the first two goals of his career to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The Red Wings have won five games in a row after an embarrassing 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on opening night. Seven of their next eight games will be on the road, so let’s see where they are when the Blackhawks get to Detroit on Nov. 9.

• Speaking of the Oilers, they have placed former Blackhawks defenseman Alec Regula on injured reserve after missing the last three games with an undisclosed injury. The move allows another former Blackhawk, forward Mattias Janmark, to return from injured reserve.

• The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are off to slow starts this season. Nestor Quixtan pondered for Puck Prose on whether we are seeing the end of an era in the Sunshine State. Recent history tells me not to worry about either team. I expect to see them both in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring, but early-season holes can be hard to dig out of. The Blackhawks will be in Tampa on Thursday night.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Oct. 20: Garry Monahan, Guy Chouinard, Colin Wilson, Gustav Lindstrom, Samuel Ersson, and Evan Bouchard.